tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2890708154880054256.post7471982350616007768..comments2024-03-29T13:58:43.139+00:00Comments on bebop spoken here: The Saratoga Jazzmen, a forgotten band - From Gordon SolomonLancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494856116843281101noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2890708154880054256.post-83289391141929535312021-04-02T12:57:20.421+01:002021-04-02T12:57:20.421+01:00Looking at the 1981 programme it does refer to The...Looking at the 1981 programme it does refer to The Saratoga Jazzmen as being winners the previous year so 1980 was indeed the year they won.<br /><br />I recall one year that Stan Martin won the Outstanding Soloist prize.Lancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04494856116843281101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2890708154880054256.post-56158571746652041072021-04-02T00:09:42.193+01:002021-04-02T00:09:42.193+01:00I've just looked at the cup the Sav. Syncs won...I've just looked at the cup the Sav. Syncs won for 3rd place in the Breda Jazz Concours, and it says 1979 on it, so 1980 must surely have been the year the Saratoga won - we got 4th that year! Memory playing tricks.....Dave Kerr will be able to confirm, he was the only one who was sober(ish)! I know we only played there in 1979 and '80 (3rd & 4th prize respectively, so we quit while Steve Andrewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2890708154880054256.post-23835737528063874502021-04-01T12:56:42.658+01:002021-04-01T12:56:42.658+01:00"Bambra's" should read "Balmbra..."Bambra's" should read "Balmbra's" - just saying...Lancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04494856116843281101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2890708154880054256.post-22660493953259848752021-04-01T11:21:46.690+01:002021-04-01T11:21:46.690+01:00Ian Hendry used to also show up at the NBB gigs at...Ian Hendry used to also show up at the NBB gigs at the University Theatre when he was in town.<br /><br />I've still got the Breda programmes from 1981 and 1982, The 1982 one has autographs from Guy Lafitte, Bob Wilber and Warren Vaché. I'll have to get Gordon, Steve and Roy to belatedly sign it!Lancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04494856116843281101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2890708154880054256.post-42728788415428542982021-04-01T11:05:33.271+01:002021-04-01T11:05:33.271+01:00Hi Steve, and yes, I'm sure you're correct...Hi Steve, and yes, I'm sure you're correct with the details, I'm older than you and the memory plays tricks. You've jogged my memory however, and I recall depping with the band at Bambra's but with Harry Stevenson on clarinet. I also remember actor Ian Hendry, who was appearing at the Theatre Royal, bursting into the room in a very drunken state, grabbing the microphone and Gordon Solomonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2890708154880054256.post-5240962358763769962021-04-01T10:57:37.238+01:002021-04-01T10:57:37.238+01:00I bet those on the bus trip home were a little pie...I bet those on the bus trip home were a little pie-eyed! Incidentally, Bambra's is currently undergoing major renovation work. Watch this space...Russellnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2890708154880054256.post-16132311795883405892021-04-01T00:01:57.484+01:002021-04-01T00:01:57.484+01:00I hate to start a comment with "actually"...I hate to start a comment with "actually", but actually the Saratoga Jazzmen started in or around 1972 in the upstairs room at Bambra's Music Hall in the Bigg Market. Barry Soulsby did start it - he was playing clarinet with the Vieux Carre at that time, so he got Gassy in on trumpet and Brian Chester on Trombone from the VC. Johnny Handle either played piano or just sat in - the Steve Andrewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2890708154880054256.post-61651058412265323392021-03-30T22:35:57.772+01:002021-03-30T22:35:57.772+01:00Roly, I remember looking forward to you playing ba...Roly, I remember looking forward to you playing banjo/guitar with the band on the occasions when you helped out. You were much appreciated by the audience. As you say, Happy Days.Gordon Solomon.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2890708154880054256.post-81463438852234703772021-03-30T21:58:23.515+01:002021-03-30T21:58:23.515+01:00I remember the Corner House weekly Saratoga sessio...I remember the Corner House weekly Saratoga sessions with great fondness. Usually a full room and a great atmosphere. Happy Days. Rolynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2890708154880054256.post-42410288115856813292021-03-30T19:36:35.559+01:002021-03-30T19:36:35.559+01:00Peter Gascoigne and myself (Roy Willis) continued ...Peter Gascoigne and myself (Roy Willis) continued to play at the Corner House and were joined by other well-established north-east musicians and further trips to Breda were successfully made. Roy Willisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2890708154880054256.post-37558258585005657852021-03-30T18:31:01.689+01:002021-03-30T18:31:01.689+01:00Great memories, Gordon! I think this must have be...Great memories, Gordon! I think this must have been before we moved back to Newcastle in 1982. I do remember Peter G from the Lonsdale, though - and how about that trip to Breda in 1984 or 1985, when the River City won that fantastic prize! It was a long coach ride, I remember!Pattihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12828133371664564552noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2890708154880054256.post-80951129461757111642021-03-30T11:53:28.876+01:002021-03-30T11:53:28.876+01:00I trained as a Cobol Programmer in 1980 at DHSS as...I trained as a Cobol Programmer in 1980 at DHSS as it was vaguely recall Brian Chester but certainly remember Peter who did some of my induction training great guy . At the time I wasn't really aware he was in a band until the very last day and he left us to finish up whilst he was off to travel to a gig . NeilChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04132240121586000189noreply@blogger.com