This is a picture of local jazz musicians at Manchester central station in 1964
about to depart for London and Zurich, and sent to me by Dave Berry.

Dave writes, "In 1964 the national jazz federation band contest featured three winners : two of the bands were local (Manchester) band and a third from Chester - the Glyn Evans quartet.

The main picture I'm sending features all the musicians from two of the bands; i. e., Gordon Robinson septet, and the Red River jazzmen. The musicians pictured are all named in the two bands featured in the newspaper cutting (n. b. one musician was absent from the main picture, namely Alan Dent (tpt) Red River jazzmen. The winners of the national contest were awarded the prize of an all-expenses trip to Zurich, Switzerland, to take part in a jazz . festival there. The two Manchester bands did well, the Gordon Robinson quartet coming first overall (in Zurich) and the Red River Jazzmen coming a commendable sixth. About 50 bands took part. Humphrey Lyttelton was amongst the judges".

Left-to-right:  Pete Mooney (d/bs), Dave Potts (bjo), Allan Dent (tpt), Dave Berry (dms), Mick Knowles (tbn), Roy Maguire (pno), Tony Iddon (clt/ldr).
The Red River Jazzmen photo reproduced  from the late Alice Garnett's "Jazz Times" September 1991 issue.
The photo, however, was probably taken 25 or 30 years earlier. - Joe Silmon

Jazz by Peter Day
Reprinted from The Advertiser August 13th 1964

The happiest and most exciting news ever printed in these columns. That is how I regard the wonderful success of two local groups, the Gordon Robinson Septet (mainstream), and -the Red River Jazzmen (traditional), at the National Jazz Federation Amateur Jazz Contest in London last weekend.

Despite fierce competition from the finest amateur bands in the country, these two Stockport based groups, plus the Glyn Evans Quartet (modern), from Chester, were rated as the top three, and will represent Great Britain at the International Jazz Festival at Zurich in September.

The Robinson band have achieved this honour for the second year running, with the Red River competing this year for the first time.

Although the sections of modern mainstream, and traditional jazz. were thus recognised, the judges did not make these sections deliberately, and awarded points on the standard of playing, rather than style.

Personnel involved in the Gordon Robinson Septet are: Gordon Robinson (trombone) of Bredbury Alan Hare (piano, arrangement) of Heaton Norris, Colin Knight (bass) of Hazel Grove, Brian Smith (tenor) of Heaton Chapel, Pete Staples (drums) of Offerton, Tommy Brown (baritone/alto/clarinet) of Reddish, and Doug Whaley (trumpet) of Prestwich.

The Red River Jazzmen consist of : Tony Iddon (clarinet) of Disley, Alan Dent (trumpet) of Heaton Moor, Dave Berry (drums) of Poynton ; Roy Maguire (piano.' of Alderley Edge, Mick Knowles (trombone) of Denton, Pete Mooney (bass) of Ashton-u-Lyne, and Dave Potts (banjo) of Middleton.

The Septet's winning numbers were "Satin Doll", "You and Me", and "Curin' the Blues". The Red River selection comprised "The Mooche", "Someday Sweetheart" and "Shake it and Break it"

Judges at the event were Humphrey Lyttelton, Bill Le Sage, Pat Halcox, Brian Marriott (B.B.C. Jazz Club) and two directors from the Swiss and German Jazz Federations.

Happiest of all to hear the news on Sunday night was Bamboo Club promoter John Beeley, who has encouraged both bands a good deal, especially the Gordon Robinson Septet. In fact were it not for John's interest in opening a mainstream club, and his faith in keeping alive the Wednesday night sessions for the band, there would be no Gordon Robinson Septet.

It will now be interesting to see how these two bands will fare amidst world competition at Zurich. I've a feeling that they won't let us down':