Regular visitors to this site will have seen the reports (and some sounds) from our successful Brittany Tour in 2010 hosted by Henri Eynard and his Gouesnou Big Band. Since then, Henri's band has moved venue and local allegiance ( French admin problems - don't ask!), still based in the Brest area, but reformed as Jazzyroise Big Band. Check out their website http://
We hope that we can host a visit of Jazzyroise in the near future - perhaps Henri is working on it. Incidentally trombone/conducteur Henri is collecting together just about every classical track by jazz trombonists - Google his website and see how far he has got with the project.
Best wishes to Henri and all his Band
JDBB
Political Players
Wednesday, 12 October 2011 10:21
We never question the political allegiances of our band members - the arguments arising would almost rival weekly debates over musical interpretation (no - its not me who is playing too loudly...........)
However when Alison, Abbi, and Debbie - the talented group from our sax section who additionally look exceedingly well in the little black dress (can't say that for the rest of the section - no hard feelings Phil, Bob, Richard) turned out to play in an all female small group gig as personal guests of the local Liberal MP John Hemming at the recent Birmingham Liberal Party Conference one must ask - is this the new way into the world of politics? Helen and Kate - who have regularly played with the JDBB - made up this sophisticated front line in the relaxed post conference surroundings.
Presumably the girls have enough politics in their regular day jobs without adding the giddy whirl of local political media moguls to their portfolio but..........
You can catch some extracts of their gig on You Tube - better still why not see the real thing at our next gig Friday 25 November 2011 Moat House Inn
Moat House Music - New Surroundings
Wednesday, 12 October 2011 09:35
The Band is rehearsing and playing in the new beamed surroundings of the old Moat House Inn Kings Coughton nr Alcester. Well, new to some members of the band - the 7 piece group from which the full Jack Daniels Band emerged actually started at the Moat House in the 1990's.
From the attractive function room there is easy access to real ales which seems to aid the whole process of music making.
If you fancy a pint on a Monday night - no I wasn't offering! - why not drop in and see how our latest rehearsal is going. There may be a few interruptions as our esteemed Musical Director (Pat Bayliss) picks us up on the phrasing of the dreaded tied quavers over a bar line etc ( I speak for myself here).
We have our next gig planned at the Moat House on Friday 25 November 2011 - see the listings. Why not come and have a meal before the gig - David the publican (01789 762984) will be happy to reserve you a table.
Hope to see you there.
Roger
Alison at Altitude - extreme alto sax playing challenge?
Thursday, 28 October 2010 18:22
Alison, our treasured lead alto, emailed us back in July to say she had reached the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro.
It takes a lot to separate Alison from her sax - but here she was part of a small trek party to raise money for orphaned children in Malawi.
For once we guess she might have been out of breath as she admired the view at 6.20am on the 25 July - so the record for extreme sax playing would have to wait another day.
We'll post a photo when Alison has found the down load button on her camera.
Well done Alison!
Brittany Tour update
Monday, 04 October 2010 00:00
At long last - a review of our memorable mini tour in Brittany last Easter weekend
Followers of this blog will remember that we received an invitation from the Gouesnou Big Band to join them in some Easter concert events in the Brest area. Liz Major from our trumpet section and her trombone playing husband John have known Ron Baker (GBB keyboard) and his family from way back before Ron and his wife Sally settled in Brittany. Ron suggested to Henri Eynard, GBB MD, the possibility of a joint musical event - the rest is history.
The overwhelming memory is the wonderful hospitality that the French band members and their families showed to all of us during that Easter weekend. Nearly all JD band members were billeted with GBB families and were royally treated. In the case of the writer - Pascal Gaget's eldest son gave up his room to allow me to bed down and his wife Marie cooked twice on easter sunday to entertain her own family at lunch, and then myself with Pascal, and his son and daughter Roman and Mathilde in the evening. Everyone has similiar tales.
This was not just a musical experience, but a French life experience. Our gallic friends had given great thought to the weekend events. Rehearsals and gigs were interspersed with formal meals, pancakes and cider tasting, a meeting with local mayor, a quick tour of the delightful Brittany coast. How did we find the time for music ? - the answer is that a Henri musical working day can be some 18 hours long!
Saturday: A bonne heure the bands met for rehearsals in the Gouesnou arts centre: a get-to-know each other session socially and musically. A snapshot of our rehearsal can be viewed on
The keyboard gurus of both bands had devised and adapted three numbers to be played by the massed bands (C Jam blues, Things ain't... Ja Da) which worked well. The rehearsals continued to late afternoon (ok it was a long lunch with franglais speeches) before packing up and making the short journey to Brest and the Naval Social Centre. JD were due to open their first set at about 10pm. At that moment, Simon's (lead trumpet) considerable frame took a backwards dive onto the floor below, as his chair leg on the highest staging toppled over the edge. Simon's history includes being buried below rugby packs and now served him well as he remounted the stage with aplomb and to the relief of us all. From memory, the gig finished at around 11.15pm when we sat down to a splendid buffet. Would our coach driver run out of tacho hours for the next day- it was close.
Sunday: An morning outdoor gig for a small band formed from the ensembles played in windswept and British-like conditions. Welcome respite followed with a kind reception by Le Maire for all members. To the coast and the delights of cider, pancakes and coastal ambience.
Monday: Back to Gouesnou for morning rehearsal - and an afternoon gig in the local Arts Centre. The local committee made and served continuous pancakes to a responsive audience as the GBB followed by JD did their stuff. The gig finished with an unrehearsed, but very well received, rendition of "We'll meet again". Some recordings were made that evening and we hope to patch some excerpts to the web site soon.The day was wrapped up with another spendid formal meal laid out in the Centre, wine and speeches, presentations and plans for a return match in the future.
Our thanks to Henri, his committee, the Gouesnou Band members and their families for the entire experience. We won't forget it.
