While most of the musicians’ names will be familiar to UK Traditional jazz fans, such will probably not be the case here in the US.
This date in 1979 was one of what comprised a weekly residence for Bill Brunskill’s Jazzmen. On this particular evening, however, the maestro himself, Brunskill, was unable to be on the stand, and his place was taken by trumpeter Dennis Jones, who led his own band, Preacher Hood’s Jazz Missionaries, for a number of years. Alan Cooper, one of the founders of The Temperance Seven, was also subbing for the regular Brunskill clarinetist, as he did frequently when the latter could not make a gig. In the rhythm section Ray Smith, well-known for his ragtime playing as well as band work, was subbing at piano.
Several of the other musicians on this date were regular members of the Brunskill Jazzmen, including Mike Pointon on trombone, and on bass Jim Bray, whose name will be familiar to many here as he played at one time or another with what seems to be a roster of star bands: Ken Colyer, Chris Barber, Humphrey Lyttleton, et al. The banjo chair was occupied by Bill Stagg, another regular and the author of the liner notes for this CD., and the rhythm section was completed by Brunskill drummer Dave Jenkins.
In true New Orleans fashion, the group did not get together to rehearse before this session, and the repertoire for the evening was not worked out befor
