Rod Chambers - Clarinet, Saxes
Brian Bates - Cornet
John Howlet - Trombone
Ian Parry - Banjo, Guitar
Jim Swinnerton - Bass
Graham Smith - Drums
We’ve had many different bands and styles at the club but it’s always a thrill to hear the real New Orleans sound, swinging freewheeling dance music building to a subtly restrained climax as the Joymakers opened with The Old Spinning Wheel in the Parlour. A nod towards George Lewis with Collegiate and Rod’s vocal aided by Brian and John on I’ll Fly Away evoked a gentle, reverie like atmosphere.
But it wasn’t entirely N.O. – Buddy’s Habit drifted towards a more trad like approach and Kansas City started with a guitar run Gene Vincent would have been proud of and continued in a belting Rhythm and Blues version with Hucklebuck style riffs - really the only way to play this tune. New Orleans was again well represented with Algiers Strut, a good one for dancing and a bit of vaudeville from I Wish I Was in Peoria, beloved of banjo bands.
Back ninety seven years for The Curse of an Aching Heart just as the bands would have played it in those times and then Ian’s hilarious party piece, the spoof Country and Western If My Nose Was Running Money had a few sides aching.
A lilting Acker Bilk style Goodnight Sweet Prince was introduced by Rod with an allusion to pyjama bottoms and shades of Acker again when the notes of Buona Sera hit the rafters. If there was an Irene in the room then the last song was just for her as they wished us Goodnight from a band who make the jazz of a hundred years ago sound as fresh and alive as ever.
Peter Farrall
