The Bateman Brothers Jazz Band - A Tribute to Louis Armstrong and His All Stars

Personnel:

Alan Bateman, trumpet, vocals, born in Swindon where he still lives, he started his musical career rather late in life after 25 years working in the optical disc industry. However, after making a name for himself playing occasional gigs on clarinet and saxes he made a life-changing decision in December 1989 to take up the trumpet! Always a great admirer of Louis Armstrong he allowed himself to be hugely influenced by his playing and style. Alan has become firmly accepted in the jazz fraternity as one of the UK's top trumpeters and his playing is as close to Louis as you are likely to hear. It is no accident that since joining Terry Lightfoot and His Jazzmen in 2005, Alan has become a frequent deputy to many bands including those of Acker Bilk and Kenny Ball.
Ian Bateman, trombone, born in Bromley and now also lives in Swindon. His career reads as a who's who of British Jazz. Lengthy spells with The National Youth Jazz Orchestra and the bands of Pete Allen, Rod Mason, Terry Lightfoot and Acker Bilk have shaped his career. Has also worked with the Pasadena Roof Orchestra, Kenny Ball, The Humphrey Lyttelton Band and Ronnie Scott's All Stars.  In more recent years he has become in demand as guest trombonist at major festivals in the UK and Europe. Apart from this band Ian runs three other bands. The Bone Supremacy which has five trombones and trio; a tribute show to Frank Rosolino and J J Johnson where he can play in a bebop style; and lastly Kick Ass Brass, a 10-piece jazz/soul group.
Trevor Whiting, clarinet, after learning tenor horn in his school brass band he heard recordings of the legendary clarinettist Sydney Bechet and immediately decided to switch to clarinet, later including saxophone. By his late teens he was beginning to gig with various traditional and mainstream bands in the London area. In the mid-eighties formed his own group 'The Swingtet' which featured other notable UK musicians including pianist Martin Litton and trumpeter Ray Crane. The group was regularly featured in BBC Jazz Club broadcasts. In recent years has accompanied visiting American stars including Scott Hamilton and Marty Grosz and UK vocal star Clare Teal. Also played a spell in The Big Chris Barber Band during 2003/4.
Craig Milverton, piano, one of the UK's best jazz pianists and winner of Jazz Pianist of the Year in the British Jazz Awards 2010; 'an extravagantly gifted player with an unrivalled swing' so says Dave Gelly of the Observer. Craig's CV covers the entire jazz spectrum from working with the bands of Kenny Ball, Acker Bilk, with singers Stacey Kent, Jacqui Dankworth and backing soloists from Alan Barnes to Warren Vache in a career spanning over 20 years. He also fronts his own projects and is a member of Digby Fairweather's Half Dozen.
Steve Rushton, drums, a drummer so much in demand from the likes of Imelda May, Joss Stone and even Robbie Williams that he is often enticed away from his first love of jazz. He is known to all the top jazz musicians as one of the finest jazz and big band drummers in the UK. So be prepared for some swinging Barrett Deems style drumming, an essential element in re-creating Louis Armstrong's music. Also renowned for his flamboyance on stage where he is sure to entertain in more ways than one.
John Day, bass, in a twenty-year career he has become a fixture on the Mainstream Jazz and Rhythm and Blues scenes, playing and recording with the likes of Humphrey Lyttelton, Clare Teal, Jamie Cullum, Karen Sharp and Kenny Ball. Like Ian, is a member of Acker Bilk's Paramount Jazz Band with whom he joined in 2006. He also spent eleven years with Blue Harlem, eight of which were with singer Imelda May.
Maggie Reeday, vocals, has a great sense of rhythm and natural ability to connect with her audiences nurtured during a long and varied career starting off as a resident singer in a local band. Later she was to appear in a succession of TV shows for ITV with stars such as Paul Daniels and Jim Davidson. More recently she performed in an eight-week slot on ITV's 'Langsford Late Show'. Her CD 'World on a String' received rave reviews with Jazz Journal International.

Alan