The Band (SUBB)

VOCALS

Want to have vocals at your event?

We have talented singers from within the band.

• James Stead (arranger, keys, vocals and MD) – you name it he can sing it.
• Patrick Peiro (front man, Frank Sinatra impersonator, trumpet and MD), let Pat croon you through the night.
• Karen Pitt (vocals and tenor sax), this powerful female voice can handle anything from Ella to Eartha Kitt to Caro Emerald.
• Jools Whitehead (trombone, vocals and MD), occasionally Jools is allowed to sing (well shout in tune), Scotty Morris (Big Bad Voodoo Daddy) vocals are his specialism.

SAXES

Our fabulous sax section can entertain you with their smooth sound and great jazz solos.

This versatile bunch will take their hands to anything involving saxes (other instruments are available, clarinet and flute)…

Normally numbering five for gigs, we can call on the talents of many outstanding players, including:

• Nick Kennedy (mostly lead alto, although will attempt to charm you with his smooth soprano sounds on occasion.
• Nick Smith (mostly lead tenor, although is on occasions relegated to the baritone department).
• Lorna Edwards (alto and flute but will turn her hands to clarinet if gently persuaded and fed gin).
• Jo Gurr (alto, tenor – swing royalty, Jo performed with the great British Swing Bands of the 20th Century. We are lucky to have her)!
• Nicola Whitmarsh (this talented, multi-purpose musician is mainly seen playing alto or tenor, but flute and clarinet are not unusual).
• Karen Pitt (our lead female vocalist AND tenor player)
• Rebecca Smith (can be often found playing baritone, and occasional alto)

TRUMPETS

SUBB are proud of their trumpet section, we can call on the talents of these splendid individuals.

• Patrick Peiro – needs no introduction
• Chris Dawe – occasional arranger and vocalist, this good looking chap can hit the stratosphere with his playing
• Stephen Bradshaw – being from the north means he does have a minor handicap, but we forgive him. Our screamer trumpet
• Andrew Priestly – every section needs a together person. Andrew is the trumpets spiritual leader
• Jonathan Payne – often referred to as the ‘quiet trumpeter’, he has studied the dark arts of Jazz improv and can amaze with his trumpet and flugel solos.
• Will Cainen – our newest member, he holds the section together with his fine accurate playing.

TROMBONES

The Big Band sound is all about teamwork, but there is no greater team than the trombone section. From the silky jazz skills of Mr Adrian Clift, to the accuracy of Mr Richard Curren, the glorious sound of Mr Julian Whitehead, the magnificence of Dr Rosie Connell and the deep rich bass tones of Mr Colin Williams, this is a section not to be trifled with…

RHYTHM

No Big Band can be considered complete without its Rhythm section, they are the driving force that keeps us all (mostly) on the straight and narrow.

As a band we are lucky to call on the skills of the following splendid players.

• James Stead (MD, Keys, arranger and vocals)
• Andy Pitt (Bass and chief in charge, he is the one you email when you get in touch).
• Natalie Dolton (Keys)
• Chris Panaretou (guitar – he also plays random folk instruments, but likes to keep this quiet. He is also renowned for taking up a great deal of space on stage)
• Alan Elliot (drummer of precision and accurate tempi)
• Jack Whitton (drummer – normally found in the West End, but we still see him on occasion)
• Chris Davies (the new boy on the block, he is in the National Youth Jazz Orchestra you know).