Reporter: Tony Sheldon
Date online: 12/06/2008

Always welcome visitors from across the border. The Yorkshire Stompers led by trumpeter Tony Smith entertained with a mixture of jazz classics and popular tunes. Frank Brooker was always to the fore vocalizing on 'Buenosera', 'Higher Ground' and 'Jambalaya'. This virtuoso is master of clarinet and sax and a swinging sax solo on 'Exactly Like You' had the toes tapping.

Mike Pearson from Whitworth guested on trombone and this young musician blended perfectly and produced a fine solo with 'It's Only A Paper Moon'. Smith of course led from the front with his driving attack accompanying his vocal on 'Trouble In Mind'.

Favourite numbers like 'Wolverine Blues', 'High Society' and 'When My Dream Boat Comes Home' kept up the tempo and the often requested 'St James Infirmary' was given Brooker's clarinet treatment backed up by the fine rhythm section of Annie Hawkins (bass), Richard Speight (banjo) and Terry Binns (drums), great jazz.

The Yorkshire Stompers
19 October 2003