The High Society Jazz Band

		Summer of 2013 With HSJB I am sitting with a glass of Chenin Blanc in my hand, at the time of the summer heatwave, looking down at the long, freshly cut lawns at our home and reflecting on how special and delightful it is to play jazz. HSJB is a band whose members know each other's playing well and are really enthusiastic in contributing to the band's success. For instance, as well as being excellent musicians, they all contribute in different ways. David, with the best single string solos I know, is a compere, distributor of gig information and organiser of an excellent P.A.; Peter leads the band from his foot-tapping beginning to the end of every session with his exciting cornet playing; Ralph, our drummer is the best brushes man in the business, ever cheerful and great communicator with an audience; Neil is a stylish keyboard player and works enthusiastically on band arrangements. Finally Bruce, of the exquisite clarinet tone, calm and relaxed, deals with the dates on our web site. It allows me to stand at the back of the band, enjoying my playing. Among other joys for me is the group of 'deps' who are always wonderfully welcomed by the band. Jack Schofield, just so good; Alan Beecham, with his Essex humour and driving trumpet; Dave Wearing, Paul Palmer, Peter Eddowes and recently Steve Lister. Gigs roll in, in spite of the recession. In February, Mardi Gras took place at St. John's Church in Morecambe. The band gave an excellent performance before an enthusiastic audience at the jazz weekend at the Salutation Hotel in Ambleside. It was followed by a swing-dance evening at Bridge Street Freemason's Hall, Manchester, where the floor was packed with many under-thirties jivers. In May the band made a happy return to the floral splendour of Barton Grange Garden Centre for its fiftieth birthday celebrations, to the delight of staff and several thousand visitors. After a blank year of weddings in 2012, five have arrived this year. The first was at Miller Howe with its spectacular views across Windermere, and the second in the splendid surroundings of Leighton Hall. Weddings at Wray (in a marquee), at the Villa Hotel in Wrea Green and at the Swan Hotel, Newby Bridge, will follow this summer. We are grateful to the loyal groups who keep jazz live at clubs in Ayr, Carlisle, Southport, Leeds and Roa Island and give us such a warm welcome when we visit. These visits help us to continue to rehearse challenging classic jazz such as 'Fidgety Feet', 'East St. Louis Toodle-oo', 'Dans Les Rues d'Antibes', 'Riverboat Shuffle' and a Johnny Dodds special, 'When Erastus Plays His Old Kazoo'. We are delighted to have been invited to pay our first visit to Boston Spa's prestigious club in July. We have also been approached to play in a jazz bar in Oldham. Finally we continue to look forward to our regular venues at Carnforth Station Tea Rooms once a month on Friday lunch times, and our new residency at Bare Village Club on alternate Sunday afternoons, where we welcome our loyal Morecambe supporters, who include Bob, Rick and Malcolm. Let the good times roll. Brian Gordon. June, 19th 2013.