Based in the North Lancs/Cumbria area, the band's current line-up is a three piece rhythm section with two on the front line. We aim to provide our audiences with an insight into the many different aspects of jazz, from the classic New Orleans style of Oliver, Armstrong and Morton, through the tight arrangements of Ellington, to the swing era of Goodman, acknowledging Bix and the New Orleans Revivalists along the way, played with respect but also with a great deal of originality. But most of all, we want to entertain, and for our audiences to have fun and enjoy the music as much as we do.

Now in our seventeenth year, we continue to have two very well supported regular monthly venues, as well as a busy diary of private and public functions. The Refreshment Rooms at Carnforth Station re-opened after Covid as 'The Brief Encounter Refreshment Rooms and Bistro' and now hosts our 'Jazz Lunch' sessions on the third Friday of every month (12.30-2.30pm). These popular sessions are usually well booked in advance, so early booking is recommended. Over the years we have had a number of 'evening specials' when we have been joined by guests such as Roy Williams and Enrico Tomasso for summer evenings and strawberries out on the platform - with occasional contributions from the station announcer and some rather elderly trains!

Bare Village Club in Morecambe is the venue for our other regular monthly session (4.00-6.30pm) on the third Sunday of every month. This session is well supported and has become increasingly popular with other musicians being especially welcome to come along to sit in with the band for a number or two. We continue to support the jazz club at Carlisle on a regular basis, although sadly the Kendal Jazz Club is no longer operating, despite the great efforts of Bruce and his friends to keep it going for so many years.

The highlight of 2024 for us was an invitation to play at the Kirkcudbright Jazz Festival, which we combined with a gig at Carlisle Jazz Club on the way up on the Thursday, and then Friday and Saturday sessions at Kirkcudbright – a mini-tour! And we were fortunate enough to have Brian Richardson over from the USA to join us on trombone for these gigs. A fairly heavy shower didn’t deter some members of the band from joining the parade on the Saturday morning, and the two gigs we played were very well received. Lovely to meet up with some old friends and to make some new ones.

In keeping with the concept of variety, we sometimes perform as a quartet, or even as a trio. All members of the band contribute to the vocals, which ensures a wide range of variety and styles! Robin has introduced blues harmonica (and ukulele!) to add to his contribution on washboard and percussion.

The current regular members of the band are :
 

Peter Boswell -	cornet and trombone
Bruce Carnaffin -	clarinet, bass clarinet and vocals
David Bateman -	banjo, guitar and vocals
Paul Guppy -	Bass, tuba and vocals
Robin Andrews -	drums, washboard harmonica and vocals

Roger Hartley is our regular drummer at the Bare Village Club

-----------------------------------------

Enquiries about booking the band should be made to :

Bruce Carnaffin : 01539720172
Dave Bateman : 07484718841

For further information, why not visit our website :

https://highsocietyjazzban.wixsite.com/jazzband
or follow us on Facebook on The HS Jazz Band page.