::: Hot and Happy! ::: Papa Joe's Allstars

Ken Sims - (Trumpet/Cornet)
Arguably the hottest on his instruments in Europe, he started playing in the early 1950's on Bugle with the Boys Brigade and then, changing to Cornet with various amateur bands around the Liverpool area before moving to London and joining the Cy Laurie Band. In 1958 he hit the 'Big Time' occupying the cornet chair with Mr Acker Bilks Paramount Jazz Band, for whom he also did most of the arrangements.
He joined forces with Ian Wheeler in 1960 to form one of the most exciting and underrated bands of the time, and when Ian left to join Chris Barber he took the band to Munich. There followed three years with Terry Lightfoot before returning to
Liverpool to form and lead The Blue Magnolia Jazz Orchestra for seven years.

Jerry Card - (Bandleader/Drums)
Having been involved in the jazz scene for over 40 years, Jerry has evolved a New Orleans drumming style rarely to be found, based predominantly on that of 'Baby' Dodds but also strong influences from Zutty Singleton, Sid Catlet, Minor Hall, Paul Barbarin and Cie Frazier. "Playing for the benefit of the band" is his motto, resulting in a swinging, sympathetic sound.
Over the years, he has been a member of the bands of Keith Smith, Alex Revell and Preacher Hood's Jazz Missionaries and has shared the stage with such illustrious names as Ken Coyler, Cy Lauries, Cuff Billett and Sammy Rimington. Jerry also takes some of the vocals in the band, ranging from vaudeville songs to blues but specialising chiefly in ballads.

Sid Bailey - (Trombone and Vocals)
Sid formed his first band, The Fair City Jazzmen back in his hometown of Dublin in the sixties.
Arriving in Sussex in 1971 he assembled Bailey's Lucky Seven for a few jobs and later he joined Guy Fenton's Loveofadur band which backed Ken Colyer on his visits to the south coast.
Around this time he started to travel to Portsmouth to play with Bob Jenkins Olympia Jazz Band and continued to sit in and dep with all the local groups.
For the next six years The Stane Street Jazzmen was Sid's next regular band and following that he became a member of John Maddox' Band performing at many jazz club sessions and recording a few tracks on one of their CD's.

Ian Turner - (Clarinet)
Inspired by the George Lewis bands, Ian started out on cornet in the late 1950’s in Devon but changed to clarinet in 1966 when the Bod Bowles Jazz Band in Dover, which already boasted a two trumpet lead, needed a reed player in the New Orleans tradition. His heroes being Edmond Hall, George Lewis and Louis Cottrell for tone but Omer Simeon and Barney Bigard for sheer mastery of their (simple system) instruments.
Later bands have included Medway Delta, Seven Aces, and Gambit Jazz Bands. Highlights were his regular sessions at the 100 Club with what turned out to be Ken Colyer’s last band. He currently plays with Charles Connor’s Vintage Reeds, deps regularly with Max Collie’s Rhythm Aces on their continental trips and runs Black Cat Jazz, which tours each year in France.
Motto: - “Listen!!”

Mike Godwin - (Double Bass/Sousaphone)
Mike spent his formative years in the midst of the 'Liverpool Sound' of the 60's. This early influence encouraged him at the age of 14 to join the Rock & Roll groups of that area and he soon found himself performing regularly at the famous Cavern Club, in those days playing bass guitar.
His interest in Jazz came later after a move to Essex, where he played with various local bands until joining Terry Lightfoot for a 16 year stint, followed by 3 years with the Pete Allen Jazz Band. Mike has toured the world extensively, made numerous TV and radio appearances and accompanied many prominent jazz musicians including Billy Butterfield, Peanuts Hucko, Dick Wellstood, Bob Wilber, Jay Mchann and Milton Batiste of Olympia Brass Band fame.

Geoff Over - (Banjo/Guitar)
Geoff studied the piano from the age of 5 and played piano accordion in the family band until he took up the banjo in order to join his grammar school jazz band.
Whilst at college he played with the Crane River band and Cy Laurie before joining the Mike Daniels Delta Jazzmen in 1956.
After National Service in the RAF, Geoff re-joined Mike Daniels for a further seven years.
Later, periods were spent with the bands of Alex Revell, Steve Lane, Mole Benn, The New Dixie Syncopators and Chris Watford. Geoff was a founder member of the Ben Cohen Hot Five and Hot Seven.
After a long period with the Bob Dwyer Hot Seven Geoff became freelance and currently performs with Mike Daniels,

Back in London in 1973 he joined John Peters New Dixie Syncopators and Jazz Repertory Co. with whom he still occasionally works.
Short spells in the 80's were spent with the East Side and West End Stompers and preceded him forming his own Dixie Kings as well as freelancing and depping.
Amongst those he occasionally appeared with were, Papa Joe's Allstars, who he finally joined full time in 1999.

The band was originally formed in 1984 to deputise at an engagement in Munich, where they were received with great enthusiasm and booked immediately for a return visit.
It was evident from the outset that the entire band shared the same ideas about New Orleans music
"Hot and Happy", the style of the "Crescent City" in the 20's, 30's and 40's. Two of the original line up are still with the band today.
Their obvious enjoyment of this particular brand of jazz is transmitted to the audience and creates a delightful ambience.
The combination of a high level of musicianship, together with a sense of fun whilst retaining the authentic New Orleans feel is rare today, but has proved to be a successful formula throughout the jazz scene.
The band is a popular and frequent visitor to clubs, festivals, theatres, art centres and other venues throughout the UK as well as Holland, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and The Channel Islands.

*Although "Hot" jazz is their forté, suitable programs can be provided for weddings, private parties, corporate functions
and for concert appearances various 'tribute' packages are available including King Oliver, Louis Armstrong, Sam Morgan, Sidney Bechet and Bunk Johnson.

Reeds United, the Black Bottom Stompers and now is a regular member of Papa Joe's Allstars.
Geoff specialises in banjo features and music of the classic jazz period. He also employs guitar for music of the later 30's.

PAPA JOE'S ALLSTARS - London based "Hot" New Orleans Stylists