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Last Updated:3rd August 2004
The Jon Hamilton Big Band is a West Kent based Big Band. The Band was formed early in 1988 by Jon Hamilton, leading the band on drums, and by Keith Neaves who originally played trombone but now is our guitarist. Due to ill health, Jon had to stop playing a few years ago and we were fortunate to find Brian Williamson to take his place on drums. Sadly, Jon died in December 1998.
Of the original members, Keith Neaves and Cathy Leaver are still with the band. Ronnie Collins, our male vocalist and M.C., was also an original member and, in those days, played tenor saxophone. Others who joined in the early days and still with the band include Ron Montgomery and Geoff Featherstone.
The band rehearses every Monday evening, the first rehearsal being at the Royal Oak, Wrotham Heath but after a few months the band moved to the Fleur de Lys, Leigh, and played its first public performance at 'The Fleur' on 12th. December 1988, and remained there until April 1998.
The Band was formed as a 'Rehearsal Band' to provide an opportunity for musicians, normally restricted to playing with small groups, to play Big Band music. The Band specialises in music of the 'Big Band era' including numbers made famous by Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller and, of course, our own Ted Heath.
The Band has undertaken two trips to France and has also performed at The Trinity Arts Theatre, Tunbridge Wells and the Hazlitt Theatre in Maidstone as well as the '100 Club' in Oxford Street. In 1998 the Band made a recording and subsequently was invited to appear at the Medway Jazz Festival in July of that year.
Two of the musicians associated with the Band have had success in the media. Julian Kershaw, our former pianist, arranger and Musical Director, has arranged the song 'She' which is performed by Elvis Costello in the film 'Notting Hill' , the follow up to 'Four Weddings and a Funeral'. The London Symphony Orchestra performed the music; he was also among the musicians named in the 'Credits' for the 'Merlin' mini series. Our vocalist, Carole Wilson, has too found fame on television appearing on the BBC Vanessa Show.
The Band still rehearses every Monday, our current venue being the comfortable and palatial music room of The Judd School although we were at the 'Plough' in Hildenborough during the period April 1998 to March 2000. Whilst still essentially a rehearsal band, more and more engagements are being undertaken every year due to increasing popularity.
We are currently available to accept bookings for concerts, festivals, fund raising events etc., and anyone wishing to make enquiries should email [email protected].
Monday February 2nd 2004
Judd School
8.00pm Concert
Friday March 19th 2004
Edenbridge
Social club event
Saturday April 17th 2004
Edenbridge - Eden Valley School
Sunday April 25th 2004
Royal Victoria Hall, Southborough
Concert
Sunday 11th July 2004
Rare Breeds' Farm Woodchurch
Saturday 17th July
East Sutton
Sunday August 15th 2004
The Castle Lawn, Tonbridge
3.00pm
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