Jazz Bands

As you will see, there is not much information avaiable for Traditional and Modern jazz bands, but here are a few names. Le Vieux Carre Jazzband, Solent City Jazzmen Harbourside Jazz Band Summa Cum Laude Jazzband. New Tijuana Jazzband, Unity Hall Stompers, Derek Adye Jazzband, Stane Street Jazzmen, Roy Brewers Jazz Group 1940.

Chas McDevitt was palying the banjo for the High Curley Stompers on 27th April 1953 at the Savoy Ballroom

1944 March 5th Portsmouth Jazz Club at the Conservative Club Fratton Road, presents Tony Cobden, followed by a jam session. March 22nd Portsmouth Jazz Club presented three guests, Derrick Stewart Baxter, John Von Prague and Horace Harris, there was a jam session to end the evening. April 27th The New Orleans Jazz Band at St Mary's Institute. May 2nd The Portsmouth Jazz Club had a recital called 'Boogie for the beasts, or passions and their styles. In attendance was Bill Cole amongst others. October 7th, The Portsmouth Jazz club at the Conservative Club in Fratton Road present recording of the Eddie Condon Jazz concert, direct from America, followed by a jam session. December 17th The Portsmouth Jazz Club at the Conservative Hall Fratton Road present BBC Critic Peter Tanner and 'An evening with Teddy Bunn', followed by a jam session with Phil Bryant(trumpet) and David Channon(electric guitar). 1945 April 8th The Portsmouth Jazz Club meets at 32 Malvern Road Southsea. 1948 May 28th Graeme Bell and his Australian Jazz band appear at the Savoy Ballroom. July 2nd Graeme Bell and his Australian Jazz Orchestra at the Savoy ballroom. October 3rd Harry Parry and his popular radio feature, The Jazz Club at the South Parade Pier. 1949 January 5th The Portsmouth 'New Hot Club' for jazz meets to hear jazz records. April 25th The first anniversary of the 'Hot' Club was celebrated when Mr. P Warner gave a recital on records of New Orleans music. The was also a 'History of Jazz' illustrated my F Hurlock cornet, P Collins clarinet, M Warner & D Barker trombones, E Piggott guitar, J Inglish bass, J Thomas & C Hansell drums. May 30th Mr. P Howard, Chairman of the Gosport and Fareham Jazz Club gives a recital at the Portsmouth New 'Hot' Club meeting. July 16th Saturday, The new "Rhythm Incorporated Jazz Club" at The Conservative Hall in Fratton Road advertise for new members. Residents groups are Bill Cole and his Clubmen and the Norman Bryant Quartet. July 19th The Portsmouth New 'Hot' Jazz Club has a lecture about the Louis Armstrong Hot Five. August 29th "Rhythm Incorporated Jazz Club" present Johnny Lyne's Swing Group at the Conservative Hall Fratton Road. October 3rd The Rhythm Incorporated Jazz Club present Johnny Lyne's progressive jazz concert. "A bop session will be included before and after the session. October 10th A 'bop' session featuring Bill Cole and his Clubmen at the Rhythm Incorporated Jazz Club at the Conservative Club, Fratton Road. October 17th Electric violinist Alan Mack, from the Ralph Sharron Bop Quintet and Charles Berry, late of Teddy Foster, play at the Rhythm Incorporated Jazz Club at the Conservative Club Fratton Road. October 24th The Bop Quintet, featuring Bob Quinton and Ken Bishop play at the Rhythm Incorporated Jazz Club at the Conservative Hall Fratton Road. November 7th Bop night at the Rhythm Incorporated Jazz Club with Bill Coles Clubmen. 1950 February 9th The Dockyard School's Jazz Club opened with a recital of New Orleans Jazz given by Mr. Saunders. March 7th Recitals presented at the New Hot Club of Portsmouth, consisted of Big Band Jazz by Mr. R Voysey and Small Band Jazz by Messers Gale and Wenham. April 6th Mick Mulligan and his Magnolia Jazz Band play at the Savoy ballroom. May 10th The RDS Jazz Club have a recital by Mr. R Saunders on 'Black and White Jazz'. May 28th The Royal Dockyard School's Jazz club hear two lectures, 'Blues on British Labels', and 'The Piano in jazz'. June 1st The RDS Jazz Club have a recital by Mr. F Hurlock, entitled 'The story of jazz from Congo to bop' June 17th Members of the Royal Dockyard School's Jazz Club and the new 'Hot' Jazz Club of Portsmouth attend the third big riverboat shuffle in Southampton, the previous two were in Portsmouth. About 1000 jazz fans on the SS Calshot heard six hours of music from ten be-bop and dixieland bands. July 25th At the Royal Dockyards School's Jazz Club, three separate lectures were given, The life of Bunk Johnson, My taste in Jazz, and, A Choice of records. July 28th Frank Hurlock presented a recital ' Screening the blues' which dealt with jazz music in films over the last 20 years. August 4th The Portsmouth Jazz Club have a recital on record from Tommy Ladnier and Jimmy Noone, and Mr. F Hurlock pays tribute to famed British jazzman Freddy Gardner who died recently. August 11th The Portsmouth Jazz Club have a talk by Mr. F Hurlock about the evolution of jazz, with recordings from the original Dixeyland Jazzband and the New Orleans Rhythm Kings. August 14th At the newly named RDS Jazz Club, Mr. P Gale gave a talk about clarinetist Johnny Dodds. August 17th A meeting of the Portsmouth Jazz club hear a talk about New Orleans band, blues singers, and jazz revivalist groups. August 18th Mick Mulligan and his Magnolian Jazz Band play at the Savoy Ballroom. August 22nd The Club Dixie, formerly the RDS Jazz Club, organize a Jazz Quiz which is won by Mr. F Hurlock. September 21st P Gale and G Wenham give a recital at the Portsmouth Jazz Club. December 5th At the Club Dixie Royal Dockyard Schools Jazz Club, Mr. F Hurlock presented a recital on the history of Graeme Bell's Jazz Band. December 8th Graeme Bell and his Australian Jazz Band play at the Savoy Ballroom. December 21st The Portsmouth Jazz Club hold a social in the in their clubroom in Thomas Street, Landport and listen to a local jazz band making their first appearance. 1951 January 5th Sid Phillips and his Jazz Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom. January 10th Mr. Frank Hurlock gives a talk at the RDS Jazz Club, entitled Hurlocks Dixieland Jazz band. A fictitious story about the progress of a jazz group, illustrated with recordings of New Orleans and Chicago jazzmen. January 12th Mr. E Voke gives a recital on record at the RDS Jazz Club. January 19th Humphrey Lyttleton and his Jazz Band play at the Savoy Ballroom. Mr. F H Hurlock, the retiring President of the Portsmouth Jazz Club, is made life Vice President. New president is Mr. J H Galpin, Secretary Mr. L M Dury, Treasurer Mr. E H Wenham. January 30th At the Club Dixie meeting at the Old Counrtyman in Thomas street, there was a talk by Mr. D Toms about a survey of English jazz. March 29th The Crane River Boys, Britain's newest jazz sensation, play at the Savoy Ballroom. April 27th Graeme Bell and his Australian Jazz band play at the Savoy Ballroom. May 16th Mick Mulligan and his Magnolia Jazz band play at the Savoy Ballroom. May 30th Chris Barber and his New Orleans Jazz band play at the Savoy Ballroom. July 20th First visit of Chris Barber and his New Orleans Jazz Group to the Savoy Ballroom, 3/-d admission. July 27th Graeme Bell and his Australian Jazz Band play at the Savoy Ballroom. August 10th Jazz Band Ball at the Savoy Ballroom with music from Humphrey Lyttleton, Mike Daniels, Chris Barber, Mick Milligan and Benny Freedman's assorted bands. August 23rd Joe Daniels and his Jazz group play at the Savoy Ballroom. September 28th Humphrey Lyttleton and his Jazz Band play at the Savoy Ballroom. November 1st Three jazz bands at the South Parade Pier include, Mike Daniels and his Delta Jazz Men, Charles Galbraith and his Jazz Stompers, and Cy Lawrie and his Group. November 16th Graeme Bell and his Australian Jazz Band play on South Parade Pier. 1952 January 4th Chris Barber's New Orleans Jazz Band play at the Savoy Ballroom. January 11th The Saints Jazz Band play at the Savoy Ballroom. April 10th The Wolverines Jazz Band play at the Savoy Ballroom. July 7th Ron Male's Jazzmen play for the Portsmouth Rhythm Club at the Conservative Hall, Fratton Road. July 14th The Modernaires quartet, plus the Ron Male Jazz Band play at the Portsmouth Rhythm Club meeting at the Conservative Hall Fratton Road. August 3rd Three jazz bands play at the South Parade Pier, Mick Mulligan and his New Magnolia Band, Chris Barber and his New Orleans Jazzmen and The Crane River Jazz Band. September 7th The Ken Dell Orchestra play at the Petersfield Jazz and Dance Club meeting at the Heroes Public House at Waterlooville where they meet each Sunday. October 6th The Portsmouth Rhythm Club holds it's meeting at the Sir Robert Peel, St Vincent Street, near Hyde Park Road, with music from Ron Male's Jazzmen. October 29th Two bands entertained at the Portsmouth Rhythm Club meeting, Pianist/Blues singer Doreen Nutter was guest with Ron Male's Jazzmen, and Altoist Dick Whichello Jr. with the Terry Flynn Quartet. December 22nd The Portsmouth Rhythm Club meet at the Sir John Peel in St Vincent Street, and hear music from Ron Male's Jazzmen, and Bournemouth Pine City Stompers. 1953 January 15th Frank Hurlock is re-elected secretary of the Portsmouth Jazz Club. February 20th Lord Donegall, President of the new National Jazz Federation, has accepted the Presidency of the Portsmouth Jazz Club. February 23rd Mick Mulligan and his Magnolian Jazz Band play at the Savoy Ballroom. March 2nd T Chris Barber and his New Orleans Jazz Band play at the Savoy Ballroom. March 9th Eric Silk and his Southern Jazzmen, plus Benny Freedman's Orchestra, play at the Savoy Ballroom. April 2nd The Gosport Rhythm Club present Bill Burkett's Band, (but no indication of where!.) The Woverines Jazz band play at the Savoy Ballroom. April 20th The Cy Laurie (London) Jazz band play at the Savoy Ballroom. May 4th Charlie Galbraith and his Jazzmen play at the Savoy Ballroom. June 29th The Portsmouth Jazz Club had a record attendance to hear records of American Jazz trumpeter Wingy Manone. July 27th Jerry French and his Jazz band play at the Savoy Ballroom. August 17th The Wolverines Jazz Band play at the South Parade Pier. August 31st The Jeremy French Jazz band play at the Savoy Ballroom. September 21st Graham Stewart and his Jazzmen play at the Savoy Ballroom. September 27th Alan Littlejohn and his Jazzmen play at the Savoy Ballroom. October 19th Jeremy French and his Jazzband play at the Savoy Ballroom. November 11th The Portsmouth Jazz Club re-opens at the 'Old Countryman' in Thomas Street Landport. November 16th Len Beadie and his 17 piece Jazz Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom. December 7th At the Savoy Ballroom, Joe Brickell and his Jazzmen play for dancing. December 31st Joe Brickell and his Jazzmen join Benny Freedman’s Band at the Savoy Ballroom. The Portsmouth Jazz Club had regular meetings throughout the year, as did the Portsmouth Music Club at the lecture hall of the Central Library. The News rarely gave details of the musicians at a Ball. On the left is Frank Hurlock at the Railway Hotel 1954 January 13th Secretary Frank Hurlock states that the Portsmouth Jazz Club had disbanded after five and a half years of existence. January 18th Ted Ambrose and his Jazzband, from Brighton, play at the Savoy Ballroom. February 1st Jeremy French and his Jazz Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom. February 9th Jazz dancing to the Modernaires at Twyford Avenue Community Centre. March 17th At the St Francis Youth Centre Party at Hilsea, D Whitfield's Jazz Trio provided music for dancing. April11th Ted Ambrose and his Jazz Band from Brighton, play at the Savoy Ballroom. May 24th Joe Brickell and his Jazzmen play at the Savoy Ballroom. July 12th Ted Ambrose and his Jazz band and Roy Richards and his Mayfair Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom. August 16th Joe Brickell and his Jazzmen play at the Savoy Ballroom. September13th The Cy Laurie Jazz Band play at the Savoy Ballroom. September 27th Trevor Williams and his Jazzband play at the Savoy Ballroom. September 29th A Jazz Jamboree Band Contest is staged at the Savoy Ballroom. October 25th Portsmouth's own Ron Male Jazz Band play at the Savoy ballroom. November 8th Chris Allen and his Jazzmen play at the Savoy Ballroom. November 22nd Joe Bickell and his Jazzmen play at the Savoy Ballroom. December 13th Ted Ambrose and his Jazzmen play at the Savoy Ballroom. 1955 Chris Allen and his Jazzmen play at the Savoy ballroom. January 24th Norman Pearson and his Jazzband play at the Savoy Ballroom. February 7th Joe Brickell and his Jazzmen play at the Savoy Ballroom. February 28th At the Savoy Ballroom, Portsmouth's own Apex Jazzband perform. April 4th Cy Laurie and his Jazz Band play at the Savoy Ballroom. April 11th At the Kings Theatre, "The Jazz Train" Broadway's Smash Hit all negro musical. May 2nd Chris Allen and his Jazzmen play at the Savoy Ballroom. June 13th Cy Laurie and his Jazzmen play at the Savoy Ballroom. June 17th Ottilie Patterson sings with Chris Barber's Jazzmen at the Savoy Ballroom. July 25th Joe Brickell and his Jazz Men play at the Savoy Ballroom. September 2nd Chris Barber and his Jazzmen play at the Savoy Ballroom. September 5th Cy Laurie and his Jazzmen play at the Savoy Ballroom. September 21st Chris Barber and his Jazzmen play at the Savoy Ballroom in a Jazz Jamboree. October 10th Billy Testini and his Jazzmen play at the Savoy Ballroom. October 24th The Milenburg Jazzband appear at the Savoy Ballroom. November 7th Joe Brickell's Jazzband play at the Savoy Ballroom. November 28th Barry McCarthy and his Jazzmen play at the Savoy Ballroom. December 24th Saturday, Mick Mitchell and his Music are joined at the Empress Ballroom by Barry McCarthy and his Jazzmen. Barry McCarthy and his Dixielanders 1955 Douggie Whitfield ---- Trumpet, Jimmy Horn ---- Trombone, Doreen Nutter ---- Piano, vocalist. Ron Blandford ---- Bass, Jack Campbell ---- Drums, Barry McCarthy ---- Alto, clar. 1956 January 23rd The Red River Jazzband, and Roy Richards and his Mayfair Orchestra appear at the Savoy Ballroom. May 25th Mick Mulligan and his Magnolia Jazz Band, with George Melly, play at the Savoy Ballroom. May 29th a Jazz record club has been started and meets at the Old Trafalgar clubroom in Fratton Road. June 26th A new jazz club opens at St Mary's Institute Fratton Road. August 3rd Ken Collier's Jazzmen play at the Savoy Ballroom. October 17th the Jazz Club of Portsmouth meets at the Ship and Antelope in Arundel Street. December Arthur Ward's Band play at the Chichester Jazz Club's Christmas Party. Barry McCarthy and his Dixielanders 1956 Douggie Whitfield ---- Trumpet. Jack Campbell ---- Drums. Douggie Wheeler ---- Trombone. Stan King ---- Bass. Doreen Nutter ---- Piano, Vocalist. Barry McCarthy ---- Alto, Clar. 1957 January 2nd Eric Bernard and his Orchestra play at Lee Tower. The Portsmouth Jazz Club meets at the Spread Eagle Arundel Street every Wednesday with 'Traditional, skiffle, recitals'. January 24th Jazz at the Dolphin, Botley with the mainstream Group and blues singer Doreen Whitfield. January 26th Ricky's Club, Goldsmith Avenue, start a regular Saturday jazz night with their resident 'traditional' quintet group, January 28th The Jazz Messengers play at Ricky's Club. January 31st The resident jazz quartet play at Ricky's Club. February 4th The resident traditional jazz band at Ricky's Club are Arthur Ward, Joe English and Bob Quinton (rhythm), Duggy Wheeler, Denn Putman, and Ken Bishop(front line). February 8th Chris Barber and his Jazz Band with Ottillie Patterson, play at the Savoy Ballroom. February 18th The Jazz Messengers play at Ricky's Club. March 7th The Jazz Messengers play at Ricky's Club. March 14th The Jazz Messengers play at Ricky's Club. March 15th A 'Feast of Jazz' at the Savoy Ballroom with the McDevitt Skiffle Group and Gerry Brown's Jazzmen. April 13th Dean Maddisson and his Jazz Group play at the Empress Ballroom with Mick Mitchell and his Music. April 20th Dean Maddison and his Jazz Group play at the Empress Ballroom with Mick Mitchell and his Music. April 27th Dean Maddison and his Jazz Group play at the Empress Ballroom with Mick Mitchell and his Music. May 3rd Terry Lightfoot and his jazzmen play at the Savoy Ballroom. May 30th Skiffle and Jazz competition at the Conservative Hall, Fratton Road with 12 bands competing. June 6th The Down-beat Jazz Club opens at the Conservative Hall, Fratton Road, with McGlover Skiffle Group(Mick Glover?) and Lews Verril Jazzmen. June 14th The Down Beat Jazz Club at the Conservative Hall Fratton Road is closed until further notice. July 1st Special appearance of the New Orleans Jazz Group from HMS Collingwood, at the Savoy Ballroom. July 7th Mick Mulligan and his Band, with George Melly and Europe’s first lady of Jazz, Neva Raphello, play on South Parade Pier. July 22nd At the Cosham RAFA Hall, Jazz and Skiffle from Les Verrell and Pete Young Twin Band Show. August 4th Ken Colyer's Jazzmen and Ken Colyer's Skiffle Group, play on South Parade Pier with Bob Kelly on piano in the interval. August 18th Chris Barber and his Jazz Band play on South Parade Pier. September 8th At the White Hart, Gosport, the Heaton Davies Quintet play jazz. September 22nd Chris Barber and his Jazz Band with Ottilie Patterson, play on South Parade Pier. October 7th At the RAFA Club Cosham, Les Verrall Modern Jazz Group, and The Crescent City Skiffle Group perform. October 21st Modern Jazz at the Sunshine Inn, Farlington. October 23rd Modern Jazz at the Alma Arms, Highland Road. November 11th The Mike Treend Group play modern jazz at the Sunshine Inn, Farlington, every Monday. November 21st The best in recorded traditional and modern jazz at the Downbeat Club Thorngate Hall Gosport every Thursday. December 8th Ronnie Carroll, the Crescent City Jazz Band and the Nomads Skiffle Group from Portsmouth, appear at the Empire Theatre. December 21st Ronnie Keene and his Orchestra and Dean Maddison and his Jazz group play on South Parade Pier. December 31st Ronnie Keene and his Orchestra and Dean Maddison and his Jazz group play on South Parade Pier. The Jazz Messengers play at Chichester Jazz Club, Bull's Head, Fishbourne. 1958 January 4th Dancing to Ronnie Keene and his Orchestra and Dean Maddison Jazz Group at the South Parade Pier. January 6th Don Rendell top tenor sax man at the Sunshine Inn for the Farlington Modern Jazz Club He is a member of the Ted Heath Orchestra and toured the UK with Stan Kenton in 1956. January 11th Dancing to Ronnie Keene and his Orchestra and Dean Maddison Jazz Group at the South Parade Pier. January 14th The Chiz Bishop Trio play at the Chichester Jazz Club, Bull's Head, Fishbourne. January 18th Dancing to Ronnie Keene and his Orchestra and Dean Maddison Jazz Group at the South Parade Pier. January 25th Dancing to Ronnie Keene and his Orchestra and Dean Maddison Jazz Group at the South Parade Pier. January 30th The 5 Gees Jazz Club at the White Hart Gosport present Don Watts. February 1st Ronnie Keene's Orchestra spell at the South Parade Pier ends, plus the Modern Jazzmen in the minor hall. February 7th Cy Laurie and his Jazzmen play at the Savoy Ballroom. The 5 Gees Jazz Club at the White Hart Gosport present Don Watts and Jimmy Marshall. February 18th At Chichester Jazz Club, The Chiz bishop Trio, Chiz on piano, Nelson Peters bass, Keith Watts drums, also vibist Bill Le Sage is accompanied by Ken Bishop tenor, Doug Wheeler trombone, Bob Quinton piano, Arthur Ward drums and Joe English bass. February 24th The Gordon Trevor Quintet play mainstream jazz at the Eastney Tavern, Cromwell Road every Monday. March 8th At the South Parade Pier, Billy Duncan and his Dance Music are joined by Dean Maddison's Jazz Group. March 10th Joe Harriott plays at the Chichester Jazz Club, backed by Ken Bishop tenor, Doug Wheeler trombone, Bob Quinton piano, Arthur Ward drums and Joe English bass. March 27th More than 300 attend a Jazz Band Ball in conjunction with the Downbeat Jazz Club, with Mike Treend's Jazzmen, Mike Treend, Denny Puttman, Sammy Seall bass, Doug Wheeler trombone, Brian Taylor alto/clarinet, Tony Hart drums and Ronnie Coe and the Coehorts, play at Lee Tower. At the Sunshine Inn, the resident musicians now to be known as the Sunshine Jazzmen, personnel is Red Cresdee clarinet, Chiz Bishop piano and Mike Kay drums with Bill Burkett trumpet, Ray Lott bass and a trombonist standing in for Puttman, Seall and Wheeler who will be at Lee Tower. March 29th Dean Maddison's Jazz Group play all week with Billy Duncan and his Dance Music at the South Parade Pier. April 2nd Brian Wilson and his Jazz Quintet play at the Richmond Hotel Lake Road, every Wednesday. April 3rd The Tia Juana Jazz Band play at the Savoy Ballroom. April 10th The Chichester Jazz Band Ball had music The Crescent City Jazz band from Portsmouth provided some of the music. April 19th The Circle Club, at Kimbells Corner House, presents a 'Jazz Jamboree'. April 23rd Brian Wilson and his Jazz Quintet play at the Richmond Hotel. Lake Road. April 24th Eddie Earworth's Jazz Group play at the Richmond Hotel. April 26th Dean Maddison's Jazz Group play all week with Billy Duncan and his Dance Music at the South Parade Pier. May 3rd Dean Maddison's Jazz Group play all week with Billy Duncan and his Dance Music at the South Parade Pier. May 4th Don Watts and Jimmy Marshall play jazz at the White Swan Gosport. May 5th Modern Jazz starts at Ricky's with the Ken Bishop Quintet and the Pete Moreton Quintet. May 9th Farlington Tradtional Jazz Club closed lon a high not and it was played by the almost legendary trumpet idol of the 1930's, Nat Gonella, writes Spinner. Nat, Farlington's first traditional guest star, was playing at the club's last session before it finishes for the summer. Accompanied by the Sunshine Jazz men, the regular group, he produced the power, attack and humour which made him one of Britain's greatest jazz names. His trumpet still has the " Satchmo " influence and so does his gravel voice these were the two qualities which gained him the title of `Britain's Louis Armstrong' before World War II. After the war Nat faded into obscurity but, recently a number of critics among them Humphrey Lyttieton have been praising his trumpet work and questioning his absence from the jazz scene. In the past few weeks, however, Nat has made a comeback and It was obvious at Farlirigton last night that there is still a quart of jazz in the pint- sized trumpet player. Accompanying hlm were Doug Wheeler (trombone), Denny Putman (trumpet), Red Cresdee (clarlnet). Chiz Bishop (piano), Mike Kaye (drums),and Sammy Seall (bass). May 12th Don Rendell and the Arthur Ward Quintet play at Ricky's Club. Sid Harris presents a new jazz group, including George Austin guitar and Mike Treend piano, at the Richmond Hotel. May 14th George Austin and his jazz men play at the Richmond Hotel every Wednesday. May 21st Jazz at the Richmond Hotel with George Austin electric guitar, Ken Williams vibraphone, Mike Treend piano, Ray Lott string bass and Tony Hart drums. June 1st Jazz at the Empire Theatre with the Jazz Couriers, Tubby Hayes, Ronnie Scott and the Dill Jones Trio. June 22nd Terry Lightfoot and his jazzmen featuring Johnny Bennett, and Cy Laurie and his Band play on South Parade Pier. July 6th Chris Barber and his Jazz Band play on South Parade Pier. July 18th The Jazz Couriers, featuring Ronnie Scott and Tubby Hayes, play at the Savoy Ballroom. July 22nd The Ken Bishop Quintet and the Phil Ship Trio play at Chichester Jazz Club with Tommy Whittle. August 1st Nat Gonella plays at the Beaulieu Jazz Festival. August 4th Gosport Carnival features a 'Jazz and Skiffle Jamboree'. August 12th The Ken Bishop Quintet and the Phil Ship Trio play at Chichester Jazz Club with Bill Le Sage. August 24th Chris Barber and his Jazz Band play on South Parade Pier. September 12th Jazz from John Urry's Tradmen at the Moose Hall, St Ronans Road. September 19th Jazz from John Urry's Tradmen, plus the Pat Nelson Group at the Moose Hall, St Ronan’s Road. September 24th The Alpha Jazzmen play at the Cobden Arms Arundel Street. September 30th Harry Klein, Ken Bishop's Quintet, Phil Shipp Trio play at Chichester Jazz Club. October 1st The Crescent City Jazzband play at the Cobden Arms Arundel Street. The Portsmouth Music Club meet at the Lecture Room of the Central Library. October 3rd Jazz from John Urry's Tradmen, plus the Pat Nelson Group at the Moose Hall, St Ronan’s Road. October 10th Jazz from John Urry's Tradmen, plus the Pat Nelson Group at the Moose Hall, St Ronan’s Road. October 17th The Crescent City Jazzmen play at Moose Hall, St Ronan's Road. October 21st The Tony Kinsey Quintette and the Ken Bishop Quintette play at the Chichester Jazz Club. October 22nd The Crescent City Jazz Band and the Brian Wilson Group play at the Cobden Arms. October 24th Jazz from John Urry's Tradmen at the Moose Hall, St Ronan’s Road. October 29th The Crescent City Jazzband and Vieux Carre Band play at the Cobden Arms. October 30th Jazz from John Urry's Tradmen at the Moose Hall, St Ronan's Road. November 5th The Celestial City Blue Blowers play for the Cobden Arms Jazz Band Ball. November 7th Jazz from John Urry's Tradmen at the Moose Hall, St Ronan's Road plus the Vieux Carre Jazz Band. November 12th The Crescent City Jazzband play at the Cobden Arms. November 19th The Crescent City Jazzband and the Celestial City Blue Blowers play for the Cobden Arms. December 1st The Mike Treend Quartet play at the Sunshine Inn Farlington. The Ken Bishop Quintet play at the J and D Jazz Club Gosport. December 2nd Tubby Hayes joins Portsmouth band the Ken Bishop Quintet and the Chic Cheeseman Trio at the Chichester Jazz Club. December 3rd The Alpha Jazzman and the Celestial City Blue Blowers play at the Cobden Arms. December 8th Robin Cooper runs jazz nights at the Moose Hall on a Friday and now also on a Monday night in competition with the Farlington Modern Jazz Club. His resident Monday band are the Brian Wilson Quintet, with Brian on tenor, Tony Bliss trumpet, Chiz Bishop piano, Don Castle bass and John Urry drums. December 10th The Crescent City Jazzband and the Celestial City Blue Blowers play for the Cobden Arms. December 12th The Jazz Couriers play at the Savoy Ballroom. December 17th The Crescent City Jazzband play for the Cobden Arms. December 23rd Ronnie Scott, the Ken Bishop Quintet and the Chic Cheeseman Trio play at the Chichester Jazz Club. 1959 January 3rd Saturday, The Crescent City Jazzband play for the Cobden Arms. January 7th The Vieux Carre Jazz band play at the Cobden Arms. January 14th The Alpha Jazzmen play at the Cobden Arms. January 20th The Ken Bishop Quintet and the Chic Cheeseman Trio are joined by Bill le Sage at the Chichester Jazz Club. At the Assembly Hall Fareham, The Tia Juana Jazz band play. January 21st The Crescent City Jazz band play at the Cobden Arms. January 26th The Austin Treend Quartet play at the Sunshine Inn Farlington. The Southern Jazz Quintet play modern jazz at the 'Jazz Club of Horndean' at the Ship and Bell Inn. January 30th A jazz festival at the Petersfield Jazz Club includes The Crescent City Jazzband, Vieux Carre Jazzband and the Meon Valley Jazzmen. February 2nd The Southern Jazz Quintet play at the Ship and Bell Inn Horndean. February 4th The Ken Bishop Quintet play at the Boars Head, Boarhunt every Wednesday. The Vieux Carre Jazzband play at the Cobden Arms. February 10th Ronnie Ross and the Ken Bishop Quintet and the Chic Cheeseman Trio play at the Chichester Jazz Club. February 11th The Crescent City Jazzband play for the Cobden Arms. February 12th The Sunshine Jazzmen play at the Sunshine Inn Farlington. February 18th The Crescent City Jazzband play for the Cobden Arms. February 25th Ronnie Ross and the Ken Bishop Quintet play at the Boar's Head, Boarhunt. The Crescent City Jazzband play for the Cobden Arms. March 3rd The Ken Bishop Quintet and the Chic Cheeseman Trio are joined by Kenny Baker at the Chichester Jazz Club. March 4th The Alpha Jazzmen play at the Cobden Arms. March 5th At the Assembly Hall Fareham, The Tia Juana Jazz band play. March 10th Rob Cooper, Moose Hall organiser, has three jazz bands playing at the Talbot Hotel, Goldsmith Avenue. March 11th Humphrey Lyttleton has agreed to become President of the Fratton Jazz Club, run by Robin Cooper. The Crescent City Jazzband play for the Cobden Arms. March 17th Three jazz bands playing at the Talbot Hotel, Goldsmith Avenue. March 18th Bill Le Sage plays at the Boar's Head, Boarhunt with the Ken Bishop Quintet. The Crescent City Jazzband play for the Cobden Arms. March 20th Mick Mulligan and his Jazz Band with George Melly play at the Savoy Ballroom. The Crescent City Jazz Club opens at the Star Inn Lake Road. March 25th The Vieux Carre Jazz band play at the Cobden Arms. April 8th The Vieux Carre Jazz band play at the Cobden Arms. April 10th The Sandy Turner Jazz Band play at the Gosport Trades Club. April 14th Tubby Hayes and the Ken Bishop Quintet and the Chic Cheeseman Trio play at the Chichester Jazz Club. April 15th Ronnie Scott’s Traditional Jazzmen and the Celestial City Blue Blowers play at the Cobden Arms. April 22nd The Alpha Jazzmen play at the Cobden Arms. April 24th The Tia Juana Jazzband from Southampton play at the Star Inn Lake Road. April 29th The Vieux Carre Jazz Band play at the Cobden Arms Arundel Street. April 30th The Vieux Carre Jazz Band play at "The Delta, RAFA Club, Gosport. May 1st The Crescent City Jazz Band play at the Star Inn Lake Road. May 6th The Malatinga Jazzmen play at the Cobden Arms. May 8th The Crescent City Jazz Band play at the Star Inn Lake Road. May 13th The Malatinga Jazzmen play at the Cobden Arms. May 15th Kenny Ball and his Jazz band play at the Savoy Ballroom. The Crescent City Jazz Band play at the Star Inn Lake Road. May 20th The Alpha Jazzmen play at the Cobden Arms. May 27th The Vieux Carre Jazz Band play at the Cobden Arms. May 29th The Crescent City Jazz Band play at the Star Inn Lake Road. June 1st Bill le Sage plays at the White Hart Kingston Cross, The new venue for the Sunshine Inn jazz club. June 3rd The Vieux Carre Jazz Band play at the Cobden Arms. June 5th The Tia Juana Jazzband from Southampton play at the Star Inn Lake Road. June 10th The Vieux Carre Jazz Band play at the Cobden Arms. June 11th The Ken Bishop Quintet play at the Downbeat Jazz Club at Bury House Gosport. June 12th Mick Mulligan and his Jazz band with George Melly, play at the Savoy Ballroom. June 19th The Crescent City Jazz Band play at the Star Inn Lake Road. August 14th The Crescent City Jazz Band play at the Star Inn Lake Road. The Vieux Carre Jazz Band play at the Trinity Church Hall, Fareham. August 26th The Vieux Carre Jazz Band play at the Pedrian Jazz Club at the Cobden Arms. August 30th Chris Barber's Jazzband with Ottille Patterson play on South Parade Pier. September 2nd The Vieux Carre Jazz Band play at the Pedrian Jazz Club at the Cobden Arms. September 9th The Vieux Carre Jazz Band play at the Pedrian Jazz Club at the Cobden Arms. September 11th The Solent City Jazzmen and the Celestial City Blue Blowers play at the Assembly Hall, Fareham. September 15th Bert Courtley with the Ken Bishop Quintet and the Chic Cheeseman Trio at the Chichester Jazz Club. September 18th Dick Charlesworth and his City Gents plus Le Vieux Carre Jazz band play at the Assembly Hall Fareham. Mick Mulligan and his Band, with George Melly, play at the Savoy Ballroom. The Crescent City Jazz Band play at the Star Inn Lake Road. September 25th Dick Charlesworth and his City Gents play at the Savoy Ballroom. Micky Ashman and his Jazz Band play at the Assembly Hall Fareham. October 2nd Ronnie Scott and his New Orleans Jazzmen play at the Assembly Hall Fareham. October 9th Gerry Brown's Jazzmen play at the Star Inn Lake Road. October 14th The Vieux Carre Jazz Band play at the Pedrian Jazz Club at the Cobden Arms. October 18th Kid Ory and his New Orleans Jazz Band play at the Guildhall. October 30th Diz Disley plays at the Crescent City Jazz Club at the Star In Lake Road. November 3rd The Vieux Carre Jazz Band play at the Pedrian Jazz Club at the Cobden Arms. November 13th Geevers Apex Jazzmen play at the Crescent City Jazz Club at the Star Inn Lake Road. November 24th The Vieux Carre Jazz Band play at the Pedrian Jazz Club at the Cobden Arms. November 25th Chris Barber's Jazz Band with Ottilee Patterson, appear at the Guildhall. December 6th The Modern Jazz Quartet, featuring John Lewis, Milt Jackson, Percy Heath and Connie Kay play at the Guildhall with guests Ronnie Ross and Joe Harriott. December 7th Resident at the Star Inn Lake Road, Cy Brown Jazz Band, recent sessions included Diz Disley, Red Cressdee, and Denny Putman. December 9th The Vieux Carre Jazz Band play at the Pedrian Jazz Club at the Cobden Arms. December 23rd The Vieux Carre Jazz Band plus Spasm Group, play at the Pedrian Jazz Club at the Cobden Arms. 1960 1 January, Acker Bilk and his Jazz Band were at the Savoy. 28 January Sarah Vaughan with the Dankworth Orchestra at the Guildhall. The Crescent City Jazz Club ran in Fratton Road’s Conservative Club and local pubs hosted the Summa Cum Laude Jazz Club in Lake Road and the Pedrian Jazz Club in Arundel Street. On Mondays, Fratton’s Railway Hotel offered Bill Cole’s modern trio with guests like Ronnie Ross, Bill Le Sage, Kathy Stobart and Don Rendell. These jazz clubs joined together with others to form the Portsmouth Area Jazz Federation and one of their first initiatives was a series of jazz films on a Sunday – with a good second house. Africano Club offered jazz with the Peter Scott and Colin James Trios. Dixieland and Chicago” Summa Cum Laude Jazz Band at Gosport’s Downbeat Club. The Guildhall had Jazz at the Philharmonic with Ella Fitzgerald. Easter traffic was the “heaviest ever” in the area and Gosport Downbeat Club’s Jazz Festival was also packed. After three years the club was very successful under Chairman Vic Brown. In Portsmouth, the resident Crescent City Jazz Club band emerged from the Art College. Le Vieux Carre Jazzband toured Holland. Portsmouth’s Modern Jazz Club, based at the Railway Hotel, celebrated its third birthday although young promoter Jerry Allen felt there was “not a large following for modern jazz in Portsmouth” - a familiar comment through the decade. There were regular Sunday jazz performances by Chris Barber, Acker Bilk and others and Perdido announced the opening of a new jazz club, the Rendezvous, in a church in Ashburton Road, Southsea in early August 1960. It was the first Portsmouth jazz club to open on a Saturday and enjoyed a “fairly successful start”. For five years it would play a key role in the transition from established jazz styles to the new rhythm & blues, which would come to dominate the city’s live scene. It opened with the Kenny Robinson Jazz Band, Summa Cum Laude and Le Vieux Carre – sadly, unsuccessful personnel changes meant the latter popular jazz band would soon split. The early autumn brought a variety of jazz stars to Portsmouth including Kenny Ball, Johnny Dankworth’s new Orchestra, Chris Barber, Humphrey Lyttleton, Dakota Staton, Ray Ellington and Carmen McRae with Ronnie Scott and Art Farmer. The Guildhall booked Miles Davis while Gosport’s Downbeat Club, was about to transfer its live events to Thorngate Hall. Their attendances rose from 70 to 200 and Vic Brown celebrated their three year transition “from records to local bands and now to nationally – and we hope internationally - known bands”. The Vat 69 Jazz Club opened in Fratton Road and soon moved to the Railway Hotel. 1961 At the Guildhall, Ella Fitzgerald with Oscar Peterson in March. Le Vieux Carre re-formed and drew 300+ to the Rendezvous Terry Lightfoot’s Jazz Band were at South Parade Pier, Acker Bilk at the Savoy again, while the Downbeat welcomed Bjorn Stokstad’s Norweigan Jazz Band. Ricky’s offered modern jazz with Bill Cole and guests, including Kenny Baker and Ronnie Ross. The Railway Hotel reintroduced traditional jazz in late August while a month later, Acker Bilk crossed the road to the Savoy and Kid Martyn appeared next evening at the Rendezvous. 1962 On the jazz front, the Crescent City Club had moved to Ricky’s on Thursdays, Bob Wallis & his Storyville Jazzmen were at the Savoy and Arundel Street’s Cobden Arms reintroduced weekly traditional jazz. The Arthur Ward Quartet played Ricky’s regularly, often with guests while Bill Cole’s group took over the Modern Jazz Club after promoter Jerry Allen withdrew, citing economic difficulties and poor attendances. Bill Cole often featured guests like Harold McNair or locals Doug Wheeler and Johnny Wynn. Gosport’s Downbeat Club enjoyed a “dream come true” when they were able to present the Johnny Dankworth Orchestra to 800 people – even then at a “substantial” financial loss. The Crescent City Jazz Club was running weekly at the Oyster House while Terry Lightfoot and Acker were back at the Savoy in April. The Rendezvous moved to St Paul’s Square off King’s Road and began with the Riverside Jazzmen, then the Downtown Syncopators, the Guildhall hosted a Festival of local jazz acts in mid-May and Derek Adye’s band played the Railway on Friday nights. The Oyster House, Locksway Road, Milton presented a special jazz evening with Nat Gonella while Humphrey Lyttleton was at South Parade Pier. Among the jazz acts in the city were Johnny Dankworth at the Savoy and the Derek Adye Band helping the Rendezvous. On Sunday night, jazz fans may have gone to the Pier to see Ken Colyer. Tommy Whittle joined the Bill Cole Trio as Portsmouth Modern Jazz Club resumed in mid-September. Bob Wallis Jazz Band at Gosport’s Downbeat, Derek Adye’s Jazz Band at the Railway. Terry Lightfoot’s Jazzband at the Downbeat, Mulligan/Melly at Clarence Pier, and Eric Delaney’s Band at the Savoy. Solent City Jazzmen at the Railway. The Rendezvous moved to the South Parade Pier with the Confederate Jazz Band. 1963 Ricky’s Club still offered modern jazz, usually pianist Bill Cole with soloists like Danny Moss or Bill Le Sage. at the Guildhall with all seats under 10/-. Ella Fitzgerald and Oscar Peterson were there on 14 March. On Thursday 17 January 1963, the Evening News launched a “new and controversial series covering all fields of jazz”. “Off Beat” began with features on Duke Ellington (“a dream of what a big band should be”), Brubeck’s saxophonist Paul Desmond. Dockyard Club in Onslow Road, often featuring a London band like the Riverside Jazzmen, the Back O’Town Syncopators, the Bourbon Street Six or Rodney Foster’s Jazzmen. Kimbells launched a new club with the Downtown Syncopators and the Crescent City Jazzband. Crescent City Jazz Band at Milton’s Oyster House, the Solent City Jazzmen at the Pure Drop in Middle Street and the Stane Street Jazzmen at the Railway. In early summer, the Rendezvous moved to the Railway Hotel in Fratton presenting the Keith Smith Climax Band and Alexander’s Jazzmen among others. Around the city, a big band mix of professional and semi-professional musicians known as Portsmouth Jazz Workshop played the music of Kenton, Dankworth, Miller and others. They included Brian Wilson (tenor sax), Derek Wade (drums) and Tony Bliss (trumpet). Jazzman Ken Colyer played the Savoy in mid-June. July 1963 opened with Kenny Ball in the city. The Crescent City Jazzmen were at the Oyster House . The Guildhall had the San Jacinto Band but the Jazzmen identified more evidence of the dying ‘trad’ scene with the decline in sales of instruments like trumpets and clarinets. Jazz guitarist Diz Disley joined Derek Sergeant for a local folk gig. local jazz musician Cuff Billett returned from a visit to New Orleans reporting enthusiastically that the musicians “played as they have always played”. Bill Cole and Ricky Midgely promoted modern jazz at Ricky’s Club with performers like Bill Le Sage and Ronnie Ross. Traditional jazz was available with the San Jacinto Jazz Band at the Star Inn and the Back of Town Syncopators at the Railway. 1964 Ricky’s opened the Portsmouth Modern Jazz Club with the Dougie Wheeler Quintet. The Guildhall presented Kid Thomas Valentine and Emmanuel Paul, veteran American jazzmen with a combined age of 128 years backed by Kid Martyn’s Ragtime Band and local trumpeter Cuff Billett in what the Jazzmen called “a joyous concert”. Gosport while jazz pianist Ray Hart and his Trio impressed at Southsea’s Mermaid bars. There were fewer jazz clubs operating but the Magnet pub in Greetham Street advertised jazz every Tuesday. Terry Lightfoot’s Jazzmen appeared at the Cellar Club, Hampshire Terrace. Clarence Pier introduced modern jazz sessions on Sunday evenings – starting with Bill Cole’s Quintet. 1965 San Jacinto Jazzband were one of the few traditional jazz acts now playing regularly. ‘Art’ (Arthur) Ward moved the Clarence Pier modern jazz nights to Club Romantica. There was little jazz news until Arthur Ward led a weekly modern ‘jam’ session on Fridays in Fishbourne, featuring among others Doug Wheeler (trombone) and Mick Mulligan (trumpet) who had moved to the area. Hayling Island’s Kon-Tiki Club promised major names in the traditional jazz field including Ken Colyer, Alex Welsh, Monty Sunshine, Solent City Jazzband and the Dedicated Men Jug Band. Terry Lightfoot’s Jazzmen at the Kon-Tiki. While there was still little jazz locally, Wednesday’s Kon-Tiki sessions were “packed to perspiration” including Ken Colyer in early December. 1966 There was little of note at the Savoy Ballroom or the South Parade Pier and jazz seemed almost non-existent except for Woody Herman at the Guildhall. Jazz had been fairly quiet but Dave Rogers was presenting New Orleans-style every Friday at the Railway Hotel north of Fratton Station. There was a boost for local jazz fans however when Jerry Allen returned to promoting with the Jazz Appreciation Society (JAS) mixing modern and traditional at Southsea’s Cambridge Hotel. The opening night (6 June) featuring Joe Harriott was a great success rewarding Allen with his “biggest crowd … in eight years of presenting jazz” and Downbeat suggested that Portsmouth was “back on the jazz map” as Allen planned something every week. The Club Quartet were now regulars at Club Las Vegas in Fratton Road and the Railway ran a “jazz rave” as well as weekly sessions where Dave Rogers welcomed 150 fans of the Solent City Jazzmen. The College of Technology students ran an end-of-year jazz “Steamboat Shuffle” Downbeat’s Jazz Notes in the Evening News recommended the Ray Hart Trio as “the most swinging little group in town”. Kimbells offered Ken Colyer on a Wednesday night in a brief but unsuccessful attempt to attract local jazz fans. Jerry Allen’s return to jazz promoting in Southsea had begun successfully but attendances were inconsistent. Bob Champion, a regular jazz promoter in Botley. In August, Jerry Allen’s solution was to move his Jazz Appreciation Society from Southsea to the Las Vegas Club in Fratton Road to cut costs. The new venue started well with British star Tubby Hayes while Kenny Ball attracted more fans to South Parade Pier. Modern jazz fans enjoyed a September Guildhall appearance by the Modern Jazz Quartet. In October, the jazz was more ‘traditional’ with Bud Freeman, backed by Alex Welsh Band. Ernie Sears tried promoting in the city again with jazz at the Oasis (Parlour). Jerry Allen had two daytime jobs to keep the Jazz Appreciation Society open and switched to a local trio with former Fraternity pianist Roger Frampton (19, from Paulsgrove), Sammy Seal bass and Mike Hutton drums. Eight people arrived and Jerry withdrew “disgusted”, cancelling future bookings while Roger Frampton departed for Australia with his family. The students presented an early Christmas Dance at the Savoy with ‘modern’ Tubby Hayes and ‘trad’ Bob Wallis Storyville Jazzmen. Jack Hawkins took his 13-piece Locarno band to Botley’s Dolphin Hotel to perform to the jazz club, including the premiere of Terry Porter’s “Southern Suite” which was well received – the Downbeat column described it as “technically accomplished” and “very entertaining”. 1967 The New Tia Juana Jazz Band (with Cuff Billett) were at the Oasis and were appearing there regularly. The Oasis presented Tranby’s Jazzband but there was very little jazz in local clubs although Duke Ellington brought his Orchestra to the Guildhall for the last time on Sunday 5 February At the Guildhall with “Jazz from the Swinging Era” Jazz became more regular at North End’s Oasis again with Tia Juana Jazz Band and then Ken Colyer. The Oasis offered a mix of jazz and folk with Max Collie’s Rhythm Aces, local bluegrass group the Cumberland Echoes and Jakki. By mid-May, jazz at the Oasis had “dried up”. Buddy Rich gave a “primitive, exciting, barnstorming” performance at the Guildhall. The Marina ran a Musicians’ Benefit Night featuring local modern jazz performers, while Johnny Silvo, Diz Dizley, Roger Evans, Bob Davenport and Cyril Tawney were at the local folk clubs. In his first column, Spinner reported, “jazz dies at the Oasis, but pop stronger than ever” Rikki Farr’s Brave New World opened a licensed bar and took an increasing eclectic approach. The club featured jazz acts like Dakota Staton, Stan Tracey and Tubby Hayes. 1968 At the Guildhall and traditional jazzmen Kenny Ball and Ken Colyer were there. 1969 The Sunshine Inn, Farlington, offered jazz and folk. As Humphrey Lyttleton once observed about jazz - it never goes away, it just waits for a gap in the traffic. Around Pompey, lots of us are still ‘on the road’. Harry Strutters at the Vine, Hambledon. Tony Carter sax, David Hardman bass, Morris Dennis (leader) banjo/guitar, Megs Etherington (Heatherington?) trumpet Harry Gold at Gosport Jazz Club The Stan Bennett Trio with Jo Baker at the Vine in Hambledon 16th February 2014, From L-R: Tony Carter sax, Stan Bennett piano, Malcolm Parrott bass, Jo Baker vocals.