WITH CAROLINE IRWIN
The band was formed in 2003. They are a trio of two guitars & double
bass, playing the music of Django Reinhardt and the Hot Club of France.
They play many of Django's original compositions such as Nuages, Minor Swing,
Troublant Bolero etc., and also have a large repertoire of jazz standards, many
of which Roly can sing. They also play several gypsy waltzes and tunes and
when called upon can provide more variety by including banjo and ukulele.
Keith Stephen (solo guitar)
the band's leader, has been playing tenor banjo and guitar at a professional
level for many years as an established player.
He is in great demand as a banjoist as well as a guitar player and has worked
with numerous different bands mainly on the traditional jazz scene. Has
accompanied many touring musicians from UK and abroad including Keith Nichols,
Jeff Barnhardt, Jim Fryer, Campbell Burnap, Marilyn Middleton Pollock, John
Crocker etc.
Keith is currently a member of the River City Jazzmen and the New Century
Ragtime Orchestra and other freelance work.
Roly Veitch (rhythm guitar, vocals) is a mainstream swing style pro guitarist/vocalist and has his own band Jazz Express that play every Thursday at his Blaydon Jazz Club. His band have provided backing for many top visiting jazz players such as Roy Williams, Janusz Carmello, Alan Barnes, Bruce Adams, Tommy Whittle etc. Roly is a devotee of Jim Hall/Barry Galbraith style guitar but has embraced the gypsy style as rhythm guitarist.
Bruce Rollo (double bass) has been slapping the bass since he was a teenager and has got extremely good at it! He started out with his brother Scott playing rockabilly as the Rollo Brothers before starting to play with Keith in many different jazz bands. Bruce also plays with The Wildcats of Kilkenny - a fast and furious Irish music outfit from Teeside. He has a strong, extrovert sense of time, is an asset to any swing style unit and his bass style uniquely underpins any ensemble he plays in.
Please note that Roy Percy will deputise for Bruce Rollo at the festival
Caroline Irwin
Caroline is a lovely young singer
who performs with the band to great acclaim.
Her Geordie banter and enthusiasm
add an extra dimension to the trio, broadening the scope of their
repertoire. Fairly new to jazz, Caroline sings with "knowing
naivety", particularly apparent during live shows.
She can indeed sing, but also plays the ukelele and cornet! A talented lady no less!
APPEARING: Saturday afternoon (Fairfield House Hotel).
Keith Stephen and Caroline join forces for Jazz Dining at The Glenpark on Sunday (lunch).