Diary

This Midlands based band was formed over 20 years ago with some members from the Hazel Slade Big Band. They always promise to please the audience with some fabulous numbers from a varied repertoire. Presented in a light hearted fashion with some banter between Jon & Robin. They really are a little big band! Tunes from W C Handy, The Ellington Orchestra, Dizzy Gillespie, Django Reinhardt to name just a few.  As the band name suggests, this band don’t ‘alf swing! One of the clubs favourites.

Louis Louis Louis are a 4-piece band from Leeds, originally formed in 2011 as a tribute to Louis Prima and Louis Jordan. Over the years, they have extended their repertoire somewhat, and have become specialists in vintage vocal-harmony music, including swing, jump blues, doo wop, rocksteady and soul.

Following the UK's Skiffle music boom of 1956 kids became known as 'teenagers' and for the first time had a music that they could call their own. Many who cut their teeth in Skiffle Groups now began exchanging their washboards for drums, their tea chest bass for an proper electric bass and their old banjos for real guitars as their own musical tastes widened to the sounds across the Atlantic Ocean. It was in 1958 that Buddy Holly brought the first Fender Stratocaster guitar into the UK and from then on the door was wide open for the magnificent and energetic sounds of America to shake up old blighty forever. A new breed of music hero now dominated the British Hit Parade - with home grown talent such as Tommy Steele, Joe Brown, Lonnie Donegan, Adam Faith and Marty Wild and many other American stars such as Johnny Cash, Eddie Cochran, Gene Vincent, The Everly Brothers and more. Enjoy 2 hours of musical nostalgia with Warren James as he remembers his Hit Parade Heroes.

Gary Wood [trumpet/vocal], Tad Newton [ trombone/vocal], Tomas Pedersen [bass], Ronnie Fenn [drums] Alan Haughton [piano] and Richard Exall [clarinet/sax]

Sarah relocated back to the UK in January of 2017 and has been continuing to lead her ‘Sarah Spencer’s Transatlantic Band’ on both sides of the Atlantic, in Europe and in the USA. Sarah worked for a while for the long-established, Bob Dwyer’s Bix and Pieces band and is the other member of the front line of Mike Owen’s exciting and wonderful Scarlette’s Serenaders, which also performs internationally. In addition to these, she is guesting with many other bands all across the UK and Europe. Sarah Spencer's Transatlantic Band performs powerful New Orleans jazz in the tradition of the great Revival. Drawing influence from bands of that era, as well as taking influence from more modern New Orleans music, blues, rhythm and blues and the greats of all eras of Jazz and Blues; like Henry 'Red' Allen, Louis Armstrong, Kid Ory, Jelly Roll Morton, Big Bill Broonzy, Lonnie Johnson, Louis Jordan, Louis Prima and countless others.

Coming from a family of strong musicians, Carl first started playing the piano when he was six years old. He had classical lessons to the age of twelve (just listening and learning to copy the sounds) and went on to win 'Young Musician of The Year'. A few years later, he switched to a teacher that gave more direction on improvisation, jazz and pop. By the age of eighteen, he'd mastered the art of playing boogie-woogie piano - relying on a strong left hand and a quick technique. Since 2007, he has become one of the resident pianist at Jools Holland's live music venue 'The Jam House' in Birmingham. But he’s also very privileged to have performed at some of the country’s top music festivals and theatres and at countless weddings/private parties - and even done a few for some celebrities! One of our club favourite acts, Carl Sinclair (piano) will make a return visit to us alongside Howard Smith on Drums.

On a gig with the Harlem Jazz Orchestra, Zoltan and Sarah were talking and Zoltan said that he wanted to play a New Orleans Revival-style gig with himself and Sarah. Inspired, Sarah has formed a band of some of the best musicians in the UK who play in that idiom. She decided to highlight the 2-reed front line and go without a trumpet player but, instead, have Mike Owen join them, which makes the band about as authentic in the New Orleans dance hall style as possible.

Sarah Spencer - reeds, Zoltan Sagi - reeds, Mike Owen - trombone, Tom ‘Spats’ Langham - banjo/guitar, Jim Swinnerton - string bass, Graham Smith – drums

Following the success of Warren James and his telling of The Lonnie Donegan Story we are delighted to invite the band back to perform for us a more broad and varied selection of songs that had England swinning throughout the 1950s Skiffle Boom. As well as 'The King of Skiffle', Lonnie Donegan, the Skiffle Boom also prouduced hit records such as Freight Train for Chas McDevitt and Nancy Whiskey, Last Train to San Fernando for Johnny Duncan, as well as hits for The Vipers, including Don't You Rock Me Daddio, Cotton Fields and Maggie Maggie May. Many jazz stars of the day had their own skiffle groups, including, Chris Barber, Ray Bush, The Avon Cities Skiffle Group and the City Ramblers. Skiffle was the launch pad for an entire generation of musician, many became jazz players, many went on to influence the 60s folk revival, whilst many more became the pop stars and hit makers of the 50s and 60s. Come and experience the music that was once described as "The Poor Man's Jazz" and "Britain's Jug Band Craze" but will always be "The Music that Made Britain Swing".

“Chanson Swing” features the vocal talents of Sophie-Jayne Holder along with her husband Ben Holder on piano. As their name suggests there will be plenty of popular French 'Chansons', swinging jazz standards and a pinch of Spanish “Canción”! As a skilled linguist who spent a long time living in Europe, as well as being a classical flautist, Sophie-Jayne lends her musical ear and language fluency to beautiful chansons like La Vie En Rose, Hymn A L'Amour & La Mer, with Ben on piano adding an air of excitable energy to jazzy swing tunes from Gershwin, Porter & Carmichael to name but a few. For this show double bassist extraordinaire, Paul Jefferies joins “Chanson Swing” adding a rocksteady swinging bass, to make for an incredibly swinging jazz trio! An afternoon of swing, beautiful jazz ballads and chansons awaits!

Gary Wood [trumpet/vocal], Tad Newton [ trombone/vocal], Tomas Pedersen [bass], Ronnie Fenn [drums] Alan Haughton [piano] and Richard Exall [clarinet/sax]

Paula Jackman’s Jazz Masters, is made up of great musicians and great friends - ‘we enjoy our music and enjoy our time together. When a band has fun, you can guarantee the audience will too.’ We play Dixieland jazz from its roots in New Orleans through to its heyday during the British Trad boom.’ Paula Jackman – clarinet and saxes (soprano, alto, C melody and tenor), ‘Magic’ Mike Henry (cornet), Alistair Allan (Trombone), Hugh Crozier (Piano and vocals), ‘Lord’ Marc Easener (Sousaphone), Graham Collicott (Drums & Washboard).

Following the UK's Skiffle music boom of 1956 kids became known as 'teenagers' and for the first time had a music that they could call their own. Many who cut their teeth in Skiffle Groups now began exchanging their washboards for drums, their tea chest bass for an proper electric bass and their old banjos for real guitars as their own musical tastes widened to the sounds across the Atlantic Ocean. It was in 1958 that Buddy Holly brought the first Fender Stratocaster guitar into the UK and from then on the door was wide open for the magnificent and energetic sounds of America to shake up old blighty forever. A new breed of music hero now dominated the British Hit Parade - with home grown talent such as Tommy Steele, Joe Brown, Lonnie Donegan, Adam Faith and Marty Wild and many other American stars such as Johnny Cash, Eddie Cochran, Gene Vincent, The Everly Brothers and more. Enjoy 2 hours of musical nostalgia with Warren James as he remembers his Hit Parade Heroes.

Heavy Beat Brass Band is the UK’s most authentic New Orleans-style brass band, bringing the vibrant sounds of 2nd line rhythms and street jazz straight from the heart of Birmingham. A collective of young jazz musicians our band members immersed themselves in the rich traditions of New Orleans, studying under the legendary Keith Frazier of the Rebirth Brass Band. Mastering the iconic marching bass, snare drum and sousaphone rhythm section setup, a hallmark of the 2nd line music, and fused it with the spontaneous, free-flowing spirit of jazz improvisation.

Our performances are a celebration of both tradition and innovation, blending the raw energy of New Orleans street music with contemporary pop influences and original compositions. Every show is unique, filled with dynamic improvisation, driving rhythms, and a commitment to delivering the authentic sound of New Orleans as it’s heard today.

The Jake Leg Jug Band bring you the authentic sounds of 1920's and 30's America - Jazz, Blues, Gospel, Ragtime - and put their own twist on it. Songs of murder, betrayal, gambling, liquor and redemption. After self-releasing their debut album, the band signed to one of the UK's top independent Jazz labels, recording 3 albums as part of the 'Vintage Recording Project' - essentially recording live around ribbon microphones, as it would have been back in the 1930’s. A further three albums were released in the last four years on the Green Bullet record label including their first ever live album. 2022 marked the 10th anniversary of the band and saw them play 100 gigs, taking in dates from Scotland to Cornwall and South Wales to Suffolk. 2023 is the bands busiest ever year and they bring their latest live show to promote their latest album Hello Central.
​
"A masterpiece of nostalgic music" Folk North West
"Expert musicianship and great arrangements....highly recommended" Just Jazz
"Instrumental virtuosity" Blues & Rhythm
"Good time music from a good-time group" The Jazz Rag
"Pick any track at random and prepare to be entertained " RnR
"the album shows the tightness of a band that have spent many years on the road" Fatea​
"A fine feast of good-time music" Blues News (Norway)
“The band mesh together like a well-oiled machine. Smokin’!” Spiral Earth​
“Pretty damn good!” Blues Matters

The line up is:  Duncan Wilcox (Vocals & Double Bass), Liam Ward (Vocals, Harmonica, Jug, Saw, Washboard & Kazoo), Warren James (Vocals & Banjo) plus a host of guest musicians.

Hot Fingers welcomes you to an eclectic mix of vintage acoustic music. As well as the red hot jazz of 1920’s New York, there will be sophisticated 1930’s Swing. The band re-create the ‘French Coffee House’ sound of the king of gypsy swing Django Reinhardt, the blues guitars of Eddie Lang and Lonnie Johnson, and the syncopated Latin rhythms of Argentinean Oscar Aleman, this is mixed with vocals from the song-writing greats, crooners such as Bing Crosby and Al Bowlly, and hokem from the likes of Cliff ‘Ukulele Ike’ Edwards. From Jump-Jive to swing, from the Charleston to Bossa-Nova, Hot Finger’s wide range of styles and rhythms makes them popular with both sit-down audiences and dancers alike. The band comprises Spats Langham (banjo, guitar, ukulele), Danny Blyth (bass clarinet, guitar) and Malcolm Sked (sousaphone, double bass). They will be joined by the superb vocalist Emily Campbell who adds a touch of class with her plaintive vocals, drawing inspiration from the likes of Peggy Lee and Ella Fitzgerald.

A band once led by the wonderful, late Jeremy Huggett is now led by Kevin Grenfell.  The band 'Jazz & Boogie Band' does exactly what it says on the tin by playing all your Jazz & Boogie favourites.

This lively and swinging band is great for both listening and dancing, and is guaranteed to give us a foot tapping session of Jazz & Boogie.

The Roaring Twenties will give you an evening of entertainment from the era of beautiful fashions, elegant celebrities, flappers, gangsters and last but by no means least, Hot Jazz. Tunes from bands such as King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band, Louis Armstrong’s Hot Five, The Wolverines and the New Orleans Rhythm Kings are all part of the bands repertoire. Added to this are the classis songs from the era, sung by Bessie Smith, Sophie Tucker, Ma Rainey and Mamie Smith in the blues and vaudeville styles. The band that recreate the ‘roaring twenties’ are Simon James, trumpet; David Hepworth clarinet / saxophone; Andy Bramall, banjo / guitar; Liz Hepworth, double bass, Rob Cotterell, drums; and featuring vocalist Suzanne James.

Fret and Fiddle have come a long way since forming in 2001 as a duo making their mark as a tribute to Stephane Grappelli and Django Reinhardt. Since those early days playing at small folk and blues clubs and experimenting with their repertoire, they have enjoyed over a decade of success as a trio, winning awards such as Stafford Jazz Society's “Band of the Year” and producing over four albums of material. The co-founders of the group, professional violinist Sally Minchin and guitarist Andy Bole, embarked on their project “Grappelli Swing” in 2014 to wide critical acclaim playing as a five-piece line up on their'' UK tour. Now they have added an exciting new dimension to the band and are joined by the phenominally talented Steve Street on drums, Rich Hughes on piano and Simon Smith on double bass. Prepare to be dazzled by Fret and Fiddle's show which takes you through the swing music of the 1920's, the blues, americana, folk, gypsy and some foot-tapping fiddle tunes. Come and hear songs from the shows such as “Anything Goes by Cole Porter,” sing along to old hits like “I Can't Give you Anything but Love” and prepare to be dazzled by Andy's greek bouzouki playing! This versatile and entertaining group even throw in a few refreshingly individual songs by the likes of Tom Waits and Leonard Cohen, making certain that there is something in every show to delight everyone in every audience. Fret and Fiddle have just released their new album “J'Attendrai” which has been making waves locally and nationally and their track “Pennies from Heaven” has already been played as part of BBC Introducing on local BBC radio.

Coming from a family of strong musicians, Carl first started playing the piano when he was six years old. He had classical lessons to the age of twelve (just listening and learning to copy the sounds) and went on to win 'Young Musician of The Year'. A few years later, he switched to a teacher that gave more direction on improvisation, jazz and pop. By the age of eighteen, he'd mastered the art of playing boogie-woogie piano - relying on a strong left hand and a quick technique. Since 2007, he has become one of the resident pianist at Jools Holland's live music venue 'The Jam House' in Birmingham. But he’s also very privileged to have performed at some of the country’s top music festivals and theatres and at countless weddings/private parties - and even done a few for some celebrities! One of our club favourite acts, Carl Sinclair (piano) will make a return visit to us alongside Howard Smith on Drums.

Formed in 2012 Washington Whirligig has quickly gained an enviable reputation for its versatility and professionalism. Catering for all occasions from birthdays and anniversaries to formal dances and corporate entertainment, they have also taken the jazz club scene by storm, earning praise and gaining great reviews wherever they perform. Playing early New Orleans through to driving mainstream jazz, swing and blues, they have a programme for every occasion. All band members are experienced musicians, respected within the industry, ensuring your event will be a memorable day. “Whirligig by name and by nature, this recently formed band is a joy to both listen to and play with. Their enthusiasm, endeavour and the excitement they create on the bandstand will, in my opinion as an occasional guest member of the band, take them a long way toward their drive to success. As with many other bands, the Alex Welsh Band are among their influences and inspirations, but with one difference, they play with the fire and drive of their idols, missing in so many other “tribute” bands. I will be happy to play with this band as often as they ask me to" Jim Douglas, guitar and banjo, Alex Welsh Band, 1963 to 1981. Dave Hepworth (clarinet & tenor sax), Andy Bramall (guitar, banjo & vocal), Rob Cotterell (Drums), Liz Hepworth (bass & vocal) & Andy Henderson (trumpet & vocal).

Sauce City Jazz is a traditional “Dixieland” Jazz Band that plays in and around Worcestershire and the Midlands. We play at a wide range of events including weddings, Anniversaries, Birthdays, Barbecues and even Funerals but also Jazz Evenings, Dances, Summer Park events, Jazz Festivals and “Jazz in the Church” events. Sauce City Jazz was formed in 1992 in Claines, Worcestershire by a group of friends who got together to welcome a local soldier home from the Gulf War. A fun evening soon evolved into a six piece jazz band, now approaching its thirtieth year. Our line up is Trumpet, Trombone, Clarinet, Banjo, String Bass and Drums, playing acoustically or amplified as the occasion demands. Our numbers include a wide range of traditional and popular jazz classics, which will lend a real party atmosphere to special events!

The Shooting Stars were formed in 2008 from a nucleus of musicians from the Big Chris Barber Band. Collectively they share a love and respect of
all forms of jazz but have their roots firmly planted in the vintage, golden period of jazz history.

The band benefits from it's unique position of being a relatively young group of musicians with an extremely deep and varied wealth of  experience, who between them, have probably played at every major concert venue and jazz festival in Europe.

The Shooting Stars are as at home playing the beautiful melodies and stomping jazz from the 20's 30's and 40's as they are playing mainstream jazz, swing and jump jive, where they exploit the band's virtuosity with exciting solos and tight ensemble passages.

Hot Fingers welcomes you to an eclectic mix of vintage acoustic music. As well as the red hot jazz of 1920’s New York, there will be sophisticated 1930’s Swing. The band re-create the ‘French Coffee House’ sound of the king of gypsy swing Django Reinhardt, the blues guitars of Eddie Lang and Lonnie Johnson, and the syncopated Latin rhythms of Argentinean Oscar Aleman, this is mixed with vocals from the song-writing greats, crooners such as Bing Crosby and Al Bowlly, and hokem from the likes of Cliff ‘Ukulele Ike’ Edwards. From Jump-Jive to swing, from the Charleston to Bossa-Nova, Hot Finger’s wide range of styles and rhythms makes them popular with both sit-down audiences and dancers alike. The band comprises Spats Langham (banjo, guitar, ukulele), Danny Blyth (bass clarinet, guitar) and Malcolm Sked (sousaphone, double bass). They will be joined by the superb vocalist Emily Campbell who adds a touch of class with her plaintive vocals, drawing inspiration from the likes of Peggy Lee and Ella Fitzgerald.

Kevin Grenfell is back with his Jazz Friends! All of Kevin’s fine musicians have appeared at our jazz club over the years in different bands and under several names, this time they come together and appear with his Jazz Friends, of whom they are! No name, no pack drill applies! The Jazz Friends play a mixture of Traditional & Mainstream Jazz with a hint of Blues so there’s going to be something for everyone – this is definitely a session not to be missed!

On a gig with the Harlem Jazz Orchestra, Zoltan and Sarah were talking and Zoltan said that he wanted to play a New Orleans Revival-style gig with himself and Sarah. Inspired, Sarah has formed a band of some of the best musicians in the UK who play in that idiom. She decided to highlight the 2-reed front line and go without a trumpet player but, instead, have Mike Owen join them, which makes the band about as authentic in the New Orleans dance hall style as possible.

Sarah Spencer - reeds, Zoltan Sagi - reeds, Mike Owen - trombone, Tom ‘Spats’ Langham - banjo/guitar, Jim Swinnerton - string bass, Graham Smith – drums

Sarah relocated back to the UK in January of 2017 and has been continuing to lead her ‘Sarah Spencer’s Transatlantic Band’ on both sides of the Atlantic, in Europe and in the USA. Sarah worked for a while for the long-established, Bob Dwyer’s Bix and Pieces band and is the other member of the front line of Mike Owen’s exciting and wonderful Scarlette’s Serenaders, which also performs internationally. In addition to these, she is guesting with many other bands all across the UK and Europe. Sarah Spencer's Transatlantic Band performs powerful New Orleans jazz in the tradition of the great Revival. Drawing influence from bands of that era, as well as taking influence from more modern New Orleans music, blues, rhythm and blues and the greats of all eras of Jazz and Blues; like Henry 'Red' Allen, Louis Armstrong, Kid Ory, Jelly Roll Morton, Big Bill Broonzy, Lonnie Johnson, Louis Jordan, Louis Prima and countless others.