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).
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. A s the band name suggests, this band don’t ‘alf swing! One of the clubs favourites.
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. A s the band name suggests, this band don’t ‘alf swing! One of the clubs favourites.
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), Ronnie Fenn (drums), Tomas Pedersen (bass), Mike Wills (reeds) and one of London’s top young jazz players as a special guest Lester Brown (trumpet/flugelhorn). This poses to be a fantastic session, one that will be remembered for many weeks to come.
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), Ronnie Fenn (drums), Tomas Pedersen (bass), Mike Wills (reeds) and one of London’s top young jazz players as a special guest Lester Brown (trumpet/flugelhorn). This poses to be a fantastic session, one that will be remembered for many weeks to come.
Kevin Grenfell (Trombone) is a first-class trombonist with a great sense of humour. He has put together a fine all-star band, including guest stars, touring in the area. Whomever joins Kevin and Jeremy on this gig is sure to deliver an entertaining, high octane, harmonious and enjoyable afternoon.
Kevin Grenfell (Trombone) is a first-class trombonist with a great sense of humour. He has put together a fine all-star band, including guest stars, touring in the area. Joining Kevin for this date is our club favourite Paul Harrison, who has graced our stage and dazzled us with his musicality on many occasions. Whomever joins Kevin and Paul on this gig is sure to deliver an entertaining, high octane, harmonious and enjoyable afternoon.
Kevin Grenfell (Trombone) is a first-class trombonist with a great sense of humour. He has put together a fine all-star band, including guest stars, touring in the area. Joining Kevin for this date is our club favourite Jeremy Huggett who has graced our stage and dazzled us with his musicality on many occasions. Whomever joins Kevin and Jeremy on this gig is sure to deliver an entertaining, high octane, harmonious and enjoyable afternoon.
Fret and Fiddle have come a long way since forming in 2001 as a duo making their mark as a tribute to Stephane Grappelli and Django Reinhardt. Since those early days playing at small folk and blues clubs and experimenting with their repertoire, they have enjoyed over a decade of success as a trio, winning awards such as Stafford Jazz Society’s “Band of the Year” and producing over four albums of material.
The co-founders of the group, professional violinist Sally Minchin and guitarist Andy Bole, embarked on their project “Grappelli Swing” in 2014 to wide critical acclaim playing as a five-piece line up on their” UK tour. Now they have added an exciting new dimension to the band and are joined by the phenominally talented Steve Street on drums, Rich Hughes on piano and Simon Smith on double bass.
Prepare to be dazzled by Fret and Fiddle’s show which takes you through the swing music of the 1920’s, the blues, americana, folk, gypsy and some foot-tapping fiddle tunes. Come and hear songs from the shows such as “Anything Goes by Cole Porter,” sing along to old hits like “I Can’t Give you Anything but Love” and prepare to be dazzled by Andy’s greek bouzouki playing! This versatile and entertaining group even throw in a few refreshingly individual songs by the likes of Tom Waits and Leonard Cohen, making certain that there is something in every show to delight everyone in every audience. Fret and Fiddle have just released their new album “J’Attendrai” which has been making waves locally and nationally and their track “Pennies from Heaven” has already been played as part of BBC Introducing on local BBC radio.
