Mike Carnie - Drums

At an early age Mike was professional with The NORTH STARS, who toured internationally and became well known on the cabaret circuit. Five years playing with the band brought them to release two records with Philips Recording Company in London. Mike later got interested in Jazz and played with bands including The Tony Smith Jazzmen, Joe Silmon Dixielanders, The Alan Pendlebury Band and The Red River. Mike went over to New Orleans in 1994 with The Brick Tops Red Onion Band and was delighted to perform a concert in Biloxy backing Harry Connick Senior. A special occassion for Mike in the 60's was playing at the famous Cavern Club in Liverpool alongside an unknown pop-combo called the Beatles. During that time Mike also gigged in Manchester with the Bruce Turner Band and Humphrey Lyttleton. Mike formed THE JAZZ ALL STARS in 2005 and they are currently engaged in jazz venues in and around the North West.

Reg Kenworthy - Double Bass

Reg learned to play the piano as a boy and later achieved an AVCM (Associate of the Victoria College of Music). He formed his first band at the age of 15 and later in his 20's he started to learn the double bass. Reg was a member of the SAINTS JAZZ BAND in the mid 50's to late 70's and made many recordings with the band. In the years following he played with many bands including the Smoky City Jazzmen in the early 1990's, recording several CD's with them. Has backed big American names, including Trummy Young and Red Allen who became some of his many friends in the Jazz world. Reg is now enjoying his bass playing with the Mike Carnie Band.

Mike Hayler - Clarinet & Sax

During the Trad boom in the 50's, Mike was playing gigs with the Crawley City Jazzmen. Later he joined the Delta Jazzband in the Surrey and Sussex area. For many years he also had his own Dance band playing in the Dixieland Jazz style. Mike's own business brought a move to Cheshire and a lengthy absence from playing. His re-introduction to the Jazz scene started up his playing once again and performed with many local bands in and around the North-West. He then joined the Wabash Jazzmen in 1994 and went on to make make several recordings with the band. Mike is now thoroughly enjoying playing with Mr Carnie's Jazz All Stars.

Laurie Cooper - Trombone

Laurie began his musical career learning the Violin and later took up the Tuba in his school brass band and later transferred to Trombone. In 1966 he went to the Royal Manchester College of Music where he was taught by the great Terry Nagle who was first trombonist with the Halle Orchestra for many years, which led to him being offered a position as a peripatetic music teacher by Manchester Education Committee, and also to join the popular Grimethorpe Brass Band. In 1976, the opportunity which he had been waiting for came along, which was a nine month tour with The Tommy Steele Show, following fifteen marvellous years touring with visiting American artists, as well as recording sessions and Television work with the BBC Northern, Midland and Scottish Orchestras. Laurie has enjoyed working and meeting people such as Buddy Greco, Johnny Mathis, Jack Jones, Paul Nicholas and Howard Keel only to mention a few. He met Kath in 1998 and married a couple of years later. He says she is very supportive to an ageing strolling minstrel and gives me loads of space but, like all nurses, she does like to be obeyed !!!

Jon Critchley - Trumpet & Cornet

Jon developed an interest for Jazz in the early 60's Trad boom years lying in the bath listening to Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen on the radio. Numerous of baths later he bought himself his first trumpet and joined the school orchestra which fortunately had a nucleus of renegade jazz enthusiasts. With his brother Peter on drums he formed the West Coast Jazz Band and started playing the jazz circuit. Later he joined the Blue Magnolia Jass Orchestra and played second cornet to Ken Sims. In 1973 he left the BMJO and joined the Wirral based Original Panama Jazzband. Also played with Roger Brown's - "Banjo-Free Zone", The Harlem Hot Stompers and playing lead trumpet with Terry Perry's 15 piece "Big Easy Band". In 2005 Jon went over to Germany to the Dresden Jazz Festival and to Canada for the Vancouver Dixie Festival with Mart Roger Manchester Jazz. Influences include: Sidney DeParis, Alex Welsh and Louis Armstrong. Jon is currently enjoying playing lead trumpet with The Mike Carnie Jazz All Stars.

Derek Harrison - Piano

Derek began his jazz interest at the piano in the West Midlands. Playing with Frank Nichols for the newly formed Stafford Jazz Club, he led a band featured on TV, and played alongside Bruce Turner, George Melly and Mick Mulligan. He also formed his own band "The College Band" in company with Jim Wilks. Moving to Shropshire, Derek played for Griff Stevens on drums with the Sevenside Jazzband and formed his own entertainment Jazz Trio back on piano. He widened his experience further with " The Alan Pendlebury Band", which included work on the QE2 and continued to develop his individual style influenced by Tommy Burton, Fats Waller and Errol Garner among others. He continues to guest with bands throughout the North West. Derek visited New Orleans and Los Angeles with "Adjazz" and now enjoys being part of the rhythm section with the "Mike Carnie Jazz All Stars" while continuing to add his individual numbers to the programmes.