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Laurie Palmer - drums Laurie with the Jazz Pilgrims playing
'Oh Baby' this number was recorded live at The
Swingate Inn, Dover, Kent. 15th July 2004, it was a bit of a special evening as the
longest
and oldest jazzer, Henry J Bullock OBE was celebrating his
95th birthday.The members of
the band are: Tom Brady tpt, Roy Mason reeds, John Finch tmb, Ian Rodgers bass and
Burtie
Butler bnj.
Laurie learned the rudiments of drumming when aged 11, with
the school pipe band in his home town of Edinburgh. He developed an interest
in all forms of jazz in the early 1960s, while studying engineering at
University in Dundee. After buying a complete kit he taught himself jazz
drumming and while at college he played in all sorts of groups, from rock to
big band, and worked as Kenny Ball's first road manager during the summer of
1962. One University jazz quartet that Laurie played in managed a three-week
stint at an Aviemore hotel for the skiers there on h oliday. During seven
years in Canada, he played with several jazz groups in Montreal, even
appearing on radio and at Expo 1967. Back in the UK in the 1970s he played
with Malcolm Walton and others at the Sun at Bredgar. Over intervening
thirty years he has played at one time or another with most of the Kent jazz
musicians. He is now a regular with Dave Link at the Chapter Arms in
Chartham Hatch, as well as with Burt Butler's Jazz Pilgrims at many other
jazz venues. While travelling on business, Laurie has managed to guest with
groups on Bourbon Street and on a paddle steamer in New Orleans, in Beijing,
Shanghai, Hanoi, Manila and Jakarta. He still likes any sort of music that
swings.
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Barry Knight - percussion Here is Barry's distinctive style
of playing on these three tracks taken from the CD recorded
live at the 'Duke of Cumberland', High Street, Whitstable, Kent on the 21st
December 2007
band members are: Mick Stansell tpt, Dennis Lear clt, Séan
Maple tmb, Burtie Butler bnj,
Mike Porter-Ward bass and Barry drms. so click on
the titles to hear.
Avalon
Marching through Georgia
Royal garden blues
Barry started playing drums in 1956 when
he joined the Army as a cornet player! There was a group in the band who
also played modern jazz and they didn't have a drummer at the time so he
thought he'd have a go on the drums and was invited to join the jazz group.
He then enrolled at the Ivor Merrants School of Dance Music and his first
paid job was at the Grand Hotel, Folkestone. Played with 14 piece Glen
Miller styleband, which entertained the Yanks at Manston. Became regimental
drummer in the Army and moved to Cyprus. Also played with a popular 4 piece
in nightclub in Nicosia. When demobbed returned to UK and joined Musicians
Union getting gigs from the Vacant Date book all around London and the South
East. Did a lot of Ladies Nights, tea dances, some West End work and the
usual pubs and clubs. In 1968 and joined a function band which occupied most
of the 70's and then joined a traditional jazz band where he stayed for some
time. In between times he has played in brass bands, 20's dance bands,
German Oompah bands and concert bands.Over the last few years he has
concentrated on Traditional /New Orleans Jazz which has been his main love.
Highlight has been playing in Bourbon Street, New Orleans with Burt!
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1958 at the Royal Mortar 1985 with Tony King’s MLJB 1992 at the Holiday Camp
Eddy Newport - Drums and Washboard
Here is Eddie playing THE SHEIK of
ARABY with him playing the washboard. It's a bit different
to the usual. In Germany with the Mainline Jazz Band he became a
bit of a star playing this as the
Germans have never seen a washboard being played before. Of course they
could have been just
taking the piss. Nevertheless he enjoyed it at the time.
The Shiek of Araby click on title to
hear
band members : Tony King tpt, Rod Hayes tmb, Mark Southwell clt
Steve Morgans piano/voc, Pete Thomas bass and Eddy wbrd.
I was born December 1940 and got into
music at the age of 16 when a few school mates bought a couple of guitars
and started to play and sing Lonnie Donegan songs. Being unable to tune a
guitar let alone be able to play one, I bought a snare drum and a cymbal and
joined in the fun. Another mate made a tea chest bass and the Ramblers
Skiffle Group was formed. We rehearsed in my works canteen in Woolwich in
the evenings and did our first gig (a cabaret spot) for the company’s dinner
and dance. The dance band drummer, who was playing at the gig, asked if I
would like to use his drum kit. And my love affair with drums started there.
Also being paid 10 shilling for the gig was another incentive to get into
the music seine. I had some lessons from a pro drummer and he got me on the
straight and narrow playing wise. I worked with a lady pianist in a pub, The
Royal Mortar in Beresford Square Woolwich, one of the roughest pubs you
could imagine. I was 18 she was in her 70’s and she told me she used to play
for silent films at the local cinemas. I joined the “Hot Club of
London” a
Jazz Club that was on a Sunday evening in Powis St run by George Webb. I had
the privilege of hearing and seeing Chris Barber, Acker Bilk, Cy Laurie, Mike Danels, a very young 14 year old Sammy Rimmington and many more. From then
on I wanted to play in a Jazz Band. Later on I worked with a dance band at
the Bell Grove Social Club in Welling, a good grounding for tempos and
playing different types of rhythms. A new job offer, I then moved to Chatham
in 1964 and got into the local music seine and the rest is history. My main
influences were Louis Belson, Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa, Jo Morello and Chico
Hamilton and of course all the pro trad drummers I saw at the Hot Club. In
those days you were either a TRADIE or a MODIE and never the twain shall
meet. I loved it all I had friends in both camps and I dare not let on that
I liked the “other stuff” as well as their music. After many years of
playing in Medway bands and pop groups I finely joined Tony King in the
Mainline Jazz Band and after that I gigged with the Thameside Stompers. I
“turned pro” in 1992 and did a summer season in a holiday camp at
Mundesley in Norfolk with a key board player and worked 7 nights a week for
7 months, with nothing to do all day I was so laid back I was horizontal. My
wife hated it I loved it, but I would not do it for a living. I did it
because I was on the dole for two years and at the time I had to undergo a
major career change, but that’s another story. I am retired and now
play with the Moonlight Sounds an 18 piece rehearsal band run by Rod Hayes
playing big band arrangements and am getting to grips with drum music, this
is the last music challenge of my life.
Eddy Newport Sept 2008
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Robin Beames - drums and vocals
Robin a great mate of mine, has a wonderful singing voice, this particular
track
is a great favourite of mine Love Letters in the Sand this was
recorded at Langlei
Studios, Rainham, Kent 25th Feb 1999, with The Canterbury Jazz Pilgrims.
Band
members are: Bill Phelan crt, Jim Searson reeds, John Finch tmb, Alan
Kennington
bass and Burtie Butler bnj. so click on to Robs name and
listen to some fine brush
work and a great vocal.
Born in 1940, his first interest in music was in 1953 when he
joined a cadet band as a drummer and, after three years, became RASC junior
leader of the trumpeters and snare drummer sections. In 1960 he became the
RASC Corps Band percussionist. In 1960 he enjoyed the early rock & roll
music, which influenced most jazz musicians, though they would not admit it!
In 1963 he left the Army and became interested in traditional jazz. He
formed his first band with Edwin "Boots" Baker, John Cowdrey, Roger Ely,
Humphrey Mayes and Bob Long, and they called themselves the South Side Jazz
Band. In 1968 he returned to play in the "pop" scene and a dance music
quartet. From 1976, like many others, he caught the New Orleans bug from
listening to Ken Colyer, although still playibng rock & roll. In 1986 he set
up the Headcorn Jazz club with a band called the New Orleans Jazzmen. This
eventually became the Imperial Jazz Band and is still going strong.
Memorable moments include playing behind Humphrey Lyttelton, Pat Halcox,
Randy Colville, Roy Williams, and many more. Robin's favourite pastimes are
drinking, whilst eating copious amounts of curry! He is also part-time drum
and percussion teacher with the Kent Music School.
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Roy Neil - drums
Roy - 1964 R.M.S.
Queen Mary (give away photo's) Roy - a few years later
Roy Neil - drums
Had a yearning for the drums from early teens. Use
to play along with the Jack Parnall band on the wireless imitating the
drummer with clothes brushes and a biscuit tin.
Went to the Army cadets at the Drill Hall in Chatham to learn the
rudiments of drumming. With the help of my Mother bought some drums for Ten
shillings whilst still at
school ( Rochester Technical ). Played at a local Youth club then
joined a local Jazz band "Crescent City Stompers" and played at "The Good
Intent" public house in Chatham with the great Pitt brothers, ( then just
very young boys ) as their father was the landlord. Met Ronnie Verrel ( Ted
Heaths drummer ) who lived near me, he taught me various drumming
techniques. Into various Jazz bands. In 1957 the Royal Air Force for three
years, Joined the "Tuxedo Jazz Band" in 1961. In 1963 with the "Ron
Buckley Trio" had an
audition with with Peter Summerfield agent for the 'Springfields' and 'Carl
Denver Trio' made a tape which he considered was good enough to approach
Decca Records. Never
made Decca due to arguments with band wives re: turning professional, thus
band broke up. I was set on becoming professional so after an audition in
London I joined 'Cunard Steamships'. I went on to their Cruise ships first
then on to the R.M.S. Queen Mary until she was sold to the Americans. Home
in England I played with various groups did
session work in London. I formed my own group "Neil Lawrence Quartet"
playing Medway and London areas. Sold my drums in 1968 went into Graphic
Art. Off to London in
1970 worked as display manager for Stanley Gibbons and then the same for
Trust Houses Forte. Played several gigs with hired drums in London, but in
later years developed arthritis in my shoulders and fingers. I can still
play but not so fast.
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Mark Alexander – Drums – Born 1942
He started playing the trumpet whilst at school in
the mid-1950s. Joined the Canterbury City Jazz Band on leaving school and
thereafter played trumpet with various bands including Halliday’s Eagle Band
and Kid Webster’s Band. Highlight of jazz career was an extensive tour of
Belgium in 1966 when he was asked for an autographed photo of
himself by an attractive young girl! He switched to drums in 1970 and is the
regular drummer with The Vocalian Jazz Band, The Roseleaf Ramblers and The
Liberty Hall Jazz
Band. His favourite jazz is the music of the New Orleans dance halls as
played by, among others, Kid Thomas, Peter Bogage, etc. When not playing, or
listening to, jazz, he
can be found selling model railways in The Hobby Shop in Faversham.
www.hobb-e-mail.com
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Ted
Backhouse - Drums
here is Ted playing ' St. Louis Blues' in a
recording at The Thomas A'Beckett pub
in Canterbury, Kent for BBC Radio Kent in 1972 . Band members are:
Mo Hovery tpt, Frank Packman clt, Charlie Banyard tmb, Jim Beale piano,
Les Biggs gtr, Roger Link bass and Ted Backhouse drms.
As a small lad I was always interested in playing drums and eager to become
a musician , when I joined the oldest sea cadet unit in the world - T S
Vigilant Unit no 363 in
Whitstable the year 1950. I was too small to carry a drum in the parade so
for the first year, I was chief triangle player, but I attended every band
practice and by the time I had
filled out a little, I felt that I could play all the snare drum parts.
After much tuition and practice I became leading drummer in the band and
enjoyed all the local carnivals and
parades and we also had moderate success in area band competitions. After
national service in the R.A.F. I bought my first drum kit (still got it )
and rehearsed and practised
in my cousin Robin Mowday's front room - 70 Nelson Road, Whitstable on Sunday
afternoons with a variety of like minded starters. We were all keen jazz
fans and met most Wednesdays at the Bear and Key Jazz club, I even had the
cheek to ask to sit in on a couple of numbers on Bill Ambro's drum kit. With
Robin Mowday, John Holbrow, Dave
Victor and Roy Kendall we formed a dance band , but we were not all that
successful but from the experience I did a few gigs with the Norman Perkins
dance band and had a
couple of years with the George Dunn Band before he retired. I was proud to
be asked to join Mo Hovery's Jazzmen in the late 60's, when Bill Ambro moved
away from the district , and we had many happy sessions at the Smugglers Inn
- Herne Village, Kent - the line up when I joined was Mo Hovery tpt/flugal,
Frank Packman clt/saxs, Charlie Banyard tmb, Roger Link string bass and Roy
Gaston-Williams piano. The line up changed slightly over a few years when
Dave Corsby, Sean Maple, Pete Gresham, Ron Woodward and Mike King were used.
I was disappointed to lose my position when Bill Ambro moved back to the
area in the early 70's. I then had a long and enjoyable music career with
two very dear friends, who have since passed on as a pop group "Oyster" - '
Music for all ages ' - Mick Lund lead guitar and vocals and Bruce Watneys
bass guitar and backing vocals and some three part harmonies. I well
remember one riotous / boozy weekend I had when the Kid Webster Jazz Band
were short of a drummer for a tour of Belgium around 1965. the band was
Frank and Charlie Webster, Norman Halliday, Mark Alexander, Derek and myself
all in a Vauxhall - the string bass and bass drum strapped to the roof rack
- ahh - Happy Days !!
Ted Backhouse
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