Richard Bennett (Photo © D J Mastin)

Jazz oldies by far outnumber younger fans and if trad jazz is to make a powerful comeback we need to applaud it’s rising stars.

So JazzandJazz.com seeks to promote and revive the unique ethos of traditional jazz not only by featuring modern day greats but also by focusing on the vitality of its emerging stars.

But Richard Bennett got there first! The Rich Bennett Band includes Richard’s own selection of hand picked younger musicians who share his own exuberant and driving style. Richard’s passion for the New Orleans sound and its revival never fails to fire up audiences all over the UK. Just what’s needed if we are to enthuse a new generation of jazz fans. He and his younger brother Russell are the sons of pianist, vocalist and trombonist Martin Bennett who played with Phil Mason’s New Orleans All Stars.

An extremely exciting trumpet player, fine vocalist and respected band leader, and although based in North Cornwall, Richard is in great demand on jazz circuits and has toured extensively all over Britain and Europe. You can get the latest news about the band and their gigs at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Richard-Bennett/262333177113568

Pete Lay, Gambit Jazzmen’s leader and drummer has also starred with Richard, and has now booked The Rich Bennett Band for the Autumn Jazz Parade in Hemsby, Norfolk, from Friday, 28th September to Monday, 1st October, 2012. Full details can be found under Autumn Jazz Parade 2012.

East Midlands based Reunion Jazz Band will travel south in 2012 to feature at The Autumn Jazz Parade in Hemsby, Norfolk, from Friday, 28th September to Monday, 1st October.

Left to Right: David Spink bass, Dave Hepworth reeds, George Buckman drums & vocals, Alan Hippsley trumpet, Dave Clewes trombone, Keith Goddard banjo.

The annual festival celebrates the Ken Colyer Heritage and the Reunion Jazz Band is dedicated to the New Orleans style and tradition.

Formed in 1993 the band has seen inevitable changes over the years and today features the six talented musicians named in the photograph above, ably led by George Buckman, an interloper from London better known down south.

When his health was failing some years ago, the late John “Dig” Withall passed the baton on to George. He had travelled north with Jane, his partner and “Drummer’s Moll” (Jane’s own words), when she returned to her roots in Lincolnshire, close to the Nottinghamshire border.

Jane is a cartoonist and illustrates aspects of village life as well as the occasional jazz cartoon. In her self portrait below she depicts herself as  “a drummer’s moll with curly blonde hair”. She might have something to say about this in “Speak your Mind” below! Jane also accepts commissions.

Full details about the Autumn Jazz Parade can be found under Autumn Jazz Parade 2012.

The Drummer's Moll

Alan Hippsley and Dave Hepworth