The photo, taken by myself on June 6, 1982, at Jesmond Dene shows Mike on trombone along with Bill Smith (tenor sax); Peter Gascoigne (trumpet; Ray Brown (drums); Mike Gilby (bass guitar) and Roy Willis (guitar) - The Saratoga Jazzmen. Lance
Hello Lance , I often look on BSH to see what's happening in the North East. I spent many happy years there before moving to Leeds to teach on the Jazz course at the Leeds College of Music. I've been in US since 2000, but am intending returning to the NorthEast sometime within the next twelve months. Still playing [trombone]. Say hello to anyone from those "Jazz Bandit / Saratoga Jazzmen days/daze. I hope to be over for this year's Remembrance Day in Sunderland on a sort of exploratory visit. Mike Carton
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Hi Lance , Thanks for posting my note . The drummer on the photograph is Ernie Jackson . I recall the gig . Later that evening we played at the Corner House . Good memories for me . Love to all . See y'all in October ,
Checking again, you're right Mike - not Ray Brown. At least this puts the percentage up a little higher of those who are still with us!
Hello Lance, I'm still in the States. I must have done something wicked as a child!! Still playing too. Not. quite as fiercely as I once did. I'm not always as good as I once was; but I'm good once as I always was. I heard about Don Fairley, Ray Chester, Stan Coates, Rick Taylor, Pete Stuart., Mike Gilby, Peter Gascoigne .... the list goes on and on. ...
I intend being in the North East sometime later this year [ I should never have left]. Please pass my regards on to all the usual suspects especially Lewis Watson, although not many of the younger ones will ever have heard of me!
I see Zoe Gilby/Champion is doing great things. I met her when she was eleven years old, when I asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up she said, " Jazz singer". I'll be in touch once I get myself sorted out for the trip. All the best to everyone.
Hello Lance, The best laid plans of mice and men..... ? Problems/issues on this side of the Pond with the renewal of US residency papers. Pretty much par for the course with govt agencies everywhere, I suppose. Been waiting since December 2024 !! expecting another [official] 8 to 14 months wait. I haven't forgotten my thoughts on visiting the North East!!
... and this is the country which put a man on the Moon!!!
Still playing trombone, whether they like it or not.
The locals regard me as their 'foreign eccentric'. Standing by the roadside last Christmas Eve, playing 'Jingle Bells etc. during a snowstorm, whilst wearing a T shirt, shorts and flipflops caused my neighbo(u)rs some concern. One old dear asked me if I was cold!! " Of course I'm cold, it's snowing and I forgot to put on my socks". No sense of fun, these former Colonists, eh?
Love to all who keep the flame alight.
Hi Mike, I still have your Olds Super Tenor Trombone you kindly sold to my parents back in the 80's when we played in South Tyneside Stage band on Saturdays, I would to hand this back to you whenever you do make it back over to the UK.
Would love to catch up, Alan
bravey9@gmail.com
Chers
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