I run a few occasional bands that perform at jazz clubs, function venues and other places. We can cover a range of styles from raucous traditional foot-tapping jazz to sophisticated suave cocktail music. A singer can be available for crooning those classic favourite songbook tunes and we can pop it up to make your party go with a bang.

If you're looking for a sweet, laid back atmosphere for your function then Checking Out Chet may be just right. This band performs the repertoire of the great Chet Baker which included just about every American Songbook classic you can think of, if you want a special tune, let us know, we don't do requests, well not unless we're asked .

Here's a clip of the band playing My Funny Valentine, if you want to hear the whole thing, drop me an email and I'll put it up.

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Rates vary but for weddings and private functions the band can be hired from £350 depending on times and place location, use the contact email to leave a phone number and I'll call you back.

I also run a band called The Good Ol' Spit & Dribble Jass Band, we play New Orleans numbers hopefully in the style of great contemporary practitioners like The New Black Eagle Jazz Band, The Grand Dominion Band and The Albion Band (website down). The guy who introduced me to these bands was Griff Thomas, a great banjo player from Wales, whom I played with in a band in Birmingham, Roy Ingram's Intercity Jazzmen, who sadly no longer exist but all great players- Richard Lonnon- trombone and vibes, Arthur Bennett- clarinet and saxes- Griff made me laugh when one gig, Arthur had his trainers on instead of shoes, Griff said "...so you've got your gout boots on then?....", Johnny Parker played the drums and smoked big cigars, Barry on bass, can't recall his last name.

Here's the Good Ol' Spit & Dribble Jass Band playing a cracking old tune 'Yearning'. The personnel are listed below.

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The band would certainly liven up any beer festival, wedding party, reception, summer fayre, divorce party, village hall do, barbecue etc etc. The line-up is usually Keith Little- piano, Martin Butterworth- clarinet and soprano, myself on trumpet, Pete Middleton- trombone, Jayne Gregory on bass, Clarence Nugent on drums and Ian Phillips on banjo. The band can be hired from £500 depending on times and travelling.

There are some more tracks under the video and audio menu.