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

The Tame Valley Stompers are based in Ashton Under-Lyne where they have a residency. Six talented musicians producing a tight sound of first class Jazz, having a sense of fun but never allowing it to dilute the quality of the music.

Their performance and presentation is sheer perfection and I am happy to ‘stick my neck out’ and say that after taking into consideration the different styles, modes and moods of other British jazz bands, ‘this band is well into the top five!’

Led administratively by drummer Norman Pennington, the musical direction is fronted by exceptional (if manic) trombonist Terry Brunt complete with beret, ten foot scarf of many colours and a trombone painted (at this gig) in the colours of both the St George’s and Union flag which he assured me had not been obtained at B & Q! 

After an opening number “At The Jazz Band Ball”, the floor was given to bouncing reedsman Paul Broomhead to vocalise and play tenor sax with “Someday Sweetheart”.
“Goody Goody” brought the voice of quiet man bass guitarist Pete Smith into focus followed by the trumpet and vocal of Roger Wimpenny with “If You’d Only Come Back To Me”. “Algiers Strutt” featured Smith’s bass guitar interlude, and the bands treatment of “Chimes Blues” not the easiest tune to play was certainly a very different arrangement but the front three’s application appealed to the often critical audience. 

Brunt lead a walk about with the interval number and Sunday Spiritual, “Just a Closer Walk With Thee” with Noel Broadgate ‘tackling the ivories’ firmly fixed to his seat.
Wimpenny, suitably refreshed, got the show back on the road singing “When We Danced At The Mardi Gras”, before Broomhead’s mastery of the clarinet sparkled with “Burgundy Street Blues” cleverly backed by piano, bass guitar and drums. 

“Going To Kansas City” had the bouncing Broomhead on tenor sax, a neat duo of trombone and piano and Broadgate’s standing boogie adding to Smith’s vocal. Broadgate then stormed into a vocal medley finishing with his own “ASDA Trolley Song” before the set finished with Wimpenny leading the way with trumpet and vocal in the favourite “Too Busy”.

Into the final strait and the entertainment never wavered. A solo clarinet rendition of “China Boy”, Brunt's solo trombone and vocal of the oft requested “St James’s Infirmary Blues” Wimpenny vocalising with the late Tommy Burtons lovely number “You Meet The Nicest People” before Paul Broomhead and clarinet played his heart out answering a request for “St Phillip Street Breakdown” – a number which has the ‘need for speed’ and I have never heard it bettered, this guy can play! 

The trumpet and vocal of Wimpenny told “I Cant Get You Anything But Love” with piano interlude and muted finale, leading to Smith’s final vocal of “Everywhere You Go, Sunshine Follows You”. 

All good things have to end, and the vocals of Wimpenny and Broomhead lead the gang out with “Goin Home” Wow! 

The band have just released a CD – “The Tame Valley Stompers” – only £7.00. Get it and enjoy!

June 2008