Photo - Barry Wilkinson
Photo - Barry Wilkinson
| Andy Gardner sadly died on 8th January 2006 |
PERSONNEL Left to Right :- Derek Johnson - Trumpet, Geoff Gallagher - Drums, Ken Emery - Clarinet, Ted Taylor - Piano, Irene "Buttercup" Smith - Vocals, Les Keating - Banjo, Ron Melling - Trombone, John Lewin - Bass.
Outside his professional career as a
Doctor of Medicine the late Andy Gardner's chief claim to fame is to have
had a pub named after him. Although he could convince few people of
this, all acknowledged his outstanding contribution to jazz in the
Fylde when he took the Wyre Levee Stompers to the Gardener's
Arms. The band was founded in 1974 with a nucleus of members from
a Big Band night-school class. That year marked a phase of local
government reorganisation and since most members lived in the
borough of Wyre, named after the river, the band gained its name.
Their first residency was at Thornton-Cleveleys R.U.F.C. and
after a few early years wandering in the wilderness settled at
the Gardener's Arms, Fleetwood Road North in Thornton. The band
is well known in the North West having played many gigs
throughout the area. Musical policy is based on a sound
foundation of New Orleans material, but Hoagy Carmichael and
Ellington numbers are also amongst those featured. Indeed, the
extent of the band's repertoire is greatly admired. This is seen
on their studio-recorded cassettes and the performances they have
given by invitation : to play alongside the U.S.A.A.F. Big Band
to acompany church services and to perform at Rossall School, one
of the country's leading public schools, in their annual series
of concerts which normally feature renowned classical musical
groups and soloists. The musicians have a real affection for the
music they perform and their enthusiasm and humour has helped to
build up a big following of fans in the area. The band now plays
every Thursday night at The Wings Club, Victoria Road, Cleveleys
near Blackpool, and in the afternoon on the 1st Sunday in the month at the The North Euston Hotel, Fleetwood.
At A Jazz Band Ball : 1919 March : Delia Gone : Snake Rag : Make Me A Pallet On Your Floor : Somebody Else Is Taking My Place : Wild Man Blues : West End Blues : High Society : Tin Roof Blues : Aged And Mellow : Stevedore Stomp : I Want A Little Girl : Black Cat On A Fence : Georgia On My Mind : Down In Honky Tonk Town : Swing Low Sweet Chariot : Chimes Blues : Some Of These Days : Ponchartrain Blues.
Dippermouth Blues : Barefoot Boy : I Had Someone Else Before I Had You : Texas Moaner : Meet Me Tonight In Dreamland : The Girls Go Crazy : Kitchen Man : Apex Blues : Maryland My Maryland : Climax Rag : I Double Dare You : Baby Face : Nobody Wants To Know You : Melancholy Blues : Dying Gambler's Blues : Too Busy : I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter : Lily Of The Valley.