Thursday 15 July 2010

Late 70s Kids!


The Lockett Brothers' first musical venture: "The Hot Club Of Neasden" a Dixieland outfit, active on the Isle Of Wight in the 1970s. Left to right: Dorian Lockett: cello; Phil Collins: E flat bass euphonium; Steve Martch: trombone; Neil McPherson: alto saxophone; Gerard Trevett: trumpet; Mornington Lockett: clarinet; Martin "Chirpy" Lewis: trombone; Dave "Buddy" Chivers: drums; Gary Lee: banjo; Andy Rayner: piano; "Richie" Richardson: double bass. We think this was about 1977. Photo taken to celebrate Richie's retirement as school head caretaker. A classic, never-to-be-repeated lineup!



The Goose Island Syncopators, Ventnor circa 1979
My first earning band, although sometimes payment was a complimentary barrel of Ventnor's own Burt's Bitter between the guys. This band had an encyclopedic knowledge of the works of King Oliver, Louis Armstrong and Bix Beiderbecke, so it was a fantastic learning experience. The leader Jack Tait (centre) had a similar urbane, switched-on personality to Ronnie Scott and Stan Tracey so he certainly set me up for what was to come.

Here Gerry Low has swapped the trombone for some sort of souped-up kazoo device for the shout chorus. This band was incredibly fun to be a part of:




2 comments:

  1. Actually, we now think it was 1979. Gerard Lancaster on trumpet, sorry. Gerard Trevett was my clarinet teacher at Dartington.

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  2. Crikey.. that's a blast from the past.. yes it was 1979, I was in lower 6th form (along with yourself and Chirpy Lewis)
    Rgds
    Peter Collis

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