Down by the Riverside

(Lance) Reminiscing, as one does at this time of year, I got to remembering one of the forgotten venues of Tyneside jazz. Maybe it was the fact that the band ‘boasted’ two banjos that caused this lapse of memory! I emailed Brian Bennett who sent me this reply:

"It was The Ferryboat Brass ‘n’ Banjo Band. 

The vessel was the old South Shields’ Ferry, The Northumbrian (replaced by the ill-fated Freda Cunningham).

When The Northumbrian was decommissioned In the early 70’s it was bought by a local business syndicate which included a Captain James McNulty who I believe had a boatyard on the river and Bill Collwell who owned a post office/general dealers at The Nook in South Shields. They converted the ferry into a bar/restaurant and berthed it on the Tyne at Friars Goose adjacent to Gateshead International Stadium. 

It was very successful for quite a few years attracting many visitors and coach parties from outside the area. 

The original drummer with TFB&BB was Malcolm Burnett-Smith, a great player who left the band due to a career move. Ray Brown took over from Malcolm but his playing style wasn’t compatible so he was quickly replaced by ace drummer Jimmy Stewart. 

Other band members included: Alan Taylor, trumpet: Bill Scott, clarinet; Ronnie McLean, trombone; Hughie Aitchison, valve trombone; Howard Swanson, tuba; Clive Gray and Brian Bennett, banjos. Other regular ‘dep’s’ included Bill Shaw, drums; Charlie Carmichael, reeds; Norman Helm, trumpet and Alan Bond, trombone." 

Brian Bennett
Photo album.