The Lune Valley Vintage Jazz Band

L/R Cyril Lyons, John Beaumont, Neil Boardman, Rosie Harrison,
Lawrence Marshall, Steve Lister, Adrian Morris, Stan Clark,

LUNE VALLEY VINTAGE JAZZ BAND

The Lune Valley Vintage Jazz Band was formed by Brian Gordon in 1980 and he led it through many changes of personnel until the autumn 2006. Now the band works as a co-operative; splitting the work of the leader between all the members. It seems to work. The band is still playing the music it loves to the people who enjoy it, be it in a pub or a castle, a ballroom or a marquee, out on the lawn or out on a lake (Windermere, usually). With many years playing under its belt the band has an extensive repertoire, from ragtime to rhythm ‘n’ blues, New Orleans to Tin Pan Alley featuring the music of Scott Joplin, King Oliver, Jelly Roll Morton, Duke Ellington, Spencer and Clarence Williams and many more.

Barton Grange Hotel - 16th June 2006

As an eight piece the band can boast considerable versatility. Founder member John Beaumont is a Chris Barber fan, a native of Yorkshire and its’ brass bands, he plays a solid cornet lead, ably supported by Kid Ory fan Cyril Lyons playing hard-driving tailgate trombone. Cyril hails from Ireland where he entered the army as a boy bandsman. He returns to the Emerald Isle annually, joining old band mates to play in the Cork Jazz Festival. At the high end of the front line is Neil Boardman, a gifted reed player who started out with the Wyre Levee Stompers way back in the mists of time. Neil was, for many years drawn by the lure of the Big Band; but the LVVJB managed to rescue him. In the ‘engine room’ Stan Clark told Brian at the outset that he would fill the drum chair until a proper drummer could be found! (Stans background is with dance bands). The band looked no further and Stans’ knowledge of dance tempii is invaluable when the audience require say, a quickstep, rather than the more usual hell-for-leather approach.

Steve Lister has been with the band for half its life playing electric guitar and also second cornet on a handful of numbers. Steve began his musical career with his school jazz group back in 1960, went on to play in a dance band, rock/rhythm ‘n’ blues group, a showband and back to jazz.

Lawrence Marshall joined the band in 2003; a fine, dependable player, with a vast knowledge of the genre – and an even bigger record collection. Replacing Brian, as bass player, Adrian Morris is the newest member of the band. Adrian began his musical career in the punk era of the1980’s but was persuaded onto the firmer ground of Blues and R’n’ B and thence to jazz. And last but by no means least, vocalist, Rosie Harrison; if you have already seen and heard her then there is little more to add. Rosie started playing tenor sax with big bands at the age of sixteen, she has been with the LVVJB since 1999. Her singing just gets better and better; a devotee of Bessie Smith and George Melly, Rosie also plays piano, although with the band she sticks mainly to clarinet in duets with Neil.

The band currently has two CDs of its music available; “Mississippi Magic, Hot, Sweet & Blue” and “Flying High”

1. Milenburg Joys.
2. Give Me Your Telephone Number.
3. Take Me For A Buggy Ride
4. Buddy’s Habit.
5. T’aint No Sin To Dance Around in Your Bones.
6. Apex Blues.
7. A Porter’s Love Song To A Chamber Maid.
8. Dans Les Rues D’Antibes.
9. Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans.
10. Up A Lazy River.
11. Majorca.
12. Black And Tan Fantasy.
13. Just A Closer Walk With Thee.
14. After You’ve Gone.

PERSONNEL

Rosie Harrison, vocal & clarinet; John Beaumont, trumpet; Neil Boardman, clarinet & soprano & alto sax; Cyril Lyons, trombone; Steve Lister, guitar & vocals; Stan Clark, drums; Duncan Stockings, banjo; Brian Gordon, double bass;
Recorded at St. John’s New Hall, Sandylands.
Recorded by David Gordon. ©LVVJB 2004

01. Nobody's Sweetheart Now
02.Beale Street Blues
03. Shimme Sha Wobble
04. Make Me A Pallet On The Floor
05.Creole Jazz
06. Squeeze Me
07. Trombone Cholly
08. Wolverine Blues
09. T'Aint Nobody's Business If I Do
10. Petite Fleur
11. I A'int Gonna Give Nobody None Of My Jelly Roll
12. Canal Street Blues
13. Kitchen Man
14. The Mooche
15. The Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gives To Me
16. After You've Gone

PERSONNEL

Rosie Harrison, vocal & clarinet; John Beaumont, trumpet; Neil Boardman, clarinet & soprano & alto sax; Cyril Lyons, trombone; Steve Lister, guitar & vocals; Stan Clark, drums; Lwarence Marshall, banjo; Brian Gordon, double bass;

You are currently listening to Rosie singing "Take me For a Buggy Ride" taken from their 2004 CD
Please note that the quality of this recording has been reduced to allow for streaming over the internet.