CORNET & leader; Sid (the Kid) Grimwood taught himself to play the trumpet in the early 6o*s, then became a member of a very young Keith Nichols 'Sedalia To New Orleans Jazzband* Sid gained a lot of experience on the London scene. When he went into business running his driving school, it meant a long lay-off from playing jazz. The family moved to East Anglia in 1983 and soon Sid took up playing again, gigging with various local bands, popular as much for his very extensive repertoire as for his fine tone and strong lead. He formed the Dixie Jazz Bandits in 1989 specifically for a date at the Scole Sports & Social Club, and the band went down so well that it became a permanent group. Sid's influences include Kid Howard, the great Henry *Red* Alien and of course Louis Armstrong.

 

VOCALIST; Mary Lou Lambert started singing when the Bandits were formed, and her popularity is growing all the time. With her easy and relaxed style, Mary Lou is inspired by both Mildred Bailey and Billie Holliday, and is a devotee of the 30's era - so she has introduced several wonderful songs from those golden days into the band's repertoire, another reason why the band never sounds monotonous. Mary Lou has been featured on BBC Radio Suffolk several times, and is now in demand for solo appearances, as well as with her own quartet which was formed in 1995.

 

REEDS; (Edinburgh Bill - the Tartan Terror) Bill Skinner returned to the UK in the early 90 * s from South Africa, where he had spent many years on the jazz scene playing on radio, tv and the clubs. Bill's style is reminiscent of Sandy Brown on clarinet, and on the sax he can blow up the proverbial storm. A very tasteful and swinging musician, he brings a lot of new ideas to the music, rather than slavish re-creation.

 

 

TROMBONE; Bill Brewer - watch this space for more info on Bill.

 

 

BANJO; (Lady Barbra) • Barbra Green is very well-known in the Anglia region, having gigged with probably every band around. After a few dates with the Dixie Jazz Quartet, she became a permanent member in 1996. A swinging player with a fine tone, Barbra began her playing career in Egypt, where her husband was serving as a captain with the Army. Barbra and husband 'Ginger' moved to Suffolk in the late 50's and are a very popular couple in the area. They used to run the Bungay Jazz Club in the early days.

 

 

DOUBLE BASS; Tony Jullings - (The Professor) so-called because of his vast knowledge of Jazz, Dance and Big Band music (he knows the location, time, personnel, what they had for lunch, and author of almost any piece of recorded music you would care to mention! ) Tony is also a long-standing member of the Sole Bay Jazzband. His strong, driving beat makes him a great asset to any band.
click on his picture to ask him a question

 

DRUMS; Phil Collis (internet guru) An ex-professional percussionist of many styles, Phil toured extensively with several different bands over the years. Having been 'retired' from the music business for over 10 years has recently been enticed by Mary Lou (his sister) to pick up his drumsticks. Phil played a gig with the Bandits in Essex in the summer of 2001, and revived his interest in jazz music. His swinging, sympathetic style, and that rare quality 'he listens' immediately endeared him to the band. So another errant global wanderer joins the DJB.