Diary

Established nearly twenty years ago, The Martinique Jazz Band fast became one of the top jazz bands on the local scene in the Midlands.  They have played at many of the premier venues both in the UK and on the continent, and played with many of the top stars in jazz.  Their annual German tour has always gone down well with both the musicians and the audiences.  The Band has also played in Fritzels on Bourbon Street in New Orleans during the Jazz and Heritage Festivals.  After being invited to play at one of the Mayors charity presentations, the whole band were declared "Honorary Citizens of New Orleans!".  The Band refuses to be labelled as a "Dixieland" band and they take pride in playing many different styles of jazz, from King Oliver to King of the Swingers, from Beiderbeck to Brubeck, from Louis Armstrong to Louis Prima through to Louis Jordan.
Their musical repertoire is as broad as it is long.  Many of their numbers will be recognised by even non-jazzers but they also continue to play lesser-heard obscurities because of their unique musical value. The play-list includes, Old Classic Jazz, Blues, Show Tunes, Sinatra and some good old swingers but the main aim is to send people home very happy.

Bev Pegg and his Good Time Four. The line-up is Bev Pegg - vocal / guitar, Roger Heeley - piano, John O'Connor - double bass and Ken Wright - drums.

Roger Heeley: - Birmingham. Played alongside Bev since 2000. A highly regarded pianist who has played alongside many legendary jazz stars such as Harry Edison, Lockjaw Davis, Sonny Stitt, Bruce Turner, Billy Butterfield, Buddy Tait etc.

John O'Connor - Double Bass. John lives in Wednesbury. An excellent bass player who plays all styles of music, and has played with many top bands all over the UK.

Ken Wright - Born in Kidderminster, many years in London and now lives near Moreton-in-Marsh. Ken has played alongside Bev since 1961 in various jazz, rock, skiffle and country bands. He was on many recording sessions from the 60s onward for musicians such as Kathy Stobart, Bill Le Sage, Bridget St John, Clifford T Ward and Elton John.

Bev Pegg – Bev began his musical career during the skiffle craze of the late 1950s. He learned three chords and started doing gigs. Before long, he discovered Django Reinhardt and Eddie Lang, and became hooked on that style of guitar playing. Together with Duncan Swift and Rick Vaughan, he was a founder member of the Blue Blood Jazzmen whose residency at Stourport Boat Club during the early 1960s holds fond memories for many people living in Worcestershire at that time. Bev then moved on to other bands and did a lot of recording studio session work, and comedy variety shows. He appeared on radio and television many times, and played with and alongside numerous famous names as diverse as Acker Bilk, Jasper Carrott, George Melly and Robert Plant. However, after several lengthy breaks due to business commitments over the years, he finally burst back on the jazz scene in 1997 with his “Good Time Jazz Gang”. He has a repertoire of several hundred songs from the turn of the 1900s to the present day; however he has a great love for the classic 1920s and early 1930s jazz era. He plays the guitar and banjo with great competence and dexterity. Bev's congenial and humorous stage presence has put him in great demand from promoters of events ranging from jazz, skiffle, comedy, variety shows and corporate after-dinner functions. Whether it is with his band or as a solo act, and whichever part of the UK he performs, Bev leaves a trail of people following him around to catch his next gig. His audiences are always guaranteed excellent music and loads of laughs. As is the case with all of Bev's bands, his performances are in line with the hirer's requirements, whether they want comedy interspersed with the show or whether they want a "bop 'til you drop" all dancing format.

Together with all of this, Bev's hilarious anecdotes of his experiences in the Black Country from childhood to the present day, bring great humour to his performances.

Thrill to the comedic antics of early film comedy stars like Laurel and Hardy, Buster Keaton and Harold Lloyd in an entertaining afternoon of mirth and music for the entire family. Pianist Jeff Barnhart returns to Jazzamatazz with a treasure trove of stories and films from the Early days of cinematic comedy, all with his jazzy live piano accompaniment setting the mood. Car chases, stunts, suspense and romance await you as Jeff weaves his musical magic from scene to scene. An unforgettable show of education, entertainment and above all, LAUGHTER!

A seven piece band playing the old style New Orleans jazz.  Recreating the music of the crescent city, be it a stomp, blues, hymn, spiritual or pop song of the day.  In the style of the late great, Bunk Johnson, George Lewis and Kid Thomas bands.  Our motto is "helping to keep the real jazz alive".  We travel extensively over the UK & Europe playing jazz clubs, theatres, hotels, jazz festivals, church concerts and private engagements.

We offer a choice of band size to suit any occasion. The regular seven piece line up is - Richard Church cornet/trumpet, Dave Vickers trombone, John Scantlebury or Roger Bird clarinet/sax, Barry Grummett piano, Colin Bushell drums, Harry Slater bass and Alan Birkinhead banjo.

Regrettably the original programme of Swing Museum has had to be cancelled due to ill health, but we have a very similar band “Standing in”

Richard Smith (guitar), John Smith (guitar), Steve Peters (double bass) and Matt Palmer (reeds).

The Stand In Four will be a class act, for sure!

Lady be Good is an all-female, saxophone-filled jazz band that brings a touch of class to your event. Think classic swing and jazz from the likes of the Rat Pack, Julie London, Nina Simon and Peggy Lee, plus more modern numbers with our unique twist.

With lush vocals from Kate O'Malley, plus a guest male singer for duets if the occasion calls for it. and a very funky upright bass you've probably never seen or heard anything like Lady be Good before.

Perfect music to get your guests up on the dancefloor and keep them there, without overpowering those who just want to sit and tap their feet at the back.

A Tribute to Trad!

Chris Walker (reeds)

Chris turned professional with the London City Stompers and later joined Mike Daniels, Colin Kingwell’s Jazz Bandits and The Real Ale & Thunder Band. He has led the Chris Walker Swingtet for thirty years, which is still going strong. He is also a renowned radio broadcaster, and jazz lecturer on P&O, Cunard and Saga cruise ships.

Tony Mann, Trombone
Tony is another brass band trained multi-instrumentalist with several years former experience with local West Country bands Equally at home playing double bass, Sousaphone or trombone, Tony is a valuable asset to any band.

Andy Chislett: Trumpet
A very popular, well schooled, musician with an astounding technique and engaging personality. Based on the South Coast, Andy is one of the UK’s best known trumpeters and educators having spent 9 years cruising with NCL, P&O and Cunard. He is also the jazz soloist for top big bands such as The String of Pearls, John Miller, The Palm court and the Tuxedo jazz orchestras.

John Noddings: Banjo & Guitar
John was a founder member banjo player of the Coventry based Dud Clews Jazz Orchestra and played and recorded with the band, on and off, over the years. He has played regularly with George Huxley’s Jazzmen since 1995 in both in the full band and in George’s smaller groups. He was co-organiser of the intriguing Royal Ascot Jazz Band for 25 years until 2 years ago. He also organised the Midlands based band Jazz Salon Rouge from the late 1970’s until he recently moved down to Devon.

Ken Ames OR Mike Bennett: Double Bass
Ken Ames is a renowned double bass player and he has worked, over the years, with Ken Colyer, Bob Wallis and Monty Sunshine (to name but a few!) Originally this band’s banjo player, Ken has rejoined the band on bass to allow Tony to take the trombone chair as Roger Marks replacement.

Mike is living proof of the old saying: “Have bass, will travel”. His first gig was in Malawi. Subsequently, Mike has played in places as far afield as Cairo, Prague, and Vienna. He has been lucky enough to have played with numerous bands and musicians over the years including Chris Barber, Acker Bilk, Kenny Ball, George Melly, and even Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees. Masterful and modest, that’s Mike…

Colin Larn: Drums
Colin has been a professional BBC/ITV session drummer for the past 40 years. Colin’s CV includes tours and performances with Ron Goodwin, Matt Monroe, and the Liverpool Philharmonic in addition to Barbara Jay, Tommy Whittle, Don Rendell, Roy Williams, Don Weller and Peter King. His career highlight was being invited to permanently join a New Orleans band whilst visiting that city!

Frank Griffith’s Club Hotfoot makes its Jazzamatazz debut with a fully het up four-piece celebrating the spirit of Rheinhart as well as the small groups of Artie and Benny. The well seasoned and established guitar duo of Andy Robinson and Charles Alexander, a bassist and Franks’ fleeting clarinet and brooding tenor sax will excite all. Come along to an get the full Django- Gypsy Jazz experience.

Fret and Fiddle
Fret and Fiddle have come along 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 four-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. Steve adds a whole new vibe to the group, giving breath to the high energy styles and catapulting the band into greater musical possibilities and genres. 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.

Sally Minchin – violin/vocals
Andy Bole – guitar/bouzouki/banjo
Rich Hughes – piano
Simon Smith – double bass
Graham Smith – drums and percussion

www.fretandfiddle.co.uk

https://www.facebook.com/FRET-AND-FIDDLE-291387810257/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfQ3BqFh--0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehEUHj4Ja68

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_97Zo2XZ3A

The Midlands based Millennium Eagle Jazz Band emerged as a direct result of the demise of the very popular Eagle Jazz band in 2005. The Millennium Eagle Jazz Band sports a healthy combination of youth and experience; Pete Brown (trumpet and valve trombone) and Brian Lawrence (bass) were both long serving members of the Eagle Jazz Band after initially forging their musical partnership in the Potteries based Mardi Gras Society Band during the 1970s. Matt Palmer (clarinet & saxes) joined in 2004, having worked extensively with Pete at Alton Towers theme park in Staffordshire. Young Drummer Jack Cotterill has added youthful vigor to the engine room to allow the band to fire on all cylinders when required, along with Chris Etherington (banjo) and Andy Holdorf (trombone).The collective experience amassed by the current line-up includes top UK theme parks, cruise liners, major UK and European Jazz Festivals and Radio and Television broadcasts.

A return visit by popular demand of this great band lead by Ron Hills who is considered by jazz fans as one the UK's finest trombonists. This swinging, six-piece unit includes some of the Midlands most respected jazz musicians including Tony Pipkin (trumpet & flugel horn) and Roger Healy (piano) who pay a respectful tribute to some of greatest icons of 1930's and 40's jazz and popular music when swing was king!

The band was formed a few years ago, bringing together five talented musicians from different backgrounds with a common approach to their music - to have fun.
Through appearances in festivals and residencies at several Gloucestershire venues, the band have developed a considerable following. They have made a guest appearance on the hit Channel 4 comedy series “Spaced”, and have also received the prestigious Staffordshire Jazz Society "Band Of The Year award" twice in the last three years!

People are surprised when I tell them I play completely by ear!

Coming from a family of strong musicians, I first started playing the piano when I was six years old. I 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, I switched to a teacher that gave me more direction on improvisation, jazz and pop. By the age of eighteen, I'd mastered the art of playing boogie woogie piano - relying on a strong left hand and a quick technique.

Since 2007, I have become one of the resident pianist at Jools Holland's live music venue 'The Jam House' in Birmingham. I'm also very privileged to have performed at some of the countries top music festivals and theatres. I've played at countless weddings and private parties - and even done a few for some celebrities!

Take three highly respected professional jazz musicians from world famous bands. Introduce them to a style of jazz almost unheard since the 1940s and 50s. Tentatively ask them to rehearse exceedingly demanding music until they perfect this new yet strangely familiar style. Then stand back while their enthusiasm and expertise produces fresh swinging version of tunes from 50 plus years ago.

The three musicians are Alan Haughton, virtuoso pianist, composer, arranger and member of Tad Newton’s Jazz Friends Band among many others; Richard Exall, dazzling exponent of the clarinet and saxophone, arranger, former member of the Big Chris Barber Band and leader of his own Magnificent Seven and Shooting Stars bands among many others; and John Watson, drummer, percussionist, raconteur and member of the Big Chris Barber Band, the Duncan Galloway Quintet and many others.

The music is based around the unique sounds of the Gene Krupa Jazz Trio which was a phenomenon in the mid 1940s continuing to be hugely popular almost until Gene’s death in 1973. As is usual with these things there is a story attached to the formation of the original trio. Gene Krupa led a large swing band at the time which had a substantial string section. The band was gathered for a recording session but for some reason the strings and brass could not agree on tuning and the normally mild mannered Mr. Krupa decided that enough was enough and dismissed the whole band with the exception of pianist, Teddy Napolian and tenor man, Charlie Ventura. They recorded two tunes and the trio became a permanent part of Gene’s career outlasting his big band by many years.

The reincarnation of this musical style came about when John and Richard met to discuss unrelated subjects. John mentioned his interest in the music of the Krupa trio and similar small groups and found Richard to be not only familiar with the music but keen to form a band to play it. The only problem was to find suitable pianist with the ability, style and enthusiasm to join this embryo band. One name came to mind and soon after Alan was easily persuaded to take the piano chair. There followed several months of transcribing arrangements from ancient recordings and serious rehearsal to ensure the trio met the demanding standards of the musicians concerned and was ready for the public and the recording studio. The first gig was a resounding success with the trio sounding marvelous and John’s humorous repartee amusing the enthusiastic audience. The trio has made many successful appearances at Jazz Clubs and Festivals throughout the country and has recorded two popular CDs.

This is a hot Dixieland/swing band playing for people who enjoy a hot swinging saxophone, trumpet and trombone driving off a driving bass, drums and piano.

Baby Jools is a jazz drummer and a specialist in the New Orleans style. He has been playing professionally for 7 years all over the UK and Europe. He started to play at the age of 6, accompanying his dad’s records. Being great followers of the music, his mother and father took him to all the jazz events they could. At the age of 17, he joined the Millennium Eagle Jazz Band, before moving on to Jim McIntosh and the Jazzaholics, Max Collie’s Rhythm Aces and the Sheepwash Playboys. Jools also works as a freelance musician and runs his own band, the Baby Jools All Stars.

This rollicking quartet comprises internationally renowned musical couple Jeff and Anne Barnhart on piano, flute and vocals, the UK's most beloved troubadour Tom "Spats" Langham on banjo, guitar and vocals and the Swingin'est drummer in the land, Graham Smith! Their hot jazz and humor is augmented with ragtime, swing tunes, novelty numbers and gorgeous ballads. Always a huge crowd for this one so get here early to avoid disappointment!

Remi Harris is an exciting guitarist from the UK who's unique style draws inspiration from Gypsy Swing, Jazz, Blues, Rock, Electronic and World Music. He has toured worldwide as well as performing at Buckingham Palace, Montreal Jazz Festival, BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall with Jamie Cullum, on BBC 4 Television and live on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 3.​

​"extraordinary musician"
Jamie Cullum, BBC Radio 2
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"astonishing stuff"
Cerys Matthews, BBC Radio 6 Music
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"Brilliant"
Martin Taylor MBE
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"tremendously gifted”
John Etheridge

"Terrific”
The Telegraph
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Primarily self taught with the help of his Dad's guitar magazines and records, Remi started playing at the age of 7, initially inspired by rock and blues guitarists of the 60s and 70s such as Jimi Hendrix, Peter Green and Jimmy Page. In his late teens he developed an interest in jazz music, in particular artists such as Django Reinhardt, Wes Montgomery and Stan Getz. Since then he has been growing a reputation for blending all of his influences into his own individual style of playing.
​
"a remarkable musician"
Jazz Journal
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​“seriously good"
thejazzmann.co.uk
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"Fantastic"
BBC Radio 3
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"extraordinary"
R2 Rock'n'Reel Magazine
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"...his choice of repertoire and diverse influences bring something genuinely fresh to the genre..."
Guitarist Magazine Presents Acoustic
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"remarkable"
Total Guitar Magazine
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"The standard of playing is stunning"
Guitar Techniques Magazine
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"Ridiculous is about the only adjective that seems to fit Remi Harris' stupendous acoustic playing"
Acoustic Magazine
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"​an incredible display of melodic improvisation"
Guitarist Magazine
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“Astonishing”
Digby Fairweather (writing in Jazz Rag Magazine)
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"extraordinary guitar improv"

In 2015 Remi was named in The Culture Trip's "10 Young British Jazz Musicians You Should Know"
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In Acoustic Guitar Magazine Remi was selected as one of the five "Acoustic Acts of 2017"

In 2016 Remi was included in the "Top 7 Current Biggest Jazz Talents" by
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In Sept 2015 Remi was selected as 10Radio's Musician Of The Month
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Remi was included in BBC Introducing Hereford & Worcester's Top 3 Success Stories of 2016
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in January 2017 Remi's album "In On the 2" was selected as "Album of the Month" on Longside Radio's The Jazz Hour with Alun Jones
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In the British Jazz Awards Remi has been awarded 2nd place in the Rising Star Category in both 2014 and 2015, while his band came 2nd in the 2015 Small Group Category. In 2014 and 2016 he was also nominated in the Guitar Category.
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Following Remi's May 2015 performance on Jamie Cullum's BBC Radio 2 show live from The Cheltenham Jazz Festival his debut album ''Ninick'' went to number #7 in the iTunes Top Jazz Albums Chart, it peaked at number #6 in Amazon's Best Sellers in Jazz and he went to #28 in that week's "Official Jazz & Blues Albums Chart".

For tickets, see Emma on the desk at Jazz on a Sunday, or send a SAE and cheque made payable to "Jazzamatazz" to Ms E Pearse, 1 Long Close Avenue, Allesley Village, Coventry, CV5 9GH.  (PS Don't forget to specify which concert you want tickets for)

Established itself as one of the most respected and entertaining outfits on the British jazz scene, with their adventurous and eclectic repertoire gaining plaudits wherever they perform. Tad Newton’s Jazzfriends have recently headlined at Upton OnSevern Jazz Festival, Birmingham Jazz Festival, Bromyard Music Festival, Jazz On A Summer’s Day in Blisworth, Wellingborough Jazz Festival, Wantage Jazz Club, Keswick Jazz Festival, Debenham Festival,and recently made three highly successful appearances at The Spice Of Life Jazz Club, one of London’s top jazz venues….and invited back in October 2017 !

Gary Wood [trumpet/flugelhorn/vocals]
Tad Newton [trombone/vocals]
Frank Griffith [clarinet/sax]
Tomas Pedersen [double bass]
Alan Haughton [piano]
Ronnie Fenn [drums]

“BASIN STREET TO BASIE AND BEYOND”
A special concert dedicated to the great jazz influences, composers and players featuring the swinging sounds associated with jazz luminaries such as Louis Armstrong, Kid Ory, Earl Hines, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Benny Goodman, Johnny Hodges, Lester Young, …

“I really enjoyed working with the band, which is uniformly excellent” Simon Spillett, UK jazz star

“These guys really swing.. a great band” Greg Abate, USA jazz star

“Wow!! What a band” Roy Williams, international jazz star

“Great to hear your new band and repertoire …the band goes from strength to strength” Roger Clarke, jazz critic

“Thanks for the gig on Friday .. I really enjoyed playing with the band 'inspirational!'” Susan Greenway, sax star from Texas Jazz Conservatoire

“A pleasure to see and hear your band on Sunday….a first class show” Alan G. Wilson, jazz promoter, Lansdowne Jazz Club, Luton

“Well played music, covering accepted traditional titles into some more swing stuff, all were very fine musicians” Just Jazz Magazine October 2012, reviewing Upton Jazz Festival.

“The band played wonderfully, a most enjoyable session” John Dunleavey, Upton Jazz 2013

“The best performance in my eyes was Tad Newton’s Jazzfriends at “The Lord Clifden”, Birmingham Jazz Festival 2012 Review

“I really enjoyed your session. I love your band and am looking forward to having you back next year” – Pat Holly, Worcester Jazz Club

“Thanks for a memorable lunchtime jazz session- your band is sounding extremely good!” - John Shaw, Gayton Jazz Appreciation Society

“Thoroughly enjoyed your set, especially the superb variety in the programme-a warm hour!” Terry Roper, musician at Upton Festival 2014

“Congratulations on a tremendous gig…it was a pleasure to be there!”- Richard Eaton, Sunday Times journalist, Spice of Life Jazz Club 2013.

The Amy Roberts/Richard Exall Quintet features two of the most exciting and versatile musicians on the jazz scene today. Both multi-instrumentalists, they perform an eclectic range of high octane music on a range of clarinets, saxophones and flute. With inspiration drawn from the all-time heroes of reed players, Amy Roberts and Richard Exall perform well crafted arrangements that pay homage to Johnny Hodges, Lester Young, Earl Bostic, BennyGoodman, Eddie 'Lockjaw" Davis, Cannonball Adderley, Charlie Parker and many more. Together, Richard Exall and Amy Roberts have produced a product that successfully crosses the traditional divides of the jazz world, performing melodic and intricate arrangements that wow audiences and appeal to listeners of all styles of music.

The Quintet were voted "Band of the Year" at the end of 2014 by Rochdale Jazz Society, and have continued to go from strength to strength! One particular highlight was their tour to Sweden which included performances at the Hallevik Jazz Festival to sell out crowds. They will be returning to Hallevik in 2016!!

Amy and Richard have recorded 2 albums together, "Why Not", and most recently, "Hodge-Stic".... Both can be purchased via the CD's page!

The current line-up features...

Amy Roberts - flute, clarinet & alto sax

Richard Exall - clarinet, tenor & alto saxes, vocals, arranger.

Bill Coleman - double bass
David Ferris - piano
Nick Millward - drums

“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 Banjo and Guitar, Alex Walsh Band 1963-1981

Established nearly twenty years ago, The Martinique Jazz Band fast became one of the top jazz bands on the local scene in the Midlands.  They have played at many of the premier venues both in the UK and on the continent, and played with many of the top stars in jazz.  Their annual German tour has always gone down well with both the musicians and the audiences.  The Band has also played in Fritzels on Bourbon Street in New Orleans during the Jazz and Heritage Festivals.  After being invited to play at one of the Mayors charity presentations, the whole band were declared "Honorary Citizens of New Orleans!".  The Band refuses to be labelled as a "Dixieland" band and they take pride in playing many different styles of jazz, from King Oliver to King of the Swingers, from Beiderbeck to Brubeck, from Louis Armstrong to Louis Prima through to Louis Jordan.
Their musical repertoire is as broad as it is long.  Many of their numbers will be recognised by even non-jazzers but they also continue to play lesser-heard obscurities because of their unique musical value. The play-list includes, Old Classic Jazz, Blues, Show Tunes, Sinatra and some good old swingers but the main aim is to send people home very happy.

A seven piece band playing the old style New Orleans jazz.  Recreating the music of the crescent city, be it a stomp, blues, hymn, spiritual or pop song of the day.  In the style of the late great, Bunk Johnson, George Lewis and Kid Thomas bands.  Our motto is "helping to keep the real jazz alive".  We travel extensively over the UK & Europe playing jazz clubs, theatres, hotels, jazz festivals, church concerts and private engagements.

We offer a choice of band size to suit any occasion. The regular seven piece line up is - Richard Church cornet/trumpet, Dave Vickers trombone, John Scantlebury or Roger Bird clarinet/sax, Barry Grummett piano, Colin Bushell drums, Harry Slater bass and Alan Birkinhead banjo.

ROBIN MASON – clarinet & saxes
JON STONE – trumpet & vocals
RON HILLS – trombone
PETER ROBINSON – banjo & guitar
BOB BOUCHER – bass
JIM HARNEY – drums

This Midlands based band formed over 20 years ago with some members from the Hazel Slade Big Band are sure to give pleasurable entertainment. Their repertoire is vast and varied and they present in a light-hearted fashion with some banter between Jon & Robin. They really are a little big band!

Bev Pegg and his Railroad Skiffle Group. The likely line-up is Bev Pegg - vocal / guitar, Pete Hartley - violin, John O'Connor - double bass and Ken Wright - drums.

Pete Hartley: - Bromsgrove - A wonderful violinist who in between his many gigs is famous for his busking attributes all around the Midlands. He previously played with Jon Hiseman and Barbara Thompson. He won the New Faces TV Show in 1987. He has performed for famous people such as Bill Clinton, Bertie Ahern, Princess Anne, and Joanna Lumley. He also used to play whilst riding a Unicycle, but sticks to two wheels these days.

The formation of Slide By Slide is the brainchild of Kevin Grenfell who has enrolled the musical talents of fellow trombonist Richard Leach, and in the rhythm section a dazzling array of musicianship with Graham Smith on drums, John Fellows on bass and Rod Kelly on piano. The texture and timbre of Kevin and Richard’s individual playing styles give their repertoire a depth and tone that’s sure to please, with titles ranging from the traditional songbook through to the contemporary. Whether dancing, listening or singing along, Slide By Slide has something for everyone.

The Midlands based Millennium Eagle Jazz Band emerged as a direct result of the demise of the very popular Eagle Jazz band in 2005. The Millennium Eagle Jazz Band sports a healthy combination of youth and experience; Pete Brown (trumpet and valve trombone) and Brian Lawrence (bass) were both long serving members of the Eagle Jazz Band after initially forging their musical partnership in the Potteries based Mardi Gras Society Band during the 1970s. Matt Palmer (clarinet & saxes) joined in 2004, having worked extensively with Pete at Alton Towers theme park in Staffordshire. Young Drummer Jack Cotterill has added youthful vigor to the engine room to allow the band to fire on all cylinders when required, along with Chris Etherington (banjo) and Andy Holdorf (trombone).The collective experience amassed by the current line-up includes top UK theme parks, cruise liners, major UK and European Jazz Festivals and Radio and Television broadcasts.

People are surprised when I tell them I play completely by ear!

Coming from a family of strong musicians, I first started playing the piano when I was six years old. I 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, I switched to a teacher that gave me more direction on improvisation, jazz and pop. By the age of eighteen, I'd mastered the art of playing boogie woogie piano - relying on a strong left hand and a quick technique.

Since 2007, I have become one of the resident pianist at Jools Holland's live music venue 'The Jam House' in Birmingham. I'm also very privileged to have performed at some of the countries top music festivals and theatres. I've played at countless weddings and private parties - and even done a few for some celebrities!

Scarlette's Serenaders are named after Mike Owen's daughter, their repertoire includes jazz standards, old popular songs, and pretty much any songs they happen to like on the day itself!