The Harlem Hot Stompers

Left to Right John Ronan, John Read, Bill Smith, Tony Foulkes, Dave Berry, Dave Parr, Ian McCann

Formed in 1969, the Harlem Hot Stompers have for many years enjoyed a Friday night residency at various venues in the Manchester area, following a musical policy inspired by the classic compositions of Jelly Roll Morton, Sidney Bechet, Clarence Williams, Duke Ellington, and of course King Oliver and Louis Armstrong. Apart from several radio and TV appearances, the band has supported or featured many jazz artists including Humphrey Lyttelton, George Melly, Cy Laurie, Mike Daniels, Sammy Rimington, Keith Nichols, Pat Halcox, Monty Sunshine, and Beryl Bryden. Until recently the band confined their appearances to the North West of England but in recent years have enjoyed performing at the Keswick and Barmouth Jazz Festivals, and jazz weekends in North Wales, the Isle of Man and Suffolk.

The Harlem Hot Stompers have produced three notable recordings, an LP “Smilin’ The Blues Away’, a 19 track cassette entitled ‘Turn On The Heat’, and their latest cassette ‘Harlem Strut’ recorded in 1998. A further recording is planned for later this year.

The Harlem Hot Stompers @ The Salutation Hotel, Ambleside 2nd Oct 2005

Tony Foulkes - Leader (Clarinet, Sop Sax, Alto Sax.) Founder member of the HHS. Began playing with the Dallas Jazzband in Stockport in 1956 and later with the Manchester based Zenith Jazzband. In 1966 formed the Smoky City Jazz Band which is still active in the Manchester area. Tony, a free lance architect and occasional jazz critic, and his wife Joan (who is the Band secretary and general factotum) live in New Mills in the High Peak, where they also breed pedigree retrievers.

John Ronan (Trombone) A native of Newcastle-upon-Tyne (where he played with the Rivermouth Jazzband) and now resident in Urmston, Manchester, John has played with several bands in the Manchester area, including the Ian Rose Jazzband, the Louisville Jazzband, and The Savannah Jazzband. A founder member of the HHS, he left the band in 1974 for career reasons, and returned in 1982. Until his retirement, John was Principal at the Bury Adult Education Centre and now lectures part-time on the History of Art.

Bill Smith ( Cornet) Bill Smith replaced Jon Critchley in early 2003 but still retains his involvement with Smoky City Jazz. Born in Stockport , where until the 1960’s a principal industry was hat making, his first band was appropriately The Jazz Hatters led by clarinettist Roy Rogers. National Service in the RAF was followed by a period with The Dallas Jazz Band and the Mike Pembroke Hot Seven. During the mid 1960’s he was involved with big band and dance bands work but returned to the traditional jazz scene in 1969 with the Manchester based Smoky City Jazz. Bill, who lives in Romiley, has now retired from full time work as a decorator, but his excellent technique and versatility means that he is in great demand as a dep. with various styles of band. He lists Humphrey Lyttelton, Harry James, Wild Bill Davison, Muggsy Spanier, Pat Halcox and Alex Welsh as main influences on his style.

John Reade (Piano) A University Lecturer in Mathematics, John lives in Alkrington, Manchester and is a founder member of the HHS having previously played in the Savoy Jazz Band and the Idle Hour Jazz Band in Cambridge, and also the Birmingham based Zenith Hot Stompers. He has made two cassette tapes of ragtime piano and has broadcast on radio on the subject of ragtime and stride piano styles. John is also responsible for many of the band arrangements.

Ian McCann (Banjo! Guitar) Ian joined the band in 1975 having previously been with the Wigan based Rainy City Jazz Band who played most of their gigs in the Liverpool area. Retirement from his occupation as the Personnel Director of a major brewery has allowed Ian time to concentrate on his musical activities and he is in great demand as a dep. with both semi-pro. and pro. bands as well as regular gigs with the HHS, and the four piece Chicago Breakdown, who appear alternate Tuesday’s at the pub across the road from his home in Mellor near Stockport.

Dave Parr (String Bass! Tuba) Also an ex-Rainy City member Dave, who hails from Croft near Warrington, joined the band in 1976 originally on string bass, but more recently has also taken up the brass bass to give a more authentic sound to the classic numbers and marches. Dave is semi-retired but still works part-time as a Senior Engineering Consultant.

Dave Berry (Drums) A popular character on the local jazz scene since the 1950’s (despite his singing), Dave has seen service with the Zenith Six, the Dallas Jazzband, the Red River Jazzmen, Pete Haslam’s Collegians and the Rainy City Jazz Band over the years, and joined the HHS in 1975. A keen member of his local tennis and bowling club in Bramhall near Stockport, he is now semi-retired but when working travels in ladies underwear.

1	It’s Shufflin’ Time
2	Smoky Mokes
3	Chimes Blues
4	Egyptian Fantasy
5	Harlem Bound
6	Put On Your Old Gray Bonnet
7	Georgia Swing
8	Flow Gently Sweet Afton
9	Snag It
10	The Cakewalk In The Sky (piano solo)
11	Mezz’s Tune
12	Mama’s Gone, Goodbye
13	Oriental Man
14	My Blue Heaven
15	Bogalousa Strut

Overseas visitors can purchase the CD through PEK Sound, Catalogue item PKCD-281

Further information or booking enquiries ring Tony 01663 743577
Please mention www.jazznorthwest.co.uk

If Harlem Bound is still playing, Click the stop button above before viewing the video below