RIP Jazz Esquires

One of the longer running bands on Tyneside has folded up its music stands for the final time. The Jazz Esquires decided to call it a day after their last session at the Magnesia Bank, North Shields. Trumpet player and singer Miles Watson cited a dwindling, and an aging audience for the decision.

The Esquires began life at the Wheatsheaf pub in New York, North Tyneside although it wasn't until they moved to the Porthole near North Shields Ferry Landing and trumpet player, the late Joe McMullen, took over that the Jazz Esquires name was taken up.

The above sketch shows some of the players from those very early days

The trumpet player is Hughie Aitchison, the late father of 'Our Man in Hong Kong' Colin, clarinettist Munro Sutherland, guitarist, Eric Gamblin, bassist Derek Dixon, The drummer may be Mike Yorke. The pianist Bob? and trombonist Len ? I can't put surnames to - help needed. Nor do I know the name of the artist.

In the picture, Eric Delaney can be seen sitting in with the later edition (l-r): Roy Gibson, Tony Winder, Doug Fielder, Stan Nicholson, Eric Delaney, Miles Watson, Ray Walker, Laurie Brown.

Good solid swingmen who neither looked back or looked forward but stayed with the mainstream.

Always entertaining.

Lance.