Jazz Salon Rouge

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THE GUYS

In the front line, Alan provides a definitive lead on trumpet, Watty creates a lively counterpoint on Clarinet or Soprano Sax, and Avo punches out a lively brash tailgate Trombone.

In the rhythm section, John provides a spicy chord accompaniment on Banjo or Guitar.

We are currently looking around for a new Bass player to replace Lofty, following his recent retirement, and for a new Drummer to replace Tony, following his recent tragic unexpected demise.

Watty, Avo, and John between them sing a mixture of blues and ballads in their own distinctive styles.

On special occasions Georgie joins the band to sing her own special selection of songs. She sang occasionally with other Midland based groups but has now moved down to Weymouth to progress her singing career.

Watty is the only original member of the band. He was the original Trumpet player in 1974 but, after a long absence with The Jim Shelley Frisco Band, has returned to play Clarinet and Soprano Sax, replacing long standing member Mac. John has been with the band since 1975, the year after it started.

Avo Played with several early Trad Bands on the Continent and in The UK before and after his "National Service". He was a member, with Bob Wallis, of Acker Bilk's first Paramount Jazz Band in the 'fifties and later was with Bob Wallis in The Storyville Jazzmen playing internationally for the rest of the "Trad Era". He knows all of the early jazzers and has "depped" with many of the well known bands over the years. He still plays frequently with different bands on the Midlands Jazz Scene.

John started playing in Coventry with The Coombe Abbey Stompers, which he helped to form, when he was a Student Apprentice with GEC. This band transformed into The Godiva City Six which played at the Mercers Arms, Swan Lane. He then joined Roy Burgess's Saratoga Jazz Band again playing at The Mercers Arms. He was the original Banjo player of the Dud Clews Jazz Orchestra, which also played at The Mercers Arms. He now plays frequently with different bands on the Midland Jazz Scene.

Watty is an original member of the popular local Tierra Buena Jazz Band and was an early member of the Dud Clews Jazz Orchestra. In the early 80's he left Jazz Salon Rouge and joined the very popular Jim Shelley Frisco Band which played country-wide.

Alan originally played with various bands in The Potteries, in his formative years, joining Jazz Salon Rouge in the early 90's. He plays occasionally with other bands in the Rugby / Leicester area.

Occasional well known guests with the band have been Pat Halcox - Trumpet, Roy Williams - Trombone, Ralph Sutton - Piano, Bob Wallis - Trumpet, George Huxley - Clarinet Soprano Sax & Alto Sax, Gordon Whitworth - Trumpet and Richard Leach - Trombone.