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VERWOOD TRADITIONAL JAZZ CLUB

Verwood Traditional Jazz Club meets on the 3^rd Thursday of the month at the Verwood Hub – Dorset’s largest traditional jazz and dance venue.  With quality bands from all over the country, you can just sit and listen or dance the night away.  Licensed bar and bistro are open from 6pm, doors open 7pm and meals will be served until 8.30pm  whilst you listen to the music.  For more information contact Janet on (01202) 813955 or Geoff on (01202) 822038.

Profiles of Verwood Traditional Jazz Club performers:

John Maddocks’ Jazzmen

John Maddocks’ Jazzmen head the first birthday celebration of the Verwood Traditional Jazz Club in April 2008.

John Maddocks,  one of Britain ’s most outstanding and popular reeds players, has evolved his own style based on that of the great Johnny Dodds. Since moving to Dorset, in 1973, he has been leading his Jazzmen to wide acclaim across the UK and in Europe .

Gerry Brown and the Mission Hall Jazz Band

The Mission Hall Jazz Band is a happy band who genuinely enjoy what they do and this is very effectively communicated to their audiences. Veterans of television and radio both here and abroad, they have built up a reputation second to none at venues and jazz clubs throughout the country.

Gerry took his first band, The Gerry Brown Jazzmen on the road in the late fifties. In 1962 the band was chosen to accompany Louis Armstrong and his All Stars on a nation wide concert tour, a wonderful experience for Gerry, who had for many years been influenced by the inspirational playing of the great trumpeter.

Gerry took over the leadership of his present band following the retirement and subsequent death of the legendary Bournemouth clarinetist Pedro Harris. To this day the band retains many of Pedro’s favourite old numbers, whilst at the same time extending the repertoire to include classics more familiar to the followers  of Condon and Ellington.
http://www.missionhalljazz.homecall.co.uk 

“Gambit Jazzmen”

“Gambit Jazzmen” are described as playing good hot New Orleans music at its best, this vastly experienced 6-piece band features clarinet, cornet, banjo, 'Ory' style trombone, string bass, sousaphone, drums and vocals; perfect for dancing to.  

"Excelsior Vintage Jazz Band"

The "Excelsior Vintage Jazz Band" was re-formed in 1998 by the leader Ron Rumbol who also played with the Excelsior New Orleans Brass Band for over 20 years. The band has gone from strength to strength playing on the jazz club circuit and at most major jazz Festivals at home and abroad

"Sussex Jazz Kings"

Dave Stradwick moved to Sussex for a quiter life and stepped down from leading "The Vintage Jazz Band" after many years at the helm. However it soon became obvious that people missed his humour fronting a band and so he decided to form "The Sussex Jazz Kings". In teh opinion of many, this popular band is a fine exponent of happy traditional jazz in the broad New Orleans style.

"Cuff Billett's New Europa Jazz Band"

This six peice band was formed in 1972 and since then the personnel have remained virtually unchanged. 

From 1985 through to 1994 Cuff Billett  was part of  Butch Thompson's "King Oliver Centennial Band" touring the UK and Europe and broadcasting in New York in 1993.

He has also appeared on unofficial recordings with Bud Freeman, Bill Coleman, "Peanuts" Hucko, Al Casey, Johnny Varro, Benny Waters and the Harlem Jazz and Blues Band. Since the time with Barry Martyn there have been issued recordings with the New Europa Jazz Band, Ralph Sutton and Alton Purnell.

 In January 1998 he visited New Orleans and made recordings with Sammy Rimington and New Orleans musicians which were issued on the 504 label.

Cuff is also a long term member of the "Excelsior Brass Band" and for the last 4 years he has guested with the Rudi Balliu Society Serenaders for the Ghent festival week.

The aim of the band is to offer a free-wheeling style, playing lesser known tunes from the 20's - 30's, introducing these refreshingly interesting melodies to a wider audience. The band has played festivals in Switzerland, Germany and Belgium.

"Roger Wells’ NEW ORLEANS HOTSHOTS"

This band have been described as one of the most exciting new bands to emerge on the New Orleans Jazz scene. Formed in 1999 when drummer, Roger Wells, invited five musicians to join him on a short tour. The musicians were chosen for their ability to play in the New Orleans style. The band are now making many appearances at Jazz clubs and festivals around the country.

"Dave Moorwood's Rascals of Rhythm"

The Rascals of Rhythm are an exciting, coherent, swinging jazz band. Their music is varied and taken from many of the jazz eras, yet they retain and produce a very distinctive and instantly recognisable sound. Many of the numbers are arranged by Dave himself. You will hear music from the likes of Jelly Roll Morton, Fats Waller, Duke Ellington, Sidney Bechet and Jimmy Noone.  Since its beginnings in 1998, the Rascals have performed at many festivals such as Upton on Severn , Keswick, and locally Swanage and at most of the jazz clubs across the South.  

"New Orleans Heat"

Renamed from the Chris Blount Band a few years after the untimely death of Chris in 1998, the Band play in the style set by Chris.  Based on the famous bands from the 1940s and beyond, the influence of the likes of Bunk Johnson, George Lewis, Kid Thomas, etc., can clearly be heard in this extremely professional band which has an exceptional international profile. 

"Dart Valley Stompers"

Lively and exciting music in the New Orleans and Traditional styles of jazz. Formed by brilliant reedsman, Jeremy Huggett in 2005, this six-piece line-up features some of the top musicians in the U.K. 

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Copyright © 2008 Verwood.org - Last modified: November 23, 2008

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