The Chicago Teddy Bears Society Jazz Band

The Chicago Teddy Bears Society Jazz Band, based in the Northwest of England was formed in the early 1970's and - like most similar bands - has undergone several changes over the last twenty-six years.

The current personnel all play primarily because of their love of jazz and their individual instruments, and not least because they have understanding wives who are sympathetic to their cause.

Acclaimed as one of the most entertaining bands in the North West the Teddy Bears with a repertoire ranging from New Orleans through Dixieland to Mainstream have thrilled audiences with their exuberant enjoyment of the music and the band is in great demand for many diverse functions and their regular venues, the Grappenhall Community Centre, Warrington, Maghull Town Hall, Merseyside and De La Salle Jazz Club, Salford, are always packed with "Bears" fans,

Since embarking on the international jazz festival circuits, they have become extremely popular with audiences both here and on the Continent. In the past few years they have entertained the crowds at Enkhuizen, Gorinchem, S'Hertegonboch and Eindhoven and nearer to home they have enjoyed success at Jazz Festivals from Devon and Cornwall to Keswick, and Pakefield to the Isle of Man which in turn has enabled them to play host to several world class guests including, Kenny Ball, Kenny Baker, George Chisholm, John Barnes, Dave Shepherd and a special favourite, Nat Gonella, who sang with them at the Isle of Man Jazz Festival.

Looking forward into the future, the band will be travelling to many different areas and look forward to making new friends.

Band Personnel:-

Ken, like Tony joined the band in 1978. At first it was on a temporary basis just to help out, but like so much in the jazz scene things have a habit of never being what they started out to be and the temporary basis went on and on. On stage Ken fronts the band, a task which he undertakes with great style and loads of energy as anyone will testify who has seen him. Ken's formative years were influenced by listening to such bands as Freddy Randall, Terry Lightfoot and Chris Barber, the most important of these being the Barber band newly formed with Pat Halcox replacing Ken Colyer on trumpet . Halcox was and still is the biggest influence on Ken's trumpet style.

Tony Dunleavy - Trombone. 

Tony is now one of the longest serving members of the band having joined in 1978. He started out on trombone down in the "smoke" studying at the Parker Brass Studio, after a spell with the Teddy Foster Orchestra he moved on to do cabaret in Churchill's night club in Bond St. Tony came to Manchester in 1963, where he played with such bands as The Keith Pendlebury Band, The Pete Hartigan Band and the Manchester Panama Jazz Band, finally joining the Teddy Bears in '78. The greatest influence on Tony's style was Jack Teagarden whom he met whilst in London and one of his dearest friends during those days was the late George Chisholm.

Neville Goodwin - Piano/Keyboard. 

Nev is the elder statesman of the band, being a granddad as well as a great granddad, having said that he can see the rest of us off when it comes to health and general well being. Neville became interested in jazz about 30 years ago, when he first heard Oscar Peterson who influenced his playing significantly. Another favourite of Nev's is Hoagy Carmichael. You can sum Neville's style of playing in one word, "gentle", he is as much at ease doing a ballad as a boogie.

Tony Ormesher - Banjo/Guitar. 

Tony started playing guitar in a dance band in the mid 50s. His liking for jazz came from listening to such greats as Django Reinhardt, Barny Kessel and Tel Farlow, and though his taste leans towards the style of jazz played by these greats, he also had a liking for the music of The Original Dixieland Jazz Band. Realising there were more opportunities to play one more than the other, he took up the banjo and has played with various bands over the years, not least of which was the Liverpool Panama Jazz Band. He joined the Teddybears in 1994.

Rae Owens - Bass/Vocals. 

Rae was born in Liverpool last century and began his musical tuition on the piano, which he now cannot play. His first instrument was guitar which he taught himself to play. He played in a variety of bands playing guitar and similar instruments until in the 80s when he met a band leader, David Mills, in Bahrain, who urgently required a bassist for the Barhrain Jazz Quartet. Rae agreed and embarked upon his second musical career which has given him the opportunity to meet, socialise and work with some of Europe's finest musicians. He joined the Teddybears in 1994 making with Tony Ormesher the dynamic duo from Liverpool who have greatly increased the repertoire of the band.

Brian Singleton - Drums/Vocals

Brian is an out and out fan of the British trad sound as evoked by such bands as Barber, Bilk, Ball, Lightfoot and Wallace, who he started to listening to in the 50's. He took up drumming when in the Air Force and played in a variety of bands, i. e. pop groups, modern jazz trio and such like, and he started to play trad again after leaving the RAF when he joined the Ted's in 1980 .The man who guides his style and who he regards as one of the best trad drummers around is Ron McKay, especially from his early days with the Paramount Jazz Band. Brian is the guy you call about booking the band and for information about CD's.

Following the departure of reedman Dave Mott, the band now calls upon John Hallam, Willie Entwistle, and George Galway, who all have various other commitments from time to time, but are able to come to a mutually satisfactory arrangement. This means the 'Teds' get to play with three of the finest reedmen in the Northwest, John Hallam having been able too take the lion share of the work load.

Back to picture

The Chicago Teds with guests - Willie Entwistle and Derek Galloway
recorded at Moor Park Bowling Club, Preston on 3rd Dec 2006

Visit the band's own web site at - www.chicago-teddybears-sjb.co.uk

Band Contact - Brian Singleton (01925 265777)
Email: briansingleton@freenetname.co.uk

Please mention 'Fred's Web Page'

Summertime

Off The Deck Series

This CD is the first offering from the new
'off the deck' series. Recoded live at various venues
throughout the UK over a twelve month period.

Pennies from Heaven

Track 1  : Wolverine Blues Track 2  : My Gal Sal Track 3  : Creole Love Call Track 4  : It's A Sin To Tell A Lie Track 5  : Sweet Georgia Brown Track 6  : April Showers Track 7  : Bugle Boy March Track 8  : Darktown Strutters Ball Track 9  : Beale Street Blues Track 10 : Shine Track 11 : If I Had You Track 12 : On The Sunny Side Of The Street Track 13 : Water Melon Man Track 14 : Pennies From Heaven

Bear Essentials

Studio recording

This collection combines foot–tapping favourites of audiences
throughout the UK with numbers the musicians particularly enjoy.

By the evidence of this latest offering the Teddybears magic continues apace
and we can anticipate more recorded gems in the not too distant future.

Click the play button to hear
The Chicago Teds play "Sweet Georgia Brown"

Please send me details

More Tape/CD Information
Return to Top
Return to Main Index
or

Pick Another Band

Main Menu

Please visit my Home Page