The HJA tour has finished and was a great success. I've posted a few videos below to show you our stuff

Reviews:

On 25 October 1927, Bix Beiderbecke And His Gang recorded two of my favourite numbers, "Sorry" and "Since My Best Gal Turned Me Down". Bix's banjo player on that recording date was Howdy Quicksell who was composer or joint composer of both numbers.

"Sorry" is how I felt for those members who were not able to get to the Club on Tuesday 11 April last. If you only had a minor complaint and didn't bother to go, it serves you right for you missed one of the best night's jazz in the recent history of the Club. The applause and standing ovation for the band was as spontaneous as anything I have heard and seen on a Club night for any group of musicians.

On the back page of the Newsletter we were promised that the night would be SPECIAL and it was!

Hot Jazz Alliance included two fine musicians from USA. Andy Schumm was equally at home on cornet and piano. Josh (pronounced Jarsh) Duffee from Bix's home town of Davenport, Iowa, was a fine drummer. These young men were joined by four musicians from Melbourne, Michael McQuaid and Jason Downes, both on reeds and at an age when they are at or near the peak of their powers. Michael is also one of the top trumpet players in Australia. Completing the line-up were John Scurry on banjo and guitar and Leigh Barker on bass. Individually and as a band they were excellent.

The Hot Jazz Alliance

The Hot Jazz Alliance is a brand new band featuring six of the most exciting young ‘hot jazz’ musicians anywhere in the world today. Internationally-renowned Americans Josh Duffee (drums) and Andy Schumm (cornet) join forces with four Australians, creating authentic jazz sounds from the 1920s to thrill your ears and your feet.

Josh Duffee - Drums (USA) Josh is an exciting drummer and academic expert of early American jazz. At 29 years of age, Josh is one of the great drummers of the early jazz tradition and one the world's experts on the music of Jean Goldkette and Chauncey Morehouse.
Andy Schumm - Cornet/Piano (USA) His fate as a '20s musician was sealed one night after hearing Bix Beiderbecke's transcendent recording of "At the Jazz Band Ball" on an authentic Victor horn machine. Andy Schumm is a wonderfully versatile musician, playing a variety of instruments including cornet and piano. Andy features with the Hot Jazz Alliance on lead cornet.
Michael McQuaid Trumpet/Reeds/Piano (AUS) Michael is an expert on the jazz of the 1920s and 30s. Falling in love with the music while still young, he has been leading bands since the age of 15, and performs on trumpet, clarinet and saxophone. He is a fantastic arranger, soloist and general all-round musician. Michael is a mad collector of vintage instruments and recordings, but claims he can stop anytime he wants.
Jason Downes - Reeds (AUS) A star soloist on clarinet and saxophone Jason started his musical career in Australia, but really made a name for himself during his stay in London, where he played with Allan Beechey’s Bright Stars of Jazz. Since returning to Melbourne in 2003, Jason has been igniting the stage around Australia with his energetic playing.
Leigh Barker - Bass (AUS) Bassist, composer and bandleader Leigh Barker was born and raised in Canberra, where he spent his formative years studying with American bassist Eric Ajaye at the Canberra School of Music. His move to Melbourne in 2003 provided much professional experience, with Leigh proving to be a popular accompanist for the cream of the traditional and contemporary Jazz scenes, frequently appearing with Jamie Oehlers, Scott Tinkler, Julien Wilson, Julie O’Hara, Peter Baylor, the Bennetts Lane Big Band, The Band Who Knew Too Much, Heather Stewart and many others. .
John Scurry - Guitar and Banjo John Scurry is one of Australia's finest jazz guitarists and banjoists. Well-known for his years with Red Onions, John has played with some of the best known jazz musicians in Australia. Fantastic rhythm, creative soloing plus a wit and sense of humour that is second-to-none.