The number of musicians in the area who enjoy playing traditional jazz is quite limited and bands tend to borrow from each other when the need arises. (If you are a hidden trad jazz player, please step forward.)  We have recently needed cover for three holiday absences in our regular band. Thanks to Brian Robson and Ralph Ibbotson from Bridlington, and John  Welford from Cottingham, for their help. Ralph is the chap with the old, vellum-skinned bass drum which used to have a light inside to highlight the decoration on the skin. On one occasion the bulb set fire to the sound-damping material – luckily a quick-thinking colleague grabbed a full jug of water and poured it in through the trapdoor. You can still see the watermark on the drumskin. His drum was saved, but he played pop with the water pourer for wetting his kit.

            It was great to be back in May at Barnsley Jazz Club. Silkstone Lodge is a very nice venue: large, comfortable, with good acoustics, and ample room on a proper sloping stage for the band. We played a successful programme which included a few unfamiliar tunes among the standards. One musician suffered the dreaded car breakdown on the way there but thanks to the RAC he was only slightly late.

            Beverley's jazz band has had to move venue again and is now at the Lairgate hotel, and Bridlington's jazz band has folded, both largely due to very low audience numbers. Though we continue to receive great support from our regular audience, we would love to have more members. If you have even thought of paying us a visit, please come along to our next ‘second Wednesday of the month’ session – you’ll be made very welcome.

 Wilson Hepplestone, Secretary.