The regular "Stars of British Jazz" line-up can be augmented as required for your event.

John Crocker – Reeds  ( Chris Barber Band 1970 to 2004 )

Although born in Nottingham, John spent part of his early years living in Sawley and attended Derby Art School for a couple of years before his family returned to Nottingham.

In the mid- fifties he became interested in jazz and started to play the clarinet when a group of friends decided to form a jazz band.

During a two year stint with the RAF in Cyprus, his ability developed and demob saw him involved in the semi-professional jazz scene in the Notts., Derby area. John was resident for sometime at the Corporation Hotel in Derby Cattle Market with the
'Trevor Jones Jazzmen'. With this band he frequently visited London and was subsequently asked to join 'Len Baldwins Dauphin St. Six' who had recently turned professional. Tours of Germany and Denmark soon followed leading to an offer to join the 'Mike Cotton Jazzmen'. When the 'Trad' bubble burst, Mike gradually transformed his band and moved into the field of R&B and soul, which allowed John to develop his alto and tenor playing.

A desire to return to jazz saw John accept an offer to join the world famous 'Chris Barber Band'. During his 34 years with Chris, he has travelled the world and played with a list of guest artistes that reads like a ‘Who's Who’ of jazz and blues.

Mike Cotton - Trumpet, Cornet, Harmonica

Mike, born in North London, started playing the trumpet in 1957. After working with amateur bands, in 1961 he turned professional and formed the 'Mike Cotton Jazzmen', later to become 'The Mike Cotton Sound' which led to a change of musical direction leaning towards R&B. During this time his band also accompanied many famous names in the world of ‘pop’ including Gene Pitney, Stevie Wonder and The Four Tops. In the late sixties Mike yet again changed identity and formed a soul band called ‘Satisfaction’, before returning to jazz and reforming the Mike Cotton Jazzmen. which he successfully ran until 1971. For the next two years Mike toured the USA with the leading rock band, 'The Kinks', then in April 1973 he became a regular member of the internationally famous 'Mr. Acker Bilk and the Paramount Jazzband'. He was with Acker for 18 years up until June 1991.

He has also played with many international touring musicians including:- Peanuts Hucko, Wild Bill Davison, George Masso, Kenny Davern, Yank Lawson, Dick Wellstood, Bud Freeman & Bob Barnard.

Mike made several appearances with the ‘John Benson Allstars’ between 2002-4 but is now enjoying life as a freelance musician, whilst also playing regularly with Andy Coopers ‘Euro Top 8’.

Andy Cooper - Clarinet, Vocals

Born in Elgin, Scotland and started playing clarinet at school in Oxford, before attending Art College in Cambridge. Andy turned professional in 1963 with the London City Stompers and later joined the Charlie Galbraith All Stars and the Allan Elsdon Band with whom he was proud to tour with his idol, Edmund Hall.

Andy has been an important member of the Kenny Ball Band since 1967 and is very much recognised by his vocalisation on 'I Wanna be like you' from the film Jungle Book.

Since 1996 he has also been running his own band, Euro top 8, successfully touring Europe and the UK.

Maggie Reeday

Maggie Reeday has had a long and varied career, beginning as a resident singer in a local West Country band. She has appeared in a succession of ITV shows and many Jazz Festivals throughout Europe. Maggie is a highly respected vocalist, and has sung with some of our top British jazz musicians including:- Tony Marshall, Spike Heatley, Bruce Adams, Craig Milverton and Digby Fairweather. She has also performed with American saxophonist, Scott Hamilton.

Her CD, “World on a String”, has received rave reviews - quote: Ms. Reeday has all the ingredients that a jazz singer requires - good intonation, a powerful voice with plenty in reserve if necessary. This CD is well worth the price and a copy should be in your rack alongside ‘’Billie Holliday and Ella”. (Jazz Journal International)

Maggie maintains, that the highlight of her career, was a royal command performance at the London Palladium, attended by HM the Queen Mother.

Ted Beament - Piano, Keyboards

Ted is one of the finest pianists that Britain has to offer. As well as being a great band player, Ted is equally at home performing as an innovative soloist or providing an excellent accompaniment for any vocalist. He is currently a member of the outstanding Humphrey Lyttelton Band but has also played alongside many fine soloists; Spike Robinson, Al Cohn, Don Rendell to name but a few.

Born in Basingstoke during the war years, he now lives on the outskirts of Harlow, Essex, and although he has performed world-wide, he manages to maintain his superb musicianship around Britain and on the London jazz scene.

Mike 'Magic' Henry - Trumpet (Chris Barber - 2001 to present)

Born January 1955 in Bury Lancashire, Mike played Cornet in local brass bands, before gaining recognition for his talents at the age of 9. At the age of 11 he studied at the Junior Royal College of Music in Manchester. This was followed by a Scholarship to Chetham’s School Of Music in Manchester. At 18 he gained a place at the Guildhall School Of Music in London, finishing in 1997. Further experience in freelance work eventually led to a job with the Pasadena Roof Orchestra in 1978 with whom he played for the next 12 years.

Mike has also played with the following groups over the years - Cotton Club Orchestra, Cotton Club Band (Keith Nichols), The Grahamaphones, Red Hot & Blue Orchestra, Echoes Of Ellington Orchestra, The Charleston Chasers, Harry Stutters Hot Rhythm Orchestra, Glen Miller (UK) Orchestra, Bob Hunt Ellington Orchestra, Memphis Belle Swing Orchestra, Midnite Follies Orchestra, Squadronaires Orchestra, Ray Gelato’s Giants, Blue Harlem, Sugar Ray Ford Orchestra, John Altman Orchestra, The Brasshoppers, Keith Nichols Blue Devils, Joan Viskant Quintet and Bryan Ferry on his tour of Europe with a Jazz/Roxy Music Show. The Guinness Jazz Band - 21 appearances at the Cork Jazz Festival and lots of tours to Scandinavia, Ireland, Germany & England. Acker Bilk Paramount Jazz Band - Guest Concerts in England & Ireland. Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen - Guest concerts in the UK and Europe. The Big Chris Barber Band - full time with Chris since 2001, Touring Europe and the UK.

Tony Pitt  - Guitar, Banjo

A South Londoner, having lived in Kent for most of his life, Tony has now settled north of the river in Hertfordshire. Both Tony and his brother Vic, were originally inspired by their banjo playing father and were naturally lured into the 1950's Traditional Jazz scene. Tony has been a well respected guitar and banjo player for many years and his unique guitar technique enables him to encompass many styles of jazz and blues.

He has been a member of many leading British jazz bands including the great 'Alex Welsh Band', several years with the world acclaimed 'Acker Bilk and his Paramount Jazz Band' and several shorter stints with the internationally renowned 'Kenny ball and his Jazzmen'. Apart from his guitar and banjo playing skills, Tony is also an accomplished craftsman and has made and repaired many fine stringed instruments.
 

John Fenner - Guitar/Banjo

John, originally from Felsted in Essex, became interested in playing the guitar in the 1950’s. Although conversant with many styles of music, he became influenced in jazz guitar during these early years by the family friend and father of the British traditional jazz piano, George Webb.

John spent many years during the sixties touring the world, working for P&O and playing on board some of the big cruise liners, such as the original ‘Oriana’.

In 1979, John was asked to be a regular member of Kenny Ball & his Jazzmen, but in 1984, when in Moscow - at midnight he decided that ‘that was enough’ and went home on the next plane. Nevertheless, in 1988 he returned to the fold for another stint of about 8 years.

John has lived in the ‘Southern Uplands’ since 1987 and is now a well-known musician on the Scottish jazz scene.