Jazz on a Sunday - an exhilarating year!

Allan Dent - Hers Mart Rodgers Manchester, Jazz on Sunday 10 June 2012

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Jazz on a Sunday has continued to delight the devotees at it’s magnificent venue at the Mayfield Sports Club in Castleton with high quality bands appearing on two/three Sunday evenings each month and bands travelling from as far as Essex, Devon, Newcastle and Sweden.

In June, the ever popular ‘Mart Rodger Manchester Jazz’ entertained with a fine selection of stomps, rags, blues and spirituals, 23 numbers which had the hands clapping and feet stamping. The band were led by Rodger on clarinet and featured trumpeter Alan Dent, trombonist Eric Brierley and whizz-kid of the piano Roger Browne.

Contrasting ‘Peter Frank’s Dixieland All Stars’ included trombonist Dave Morrell’s skiffle interlude of Lonnie Donegan songs, the powerhouse trumpet of Ian Royle and the smooth banjo, guitar and vocals of Chris Howse plus the manic drumming of Rod McNamara.

July found the costumes, helmeted extravagances of ‘The Fire Hose Jazzmen’ replicating the forties American band, a variety of 24 numbers played with panache. The band are led by banjoist Mike Dexter who created fun and fire with the ebullient Malcolm Hogarth on piano and a front line of Dave Leithead, Matt Palmer and Dave Crossley.

By popular demand the fist visit by the Geordie band ‘The Maine Street Jazzmen’ brought the house down and subsequently they carried off the Harry Cameron Band of the Year trophy. Led by trombonist Herbie Hudson with Ray Harley on trumpet and Jim McBrighety on reeds plus the sublime light touches of Malcolm Armstrong’s piano, they produced a perfect blend of musical excitement that lit up the room and the applause became a crescendo.

Continuing the Geordie season, in August reedsman Brian Carrick brought his ‘Algiers Stompers’ (named after a district of New Orleans) to play the dance music of Kid Thomas Valentine. With the quirky piano of Gabrielle Gad, the recent return from New Orleans of expat drummer Andrew Hall we were treated to an evening of the drum beating slow style of New Orleads music from days gone by,

‘Gavin Lee’s New Orleans Jazz Band’, another first timer from Geordieland played a selection of mainly New Orleans dance tunes and featured an exceptional young pianist in Ian Wynn within a five piece ensemble.

Bringing the best jazz bands to Rochdale depends on the availability of distance bands and their tour schedules and September found four gigs to tantalise the tastebuds of the jazz devotees.

Popular local band ‘The Tame Valley Stompers’ started the ball rolling, led by eccentric trombonist Terry Brunt, complete with beret, multi-coloured floor length scarf and green eco trombone plus sky blue and white Manchester City trombone. With the superb front line of clarinet whizzkid Paul Broomhead and trumpeter/vocalist Roger Wimpenny, there was never a dull moment and after 26 numbers the fans were still asking for more. The most requested number at Jazz on a Sunday is the George Lewis clarinet masterpiece ‘St Philip Street Breakdown’ and Broomhead’s rendition at breakneck speed had the room rocking.

Up from his Bristol base, exiled Yorkshireman Dennis Armstrong brought his ‘Great Northern Jazz Band’ on its northern pilgrimage. Known as one of the finest cornet players, he led a programme of traditional tunes and popular numbers with vocals from fine reedsman Pete Curtis and a vibrant rhythm section.

Jazz on a Sunday always tries to mix the old favourites with first time bands and old friend reedsman Brian Carrick organised a visit from Swedish band ‘Redwing’. Excellent stylists led by trombonist Hans Zakrisson, and an entertaining programme was highlighted by brilliant reedsman Sverker Nystrom duelling (or should that be duetting) with Carrick on the George Lewis numbers ‘Burgundy Street Vlues’ and of course, ‘St Philip Street Breakdown’.

To complete a busy memorable month ‘John Shillito’s Select Six’ on their annual visit from Devon presented their ultra professional expertise with trumpeter Shillito leading a programme of blues, spirituals and sheer enjoyment with reedsman John Wurr and pianist Simon Banks in full flow. Another favourite number is the spiritual ‘Just a Closer Walk with Thee’ and it was played with dignity, feeling and pride by the select six to an appreciative audience.

Full of verve and vitality, October welcomed a first tour by another Swedish band, ‘Papa Pider’s Jazz Band’ led by Pider Avall on trombone and vocals. The band played an unusual selection of numbers which included bass player Claes Nordborg’s vocal interpretation of the Irish number ‘Mountains of Morne’ and banjoist Anders Hultman’s presentation of Lonnie Donnegan’s ‘Putting on the Style’. This band brought plenty of good jazz in quite a different kind of evening.

As the clocks were turned back, the darkness was lit up as reedsman Matt Palmer brought his ‘Millenium Eagle Jazz Band’ from the Midlands with trumpeter and dual trombonist Peter Brown complete with droll humour and great young drummer Jack Cotterill. Always a delight, a variety of blues, rags and classics made the onset of dark evenings a million miles away.

November is always a time for fireworks, and the visit of ‘Dave Mott’s Jazz Classics’ had the audience yelling for more. Guesting on trumpet was brilliant 20 year old Jamie Brownfield who integrated with trombonist Eric Brierley and reedsman Mott whilst superb pianist Tom Kincaid and the vocals of Suzanne Mott made it an evening to remember.

As the month was ending, our 2010/11 band of the year – ‘The Cheshire Cats’ eventually made their long awaited appearance. Led by the drumming whizzkid Jack Cotterill, a date was difficult as all the musicians also play with other bands. With Tom Kincaid on piano and Jim Swinnerton on double bass completing the rhythm section, Terry Brunt’s trombone directed proceedings whilst reedsman Matt Palmer (who alternates with Amy Roberts) et al made sure that the waiting had not been in vain – exhilarating.

New Orleans Heat on 16 December and The Jazz Gentlemen on  23 December bring this years season to a close.

Jazz on Sunday meets at Mayfield Sports Centre, Keswick Street, Castleton, Rochdale
OL11 3BY.