The jazz will start at 7.00 pm and ticket holders are invited to arrive from 6.00 pm to set up their picnics, chairs and tables. Tickets cost £15 and are available from Age UK Oxfordshire, White Lion Walk, Banbury, OX16 5UD (Telephone 01295 278040). This is a ticket only event and all proceeds will go towards supporting vital services in Banbury and North Oxfordshire.
Lucy Gordon, Director at Spratt Endicott Solicitors said: “Spratt Endicott is delighted to sponsor this year’s ‘Jazz at the Castle’ in aid of AgeUK Oxfordshire. We appreciate how staff and volunteers at AgeUK Oxfordshire dedicate their time to providing essential services for older people throughout the county.
As a specialist Solicitor for the Elderly I understand many of the issues that people can face in later life, and having the right support and advice is so important in providing peace of mind, reassurance and protection. This event will help raise vital funds to ensure AgeUK Oxfordshire’s services reach as many older members of our community, as well as their carers and relatives.”
Event organiser, Sue Baxter, Trustee of AgeUK Oxfordshire said “We are delighted that Spratt Endicott Solicitors are sponsoring this year’s event and most grateful to Martin Fiennes and Lord and Lady Saye & Sele who have once again agreed that the jazz picnic can be held on the lawn in front of the castle. They have also given permission for participants to view the gardens before the music and in the interval. Broughton Castle has a wonderful one acre garden including a walled formal garden and herbaceous borders which will be at their peak in time for the Jazz Picnic. “
George Huxley leads his own all star jazz band along with his Southern Jazz Band, both of which are very popular. He is a member of the Fryer-Barnhart International All Star Jazz Band and also fronts Reeds United together with John Maddocks.
The late Humphrey Lyttleton said of George “George Huxley, is the Midlands best kept secret and world class musician”. George is much in demand in the UK, Europe and U.S.A. His soaring soprano evokes memories of the legendary Sidney Bechet with whom he has often been compared. He is a busy and popular musician well known for many years as a fine clarinettist, soprano and alto saxophonist.
George will be joined by Gordon Whitworth on trumpet, Ron Hills on trombone, John Fellowes on bass and sousaphone and Brian Mellor on banjo and guitar.
Gordon Whitworth started playing trumpet in the early 1960s in the Birmingham area. His driving Louis Armstrong influenced trumpet style was soon a star feature of such leading Midlands bands as The Second City Jazzmen and the George Huxley Jazz Band. His professional career has included long stints with Monty Sunshine’s Jazz Band and Tommy Burton’s Sporting House Quartet. Gordon also leads his own band on cornet with a Tribute to Bix Beiderbecke.
Ron Hills is a former Art teacher. He played with the Eddie Mathews Jump Band, John Burnett’s Jazz Bandits and currently has a quintet and six piece swing band called Swing Kings. Ron is also part of the Kinda Dush big band concentrating on Duke Ellington’s music.
John Fellowes originally played clarinet but changed to bass in his early twenties. Duncan Swift introduced John to Jimmie Blanton’s recordings and the influence of this “melodic driving style” of bass playing is still there today. John had an extended tour with Duncan Swift, Roy Williams and Digby Fairweather and backed touring British and American soloists like Joe Harriet, George Chisham, Humphrey Lyttleton and Alex Welsh. John had three years with Pete Allen and now plays with Kevin Grenfell, Richard Leach and the George Huxley bands.
Brian Mellor is a wonderful guitarist and has improved the image of the banjo by his relaxed style of playing. In his hands it becomes a subtle, tuneful instrument. Brian is a member of Richard Leach’s 7 Stars of Jazz and has his own band Brian Mellors’ Jazz Bandits.
Tickets cost £15 and are available from Age UK Oxfordshire, White Lion Walk, Banbury, OX16 5UD (Telephone 01295 278040). This is a ticket only event and all proceeds will go towards supporting vital services in Banbury and North Oxfordshire.
