Top jazz band coming to Downpatrick

Top jazz band coming to Downpatrick

25 January 2017

THE Martello Jazz Band will dispel the winter blues with its exuberant foot-stomping music at Down Arts Centre this weekend.

The band was formed in the autumn of 1985 by a group of enthusiastic musicians who had played in other bands.  Their aim was to produce a sound reminiscent of the Dixieland bands which were commonplace in the New Orleans of the 1920’s and 1930’s, but also to stamp on it their own brand of drive and flair.  The resulting music is fresh and full of vitality, while still retaining the traditional flavour.  

This recipe has been successful in introducing a wide range of audiences to this form of music, even those who previously did not consider jazz to be to their taste.

Since 1985, the band has built on its reputation for quality music, and has played at many venues. International events have included jazz festivals such as the Middlekirke Beer Festival in Belgium, the International Festivale dei Laghi in Italy, and the Eurojazz Festival in Paris.  Nearer home the band has played many times in festivals in Cork, Warrenpoint, Limavady and Derry.

Over the years the band has featured in many local and national television and radio programmes, in addition to numerous appearances at regional jazz events.  Every year the band plays at Mount Stewart and Castleward ‘Jazz in the Garden’ series, the Market Place Theatre in  Armagh and the busy St George’s Market in Belfast.  They are also a popular choice to provide entertainment for guests at wedding receptions.

The Martello Jazz Band has also played at events in support of charities.  These have included Marie Curie, Mencap, Alzheimers Society and the Outreach programme for those with learning difficulties.  They have also run a charity “Jazz Afternoon” for Ballynahinch Lions which will be repeated this year at the Millbrook Lodge Hotel on Sunday, June 4.

The current members are Clive Black (trumpet), Bill Bryson  (clarinet/saxophone), Careen Starkey (vocals), Richard Schaible (bass), Fintan McGrath (drums) and Alan Bell (banjo/guitar).  

Original member Alan, who lives Ballynahinch, said each member had close links to County Down. He said the camaraderie within the band was its main strength.

“Inevitably, over the past 30 years the membership of the band has changed, and sadly some of our early members are no longer with the band,” said Alan. “However the original concept of the band remains largely unchanged.

“Clive played previously with the Lagan Valley Stompers but his career was in the Fire Service and a considerable part of this was in the Newry Fire Station. He is also a member of the Belfast Jazz Orchestra.  

“Careen is a native of Newcastle and is still involved with the Glee Singers in that town who produce a musical and pantomime each year.  She is also the niece of Fintan our drummer who was born and raised in Newcastle.  

“He was a pharmacist before he retired and spent all of his time on the road with his job.  Now retired, he lives in Coleraine and clocks up the highest mileage in the band to attend gigs – so no change there then.  His previous musical links were with the Northern Swing Big Band and the Ulster Jazz Band.  

“Bill Bryson has been playing with jazz bands since his teens and was a member of the White Eagles in the 1960s in Belfast and the Apex before coming to us about 20 ago.  His claim on Down is that he spent a fair proportion of his youth in either Strangford or Newry.  Richard Schaible, although he lives in Belfast, works for the Forest Service and would have responsibility for the planning in forests like Castlewellan, Tollymore and Rostrevor.  His other musical outlet is with the Belfast Jazz Orchestra along with Clive.”

The Martello Jazz Band continues to excite crowds of jazz fans old and new and will be playing Down Arts Centre on Saturday at 8pm. For ticket information contact the centre on 028 4461 0747.