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

Back to entertain the Jazzers came the Dave Donohoe band who return to lead a parade on 5 January 2003. Always popular, Donohoe leads on trombone with plenty of scope for the flair of Frank Brooker's clarinet and sax. Guesting on drums was Bill Evans who showed his vocal talents with 'Shimmy Like My Sister Kate' with pianist Pete Beaumont bashing the ivories and vocal chords to close the first set with 'Lake Walking Babies'.

In between, a varied set had produced Donohoe vocals in 'Out In The Cold Again' and 'Hard times Come Around No More' and Brooker solos and vocals on 'High Society' and I'm Walkin'. Obviously getting ready for the festivities, all the band belted out 'Roll Out The Barrel', trumpeter Dave Pogson, banjoist Malcolm Horne et al.

A spiritual opened the second set in a tribute to the late great midlands trumpeter Dan Pawson who always played with power and pint - Blow the horn up on high.

A rousing Brooker vocal on the favourite 'Caldonia' was quietened with Donohoe's version of 'Help Me Through Th Night' - unusual!

Highlight of the final set was Brookers clarinet arrangement of 'Burgundy Street Blues' - sweet music!

After marching to 'Maryland My Maryland', the session finished with the seasonal 'Christmas Tree' and it was back to writing the cards.

The Dave Donohoe New Orleans Style Band
December 2002