Born in Pinner, Middlesex in 1934. Geoff started on guitar in 1951, switched to banjo in 1952 and took up trombone in 1953. Deputised for Graham Stewart in Ken Colyer's Band, subsequently joined Colyer full time in June 1961, was with Colyer until 1971.
He toured the USA in 1972 & 1973 with Barry Martyn's Band, joined the Georgia Jazz Band and became leader in 1975. Joined Brian White's Band in 1981, which features the tribute bands of Muggsy Spanier, Bob Crosby & Kid Ory. Has also recorded under his own name.

Goff Dubber

Born in Croydon, Surrey on 23rd September 1934, Goff learnt the clarinet whilst at school. He played in the school orchestra and the Croydon Youth Orchestra, until getting caught up in the New Orleans revival upon leaving school in 1950.
The early 50's found him playing in Graham Stewart's first band , then alongside Bill Brunskill in Bob Dawbarn's Band, before settling in with Ian Bell's Jazzmen, which had Jack Hutton (later to become editor of the "Melody Maker") on trumpet.
National Service interrupted this, but gave Goff his first taste of running a band of his own on camp. When Goff left the R.A.F. he rejoined Ian Bell, who by then had Ben Cohen on cornet, he stayed with the Band for a few years taking part in several Jazz Club broadcasts.
Goff has played in a number of bands over the years including The Temperance Seven, George Webb's Dixielanders, Ken Colyer, Mike Daniels, The Monks and many others.
Goff joined Neville in his Trio, Quartet and Rhythmakers twelve years ago and toured Canada with the Rhythmakers in 1993.

Alan Elsdon

Born 15th October 1934 in Chiswick, London.
Jazz critics and fans alike have heaped praise on Alan Elsdon ever since he first appeared on the British Scene. His approach to Jazz Trumpet playing was instantly recognisable. Deeply rooted in New Orleans, it has elements of the Swing Era, with dashes of Charlie Shavers, Roy Eldridge and Henry "Red" Allen.
Starting out on trumpet at 16 years of age, he studied under Tommy Mcquater and Freddy Staff. At 19 he joined Cy Laurie's Band, he did a compulsory stint in the Fighter Command Band, and started broadcasting extensively with Graham Stewart's Seven on leaving the Air Force. The next big step was a long innings with Terry Lightfoot. Not really happy with the excesses of the British Trad Boom, he formed his own band, which has become a bye word for high class musicianship.
Alan pursues a solo career as well as running his Band, guesting with various groups all over the country. He is a member of Neville Dickie's Rhythmakers and toured Canada with them.

Norman Emberson

Norman Emberson was born on the 11th July 1945 in Chingford, North London. His father was a violinist in a small local orchestra, but Norman never took to the violin and his first interest was on guitar; he even tried to join a pop group on rhythm guitar.
Norman's drum playing came purely by chance when a friend, who was going on a long trip to New Orleans, asked Norman to look after his drums. Norman purchased his first set of drums in 1966 from money received as gifts for his 21st birthday.
Norman's first job as a drummer was with the Ian Grant Jazzmen, this was followed with three years of gigging around London until he was offered six months in Genova, Italy with the Louisiana Shakers.
In February 1970, Mike Kashmir offered Norman a job with the Iberian Stompers, he stayed until 1975 when he joined Sammy Rimmington's Quintet.
In March 1979 he was offered the job with The Chris Barber Band where he stayed for 10 years.
Norman joined Neville's Trio, Quartet and Rhythmakers when he left Chris Barber and toured Canada with Neville in 1993 as part of The Rhythmakers.
Norman tours regularly with Lillian Boute as part of her Music Friends, and also makes regular trips to Germany.

Mike Goetz

Mike, who lives in Bern, was born in Switzerland in 1956. Mike loves Stride piano and his main inspiration comes from "Fats" Waller, Teddy Wilson, & Nat King Cole. His time is split equally between solo piano and Band work. He is a highly acclaimed sideman and has toured with international Jazz stars such as, Clark Terry, Peanuts Hucko, Warren Vaché, Doc Cheatham, Humphrey Lyttelton & Scott Hamilton. Mike is also known for his long association with the great Dutch cornet player Bert de Kort (ex Dutch Swing College Band); he toured with Bert through Eastern Asia in 1994 together with the Dixieland Pipers.
Further highlights of Mike's career were performances at the Dresden Festival in 1992 & 1996 and a tour of Germany and Switzerland with "The Young Generation of Swing", led by Peanuts Hucko and Dan Barrett. The group also included Howard Alden & Randy Sandke. Mike Goetz is the musical director of the annual Traditional Jazz Workshop in Lenk, Switzerland, featuring internationally renowned musicians such as Neville Dickie, Henri Chaix & Bert de Kort, as teachers. He also owns the small independent Jazz label "Downtown Records"

Tony Jacobs

Tony Jacobs was born in Neasden, North London in 1952. His interest in the popular music of the 20's and 30's began at school. While his friends were extolling the rock and pop music of the time, he was listening to Louis Armstrong, Bing Crosby, Benny Goodman, Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra and Bob Crosby, whose band remains his all time favourite.
Tony studied economics and sociology at the University of East Anglia and graduated with Honours. After graduating he became a Social Worker and in 1976 gained his post-graduate qualification in Social Work at Portsmouth.
Tony was keen to get into the entertainment business, at University he had directed and performed in revue and this had wetted his appetite. Tony developed his stand-up comedy and singing act by performing in the clubs in and around London. A Summer Season in Jersey in 1982 was followed by pantomime, including his never-to-be-forgotten role as a Chinese Policeman in Aladdin. He has worked with many great names in show-biz, including Bob Monkhouse, Frankie Howerd, Leslie Crowther, Lenny Henry, Roy Hudd, and Roy Castle. 
For a number of years Tony fronted the dance band at the world famous tea dances at London's Waldorf Hotel. In 1992 the internationally famous Syd Lawrence Orchestra were looking for a new featured vocalist and Syd Lawrence had no hesitation in offering Tony the position. The late great bandleader rated Tony very highly and referred to him as "A great singer with a great personality". Tony is in great demand and is currently touring with "The Sinatra Years", "Songs For Swinging Lovers" and "Let's Face The Music".
When he is not performing, Tony likes to relax with his partner Mary and their three cats at his home overlooking Fishguard Harbour. He enjoys listening to Classical and Jazz music, and watching old movies - he is a bit of a film buff. Tony also likes to indulge his passion for real ale in his local, the "Fishguard Arms". 

Dave Shepherd

The most polished Jazz clarinettist of post-war Britain, Dave Shepherd is sometimes undervalued, partly because the music of his highly successful Benny Goodman-style quintet, featuring Roger Nobes, Brian Lemon and Len Skeat, tends to separate him from the general run of local Jazz activity. 
In fact, Dave Shepherd's terms of reference are much wider and over 30 years he has played in a wide variety of Jazz settings, such as the 1950's Jazz Today unit, Freddy Randall's and Joe Daniels's bands, Norman Grantz's Jazz At The Philharmonic package for a British tour with Ella Fitzgerald and Oscar Peterson, and with his own Dixieland-style groups. He also backed Billie Holiday during her visit to England in 1954 and worked in Long Island around the same period.
Since the 1970's Dave Shepherd has toured internationally with Teddy Wilson, appeared solo at numerous festivals, and led Peter Boizot's Pizza Express All Stars since it's formation.
Dave Shepherd's immaculate style has been in constant demand for TV, radio and studio work.

Ronnie Verrell

Born in Rochester, Kent in February 1926. Ronnie had one lesson from Max Abrams and was thereafter self-taught. 
Joined Claude Giddins in 1943, also played gigs with Johnny Claes. Worked in the coal mines as a "Bevin Boy", then again worked with Claude Giddins from 1945-6. He worked with Carl Barriteau from 1947-8 then worked briefly in Germany with Leslie Holmes and the Londonaires Dance Orchestra. 
Ronnie joined Cyril Stapleton in 1949 and remained until 1951 when he joined Ted Heath, where he stayed until 1964.
Ronnie was a prolific session drummer for many years and then joined Jack Parnell's orchestra at ATV. During this time he was featured on The Muppets television show doing a drum duet with Buddy Rich. He took brief leave from ATV to work with Tom Jones in Los Angeles, and then continued with session work through the 80's & 90's.
More recently, he featured with the Syd Lawrence Orchestra and also continued to lead his own quintet and appear on the Frank Skinner show. Sadly he passed away on the 22nd February 2002, aged 76.

Martin Wheatley

Martin was born in London on 12th August 1958. In 1980 he received a B.A. (Hons) degree in music and in 1988 received an M.A. from University College in London. He is considered one of the finest instrumentalists this country has produced.
Martin has worked with all the top Jazz people in this country and with many visiting Americans including, Wild Bill Davison & Carol Leigh.
He has worked extensively abroad and actually played in 34 states of America during one visit, including Hawaii.
Martin has recorded with many fellow vintage Jazz specialists from this country, and is much in demand to record with foreign artists.
Martin plays many instruments including, guitar, steel guitar, tenor guitar, tenor banjo, plectrum banjo, 5 string banjo, ukulele, mandolin & mandola.

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