Archives: Events

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) & Wil Robinson (trumpet, flugel horn & vocal).

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) & Wil Robinson (trumpet, flugel horn & vocal).

Due to unforeseen circumstances, J B Jazz is unable to play on this date.  But, you won’t be disappointed…… Warren James is stepping forward to bring us his ‘Hit Parade Heroes’, ladies and gentlemen this is one NOT TO MISS!

This light-hearted and foot-tapping show features the fabulous songs of Johnny Cash, Buddy Holly, Eddie Cochran, The Everly Brothers, Lonnie Donegan, Joe Brown, Tommy Steele, and many more hit parade heroes.

Rekindling memories of frothy-coffee bars, teddy boys, washboards, skiffle groups, jiving, and twisting to the pop legends of the day.

This wonderful show features the talented musical entertainer, host, guitar and banjo virtuoso, Warren James, in company with New Orleans drumming legend, Baby Jools and renowned bassist, Jim Swinnerton, who himself has starred in the West End and Broadway productions of “The Million Dollar Quartet” alongside Jason Donovan and Martin Kemp.

They will also feature a special guest from the world of jazz and blues.

Don’t miss a great afternoon of music and variety from a theatre quality show.

In the words of Warren himself, “it’ll be a fun day”.

JG Jazz And Swing are a small unit swing band that play tunes and songs from the classic swing eras. The band features ‘JB’ himself, John Beckingham, on piano and vocals. John has worked extensively in the UK and Europe and has a number of TV and recording credits. John is ably supported by Gilly Leeper a vocalist who after a successful career as a singer and actress on the stage in London returned to Gloucestershire to seek a band that could backdrop her talents. Also with John and Gilly are Diane Arthurs (Sax), Paul Arthurs (drums), and Keith Tolley on upright bass. Together they are five fine musicians certain to give you a tasteful and enjoyable experience at our club.

Led by Gethin Liddington (trumpet, flugelhorn and vocals) and featuring Richard Exall (clarinet and sax), Richard West (piano), Bill Coleman(Bass) and Jack Amblin (drums). All busy professional musicians based in South Wales, and performing all around the UK. This band plays a great mix of Dixieland and mainstream jazz with big an emphasis on swing!

Having known each other and played together for over 30 years, Sarah and Bob decided that they actually ought to play a full gig together! This is a band formed to play New Orleans Revival jazz and celebrate long friendships.  Brian Bates – trumpet, Sarah Spencer – reeds, Bob Hunt – trombone, John Irwin – banjo, Howard Worthington – string bass, Jim Denham – drums.

When Sarah Spencer first started on the UK jazz scene, she used to go and sit in with the Bill Brunskill Band and that’s where she and Bob Hunt met. They’ve been firm friends ever since. Although they never did a full gig together back then, when Bob told her that he wanted to get back to playing some true New Orleans jazz of the great Revival period of that music, they decided to put a band together to be able to that, including the wonderful New Orleans trumpet of Brian Bates. This is that band. And, as a special treat, they’ve brought Spats Langham back to his New Orleans roots.  Brian Bates – trumpet, Bob Hunt – trombone, Sarah Spencer – reeds, Tom ‘Spats’ Langham – banjo, Malcolm Sked – string bass & Jim Denham – drums

Baby Jools is part of the new youth movement in old school New Orleans jazz. The Gloucester musician has spent much of his time as the drummer with Jim McIntosh and Max Collie, but the Jazzaholics have now been together for several years, thereby strengthening his own leadership duties. Baby Jools started playing drums at the age of six, rumbling around to the accompaniment of his father’s record collection. By the age of 17, he’d already joined our locally-based Millennium Eagle Jazz Band. He favours the authentically clunky sound of the 1920s and 30s, emphasising his collection of woodblocks and rolling out a particularly resonant snare and bass drum clatter. The Jazzaholics repertoire differs from most such outfits as they’re very likely to throw in a large shot of rock’n’roll. This club session should certainly guarantee a strutting and spinning Sunday afternoon.  Baby Jools (drums), Kevin Grenfell (trombone), Magic Mike Henry (trumpet), Jim Swinnerton (double bass), Karl Hird (reeds) and Warren James (banjo and guitars).

Baby Jools is part of the new youth movement in old school New Orleans jazz. The Gloucester musician has spent much of his time as the drummer with Jim McIntosh and Max Collie, but the Jazzaholics have now been together for several years, thereby strengthening his own leadership duties. Baby Jools started playing drums at the age of six, rumbling around to the accompaniment of his father’s record collection. By the age of 17, he’d already joined our locally-based Millennium Eagle Jazz Band. He favours the authentically clunky sound of the 1920s and 30s, emphasising his collection of woodblocks and rolling out a particularly resonant snare and bass drum clatter. The Jazzaholics repertoire differs from most such outfits as they’re very likely to throw in a large shot of rock’n’roll. This club session should certainly guarantee a strutting and spinning Sunday afternoon.  Baby Jools (drums), Kevin Grenfell (trombone), Magic Mike Henry (trumpet), Jim Swinnerton (double bass), Karl Hird (reeds) and Warren James (banjo and guitars).