MidNiteSun "Jazz 'n' Blue" Collection
The 'Dud Clews Jazz Orchestra'
at the 'Burnt Post Inn' Coventry in 1976
Original analogue stereo recordings by Peter E C Wasmuth © 1976
Digitally copied, edited and enhanced by 'MidNiteSun' © 2005
'mp3' files added to this site 2008
Brian Bates - Trumpet (Tpt)
Brian Wathen (Watty) - Trumpet (Tpt)
Terry Perry - Alto Sax (Alt)
Mac Randle - Tenor Sax (Ten), Clarinet (Clt), Soprano Sax (Sop), Alto
Sax (Alt)
Ollie Dow - Tenor Sax (Ten), Clarinet (Clt)
Cliff Williams - Baritone Sax (Bari), Alto Sax (Alt)
Paul Munnery - Trombone (Tmb)
Fred Brownson - Piano
George Beach - Banjo
Derek Habberjam - Leader, Tuba
John Astle - Drums
Many thanks to Mac Randle for identifying the orchestra
musicians (above)
and
also the soloists featured in the following pieces.
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Paul on Tmb, Mac on Clt,
Terry on Alt, BrianB on Tpt.
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Mac on Clt, BrianB on Tpt, Terry on Alt.
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Watty on
Tpt, Derek on Tuba,
Ollie on Clt, Mac on Sop.
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BrianB
on Tpt, Paul on Tmb,
Terry on Alt, Mac on Ten, Derek on Tuba,
Mac on Sop, Fred on Piano.
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Ollie on
Ten, Watty on Tpt, Cliff on Alt,
Paul on Tmb, Mac on Clt.
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Paul on
Tmb, Watty on Tpt, Ollie on Clt,
Terry on Alt, BrianB on Tpt, Mac on Ten.
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John (whistle),
BrianB Watty Mac (vocal),
Ollie on Clt, Mac on lead Sop,
BrianB on Tpt, Fred on Piano.
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Paul on
Tmb, Watty on Tpt,
Mac on lead Clt, BrianB on Tpt,
Watty on Tpt.
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Mac on
Clt, Terry on Alt,
Paul on Tmb, BrianB on Tpt.
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Paul on
Tmb, BrianB on Tpt.
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Watty as
vocal, BrianB on Tpt,
Mac on Sop, Cliff on Alt.
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Terry on
Alt, Paul on Tmb, Mac as vocal.
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Copenhagen
(Fade out because recording tape ended)
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Mac on
lead Clt, Watty on Tpt.
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BrianB
on Tpt, Paul on Tmb,
Ollie on Clt, Watty
on Tpt.
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Watty on
Tpt, Ollie on lead Clt,
Mac on Clt, Paul on Tmb, BrianB on Tpt.
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BrianB
on Tpt, Mac on Alt, Paul on Tmb,
Fred on Piano, Watty on Tpt.
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Ollie on
Ten, Fred on Piano,
Derek on Tuba, Watty on Tpt,
Paul on Tmb.
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The following tribute to the band
is written by Mac Randle and kindly donated for inclusion onto this
page.
The young Coventry jazz trumpeter Dud
Clews was determined to revive the exciting sounds of the 'big bands'
of the twenties, like King Oliver and the Dixie Sycopators, Luis Russell,
Fletcher Henderson and Duke Ellington that bridged the gap between
the New Orleans & Chicago jazz bands and the later swing bands of
the early thirties.
In 1963, after a long period of preparation and rehearsal, he opened
the Club Harlem with the Dud Clews Jazz Orchestra. The band quickly
progressed in repertoire and popularity but suddenly Dud was fatally
injured in a motor accident. This was a terrible shock but almost
spontaneously it was decided that the band must continue as best it
could and Dud's parents were in agreement with the keeping of his
name at the head of the venture, so the Dud Clews Jazz Orchestra continued.
Dud's fine Oliver-styled trumpet was greatly missed but the band recovered
its composure and picked up again under the leadership of Derek Habberjam
who at the time was switching from second trombone to superb tuba.
What typifies this band, capable handling of the material and retention
of the idiom being taken as read, is the enthusiasm and good humour
which is brilliantly captured in these recordings and which has never
been surpassed by other bands since. Most of the arrangements were
created and copied out by members of the orchestra plus the highly
valued supporter and excellent arranger Peter Bright. The original
few printed arrangements from the early days were still kept and played.
The Dud Clews Jazz Orchestra finally folded in 1981 when, unfortunately,
Derek left the district.
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