The Dragons started life as Johnny Everett’s Red Dragons. Since the very sad passing of John, Barbara, his late wife has kept his memory alive in the music he played and loved.
There are four original members of the Dragon Band; John Bodenham (clarinet & soprano sax) who started his jazz career 60 years ago with the Side Stream Jazzband. Ron Smith (drums) who has comprehensive drumming experience, he came to jazz late, after playing Country & Western and Rock’n’Roll. He has played alongside Jazz Salon Rouge and The Allsorts in the past. Permanently at his side in the band is Mark Johnson (double bass & sousaphone). Other regulars are Dave Deakin (trombone) who started his musical career in silver bands; he joined the Dragons in 2012. The two ‘new boys’ are the enthusiastic Peter Roberts (banjo), who has played banjo and sung in folk and jazz groups since the ’60’s with many bands, including Jazz Salon Rouge & Dene River Jazzmen. John Stone (trumpet) joined the Dragons after supporting Johnny through his illness. Ex- Denise Lawrence’s Storeyville Tickle, he’s been a muso on trumpet and bass for 67 years.
The style of the band is best described as Dixieland. There are items from the ‘Trad’ repertoire but their developing repertoire also features some more unusual items from the Golden Era of jazz.