Mart Rodger Manchester Jazz

Mart Rodger Manchester Jazz is in its fourteenth year and it's history stretches back to the 50's when some of the band members played in Manchester's "Zenith Six", and they now have an international following after several visits to Europe and Scandinavia. Mart Rodger's Manchester Jazz have also accompanied Yank Lawson and Humphrey Lyttelton, and after several concerts with Marion Montgommery, made a CD with her called "Makin Whoopee". The band has it's own pages on the internet so why not take a look at Mart Rodger Manchester Jazz

Charlie Bentley - Banjo and Guitar

Charlie is one of the outstanding virtuosos of the tenor banjo whether contributing rhythmic patterns to the ensemble sound of the band or giving a solo with blue grass intonations. He played Banjo in one or two bands with Mart and Pete (Mike Martin's Alley Orchestra and Big Pete's Lecherous Seven) in the 1960's but left the local scene to play professionally with "Shep's Banjo Band". They performed at Cabaret Clubs everywhere with a season at the London Palladium - British fans will notice a burst from the band of the theme tune from "Sunday Night at the London Palladium" after one of Charlie's features. Following the 'break up' of Shep's he went with "The Banjo Boys" to South Africa where they thrilled audiences, He can be seen on Sky TV on some Saturday and Sunday nights in the "Comedians" - the Granada programme which is now being repeated from the 70's. Charlie's guitar playing gives the band the width of variety necessary for a traditional jazzband of the 90's to play the variety of tunes that an audience expects

Colin Smith - Double Bass & Sousaphone

Carlisle in the north of England was Colin's hometown and his first band was The Gateway Jazz Band. He was playing double bass professionally in the Sixties and Seventies with several bands at home and abroad, including Freddie Randall, Ken Simm's Vintage Jazzmen, The Piccadilly Six (Switzerland) and with Trombone star, George Chisholm. He also appeared on four of the Louis Armstrong Concerts when he was with the Terry Lightfoot Band. Colin, a founder member of Mart Rodger Manchester Jazz, with whom he lays down the bass line in one of the best rhythm sections in the business, a pulsating sound that gives a solid foundation for the front line players.

Mart Rodger - Clarinet

Mart powers along joyfully on clarinet and sax, lyrical or aggressive as the music dictates, but fluent and positive to match this rocking ensemble. Not surprisingly, his early influences included both the attack of Bechet, Johnny Dodds and George Lewis, and the musical perfection - and sheer swing - of Benny Goodman He formed his 1st band, Mart Rodger Jazz Aces, in 1952, but had to leave because of National Service. He later formed Mart Rodger's Hounds of Sound which included "Bluesbreaker" John Mayall, on piano. He joined the Zenith Six next and was with the band for 8 years. World musicians and singers he has accompanied include Matty Mattlock, Jimmy Rushing, Rosie McHargue, Phil Harris, Marion Montgomery and Marty Grozs. Mart Rodger is an advocate of presenting an audience with a performance of good music played in a traditional jazz style with 'bags' of entertainment and the band gives him what he wants.

Eric Brierley - Trombone

Eric was one of the founder members of Mart Rodger Manchester Jazz and played for several years with them and has recently returned to the trombone chair after playing with various bands in the meantime. Eric played in the Ged Hone Ragtime Band with Mart in the 60s, and in the early days he played with Manchester’s legendary Southside Stompers on Saturday nights at the Black Lion pub in Salford. Eric is a great blues singer and trombonist but is equally accomplished with traditional and swing numbers. He has accompanied many famous British and American top names, including Nat Gonella, George Chisholm, Big Bill Broonzy and Wild Bill Davison.

Allan Dent - Trumpet

Allan's trumpet lead is what makes Manchester Jazz one of the mighty bands and his "go for it" solo work has that decisive edge as he slips and slides like a bar of soap in the bath. Allan played alongside Mart in the Zenith Six in 1958. He was a founder member of the Stockport teenager's formative Dallas Jazz Band. He has toured Europe widely, sometimes in Marty Sunshine's Band, playing at many Jazz festivals. One of Marty Grosz's favourite combinations for accompaniment on his European tours is Allan(trumpet), Mart(clarinet) and Colin(double bass). He and Mart Rodger are long time jazz associates with a mutual respect for each other's abilities. On stage they make a fine pairing, with Allan's urbane relaxed style a perfect foil for Mart's fire and exuberance.

Roger Browne - Piano

Roger's interest in music covers a very wide spectrum, and his vocals are a hit with the ladies. He has played with many of the Manchester bands over the years, including The Deep Sea Six, with Mart on clarinet He was also a member of the Smoky cIty Six with Terry. Roger's ability to play ragtime, blues, boogie or swing gives the rhythm section depth of sound and contributes to the band's variety of styles

Nigel Cretney - Percussion

Nigel’s drum feeling has brought to the band technical skill whilst maintaining essential swing and rhythm. Nigel first learned the violin at the age of 10. He became attracted to jazz in his very early teens and originally had yearnings to become a bassist. This idea was dispelled by his Mother saying “The instrument will be too big for the house!” Nigel heard Chico Hamilton with The Gerry Mulligan Quartet and drums were “cool”. So he practised with brushes on an old inverted tray and formed various groups with friends and various school chums. At the age of 19 Nigel enlisted with the Royal Air Force, trained as an aircraft technician and played with squadron bands. On leaving the RAF at 25 he played with local modern and mainstream outfits, worked gigs with Tony Coe, Joe Temperley, Bob Wallis, Danny Moss and a short tour with Jimmy Witherspoon. Nigel is influenced drum wise by Max Roach, Kenny Clarke and the great Phil Seaman!! In more recent years Nigel has taken the drum chair (stool) with The Frank Brooker Quartet, and accompanied Tommy Whittle, Roy Williams, Alan Barnes, Enrico Tomasso, Spike Robinson, Stacey Kent, Scott Hamilton, Bruce Adams, Mark Nightingale, Bobby Wellins, Warren Vache and Harry Allen. Nigels other interests are Distance Running (when time permits which isn’t very often), reading Philosophy and Mythology. Considers Duke Ellington to be the greatest jazz musician. Inside leg measurement 32” Favourite Desert Course Jelly! Lucky number 0.

Band Contact: Mart Rodger (01663 763532)
Email: MartinRodger@manchesterjazz.co.uk

TASTY JAZZ

1. Dans Les Rues d’Antibes
2. Snag It
3. Shimme ShaWabble
4. If I Could Be With You One Hour Tonight
5. Mahogany Hall Stomp
6. She's just My Size
7. What Do You Mean, You've Lost Your Dog?
8. Sensation Rag
9. Aunt Hagars Blues
10. When The Midnight Choo Choo Leaves For Alabam
11. Blues For A Viking
12. Weatherbird Rag
13. Strange Blues
14. Gospel Train

SOLOS

1.   Fine And Dandy
2.   Hymn To Freedom
3.   September In The Rain
4.   St.Thomas
5.   Swanee River
6.   O’'e Man River
7.   Can’t Help Lovin’ That Man Of Mine
8.   Oh Lady Be
9.   You Are My Heart’s Delight
10. Crying My Heart Out For You
11. Sermonette
12. Honeysuckle Rose
13. I’ll See You In My Dreams

ALLMART

1. Hiawatha
2. Old Rugged Cross
3. S’Posin’
4. So Rare
5. East Coast Trot
6. Amazing Grace
7. St. Philip Street Breakdown
8. City Of The Blues
9. Frenesi
10. Burgundy Street Blues
11. Alone Again Naturally
12. That’s All
13. Misty
14. September Song
15. King Porter Stomp

£11 including postage, £10 at gigs