Archives: Events

Graham Smith’s Jazz Allsorts, Allsorts of jazz, played by Allsorts musicians, for Allsorts of tastes. This popular band, led (from the rear) by drummer Graham Smith,  features the trumpet playing of Midland jazz scene stalwart Tony Pipkin, trombonist Dave Deakin, renowned reeds man and ex-member of the Big Chris Barber Band Zoltan Sagi, Simon Smith on bass, Dave Browning on piano keyboard is noted for performing  Classic, New Orleans, Traditional, Swing and Mainstream styles of jazz music that showcase the talents of these experienced musicians too set your feet tapping or taking to the dance floor.

As a finalist in the BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year 2020, winner of the Rising Star category in the 2019 British Jazz Awards, and nominee in the Parliamentary Jazz Awards 2021, Alex is known to be one of the most in-demand and versatile young reeds players emerging on the British jazz scene. Praised for her extensive repertoire list and intelligent ear for harmony, she brings a youthful, intuitive approach which sounds authentic in a variety of musical settings from New Orleans through to bebop. Alex‘s sound is steeped in the tradition of jazz; her deep respect for the heritage of the music can be heard in a melodic approach reminiscent of Scott Hamilton and Lester Young. For this afternoon’s session, she will be joined by highly popular Midlands musicians Jez Cook (guitar), Paul Jefferies (bass) and Steve Street (drums). Expect an afternoon of high-energy swing, featuring a broad programme of mainstream standards through to New Orleans spirituals & British Trad.

This highly popular and talented band is comprised of leading musicians in their field each of whom have a long standing history of playing traditional and popular jazz.

With a high standard of musicianship and a touch of humour the band will provide first class entertainment.  Their music is drawn mainly from popular composers and date from a period of between 1900 and 1950 in a Traditional style along with numbers from the swing era including Sinatra type compositions.  The band is West Midlands / Shropshire based and covers adjacent counties that include Worcestershire, Staffordshire Herefordshire and Warwickshire with occasional excursions further afield.

The Ben Holder Trio is a stellar line-up of incredible musicians, blending an energetic mix of traditional jazz and swing with Ben’s own infectious originals, which hark back to the fun and swing of the 1920s and 1930s. The group is one of the most exciting trios to emerge in recent years. Led by the fiery enthusiasm of 26-year-old Ben Holder, who not only wows on violin but also on the keys, the trio is strengthened by the phenomenal Jez Cook on guitar, and the suave talent of Paul Jefferies on double bass.

The Ben Holder Trio masterfully mix old jazz favourites with some more recent material and leave audiences up and down the country shouting for more.

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.

The history of of band is this; Stan Stevens (Trombone), Alan Jones (Drums), Dave Johnson (Bass), Ian Dalziel (Banjo), Dave Wood (Reeds) were for many years’ members of the New Georgia Jazz Band run by the cornet player Dave Smith. Dave left the band at the end of 2016 having moved to Wales, and Ian the Banjo player decided to retire. We recruited another but very different Dave Smith on Banjo and rebranded ourselves as New Orleans Bump and stayed as a 5 piece, playing our first gig in 2017. Inevitably, without the usual trumpet we have a different sound to regular line-ups. Our repertoire includes many standard plus a growing number of less well known tunes.

GIG CANCELLED DUE TO UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES

Thrill to the comedic antics of early film comedy stars, including Laurel and Hardy, Buster Keaton and Harold Lloyd in an entertaining session of mirth and music for the entire family.

Few people have experienced the art form that ushered in the movie industry that we now take for granted.  The silent film era lasted from 1895 to 1927.  A silent film was without synchronized recorded sound or spoken dialogue.  In silent films the dialogue is transmitted through muted gestures, mime and title cards with a written indication of the plot or key dialogue.  This is a unique opportunity for movie fans of all ages to experience vintage entertainment and learn more about the genre.  Car chases, stunts, suspense and romance await you as Jeff weaves his musical magic from scene to scene.  An unforgettable session of education, entertainment and above all, LAUGHTER!