The Tweed River Jazz Band @ The Radio Rooms, Berwick - June 6

(Photo by Russell)

John Faragher (clarinet, vocals); ? (trumpet); Ruth Alder-Bateman (piano, vocals); Brian Martin (banjo); Brian Smith (double bass); Les Turnbull (drums)

A new Sunday afternoon session in Berwick upon Tweed, new to BSH, that is, prompted a first visit to the Radio Rooms. Little did your correspondent know the old bridge across the Tweed was closed for repairs which necessitated a detour over the Royal Tweed Bridge. Oh, well, at least the sun was shining! 

Why the 'Radio Rooms'? Well, inside the 'live music and events space' on Main Street there is a collection of old radios. Everyone should have a hobby. The band in question, the Tweed River Jazz Band, can be heard every week playing its infectious, enthusiastic brand of Dixieland jazz. A sad aspect of the band's post-lockdown resumption is the loss of Peter Roughead. Trumpeter and band leader Mr Roughead died earlier this year. Addressing the audience clarinetist John Faragher said the Tweed River would continue in Mr Roughead's memory. All pesent welcomed Mr Faraghers words. 

Faragher leads by example with boundless energy and enthusiasm. Bassist Brian Smith and drummer Les Turnbull are old hands at this game and didn't require further instruction, likewise Brian Martin playing some half-decent banjo. Two full sets - 60 minutes x 2 - opened with Bill Bailey (will he ever come home?) and from there on in it was one familiar/done to death number after another.. Pianist Ruth Alder-Bateman sang many numbers - big voice, booming PA, a voice likely to be suited to Dolly Parton country tunes. 

The Tweed River Jazz Band plays for the love of it. They're not in it for the money, indeed, over the years, Peter Roughead and co have raised tens of thousands of pounds for charity. Long may they continue.
Russell

Set list: (Won't You Come Home) Bill Bailey; I Get the Blues When it Rains*; Hindustan; Georgia on My Mind*; When You're Smiling*; Mean to Me*; Runnin' Wild*; I Can't Give You Anything but Love, Baby*; Indiana; In the Sweet Bye and Bye1*; I'm Gonna Sit Down and Write Myself a Letter; Doctor Jazz; St Louis Blues*; Ice Cream*; His Eye is on the Sparrow*. 

* Ruth Alder-Bateman vocal number.