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Eagle Jazz Band

This band sports a healthy combination of youth and experience, Pete Brown (trumpet cornet and valve trombone) and Brian Lawrence (Bass and Sousaphone) were both long serving members of the original 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. Drummer Tim Jones has added vigour to the engine room to allow the band to fire on all cylinders when required, along with Brian Mellor (banjo and guitar) and Terry Williams (trombone drums vibes). The collective experience amassed by the current line-up includes top UK theme parks, river cruises cruise liners, major UK and European Jazz Festivals and Radio and Television broadcasts. The wide repertoire is drawn from popular songs from the 1920s, 30s, and 40s; Classic Jazz compositions by King Oliver, Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton Sydney Bechet and Duke Ellington plus New Orleans Marches, Rags, Stomps, Blues, Swing and instrumental features. All band members are multi-instrumentalists, enabling us to play a variety of different sounds and styles each played in a happy, entertaining manner, many featuring vocals. Whatever we play, the major priority is to entertain the audience but to always maintain a high standard of musicianship and presentation.

Amy Roberts & John Hallam Quintet

John Hallam has been playing the clarinet since the age of 14 followed soon after by the alto saxophone and flute. He gained experience with a military bands, a dance band but also formed a jazz band whilst still at school. Under his musical belt, among other experience is, a twenty-one year stint with the Smoky City Jazzband and included playing alongside Humphrey Lyttelton, George Melly, George Chisholm, Joe Harriot, Bud Freeman, Wild Bill Davison, Stephane Grappelli, Roy Williams, John Barnes, Peter Schilperoort, Dick Wellstood, Danny Moss and many more. During this time the band played at a number of festivals in Europe and did many broadcasts on radio and T.V.

Amy Roberts was voted winner of the Miscellaneous Category in the 2015 British Jazz Awards, and the Rising Star Category in the British Jazz Awards in both 2009 and 2011, Amy has earned an enviable reputation throughout not only the UK but also abroad. She has worked in prestigious venues and festivals all over the UK and across Europe and has become known on the jazz circuit as a charismatic performer. Amy currently leads several bands which feature some of the most exciting musicians on the jazz scene. She also regularly makes guest appearances with other highly acclaimed ensembles and internationally celebrated orchestras. Fuse these two talents together, and you have a musical performance with serious saxappeal!

Amy Roberts & John Hallam Quintet

John Hallam has been playing the clarinet since the age of 14 followed soon after by the alto saxophone and flute. He gained experience with a military bands, a dance band but also formed a jazz band whilst still at school. Under his musical belt, among other experience is, a twenty-one year stint with the Smoky City Jazzband and included playing alongside Humphrey Lyttelton, George Melly, George Chisholm, Joe Harriot, Bud Freeman, Wild Bill Davison, Stephane Grappelli, Roy Williams, John Barnes, Peter Schilperoort, Dick Wellstood, Danny Moss and many more. During this time the band played at a number of festivals in Europe and did many broadcasts on radio and T.V.

Amy Roberts was voted winner of the Miscellaneous Category in the 2015 British Jazz Awards, and the Rising Star Category in the British Jazz Awards in both 2009 and 2011, Amy has earned an enviable reputation throughout not only the UK but also abroad. She has worked in prestigious venues and festivals all over the UK and across Europe and has become known on the jazz circuit as a charismatic performer. Amy currently leads several bands which feature some of the most exciting musicians on the jazz scene. She also regularly makes guest appearances with other highly acclaimed ensembles and internationally celebrated orchestras. Fuse these two talents together, and you have a musical performance with serious saxappeal!

Apex Jazz & Swing

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.

Swing Kings

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 led by the wonderful Ron Hills (trombone), alongside Tony Pipkin (trumpet & flugel horn), Terry Roberts (saxophones). In the rhythm section, are club favourites Roy Dutton (drums), Roger Heath (double bass) and Rod Kelly (piano). Who all pay a respectful tribute to some of greatest icons of 1930’s and 40’s jazz and popular music, when swing really was king!

The Roaring Twenties

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

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.

Saxarama

What do you get if you cross the UK Award Winner for Best Reed Player with the Finalist of the BBC Young Jazz Musician of The Year, and Winner of The Rising Star category of The British Jazz Awards? ………SAXARAMA!  Saxarama features Jeremy Huggett & Alex Clarke on saxophones & flutes, along with a rhythm section of Rich Hughes (piano), Mike Green (bass) & Steve Street (drums).  Saxarama play a wide variety of jazz favourites, it promises to be an awesome experience – don’t miss this appearance here at Jazzamatazz!

Warren James – The Lonnie Donegan Story

The story and songs of Lonnie Donegan’s rise to fame as the “King of Skiffle”, Britain’s most inspirational pop star before the Beatles. From the banjo player with Chris Barber and Ken Colyers’ Jazz Bands to the heights of international success. Lonnie achieved over 30 top chart entries in 4 years. This great show features all of Lonnie’s major hits as well as a salute to the jazz legends Chris Barber, Ken Colyer and Beryl Bryden.

Warren James – The Lonnie Donegan Story

The story and songs of Lonnie Donegan’s rise to fame as the “King of Skiffle”, Britain’s most inspirational pop star before the Beatles. From the banjo player with Chris Barber and Ken Colyers’ Jazz Bands to the heights of international success. Lonnie achieved over 30 top chart entries in 4 years. This great show features all of Lonnie’s major hits as well as a salute to the jazz legends Chris Barber, Ken Colyer and Beryl Bryden.

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