boberwig

Clarinettist Mick Lewis was a member of our Climax Jazz Band from 1981 until 2002 and is now more or less retired from music. I had the pleasure to play with him for more than 15 years. We probably did some 200 jazz festivals together and some 1500 gigs. Mick was not just a great bandsman, but was most often featured with solo pieces, which got audiences hopping.Mick, originally from the English Midlands was very much influenced by Acker Bilk and Monty Sunshine and loved the George Lewis original recordings.In this clip Mick plays his own special feature arrangement of "Burgundy Street Blues" during the 1991 Indianapolis Jazz FestivalIn the full band:Bob Erwig, Mick Lewis, Peter Sagerman, Jack Vincken, Chris Daniels, Jamie Aug

The Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet live in Berlin in 1974.Ruby Braff cornet, George Barnes guitar, Wayne Wright rhythm guitar and Michael Moore bass.In the spring of 1973 Ruby Braff and George Barnes had started a new group. They rehearsed once a week and it became a very special little quartet. They increased their number of weekly rehearsals to get ready for a concert at Carnegie Hall for the opening night of the New York Newport Jazz Festival. They became the highpoint of that festival. The group stayed together until some time in 1974 when Braff had a fall out with George Barnes. I believe this was one of Ruby's bands which was well organized. Ruby usually appeared as a solist performer with unrehearsed All Star groups.

Autum Leaves - Zoot Sims 1985In 1985 somewhere in Sweden, Zoot played a session together with two top jazz musicians. In a comfortable living room he recorded with bassist Red Mitchell and guitarist Rune Gustafsson the old and famous standard called Autumn Leaves. Zoot died that year, unfortunately at only 59. This might have been his last recording. Red Mitchell was the musician who tuned his bass in fifths, just like the violin and and the cello and this shows in his creative and unique solo work .Rune Gustafsson, maybe it was done in his house, recorded already with Zoot in the late seventies. All together this was done in a relaxed atmosphere and that shows in what you hear.

Ol’Man River - Climax Jazz Band 1981.It was in 1981, about 10 years after our band was created. I have chosen on of my favourite tunes from this album. Ol’ Man River is an old standard and I’m always reminded by that 1928 recording of Bix Beiderbecke. These old 78’s (Bix) and also the newer LP’s (the track here on Youtube) are virtually forgotten. I like to bring this back. Hope you like it as much as we did when we made it. In the band: Bob Erwig cornet, Ian Arnott clarinet, Len Gosling trombone, Jack Vicken banjo, Chris Daniels bass and Max Littlejohns srums

What’s New - Sir Charles Thompson 1964.Sir Charles Thompson - piano (b. 1918)In 1940 he was briefly with Lionel Hampton's big band but preferred small group work, although he regularly wrote arrangements for musicians like Count Basie During the 50s Thompson worked with leading jazzmen such as Lester Young (who bestowed upon him the title by which he was subsequently known), Coleman Hawkins, Illinois Jacquet and Buck Clayton, the last an especially important musical associate.Through the 60s he continued playing with Roy Eldridge, Clayton and other major artists, and also led his own groups. Poor health slowed his career in the 70s but by the 80s he was back on the scene again, playing at numerous venues around the world.A effective ensemble player, Thompson's work in the Clayton bands of the mid-50s ably demonstrated his understated skills. His solos display a calm assurance.This clip was made in Wembley Town Hall, London in 1964 with Jimmy Woode -bass and Jo Jones drums

Willow Weep for Me - Harry “Sweets” Edison 1964.In my early years as a trumpetplayer I was very much inspired by the music of Mr. Edison. I had that fabulous 1959 recording of Hodges, Edison and Ellington called “Back to Back” and it sampled how jazz should be played on the trumpet.Harry “Sweets” Edison (1915-1999) is one of the few players in the history of jazz trumpet who could be instantly identified after only a few notes; along with Bobby Hackett, he was acknowledged as one of the few master trumpet accompanists.He cited early exposure to recordings of Louis Armstrong backing up Bessie Smith as important influences on his playing.Here in 1964 the 49 year old Harry is backed up by Sir Charles Thompson piano. Jimmy Woode bass and Jo Jones drums. The clip was recorded in Wembley Hall in London.

Stomping at the Savoy - Buck Clayton 1961Recorded in Belgium in a relaxed studio setting we see American trumpeter Buck Clayton ( 1911- 1991) playing Stomping at the Savoy.His principle influence was Louis Armstrong. Buck had alimitless facility for melodic improvisation.He is backed up by Sir Charles Thompson piano, Gene Ramey bass and Oliver Jackson drums

Lookin’ for Turner - Bruce Turner 1985.In a live concert where Humphrey Lyttleton celebrated his 35th year as a bandleader he featured one of his bandmembers, alto saxophonist Bruce Turner. Other members in the band were Johnny Barnes saxophone and Roy Williams trombone.

Bad Penny Blues - Humphrey Lyttleton 1985.Next to collecting 78 rpm records in the fifties by Armstrong, Morton, Oliver and Bix Beiderbecke, to name a few, and I had just started to play trumpet myself, there was this bandleader from England who even for us , far away in the Netherlands, made a lot of darn fine jazz recordings. Of course it was Humphrey Lyttleton, and one of his topsongs was the “Bad Penny Blues”. In this clip, now in 1985, Humph is celebrating his 35th year as bandleader and brings us this blues again.With him in the band are Johnny Barnes saxophone and Roy Williams trombone. It is good to hear that Bad Penny again and Humph still does a superb job.

When you’re smiling - Classic Jazz Band 1997.Only a short version of a tune made famous by Louis Armstrong, who recorded it as least three times and so did Duke Ellington in his early career. Here it is performed by the Classic Jazzband where Bent Persson plays an Armstrong style solo without copying any of the actual Louis work. This makes Bent so unique. Other members are Christer Ecke the drummer who sings the lyrics, Jens Lindgren trombone, Goran Erikson clarinet and alto sax, Holger Gross banjo and Goran Lind bass

On the sunny side of the street - Classic Jazz Band 1997An old top hit and also a jazz standard is an often requested song. Here it is played by the Classic Jazz Band from Stockholm in Sweden. A band with a lot of knowledge who can play any tune with depth because they all feel how to bring a song in the most effective way. Individually these are superb jazz musicians who are almost all members of Sweden’s top big band called “Kustbandet”. This is their small group but they know how to present these tunes. Well, they are of course Bent Persson trumpet, Jens Lindgren trombone, Goran Erikson alto sax, Holger Gross banjo, Goran Lind bass and Christer Ecke drums and vocals.

Down in Honky Tonk Town - Classic Jazz Band 1997.This is jazz music , probably the very best there is, and it comes to us from great musicians from Sweden. They play gigs all over Europe but here they perform on homeground in Stockholm.Bent Persson trumpet, Jens Lindgren trombone, Goran Erikson clarinet and altosax, Holger Gross banjo, Goran Lind bass and Christer Ecke drums and vocals.These men have played together since the mid sixties and their approach has reached perfection.An absolute fantastic jazz band.

Wolverine Blues - Bob’s music in 1965This is a recording of one of the earliest bands in which I played my trumpet. It was still in Holland, the year before I left for Canada to search for a new life. Would there be a possible way to enjoy playing my beloved horn again?At least I had a wonderful band. We worked hard, had plenty of gigs and were in the recording studio to play this tune.Today, some 45 years later, I still enjoy listening to this music. I hope you do as well.Use a headphone for optimal sound reproductionMusicians: Bob Erwig trumpet, Joop Postma clarinet, Jan Meeuwisse trombone, Dick Posthuma piano, Ad Funke banjo, Ad Wijn bass, Ted de Jong drums

South - One of my bands.This is a recording from the 2001 Sacramento Jazz Festival.In my trumpetcase I usually bring my Sony MD Walkman, as well as a fine Sony microphone. We then can record the sounds we are producing, and some are quite pleasing, at least to me. I like to share some of that with you. No further words about it, just listen and maybe enjoy.I suggest you use headphones for optimal sound.Musicians are Bob Erwig cornet, Phil Hatton clarinet, Rex Rice trombone, Gary Peterson piano, Dave Brown banjo, John Walling tubaBob Erwig

Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans - Bobby Hacket and Yank Lawson.Yank Lawson in a telephone call with Bobby Hackett:Yank: “Hi Bobby, I’m with my band in Toronto and playing tonight in Massey Hall. Since you are also in Toronto I like to invite you come and play a few tunes with us”Bobby: “Yes Yank, that will be wonderful. Your band exist of my favourite musicians. It will be a great pleasure.Yank: “ Why don’t you plan a break in your schedule and join us at 9.45. Then we start with ‘Do you know what it means’ together and take it from there.”Bobby: “that’s swell, I’ll take a cab, and be there tonight.”Yank:” Look forward to it” This tune was recorded on the spot. No rehearsal, just like that. Yank takes the melody and Bobby improvises around it. Then Yank indicates and give Bobby the first solo etc. “That’s how jazz is made”.