George Gray, an old friend from my music store days, kindly sent me an interesting 9 min. clip of a gig at the old Majestic Ballroom (now the o2 Academy). It features (visually) The Terry Lightfoot Band and Newcastle's River City Jazzmen. The RCJ boys include Herbie Hudson, Joe Errington, Joe Shenton and Jimmy Stewart. Clive Gray and Ronnie McLean (I think) can be spotted near the bar and George thinks Eric Burdon, who sang with the Mighty Joe Young Band (they weren't caught on camera), may also be seen on the dance floor (1:47 in wearing a light suit).
It's a wonderful archive of that year when Trad, temporarily, halted the advance of Rock and Roll.
The only disappointing thing is that the music you hear was added later and not played by those on screen which is why it sounds much more sedate than either Lightfoot or the River City Jazzmen did.
Remind me who the clarinet, bass and banjo are...
Lance.
Newcastle Jazz Band Ball 1963.
3 comments :
Clarinet is Harry Stephenson ;-)
Clt-Harry Stephenson
Banjo-Colin Hopper
Bass-Stew Jessup
Harry and Colin were founder members of the River City
Hi Lance. down memory lane indeed! I was at the Majestic gig that night and in fact appear on the shot of the bar scene. (I'm the one sporting a dark red waistcoat with an almost matching tie!) The River City drummer that night was Brian Sansom and not Jimmy Stewart as stated. I remember Ronnie Mclean guesting with the River City, I think he and Herbie did a trombone duet on Whistling Rufus. It was a really good night.
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