Derek also appeared in Bolton alongside old friend and greatly missed, Jim Wilkes. He now plays monthly with 'The Wall City
Jazzmen' at The Mill Hotel in Chester on Mondays. The band features original founder member Tom Jones on trumpet, with Paul Blake, clarinet & tenor; Rob Handford, trombone; Bill Buck, drums and Mal Pendry, bass guitar. Alternating pianists include Brian Jones (of Big Band fame) and Don Lambert. Singer Trish Field was with the band until her throat illness sadly cut short her career. Recently, a 1962 BBC TV recording of the Band with Trish live in Rhyl has been re-mastered and transferred to DVD, and it makes nostalgic enjoyment. Vocalist Irene Martin has recently joined the Wall City and is rapidly making her mark. As an ex-teacher, Derek linked up with Wem School Big Band in the middle nineties. He compered and featured piano with them in New Orleans - where he got to play in the French Quarter and on the riverboat 'Natchez', and also in Los Angeles, where a highlight was introducing the Band to a large international audience at Disneyland.
Derek is also playing very regularly with 'The Mike Carnie Jazz All Stars'. Mike had a year away from the scene with illness, but is now back on drums with a vengeance. Appearing mainly on Sundays at The Wilbraham Arms, Alsager, Mike has Derek on piano, 'Rocking Reg' Kenworthy on bass, and Mike Hailer on clarinet & tenor. When the Band needs a six-piece, brilliant trombonists Laurie Cooper and Gordon Robinson have featured with Jon Critchley on trumpet, and together they have visited jazz hotspots such as Sale Conservative Club, the recently re-organised '45 Club for Peter Barker, Dunscar Conservative Club for Bernard Callaghan, and Hyde Cricket Club. Mike Carnie's present aim is to add a guest to his quartet on Sunday gigs at the Wilbraham Arms, and recently these have included Terry Brunt - trombone, and Billy Edwards - trumpet.
Derek is always available for Deps. Tel: 01691 655724
Mobile - 07969 067514