Band Profile
Bookings
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Band Info
Celebration Band – In January 1966, Terry Hooper of the Town House Jazz Club at Enfield asked musician Mike Barry to organise a special band for a function at the Club. After discussing various ideas, Mike suggested an eight-piece band based on the Lu Watters bands of the 1940’s – 50’s era. The essential part of the “Watters” sound is the two-cornet lead. Mike asked experienced David Rance to lead the band and Mike wrote the arrangements to capture the sound. The musicians selected to recreate the Watters sound are all part of established bands, which can create problems when arranging performances. The final selected personnel for the celebration band is as follows:- Dave Rance – Cornet, vocals, lead – courtesy Rance’s Rocking Chair Band. Mike Barry – Cornet, vocals, arranger – courtesy London Jazz & New Uptown Gang. Johhny Rodgers – Clarinet – courtesy Gambit Jazz Band. Graham Wiseman – Trombone, arranger – courtesy Sussex Jazz Kings. John Collinson – Piano (Mr Jelly Roll) freelance, bandleader. Peter Gregory – Banjo, vocals – courtesy Uptown Gang and London Jazz. Pete Ley – Drums – courtesy Gambit Jazzmen. John Arthy – Tuba – Freelance. The Yerba Buena Celebration Band duly performed the special concert at the Town House, Enfield and surprised everyone involved by breaking previous box office records. Mike and Dave decided the Band should reflect, not copy the original band note for note, but rather to let the band members bring fresh ideas within the Lu Watters format.
Band Members

Goff Dubber (Clarinet)
Goff Dubber (Clarinet & Saxes): Goff learned his jazz, after a classical beginning at school, pla...

George (Kid) Tidiman (Trombone)
George (Kid) Tidiman - Trombone and vocals – George is no newcomer to Colchester Jazz Club, he...

Mike Barry (Trumpet)
Mike Barry – Trumpet, cornet and vocals – Band Leader of the Mike Barry “New Uptown Gang”...

Brian Stapely (Drums)
Brian Stapely – Drums. Hails from Enfield, North London, and has played with most bands on the...

Hugh Crozier (Piano)
Hugh Crozier – Pianist – one of the best exponents of Jelly Roll Morton style of piano playin...

Pete Gregory (Banjo)
Pete is an excellent banjo and guitar player, is a real asset to the band being able to turn his ...
John Sirett (Sousaphone)
Arthy of the Pasadena Roof Light Orchestra fame and admits to beinJohn was born in Ilford, Essex ...
Previous Bookings
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