::: 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.

Bary Weston - (Trombone)
Barry's early experiences began in the Yorkshire area as a 15 year old playing with a band that owed much of its popularity to enthusiasm, rather than skill!! He joined Bob Barclay's Yorkshire Jazz Band in '59 before moving south to London, where he was recruited into the John Defferary Band, spending six years with them before having to endure the distress of seven long years away from music due to ill health.
An invitation to join the French band Les Haricots Rouges put Barry back on the map again and during '74 whilst touring they had the honour of recording with the great Alton Purnel.
To name the many bands Barry has performed with would require much space, but the late and much missed Ken Coyler is one he recalls with pride.

Charlie Connor - (Clarinet/Sax)
He started to play the clarinet in 1943 with local dance bands in the Bexleyheath area and soon became hooked on New Orleans jazz.
On joining the RAF in 1946 he continued playing with station bands, when he left in 1949 he joined the Original Dixielanders which was George Webb's Dixielanders reformed without George and Wally Fawkes, who were by then with Humphrey Lyttleton. When that band broke up he joined the Mike Daniels Delta Jazzmen and stayed with them until 1954.
In1958 following several years working on cruise liners he formed a quintet with the Original Dixielanders drummer Bernard Saward. When Bernards health failed in 1964 he took a pub in Suffolk for four years, followed by ten years

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.

with the Cambridge Riverside Jazzband and eighteen with The Cambridge City with whom he had the pleasure of working with Bud Freeman, George Masso, Dick Wyman and Wild Bill Davison. Since 1986 he has freelanced and joined Papa Joe's Allstars as a permanent member in 2000.

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