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From: John McVey Bedford England 
Posted on: Saturday, January 01, 2005, 01:40 PM

Hello, I've really enjoyed this site. Keep up the good work. John McVey former alto sax player in "The Treadmill Syncopators" in Aden 1963/64
Thanks John

From: Jack Lodge, Batley, W. Yorkshire 
Posted on: Thursday, January 06, 2005, 03:28 PM

Just discovered this page, find it very interesting. JL.
Thanks Jack, there's lots more pages besides this one!

From: Roshan 
Posted on: Monday, January 10, 2005, 08:31 PM

Great site
Well thank you kind sir

From: Eddie St.Leger. Macclesfield Cheshire.
Posted on: Sunday, January 23, 2005, 11:58 AM

Just found your site. Excellent. Would appreciate any gen on the "Fatted Calf" and "Listons Music Hall" Cheers.

From: John McVey Bedford England.
Posted on: Monday, January 24, 2005, 09:54 AM

Hi Fred, thanks for putting the "Treadmill Syncopaters" bits on your site.I told my wife I wanted to buy a bass sax as I was fed up bidding for them on e bay, and losing. She said I could have one if I joined a band. I agreed at once as I,d never heard of any bands round here. What I need, I said, is to find a band that's just getting going, and of course, there was one in the next village! They are called the "Wodehill  Onesteppers". They comprise, clarinet, trumpet, tuba, banjo and drums. I offered my services, offering bass sax, with some solos on soprano, but they turned me down, as they didn't want "any more saxes". Anyway, I got my bass sax, an old "Hawkes Sonorous", in a pretty filthy and neglected state, which I'm now rebuilding. Still don't have a mouthpiece for it though, so if any of your readers want to sell me one?
I've put your request on the Sales and Wants page John

From: Peter Seaton. Sutton. Surrey. England. 
Posted on: Thursday, January 27, 2005, 09:44 PM

Dear Fred. what a great site. I loved jazz when I was a kid long before the war. I go down to Bude when I can afford it, to listen to some great bands and artists. There's not a lot of it here "Darn Sarf". I go to see Chris Barber when he comes around and sometimes get to listen to Neville Dicky as he lives quite close to me, sometimes runs a little club, other than that, not much. You've dead lucky up there, anyway keep the good stuff going. regards Peter Seaton
Thanks Peter, we go down to Surrey sometimes, you must let me know about Neville's club - Fred

From: Jeannette Hodson.
Posted on: Wednesday, February 02, 2005, 06:09 PM

We are living on the beautiful Isle of Mull, but are number one fans of Eric Brierley - keep us in touch please with what he is up to!!!
I've yet to go there Jeannette, I'll bring Eric with me when I come, that should make you happy

From: Sean Whitehaven England.  
Posted on: Friday, February 04, 2005, 02:06 AM

Great website! Regards Sean @ http://www.whitehaven.talktalk.net/ 
Thanks Sean, will have a look at yours

From: jack lodge batley west yorks..
Posted on: Saturday, February 05, 2005, 01:53 AM

found your pages most interesting. I am a big band man, ex tenor sax. clari player. now taken-up trombone, and N.O. Music. Now looking for a band to blow with.
Good luck in your quest Jack

From: Jack Palmer Lytham St. Annes Lancs 
Posted on: Friday, February 11, 2005, 08:04 PM

I seem to be always on the edge of N.W. Jazz but like to know what is what and who goes there. Re Mersysippi J.B. I have lost touch with John Haworth who played with MJB in mid 1950s Does any one know of him ? Who is Jack Palmer you ask? banjoist with Mart Roger 1960s and other bands now aged 71 and retired but I was around, as they say, with John Featherstone etc I think I was a good banjoist. Jack Palmer
Good to hear from you Jack, I'll try and find the answer to your question

From: Bert "SwingWaves" Schroeder
Posted on: Monday, February 14, 2005, 05:01 PM

Please leave your Trad Jazz, requests and dedications Below, See the news page for more details Bert Schroeder.
What's this, turning my Guest Book into Bert's request spot?

From: Chester
Posted on: Tuesday, February 15, 2005, 10:51 AM

I have just found your site, what a good idea, I will tune in, please play moonlight in vermont by tommy dorsey for me, the best of luck, John Brooks.
I presume this is for Bert, I only play local bands. This is becoming Bert's request spot!

From: Cecil Smith-Trad Jazz International-Tulsa OK, U.S.A
Posted on: Tuesday, February 22, 2005, 10:48 PM

Recently had an opportunity to read your publication. Great stuff! Please continue, and remember George Butterworth.
Thanks very much, I will.

From: Mike Hoggard +Baildon +West Yorkshire 
Posted on: Friday, February 25, 2005, 06:07 PM

Hi -Ian Royle who I play with in the Pete Frank Band from the Bradford area suggested that I visit this site. I find it very interesting. I play the drums with Peter Frank and also run a quintet and jazz night at the Swan in Liversedge in West Yorks. I used to be with Bob Barclay's Yorkshire Jazz Band in the 50's and 60's and played the Cavern in Liverpool regularly when the Beatles were there. I've Deputised with Kenny Ball Chris Barber and Acker Bilk back in the 60's Still swinging away and always looking for work. Catch me at Bingley Jazz Festival in May with my trio and Alan Barnes and Bruce Adams A great site you have here. Mike
Thanks Mike, did you see the plug Ian gave you in the news on 15/02/05?

From: Dave Kendall Guiseley Leeds England
Posted on: Tuesday, March 15, 2005, 01:41 PM

I am a trumpet player living in Leeds, I greatly admire your web site, it is very informative.
Many thanks Dave, much appreciated.

From: Gloria Egan,Salford,England
Posted on: Friday, March 25, 2005, 01:03 AM

Jazz lightens your day and brightens your sole - keep up the good work Long may jazz remain a part of this world.
Couldn't agree more Gloria, Happy Jazzin'

From: Ken Doran. Ashton in Makerfield. Lancs.
Posted on: Tuesday, April 05, 2005, 10:59 PM

Hi Fred. Nice to see you again at Preston Bowling Club on Sunday. Help required if possible. Have tried contacting Tony West (original member of the Smokey City band) who played in my first band in 1958 at Sheffield University. Got his e mail address in Australia but having tried to send him one - - no reply. Either this infernal machine is letting me down - yet again - or his e mail address has changed. Hope you may be able to check this out for me - at your leisure of course - and kitchen willing. Still finding your site hard to believe. - Excellent. Ken Doran. Chicago Teds.
Thanks Ken - will do

From: Phil Powell - Prestatyn, North Wales
Posted on: Monday, April 11, 2005, 09:25 AM

Hi Fred. Great site!  If you would like to include us in your site, send us your address and we will send you a CD etc. Keep up the good work. All the best. Phil (Corky's Cats) ps. You will know our sax player.
Hi Phil, I need a clue! Your email address backfired on me.

From: George Peirce Croydon Surrey 
Posted on: Monday, April 18, 2005, 08:22 AM

Dear Fred Wonderful website, full of interesting jazz information even to those of us down south. It must take hours of work to maintain, Regards George
Thanks George, my wife says I am the only man who can make "two minutes" last all day!

From: Allan Walker Rochdale Lancs 
Posted on: Wednesday, May 11, 2005, 02:21 PM

Thank you for a really magnificient site. The music is a bonus I can listen all afternoon.
Thanks Allan, I was over in Rochdale last week, went to see Dave Donohoe, a great night

From: Tony Gayle, Wilmslow.
Posted on: Monday, May 16, 2005, 11:18 PM

Just calling in to have a browse round Fred. I found my old pal Alan Yates and his band The Dixieland Hotshots although have not been to see them for a while. Also met up with Joe Silmon still playing brilliantly. Have recently found out to my delight that a kid who was a bluecoat at Pontins in 1978 when I was a Resident Pianist, Eugene Carl Portman, has turned out to be a fine professional jazz pianist, so obviously he paid no attention to my playing! We are still in the business of entertaining kids, but anyone bored enough can catch me on http://www.playitagaintony.me.uk
Nice to hear from you again Tony, stick around, there's always someone coming out the woodwork

From: Bob Gee Bushmills N. Ireland Email: 
Posted on: Wednesday, June 01, 2005, 04:35 PM

Was looking for a site for my parents who get to Didsbury C C as often as possible, this is the best site by a long way, keep it up!
Many thanks Bob

From: hector Tonner Flixton Lancs
Posted on: Thursday, June 02, 2005, 06:27 AM

interested in news of jazz venues in the Manchester area
Hope you find what you are looking for Hector

From: Ivan Halloran.Parkes NSW Australia 
Posted on: Sunday, June 12, 2005, 07:43 AM

Hullo fellas, You sound just like my kind of music. Good luck to you all, Ivan
Thanks Ivan, it coudn't get any better than this

From: Tony Gayle, Wilmslow, Cheshire. 
Posted on: Wednesday, June 22, 2005, 04:27 PM

Hi Fred. I wonder if you will allow me to pay a small tribute to Frankie Woods, Children's Entertainer, Magician and great banjo/banjolele player, who has passed away aged 83. Frankie was one of those old time pro's who had worked everywhere and knew so many people, having worked with stars like "Semprini" etc. I think the old saying "they don't make 'em like that anymore" applies. Some older musicians may remember him. All the best. http://playitagaintony.me.uk
No problem Tony, I'll pass it on to my musician mailing list.

From: Gordon Hughes, Lytham 
Posted on: Saturday, July 02, 2005, 12:13 PM

Fred, your page is even better than I was led to believe. No wonder everybody tells me it should be my first destination on our new computer.
Many thanks Gordon, I'm glad you are now a "silver surfer" like the rest of us. Hope you continue to enjoy the site

From: john barmouth Wales 
Posted on: Monday, July 11, 2005, 09:58 PM

Brilliant site and links, more please!!!!
Many thanks John

From: Tom+Southampton+UK 
Posted on: Saturday, July 16, 2005, 03:41 PM

hi, I love the site!!!! I have loved trad for several years now, being only 16 i never thought there were so many local bands, and would love to hear more from the trad scene, the only problem is most jazz clubs are 21+ or 18+. anyway, the site is excellent, and i will certainly be keeping up to date with it! keep up the great work! tom
Thanks Tom, I hope you keep at and encourage your friends too.

From: Len Barham, EDINBURGH,SCOTLAND 
Posted on: Wednesday, July 20, 2005, 07:26 PM

Hardly any traditional jazz up here...just found your brilliant site via `The Black Eagles` I enjoyed the music extracts too. Previously lived in Cumbria and I'm delighted to see that Les Bull has formed another band at the Outgate. Best wishes...Len
Sorry to hear than Len, but I sometimes hear the same said down here,  but then they haven't seen the site!

From: Don Matley Preston Lancs 
Posted on: Friday, August 05, 2005, 09:14 PM

Hello Fred, got your Web address from the Evening Post, I think it's a great site and have passed it on to many musicians in the preston, Black pool, Morecambe area. I'm a fan of all styles of Jazz, currently playing with the "Vernon Gallery Big Band" which is moving into the Bowling club on the 16th August, and hope to be resident there on Tuesday nights. many thanks for developing such an informative site Don
Thanks Don, Good news on the move, I'll try and get down if I can drag myself away from this non musical keyboard!

From: Jean & David Eaborn Preston Lancs UK
Posted on: Friday, August 19, 2005, 12:29 PM

Hi Jean & David, thanks for the entry - Fred

From: Jan Vollenbronk, Waalwijk, The Netherlands Posted on: Wednesday, August 24, 2005, 04:15 PM

What a wonderful website, I've spend hours and hours on that site and I'll be back very often. I have put a link on my website ( www.neworleansweb.nl ) to your site. Thank you very much. Jan Vollenbronk.
Many thanks Jan, I'll reciprocate the link

From: Bob Evans, Stanley County, Durham. UK Posted on: Sunday, August 28, 2005, 08:07 PM

A well ordered web site which I will browse further when I have more time. Best Wishes to you and well done
That's very kind of you to say so Bob. There's a lot to get round so keeping it ordered is a major headache.

From: D.Davies Posted on: Thursday, September 15, 2005, 02:30 PM

Very good Home Page
Many thanks

From: Derek Byron Chittlehampton Devon U.K.
Posted on: Friday, September 23, 2005, 01:00 PM

Great site. My old friend Alan Ball (no relation to Kenny) is a Lymm resident and we went dotty many years ago over 12th St. Rag. I wonder if he remembers ?!!
Let's hope he visits the site Derek, and then we might find out

From: alf payne liverpool england
Posted on: Sunday, October 23, 2005, 03:20 PM

excellent web
Many thanks Alf, hope you continue to visit - Fred

From: Marshall Barrington Walters
Posted on: Monday, October 24, 2005, 02:12 PM

Hi Fred, I have to say it again, what a Great Website, always up to date, I posted you two items today and within minutes they appeared on your News page, amazing. Cheers Marshall Barrington Walters
Cheers and a lovely ring to your name Barrie (Whoops!)

From: kcflow:Flushing, Mi. U.S.A.
Posted on: Tuesday, November 01, 2005, 03:31 AM

Really think this page is great. It gave me a chance to hear some of the great "Dixie" bands from YOUR country. Thank you for this site.I just retired, at the end of 04, after 60 years in the music field (including 12 years with Dixieland bands). Keep those "Moldy ol' Figs" playing. K.C.Flow
Thanks, much appreciated.

From: Mick Roddy, Chesterfield 
Posted on: Thursday, November 03, 2005, 07:23 PM

Top class and informative site. First site I head for when I log onto the web. Long may it continue. Mick Roddy Silver Leaf Jazz Band
Praise indeed, many thanks Mick

From: John Laws Tourbes France
Posted on: Monday, November 14, 2005, 08:23 PM

Fred - Thanks for keeping up the site. I had the fortune to live in Windermere from 1999-2001 when I was surprised at the vibrant jazz scene in the area. I was introduced to the local jazz scene by the late Peter Jasper, but at whose funeral I had the doubtful pleasure of playing Sousaphone with the Red Rose Band. I 'sat in' with The Mahogany Hall Stompers from time to time (despite not having played for several years!) and was befriended by Hans Erwig. I don't see much mention of him on the site? What is he doing now? I even sat in with the (now extinct) Les Bull Festival Jazz Band (men?) one night after we had recorded a TV clip with the MH stompers featuring the then banjoist Tony Kelly, who was featuring on 'Celebrity Chef' (or something similar!).
Thanks for the message John. Let's see what we can rake up on the News Page

From: Joan Hall, Fairlight, East Sussex
Posted on: Tuesday, November 22, 2005, 06:44 PM

Hello Fred What a great find - a website that is up to date and full of info and fun. My husband (CrazyKen Hall) is the banjo player with The Sussex Jazz Kings - very busy, but don't get up to your neck of the woods at all - I'm not surprised when I see the amount of quality bands you have up there, you don't need bands from the south. Your jazz scene seems to be alive and vibrant. Keep up the good work on the site. I am so amazed at the amount of links, it'll keep me happy for hours. All the best Joan Hall
Many thanks Joan, but make sure you've seen all 284 pages currently on this site before you go chasing links!

From: George Maltby, Ware, Herts, UK
Posted on: Wednesday, November 30, 2005, 10:31 PM

Great site for great music! Jazz & Blues USA www.buffguides.com 
I'll take your word for it George, I'll have a look later - Fred

From: Frank Dobson Ystradgynlais Wales
Posted on: Thursday, December 01, 2005, 11:09 AM

I have just found you on the Internet and your introductory piano music sounds just great. How do I get to listen to you? - Frank
If only Frank. I long since gave up trying to learn piano, the pc plays it much better, I'll email and explain.

From: Ken Doran Ashton in Makerfield. 
Posted on: Tuesday, December 06, 2005, 05:40 PM

Hi Fred, Re: News Item - Message received and sentiments and concern appreciated. We played Eagley Jazz Club last night and Neville was in attendance on keyboard. However at the end of the session I noticed the keyboard being loaded into his grandson's vehicle so - - don't know whether or not his car has the all clear but we did have the missing gear last night (mikes etc.) Will keep you posted after Derby Jazz Club tomorrow (Risley Park) Should know the outcome of the fuel saga by then. Thanks for your concern, will tell Neville Cheers for now - Ken D.
Cheers - Ken

From: brian sanders 
Posted on: Wednesday, December 14, 2005, 10:39 AM

very interesting site, I've been a Trad lover since late 50's,my "Idol" is Acker". Never been able to master an instrument, but in my later years (since I passed 50) I started getting into Karaoke, and am told I have a good voice. Anyway to cut the story short, I lived in Costa Blanca for the last year and found a Very good Trad Band there," All That Jazz" playing at local venues. The lineup is John Hutchings (Trombone/Leader,) Gordon ? (Trumpet), Chris"Dutch) Alto/Soprano Sax, Barry Bretton (keyboard), Jackie? (Bass Synth) Peter Emuss (Drums) but the "Star" member has got to be Roy Hubbard (Clarinet) ex Zenith Hot Stompers. I got very friendly with the guys and sang with them as a "Guest singer" at many gigs, also recorded three of the gigs with my Laptop/Mixer/Mics setup for them. Anyone who wants to check them out go to Pi
I'm in suspense! Send me the rest and I'll add it on

From: Tony Gayle 
Posted on: Thursday, December 15, 2005, 11:05 PM

Still running a great site Fred. All the best for Christmas. Tony.
Thanks Tony, I'm not sure about "The way I'll look tonight" after a few glasses of wine!

From: Dominique Francon Athens Greece
Posted on: Wednesday, December 21, 2005, 01:47 AM

This is a great website, thanks.
Efcharisto Dominique

From: Joan Hall, Fairlight, East Sussex 
Posted on: Thursday, December 22, 2005, 05:46 PM

Can I please leave a message for Peter Seaton of Sutton. I've just seen his message (dated January 05) saying there's not much jazz down south. He must be joking! The Sussex Jazz Kings and many, many other good bands are very busy. If Peter lives in Sutton he should visit the Hand in Hand Jazz Club, Box Hill, near Dorking, Surrey, fortnightly on Thursdays (next one 29th December) where the Sussex Jazz Kings are the resident band. It is a really good club, lots of fun and lots of good music. There are many other clubs and pubs as well - perhaps he doesn't take the Jazz Guide? Anyway, hope this helps to get another 'bum on a seat' somewhere!! Thanks Fred for letting me use your wonderful site to make this point. Happy Christmas everyone. Joan Hall
I'll pass it on to Joan, Thanks

From: Barrie Woodman Cambridge UK
Posted on: Thursday, December 22, 2005, 09:40 PM

Datec Rules OK
My past has caught me up. Those were the days Barrie, but this retirement lark is much better

From: BOB HARRIGAN NEW PORT RICHEY,FLORIDA.USA 
Posted on: Friday, December 23, 2005, 09:03 PM

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! JAZZ FESTIVALS/FLORIDA.(music advisor/artist liaison)
Thanks Bob, and the same to you

From: Graham McArthur Tranent East lothian Scotland
Posted on: Friday, December 30, 2005, 12:56 PM

Hi Fred, I must congratulate you on a wonderful and informative site. If only we had the same in Scotland. As a trumpet player involved in big bands, dixie bands and New Orleans Marching Bands it is great to know what is going on in the North West. I really enjoyed The George Jackson Band. Is it still performing and has the band recorded any CDs? Any information you can supply on the band would be appreciated. All the best for 2006 and keep up the excellent work. Regards Graham McArthur
Long gone I'm afraid Graham, but hopefully never forgotten.

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