We are delighted to welcome back a band consisting of some of the finest traditional jazz musician based in the East-Midlands. Leader Ken Godfrey is no stranger to us, he is regular supporter of the club in addition to running his own Risley Park Jazz Club where the band hold a fortnightly lunchtime residency.
The band dates back to the 1960’s and was originally called The Great Central Jazz Band after the Loughborough based Great Central Steam Railway and was run by banjoist Roy Hunt. In 1986, a concert was organized in Loughborough for Humphrey Lyttleton to appear as guest artist with the band.
In 2000 young Leicester based singer Mellow Avstreih joined the band. Singing in the style of Billie Holiday she quickly became hugely popular with East Midlands jazz fans and for the next ten years the band enjoyed it’s busiest years. Since then the band has enjoyed many sessions featuring famous guest artists including Alan Elsdon, Pat Halcox, John Crocker, Mike Cotton and Enrico Tomasso.
Ken Godfrey (clarinet and alto sax), Will Robinson (trumpet and vocals), Dave Vickers (trombone & vocals), Alan Birkinhead (banjo & vocals), Steve Peters (double bass) and Keith Chaplin (drums)