[Dixielandjazz] Introductions...

[Jim Beebe]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mike Durham" <mikedurham_jazz at hotmail.com>

> Hi, everybody.
>
> I just joined the list, and guess I ought to introduce myself. I lead the
> West Jesmond Rhythm Kings, a six (sometimes seven) piece classic jazz band
> here in Newcastle upon Tyne, north east England. I play trumpet, and we do
> the usual Morton/Oliver/Armstrong/Bix/early Ellington stuff, but
specialise
> in Clarence Williams. I also have a fondness for hot dance music. We have
> been together for 19 years, and have played in many European countries as
> well making as one trip to the U.S.A. (Phil Pospychala's Bix event at
Racine
> in 2002. As a part of that trip, we visited Davenport where through the
good
> offices of Rich Johnson we played in the former Bluebird Inn, Milan OH,
> where Bix is known to have played in the 20's.
> I played Davenport Blues on my 1924 Conn Victor - felt the hairs on the
back
> of the neck rise! Foolish romanticism, maybe, but.......
>
> I also collect vintage trumpets/cornets (200+ and a long-suffering wife)
> with special interest in the instruments of Harry B Jay of Chicago. I'm 61
> years ols, and retired after a lifetime of marketing soap and other stuff
> for he Procter & Gamble Co., a career that took me from England to
> Cincinnati (where I had the great pleasure of meeting and playing with
that
> true gentleman, Frank Powers), then Sweden, Japan, Cincinnati again,
Canada
> and back to England. I have also organised the Whitley Bay International
> Jazz Festival in July for the past 11 years. I also run a monthly concert
> series, mostly with visiting bands. Just enjoyed a visit from the Natural
> Gas Jazz Band, Jeff Barnhart was here in September, and we look forward to
> the New Black Eagles in May.
>
> Mike Durham.

  I thought that our borders were sealed and no more Brits would be allowed
on the DJML.
 Well, since you are here...welcome aboard.

 Jim Beebe