What actually happened here was, that Emma had a couple of dates open and asked Sarah to put a band in which wasn’t the Transatlantic Band or Sax ‘n Bone as they had enough bloomin’ gigs. Sarah called Mike Owen and asked what he thought they could do and should call a new band…. he suggested a name that he’s had on the back burner for a while…….Forming a 5-piece lineup that would be more New Orleans Revival-style, Sarah has formed the Mississippi Mudbugs (with gratitude to Mike Owen for the band name). It has a 2-piece front line and a powerhouse rhythm section and plays the music of the New Orleans dance halls.
Mike Owen – trombone, Sarah Spencer – reeds, Tom ‘Spats’ Langham – banjo/guitar, Jim Swinnerton – string bass, Graham Smith – drums
What actually happened here was, that Emma had a couple of dates open and asked Sarah to put a band in which wasn’t the Transatlantic Band or Sax ‘n Bone as they had enough bloomin’ gigs. Sarah called Mike Owen and asked what he thought they could do and should call a new band…. he suggested a name that he’s had on the back burner for a while…….Forming a 5-piece lineup that would be more New Orleans Revival-style, Sarah has formed the Mississippi Mudbugs (with gratitude to Mike Owen for the band name). It has a 2-piece front line and a powerhouse rhythm section and plays the music of the New Orleans dance halls.
Mike Owen – trombone, Sarah Spencer – reeds, Tom ‘Spats’ Langham – banjo/guitar, Jim Swinnerton – string bass, Graham Smith – drums
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Kevin Grenfell is back with his Danish Jazz Friends this time! 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!
For many years Dave Wood (Reeds) and Stan Stephens (trombone) were members of the New Georgia Jazz Band run by cornet player Dave Smith. Dave Smith left the band in 2016 as he moved to Wales. This left the band without a cornet, it was decided to stay as a five piece and they rebranded their selves as New Orleans Bump (the title of a Jelly Roll Morton tune).
Inevitably, without the usual cornet/trumpet, we have a different, rather more gentle sound to regular line-ups but our repertoire includes many standards plus a growing number of lesser-known tunes. Vocals from Stan and Dave are a regular feature and we are regularly booked at clubs that enjoy dancing.
The Covid lockdown brought about another complete change to the rhythm section which is now made up of Sarah Thatcher (banjo/guitar), Spike Kennedy (bass) and Dave Andrews (drums).
