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Annie's Saints & Sinners
Unfortunately, following a fall some time ago, Annie has been restricted to a wheelchair. Playing has become difficult being helped on and off her piano stool by Roger, her husband. Regrettably, in June this year, Annie decided to retire from the band. Her last performance was at Didsbury Jazz Club on the 29th August. She received a great send off from not only the band, but members of the audience. The band will continue to operate under the name of Saints & Sinners managed by Mike Mason trumpet and Andy Wagstaff banjo/guitar. See also this tribute to Annie from Andy Wagstaff. I went to night school to learn the basics of jazz piano so I could sit in with a jazz group at my 60th birthday celebration. Two years later after more night school and “sit ins” with a very patient band, their venue closed. Several musicians offered to play with me if I found a venue and Annie`s Saints and Sinners was formed! Our first gig was in the basement of The George in Macclesfield, now a block of apartments. As with most bands, the line up has changed and now only two members of the original band remain, myself and Ron Smith. In 1997 the Dog and Partridge in Bollington let us have a room above the bar. At first we tried playing there once a fortnight and eventually once a month. It is now a jam/practice session where the occasional listener drops in. We are able to extend our repertoire and enjoy ourselves in the process. In 2000 we started visiting primary schools and developed a programme to illustrate the origin of New Orleans jazz. We have played in many schools in Cheshire and south Manchester and it is very rewarding for us and the children. At the end of 2007 we got a regular gig at The Egerton Arms in Chelford where we play once every three months, and since 2011 we have a spot at Macclesfield Treacle Market on the last Sunday of the month
There are two slightly different bands, the Treacle Band with Mike Mason and David Griffiths and the Egerton Band with Chris Taylor and Stan Davies, both under the umbrella of Annie`s Saints and Sinners. All the musicians are talented and are involved in other bands ranging from jazz, swing to brass bands and classical music. We all play just because we love the music!
Annie Cousin Telephone 01625 610059 The full band consists of seven musicians:
The band is available for all types of functions. It made its first CD entitled "Jazz at the Dog" and more recently its second one - "Gentle Annie"
copies are available from :- Annie Cousin
Telephone 01625 610059 |
