| Band Members |
Meet the Band:
Martin Bennett
Well known on the European Scene having spent the last twenty years touring, playing in all the major clubs and festivals from Norway to the Canaries. More recently two tours to Australia, several to Canada and a memorable one to California, have been part of his professional experience. Martin first visited New Orleans in 1966 and got to know, on a personal basis, George Lewis, Jim Robinson, Dede and Billy Pierce, the Humphrey brothers, and then in 1978, met up with Greg Stafford, at that time a very young beginner, but who nowadays is much in demand on the European scene. Medical problems forced him to give up playing trombone, but he has reconstructed his career on the keyboard, keeping vocals as part of the programme. He has put together a band of musicians he is proud to present as the Old Green River Band, a mix of old heads and young blood, all with the shared intention of playing top class music with integrity and passion.
Stuart Smith
Stuart joined the band while still studying for his music degree at Salford University, immediately travelling with the band on tours to Scotland, Holland and Belgium. He has a technique well in advance of his 25 years, listens to everything, and has a natural swing at any tempo. His exuberant style suits the band's requirements completely. Watch out for his exciting solos.
Howard Murray
Howard is a most talented reed player and well established on the Manchester scene, with a solid reputation for inventive solos. His musicianship is of a very high order, and when not engaged on the jazz scene, he is to he found working with young musicians. He has an encyclopaedic knowledge of pre-war, wartime and post-war radio comedy!
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John Finch
John comes from a deep pool of musicians that came to prominence in the London area over 40 years ago, where he played with every band of worth around at the time. He plays in his own style and can offer sweet solos when required and driving funky solos as well. He's known to make the occasional vocal, and has a very energetic approach to his music, and like Howard, has a lively sense of humour.
Roscoe Birchmore
I have known Roscoe a long time and have always enjoyed his company as well as his fine bass- playing. He has developed the big sound and a full tone over the years and understands the roll of a double bass in a rhythm section such as ours. He has long been a part of the jazz scene in the UK and has travelled most of the jazz routes in Europe with top bands.
As well as being a driving bass player Roscoe is a professional magician, a member of the Magic Circle, who is capable of baffling acts at very close quarters.
Chez Chesterman
Chez Chesterman has a long professional background playing at the highest level. He is a most exciting trumpet player with a vast repertoire. His stagecraft is of the highest order and his organisational skill brings a lot of his experience as a band leader to the fore. Among the great British musicians with whom Chez has been associated are Monty Sunshine and Dick Charlesworth, a highly respected pair on the European jazz scene. He has a gutsy jazz voice making his vocals earthy and full of gusto!
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