In 1998 Annie went to nightschool in Northenden to learn the basics of jazz piano so she could fulfil an ambition to play with a band on her 60th birthday. She fulfilled that ambition and went on to "sit in" with the Dixieland Stompers at the Malt Shovels in Altrincham. When the jazz nights there were discontinued , she was persuaded to form her own band so she could keep on playing!
Annie's Saints and Sinners came into being and celebrated its fifth birthday in November 2002. The band has been resident at the Dog and Partridge in Bollington, Macclesfield for four years. They play on the second Tuesday of the month. "Sitters in" are always welcome!
The band is very keen to get young people interested in their type of jazz. For the last two or three years Annie has taken her saints and sinners into primary schools to introduce jazz (which many children have never heard ) and given them a musical history of its origins. The children love the music and the band is always delighted with the response from both the pupils and the staff. So far they have visited over thirty schools with audiences varying in size from thirty five to over four hundred. They are scared of tackling secondary schools but maybe in the future…..?
The full band consists of seven musicians:
| Rebecca "Hats" McShane - Bill Dowdle - Sam Wood - Bill Oldham - Trevor Trueman - Ron Smith - Len Storey (died 14/4/07) Annie Cousin - |
Trumpet Clarinet, Soprano Sax Trombone Trombone - schools programme Drums Banjo String Bass Piano |
The band is available for all types of functions. It has recently made its first CD entitled "Jazz at the Dog" and copies are available from :-
Annie Cousin Telephone 01625 610059
E.mail: ann.cousin@tiscali.co.uk