[Dixielandjazz] Roger Marks' ARMADA Jazz Band -

[postmaster at clevedonjazzclub.co.uk]

23 February 2006
Castaway News Mailing List

( www.castaway.clevedonjazzclub.co.uk )



23 February 2006 - Clevedon Jazz Club

Roger Marks' ARMADA Jazz Band

When ever Clevedon Jazz audiences are asked to name their favourite bands, Roger Mark's Armada Jazz Band from South Devon is somewhere in the top three and always one of the most requested for an early return booking to Clevedon Jazz Club. And so their appearance on Thursday 23 February at Clevedon Jazz Club's regular Walton Park Hotel venue is set warm up a cold winters evening.

The band is one of, if not the best, band in the South West. Re-formed in 1992 by public demand, Roger Marks' Armada Jazz Band have long been established at the forefront of Britain's traditional jazz scene. Enjoying great popularity around the jazz festivals, they have also benefited from good CD airplay from the BBC in particular, and the magazine critics have generously acknowledged the band's performance standards with some stunning rave reviews in the jazz press.

Roger's philosophy is to use the musicians' fulsome talents to make a unique style of traditional jazz, free from constraint or taboo, and to perform it with great skill, verve and enthusiasm. And that they do!

With a few personnel changes since their last visit, the line-up for Thursday 23 February is Roger Marks, leader on  trombone. He turned professional at the age of 28 with the Plymouth based Ron Mason Band. Roger's influences include Chris Barber, Kid Ory, Trummy Young, Bill Harris, George Masso and many others but his melodic style is very much his own. Joining Roger on the front line are John Shillito, trumpet, vocals and Ken Rennison, soprano and alto saxes, both well known to Clevedon audiences from previous visits.

The back line has few new faces, but hold the band together providing the rhythmic engine room that makes this band great. They are `Eddie' Edwards on banjo. Born Bristol 1940 he took up his first professional opportunity in London with Eric Allendale's New Orleans Knights in the early sixties As well as being a strong rhythmic player Eddie is a first class soloist. Terry Turland on bass guitar was a founder member of The Roger Marks Quartet/Quintet in 1988 where his unique style contributed to the identity of the group and he remained in situ when the Armada was formed in its place. After a five year absence he rejoined Roger last year - welcome back. At the drums is Terry Lidiard. Born in Plymouth 1940 he has remained their ever since. He cites his favourite drummer as Joe Morello and since joining the Armada eighteen months ago he has demonstrated his understanding of all jazz styles from New Orleans onwards.

Doors open at 8pm and the music starts at 8.30pm. Admission, on the door, will be £5-50 for members and £7 for non-members. Further details of this event and all Clevedon Jazz Club activities can be had from Trev or Bill on 0700 5806 252 and on the Club's web site www.clevedonjazzclub.co.

Trevor Tomasin  -  16 February 2006

e-mail trevor at clevedonjazzclub.co.uk  -  'phone (44) 0700 5806 252  -  fax (44) 0700 5806 253  -  www.clevedonjazzclub.co.uk

This e-mail & any attachments to it, have been automatically checked for 'nasties' by Zone Labs 'ZoneAlarm 6'.

To be removed from this list just send a blank e-mail to leave-CWN-mailinglist at clevedonjazzclub.co.uk