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

A first visit, a superb tight knit band attired in black shirts, black trousers and clef ties and you have The Forest New Orleans Jazz Band from Trawden. I have never seen them before, but I will want to see them again soon!

An unusual feature was several duos by John Brunton on clarinet and "The Alderman" Jack Moore on trombone which stood out from the norm!

Led by Arthur Stead on trumpet, the frontline was superbly complemented by a four man backline of Ron Payton on banjo, Alan Noble on double bass, the bouncing bald pate of Dave Stanley on drums and the maestro of Ragtime on the piano Tom Culbert who leads The Quayside Hot Stompers in Lancaster.

Three fine sets of pure professionalism. Highlights were many with vocals shared: 'Wabash Blues', featured Culbert's solo piano with Stead vocalising and superb Ragtime piano on 'Sunburst Rag'.

Stanley accompanied himself on drums singing 'If You See My Saviour', 'I Double Dare You' and 'When My Dreamboat'.

Moore took the "mike" for 'Looking Over A Four Leaf Clover', 'Everywhere You Go' and 'Hello Central' with various trombone solos to add to the duos with clarinet.

These great blues numbers featured Stead's trumpet on 'Franklin Street Blues', 'Weary Blues' and 'The 2.19 Took My Babe Away' with vocals! Drunton's excellent reeds play was emphasised changing from clarinet to sax during 'Salutation March' and backing Stead's vocal on sax in 'I'll Fly Away'.

It's the first occasion I've heard a jazz band play Brahms 'Cradle Song' and a fine arrangement too! - well it was getting on for bedtime!

The Forest New Orleans Band
25 January 2004