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Digby’s Other Musical Projects

THE GREAT BRITISH JAZZ BAND

Co-founded by Digby in l994 with his close friend the late trombonist Pete Strange, 'The Great British Jazz Band' (GBJB) is an all-star assembly of bandleaders and perennial pollwinners which plays theatres and arts-centres countrywide. Broadly modelled on the 'World's Greatest Jazz Band' of Yank Lawson and Bob Haggart, the GBJB made its concert debut on London's South Bank at the Queen Elizabeth Hall on September 30 1994 with the legendary trumpeter Kenny Baker who said of them at the time "What a line-up. Every one a soloist! I'd like to play with them ay time and the arrangements are outstanding!"

Since then the GBJB has recorded three albums for Candid Records, and in 2007 its musicians comprise Mike Cotton and Digby (trumpets) Roy Williams, Chris Gower (trombones), Dave Shepherd, John Barnes (reeds), Nick Dawson (piano), Len Skeat (bass), and Allan Ganley (drums).

Dennis Matthews, the editor of 'Crescendo and Jazz Music' calls the GBJB 'The best band of its kind in the world' and more than ten years after its formation it continues to fill theatres countrywide.

Representation: Jack Higgins

• Address: Pear Tree Cottage, Weymarks, Bradwell-on-Sea, Essex
• Email: higgins@jazzbookings.com
• Telephone: (0044) 1621 776463
• Fax: (0044) (0044) 1621 776671

JAZZ GOES TO THE MOVIES

In a brilliant new show Digby Fairweather's pollwinning Half-Dozen combines with premier singer VAL WISEMAN (longtime star of her own Billie Holiday tribute 'Lady Sings the Blues' in a fast-moving review of great songs from great movies.

'Jazz Goes To The Movies' features classics from the American Musicals songbook, great Disney themes, jazz to spare and romantic ballads featuring Val along with the Half-Dozen's highly-rated vocal group 'The Fairweather Friends'.

Linked with memories of famous moments from the movies and stories of their stars, the show guarantees more musical memories than (as Louis B. Meyer once said!) all of the stars in Heaven.

Exclusive representation: Paul Ripley Enterprises

• Address: 12 Charland Court, Droitwich, WR9 9HH
• Email: phripley@tiscali.co.uk
• Telephone: (0044) 1905 778177

DIGBY FAIRWEATHER DUO/TRIO/QUARTET

Since his professional career began in l977 Digby has broadcast, recorded and appeared with his own hand-picked small groups frequently featuring Craig Milverton (piano), guitarists Dominic Ashworth or Paul Sealey, bassist Len Skeat (ex-Stephane Grappelli, Ted Heath et.al) and jazz accordianist Tony Compton with whom he appears regularly all over Essex and beyond. The Digby Fairweather Quartet appears regularly at all London's most prestigious venues giving Digby a chance to show off his solo skills, adventurous choice of repertoire and love of good songs in an intimate setting.

You can also see and hear Digby with:

THE SOUNDS OF JAZZ

An all-star review featuring JACQUI DANKWORTH, PAUL JONES and the HALF-DOZEN.

Representation: Jack Higgins

• Address: Pear Tree Cottage, Weymarks, Bradwell-on-Sea, Essex
• Email: higgins@jazzbookings.com
• Telephone: (0044) 1621 776463
• Fax: (0044) (0044) 1621 776671

LADY SINGS THE BLUES

First performed in l987 this legendary tribute to Billie Holiday, starring VAL WISEMAN is directed by Digby with an all-star musical cast including pollwinners Alan Barnes, Roy Williams, Brian Dee et al.

Exclusive representation: Big Bear Music Ltd

• Telephone: (0044)121 454 7020

BlOWIN' THE BLUES

'Blowin' The Blues' with Digby Fairweather's Half Dozen and starring Paul Jones.

Representation: Jack Higgins

• Address: Pear Tree Cottage, Weymarks, Bradwell-on-Sea, Essex
• Email: higgins@jazzbookings.com
• Telephone: (0044) 1621 776463
• Fax: (0044) (0044) 1621 776671

THE BRITISH JAZZ ALLSTARS

Digby leads an all new presentation - which began life as the hugely successful touring ensemble 'The Best of British Jazz' back in l982. It proudly parades the talents of Britain's best-known and most highly-rated jazz musicians of every generation. Multi-British jazz award winners and consistent poll winners over a period of more than thirty years, the group includes new-era stars Alan Barnes (tenor sax), Karen Sharp (tenor/baritone sax), Julian Marc Stringle (clarinet/tenor sax), Mark Nightingale (trombone), Nick Dawson (piano/vocals), Pete Cater (drums) and Britain's finest bassist, Len Skeat (Peggy Lee, Stephan Grappelli). The music is arranged by Alan Barnes, whose musical collaborations as composer/arranger with playwright Alan Plater have won national acclaim in Britain.

Representation: Jazz Artists Direct

• Address: 109 Holly Bush Lane, Hampton, TW12 2QY
• Email: helen.baden@blueyonder.co.uk
• Telephone: 020 8090 2976 / 07739 460 830
• Website: www.jazzartistsdirect.com

Dave Shepherd's All-Star Dixielanders

A true meeting of old friends as well as an all-star gathering! Dave Shepherd has been Britain's greatest Swing clarinettist since l948; known as 'Britain's Benny Goodman'. Dig and Dave have worked together for over thirty years; most lately in the 'Great British Jazz Band'. And in the GBJB - as in Dave's Dixielanders pictured here - they are joined by Roy Williams; multi-pollwinner and Britain's greatest jazz trombonist. The group is completed by the great drummer Stan Bourke (whose career with Freddy Randall, in studios, West End shows and the world of sessions spans over fifty-five years), new-star baritone arrival Chris Walker and Nick Dawson who - when he's not singing and playing jazz - directs another great West End show 'Mamma Mia'. This group sells out wherever it goes and celebrates the music called 'Dixieland' with the combined qualities of youthful fire and lifetimes of experience. Don't miss them!

The musicians in order left to right are: Len Skeat (bass), Nick Dawson (piano/vocals), Roy Williams (trombone), Digby (trumpet-cornet), Dave Shepherd (clarinet/leader), Stan Bourke (drums), Chris Walker (baritone saxophone).