Mart Rodger Manchester Jazz

CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST DVD RELEASE

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

Ian McCann - Banjo and Guitar

Ian plays banjo and guitar. He actually started playing jazz at the age of 16 when he played clarinet, but changed to banjo two years later. Previous bands include Wigan's Rainy City Jazz Band and The Vintage Syncopators while he has been associated with his most recent band for the last 35 years! Ian runs a jazz night every fortnight at the Devonshire Arms, near his home in Mellor, featuring local musicians in a quartet format and sometimes his fellow musicians in Mart Rodger Manchester Jazz are invited to take part. Ian's influence from early days is Eddie Lang and later years Johnny Bastable the wonderful solid contributor to Ken Colyer's rhythm section. Mart enjoys the overall sound of a "G" Banjo and he thinks the depth of tone of the instrument adds so much to a rhythm section.

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

Chris Pendlebury - Percussion

Chris served his musical apprenticeship on the club scene and rock world of the early 70s and was converted to jazz by the influences of his father, trombonist Alan, and uncle, pianist Keith, both huge contributors to jazz in the 60s, 70s and 80s Meeting drummer JC Heard at the 1978 Nice Jazz Festival proved to inspire his drumming career and led to a lasting friendship. He has played throughout Europe with noted musicians, Art Themen, Don Weller, Pete King, Don Rendell and Dick Morrisey. He also plays in the Marcia Pendlebury Band and is featured on a CD with singer, Marcia. and Art Themen. Chris was invited to play on a rather exciting European tour with the late and truly remarkable Cambell Burnapp who had no peers and was a very special friend. In his personal life, he has many interests predominately his dog Will who is brilliant and good company! (and is now a dad). Chris has been a Man City fan all his life and the first game he went to was Bert Trautman s testimonial in 1962

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