The Parade Jazz Band
The Parade Jazz Band was formed at the Boathouse in Parkgate, South Wirral, Cheshire in April 1990 and has been based there ever since, originally playing on the ground floor and then in the first floor function room. The Boathouse restaurant and pub, refurbished in December 2006, is in a superb position on the old Dee shore, overlooking the marshes and with views across to Wales.
The band plays there every Tuesday evening from 8.30 to 11.00pm and there is a welcoming atmosphere and friendly and loyal fans. There is a small dance floor on which to jive or jig about.
The band has a wide range over the hot jazz spectrum and covers New Orleans and Dixieland with some Mainstream. 'Buddy Bolden Blues' may be followed by 'Night Train'!
The band members are:-
Charlie Walkom : Bass, leader and administration
Charlie is from Liverpool, is a 'paid up member' of the local jazz scene. He can be prevailed on to sing and plays the brass bass in jazz marching bands, sadly too often these days, at New Orleans style funerals.
Roy Gregory : Guitar, banjo and vocals
Django Reinhardt is one of Roy's great inspirations and together with son Paul they have a duo, 'Modango'. He also plays a very bluesy mouth organ. He lives in
Oxton.
Jonn Shevill : Drums
Jonn so enjoys playing with the Parade, that he travels all the way from Southport. He is a swinging, supportive and very experienced drummer and his breaks get the room alive.
Billy Edwards : Trumpet and cornet
Louis Armstrong can be heard in Billy's playing and Harry James too, but he is his own man and a key player on the jazz scene. He has a full rich sound throughout the trumpet range, also plays a mean blues mouth organ and is in great demand to play with other bands and as a featured guest. He lives in Bebbington.
Geoff Parker : Clarinet and tenor sax
He is a Parkgate resident and plays in a beautiful New Orleans style with some Benny Goodman inspired numbers.
And last but not least, the 'front man'!
Dave Renton
; trombone, vocals and announcements.
Dave from Wallasey has an incredible repertoire of vocals and an entertaining line in patter both new and as Ronnnie Scott, old. He is steeped in New Orleans jazz, but can pull out the stops with people such as Roy Williams.
There is extra variety, when other musicians 'dep' or sit in and from time to time special guests are featured. Past guests include from the North West: George Galway, Terry Brunt, and Mart Roger and from further afield: Digby Fairweather, Roy Williams, Johnny Barnes, Spats Langham, Gordon Whitworth and Jim Douglas.
The band also play at other jazz venues and for dances, weddings etc.
Band Contact - Charlie Walkom 0151 428 4821