ABOUT THE BAND
The Uppingham Jazz and Soul Band has been in its present form since 2010, but some of our members have played together in Uppingham and at Uppingham Community College for many years longer.
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Being a community band, our goal is to create opportunities for musicians of all ages to make music. For this reason, we keep our subs very low – and because no-one gets paid for organising or leading the band, our running costs are kept to a minimum. This means that our community of villages, churches and charities can easily afford to have us play at their fund-raising or other events.
The band is based at Uppingham Community College, has about 35 members of all ages, with the turnout for gigs being around 25. If a venue can't accommodate this size of band, we can field a smaller outfit - the UJSB Combo.
We have an excellent reputation locally, and have played for numerous charity events, private functions and parties, concerts, festivals and fundraisers. If you'd like to know more, please get in touch!
THE MUSICIANS
TONY GRAY
// Bandleader
“I'm the guy who waves his arms about in front of the band largely to no effect because the band already know what they're doing and can ignore me. I also play Trumpet.”
TONY MUNNS
// Bass Guitar
" Bassist with a love of Jazz Fusion, Art, Paddleboarding and the occasional glass of Shiraz. But not all at the same time :-)"
COLIN RUSSELL
// Trombone
"I am a retired languages teacher and classical violinist...but adore the jazz trombone and the band!"
BEN SEARLE
// Trumpet
"Hi I’m Ben. I’ve played trumpet in the band for ten years."
SUE BALL
// Tenor Saxophone
" I’ve been with the band since it started; it’s great being part of a group who are equally passionate about making music. I’ve made many new friends and really enjoy playing gigs in my local area."
SUE MORRIS
// Alto Saxophone
"Hi I’m Sue, I play Alto Sax. Saxes put the Soul in the band"
DENISE CABLE
// Alto Saxophone
"The band is a great source of escapism and fun for me – I cannot think about anything else other than trying to play the right dots in the right order!”
GARY MILLS
// Baritone Saxophone
"I play baritone sax in UJSB which brings back happy memories of playing the sax in bands on the 1960's."
ANDY BIRD
// Trombone
" I joined the band 5 years ago after sitting in the audience of a gig in Uppingham Church. Loved the music so much I just had to be part of it. A great team of dedicated players/friends."
STEWART HEYDAY
// Baritone Saxophone
My name is Stewart and I play piano, sing in a choir and also play Baritone Sax in this band. Nickname , “Hot Lips” because I sit next to the 'bones and they tell me weekly I am so hot I “Sizzle”. Great band and great repertoire."
LINDA JORDAN
// Alto Saxophone
"Alto sax player in the coolest section of the band”
MALCOLM MANN
// Keyboards
"How old do I need to be before I can retire?"
HELEN PARKER -BATES
// Trumpet
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"It's so good to be back in Rutland playing the trumpet...where it all started many (many) moons ago."
TREVOR ANDERSON
// Guitars
"I wish someone had told me about this band a few years earlier. Great fun to play with."
SUSANNAH SUTTON
// Alto/Tenor Saxophone
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"A lifelong musician, I am also a baroque recorder player with a particular passion for Bach and Handel sonatas, and an opera singer."
ANNIE HALL
// Trombone
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"I have played trombone in several Big Bands over the years but UJSB is so different. The music is great & I enjoy playing with such a friendly & talented group. "
PAUL BAKER
// Tenor Saxophone
“I’ve played tenor saxophone with UJSB for many years - great band, great music and super people”
JOHN FEEHALLY
// Alto Saxophone
"I love playing bass clarinet as well as alto sax. And I still have time for Leicester Tigers, golf, and cycling round Rutland."
ROB WADDINGTON
// Percussion
Vastly experienced drummer in the 80's he's now enjoying rekindling his passion for percussion, playing congas, timbales and various percussive instruments to add that extra sprinkling of rhythm to this fine band.
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