Due to power failure at Eastern Green, The Jake Leg Jug Band will now be performing at the Solihull venue.
The Jake Leg Jug Band bring you the authentic sounds of 1920’s and 30’s America – Jazz, Blues, Gospel, Ragtime – and put their own twist on it. Songs of murder, betrayal, gambling, liquor and redemption.
Signing to one of the UK’s most prestigious Jazz labels ‘Lake Records’ they recorded albums as part of the ‘Vintage Recording Project’ essentially recording all live around ribbon microphones, as it would have been back in the 1930’s. Four albums released in five years; ‘Cotton Mouth’, ‘Next Stop!’ ‘Everythin’s Jake’ and ‘Break a Leg’ all met with rave reviews;
“A masterpiece of nostalgic music. The band display real virtuosity and create a wonderful sound that will be hard for any other band to repeat” Folk North West
“Expert musicianship and great arrangements….highly recommended” Just Jazz
“Instrumental virtuosity. Very enjoyable, very listenable” Blues & Rhythm
“A wonderful album. Expert musicianship and superb arrangements” Fatea
“Good time music from a good-time group” The Jazz Rag.
January 2020 saw the release of album number 6, ‘Goodbye Booze’ which commemorates 100 years since the start of the American prohibition, again released on the Green Bullet label.
The line up is:
Duncan Wilcox (vocals & double Bass)
Neil Hulse (vocals & guitar)
Liam Ward (vocals, harmonica, jug & stomp box)
Bryony-Rose (vocals & washboard)
Alex Clarke (clarinet & saxes)
Jack Tasker (banjo, mandolin and vocals)
Jazz Buddies came about when Birmingham trumpeter Arthur Brown was asked to put a band together at twenty-four hours notice to appear at his local jazz club, the Northfield CEM, (now known as the Quarry Sports & Social Club). By pure luck famed trombonist Mike Owen had returned to the UK just days before and was looking for gigs, Arthur also secured the services of Brian Mellor (banjo & guitar), Dennis Mowatt (bass), Tim Jones (drums) and Matt Palmer (reeds). It was one those great moments when the band just ‘clicked’ from the word go and it was decided this couldn’t be left as a ‘one off’, the band secured a monthly residency at the CEM which continued for several years and they also appeared at many leading jazz venues. Many things have changed since then but the band still perform occasionally with the current line-up of Arthur Brown (trumpet), Kevin Grenfell (trombone), Matt Palmer (clarinet/sax), Pete Robinson (banjo & guitar), John Gibson (drums) and Simon Smith (bass). The Buddies present a eclectic selection of traditional favourites ranging from early American jazz classics to hits from the “British Trad Boom”.
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.
Hot Fingers welcomes you to an eclectic mix of vintage acoustic music. As well as the red hot jazz of 1920’s New York, there will be sophisticated 1930’s Swing. The band re-create the ‘French Coffee House’ sound of the king of gypsy swing Django Reinhardt, the blues guitars of Eddie Lang and Lonnie Johnson, and the syncopated Latin rhythms of Argentinean Oscar Aleman, this is mixed with vocals from the song-writing greats, crooners such as Bing Crosby and Al Bowlly, and hokem from the likes of Cliff ‘Ukulele Ike’ Edwards. From Jump-Jive to swing, from the Charleston to Bossa-Nova, Hot Finger’s wide range of styles and rhythms makes them popular with both sit-down audiences and dancers alike. The band comprises Spats Langham (banjo, guitar, ukulele), Danny Blyth (bass clarinet, guitar) and Malcolm Sked (sousaphone, double bass). They will be joined by the superb vocalist Emily Campbell who adds a touch of class with her plaintive vocals, drawing inspiration from the likes of Peggy Lee and Ella Fitzgerald.
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.
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).
The band has established itself as one of the most respected and entertaining outfits on the British jazz scene, with their adventurous and eclectic repertoire gaining plaudits wherever they perform. Tad Newton’s Jazz Friends have recently headlined at Upton On Severn Jazz Festival, Pershore Jazz Festival, Teignmouth Jazz Festival, Birmingham Jazz Festival, Bromyard Music Festival, Jazz On a Summer’s Day in Blisworth, Wellingborough Jazz Festival, Wantage Jazz Club, Olney Jazz Club, Carlton Music Festival and at The Spice of Life Jazz Club, one of London’s top jazz venues. The band comprise of Tad Newton (trombone/vocal), Alan Haughton (piano), Graham Smith (drums), Tomas Pedersen (bass), Mike Wills (reeds) and Gary Wood (trumpet/flugelhorn). This poses to be a fantastic session, one that will be remembered for many weeks to come.
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!
