The Bourbon Street Roof Raisers

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The band formed in 1996 making its first public appearance at the Shadsworth Neighbourhood Centre, Blackburn. They have become popular entertainers at venues in Lancashire and on Merseyside playing at Regimental Reunions, Birthday Parties, Cricket Club Dinners, Weddings and Special Promotions. Although at best indoors with amplification, the band does not shy away from outdoor "unplugged" work in Carnival Processions etc. The Line-up is :- John Percival (trumpet/flugal), Allan Riley (banjo/guitar), Dave Moore (drums), Ted Watton (reeds), Lindsay Taylor (trombone), Dave Haslam (Brass Bass) and Geoff Hague (String Bass).

Allan Riley (banjo/guitar)

Allan was first attracted to Traditional Jazz in the early 60's through record collecting and visits to Blackburn Jazz Club. Having never owned a musical instrument a friend took him along to a rehearsal of the Darwen and Hoddleston Silver Prize Band and he came away with the loan of a cornet. This provided the opportunity to learn an instrument and he soon became "hooked" on the fun of banding and the camaraderie of band people. He extended his interest to guitar and eventually banjo having played in many outfits ranging from duos to big-band. A chance meeting with two accomplished instrumentalists John Percival (trumpet) and Alf Wentworth (clarinet) led to the formation of the Roof Raisers

John Percival (trumpet)

Originally classically trained, John entered the world of competitive brass bands at the age of twelve as an aspiring cornet player and went on to play under the direction of some of the country's leading conductors. His tendency to improvise and play in a swinging jazzy style earned him numerous rebukes from his teachers and musical directors until in 1986, tired of the stiff competitive nature of the brass band world, he formed his own brass group, playing a more upbeat, jazzy type of music. The group achieved some success and was asked to entertain Her Majesty The Queen on a Royal Visit to Bolton in 1990. Other members of the band included Terry Walsh, Karen Johnson (nee Barlow), and latterly Allan Riley, all of whom later became members of the Bourbon Street Roof Raisers. In 1990, John visited New Orleans, the birthplace of jazz, where he found his true musical vocation and was inspired to become a jazz trumpeter.

Ted Watton (Reeds)

Ted has very broad tastes in music ranging from Brass Band and Chamber Music to Big Band Swing and all shades of Jazz. His original inspiration to take up an instrument came ,curiously, from hearing Sunrise Serenade, the B-side of a Glen Miller hit and he soon became a regular visitor to the famous Bodega Club in central Manchester in the 1950’s where he heard many top Bands of that era. Ted took up the saxophone and became a well-known figure on the semi-pro Dance Band scene in the North West during the 60’s through to the 80’s.

For a few years Ted opted for a quieter life away from the late night gigs but maintained his interest by practicing his reeds and also the bass-guitar whilst also playing a leading role in the development of the highly successful Eagley Jazz club where he manages bookings. It was here that he met members of The Roofraisers and was invited to come along to their regular rehearsals. When a vacancy came up, Ted’s career was re-launched to the benefit off all concerned.

GEOFF HAGUE Double Bass (Strings)

Geoff started learning classical violin at the tender age of eight. Although continuing with this until call-up into the Armed Forces he had become a convert to Jazz from the moment he heard Louis Armstrong’s Hot Five playing “Muscrat Ramble”. Expressing his admiration for players such as Joe Venuti earned Geoff many rebukes from his classical tutors.

After National Service Geoff celebrated his return to civilian life by investing in a double bass and for many years played with various musical groups in the East Manchester area. Then, for some time, he gave up playing but continued to follow the local Traditional Jazz scene in the North West and eventually returned to active participation by joining a classical string ensemble on violin. Throughout this time Geoff had maintained home practice on his double bass, so that, on meeting members of The Roof Raisers at the popular Eagley Jazz Club he accepted an invitation to attend their rehearsals. He had found his way back home to Trad Jazz! Geoff clearly has broad tastes in music but his favourite remains the Chicago Style Dixieland as exemplified by Eddie Condon’s Groups.

JOHN PARRATT (Drums)

John Parratt (not the snooker ace) studied Rock and Jazz at the prestigious Guildhall School of Music in London. Whilst there it was not unusual for him to bump into people such as Leonard Bernstein and Art Blackey in the corridors. It was here that the foundation was laid for his broad tastes in music that ranges from Jazz to Metal and Funk.

Originally from Bournemouth he moved to London and spent his youth as a freelance drummer working at venues such as Ronnie Scotts and the Hammersmith Odeon, whilst finding time to support Chelsea Football Club.

His favourite drummer is Dave Weckl.

John has been a practicing Buddhist for twenty-five years and loves to travel having a particular affinity for Canada and the Carribean Islands. John now feels he has found a home amongst the rolling Pennine Hills and the steadying influence of The RoofRaisers Jazz Band.

LINDSAY TAYLOR( Trombone/Sousaphone)

Lindsay began his musical life at Primary school in Dundee by first learning trumpet then progressing to tenor horn and then trombone by the time he reached Secondary school. Despite often being reprimanded by his mentors for “doing that swing thing” he stayed with the Brass Band movement appearing in TV broadcasts as principal trombone in massed schools bands and with the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland.

On moving to the West coast of Scotland he gradually became more attracted to the world of jazz/swing and, when his career brought him south of the border to the Manchester area he found himself in great demand from both worlds of Brass and Swing.

On spotting an ad in a local music store for a trombonist Lindsay resolved to end his wanderings and settle for a quite life with The Roof-Raisers.

DAVID HASLAM

As a young man David had initially held an ambition to play the Trombone. He waited until he had completed his studies before joining The Eagley Brass Band in Bolton where it was found he was more suited to playing the E-flat tuba. Eventually he moved to The Walkden Band, Manchester and for many years performed at a high level in the demanding world of Brass Band competitions. During this period he was also a long term member of the popular Brasshoppers, a Bavarian ten-piece Group made up of soloists drawn from the Brass Band movement.

David also found time to put his singing talents to use as a member of Choirs and Operatic Societies in the Bolton area.

Having often been asked to deputise in The Roof Raisers he became more attracted to this kind of music so that when a vacancy arose on Helican/Sousaphone David was happy to become a permanent member. On this occasion when the "high brow" meets the “low brow” has had a happy outcome since David also remains a member of the sophisticated singing ensemble The Brixi Singers.

Band Contact - Allan Riley 01204 308552

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