JON CRITCHLEY: TRUMPET

Developed an interest in jazz in the early '60s Trad Boom years, listening to Kenny Ball's Jazzmen on Brian Matthews' "Easy Beat" on the radio. He bought a "Melody Maker" trumpet and joined the school orchestra that fortunately had a nucleus of renegade jazz enthusiasts, including his then physics teacher Ian Robertson (now trombonist with The Peninsula Jazzmen) and fellow pupil and bass player Howard Worthington. His first band was the West Coast Jazz Band; then in 1968 he joined the Blue Magnolia Jass Orchestra, playing cornet with Ken Sims. In 1973 Jon joined the Panama Jazz Band. Whilst with the OPJB he has also played with Roger Brown's "Banjo-Free Zone", The Harlem Hot Stompers for 5 years, 3 years with Terry Perry's "Big Easy" Band and many others, including The Chicago Teddybears, The Wabash, The Parade Jazz Band and Chester's Wall City Jazz Band. He was a founder member of The Mike Carnie All-Stars, and played regularly with Mart Rodger Manchester Jazz, including jazz festivals at Vancouver, Dresden and Norway, and also on a Caribbean cruise.

ISABEL TONER : STRING BASS

Arguably the best-looking member of the band: Isabel Toner takes the bass space sadly left by Hugh Potter in January 2016. Isabel had piano lessons as a youngster but, attracted to the jazz scene in later life, she took to playing the double bass. Her playing debut was in Fritzel's in Bourbon Street, New Orleans, in about 1993. Now she plays in several bands, particularly in the North West, and together with Jim Pickford (banjo) and Mike Pearce (drums) formed the Deeside Dixies which has been running since 2002.

ALAN JEFFS: GUITAR

Based in Wirral, Alan started playing the guitar when he was about 12, and has played just about every type of music since then. He was professional for several years, but now he’s retired he can play the music he really likes. Despite that, he has willingly joined the OPJB! He fits in with our evolving repertoire which includes some more contemporary numbers as well as the Dixieland / Chicago style music.

JONNY SPALL: REEDS

Jonny joined the Panama on clarinet and tenor sax in 2021 after lockdown. Brought up in Cheshire, Jonny went on to study music at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He performed professionally in London, around the UK and abroad for over 15 years. Festivals included Montreux Jazz Festival and Glastonbury to name a few. He moved back up north in 2012 and is now very active on the music scene in the Northwest. He has performed / guested with many traditional northwest jazz bands, including The Old Fashioned Love Band, The Wabash Jazzmen, The Savoy Jazzmen, The Chicago Teddy Bears, Downtown Dixieland Band, Parade Jazz Band, Cafe Society & The Speakeasy Bootleg Band. His main jazz influences include Jimmie Noone, Benny Goodman & Artie Shaw.

ANDREW MacKENZIE : TROMBONE

Andrew started playing trombone at the age of 12 under the tutelage of Tom Wrigley, former principal trombone of the RLPO. After becoming interested in jazz the following year Tom, also a "jazzer" of long service, redirected the tutoring accordingly.  He joined his first band in 2000 and played regularly thereafter. By 2005 was depping with many of the local bands, before turning professional in 2013. Much to his own surprise Andrew came fifth in the 2017 British Jazz Awards trombone category. He is also an accomplished furniture restorer, a good singer and enjoys playing a healthy mix of traditional and mainstream styles. Notable influences are Tommy Dorsey, Roy Williams, Bob Brookmeyer, Campbell Burnap, Gerry Mulligan, J S Bach, Richard Wagner, Ritchie Blackmore, Deep Purple, and Queen." He joins the OPJB in 2021 and we welcome his fine trombone playing, singing and wit.

BILL BUCK: DRUMS

Like many others in the Mid 50's, his musical introduction began with playing in a skiffle group. He joined "Dale Roberts and the Jay Walkers" in 1958 and first performed at the famous Cavern Club in 1959. He played many times there, in and around the Liverpool area during the Halcion days of Mersey beat, performing alongside all of the groups that later made the sound of Merseyside so famous. In late 1961 he left Dale Roberts and the Jay Walkers to join the Remo 4. 6 months later he left as they joined the stable of Brian Epstein to turn professional, which Bill didn't want. In 1997, at the 40th anniversary of the Cavern Club, the late great Bob Wooler ('Mr Mersey sound') informed Bill that he had been on the short-list for the job vacated by drummer Pete Best. After a break from playing the drums for several years, Bill started again, playing with The Jimmy Chadburn quartet in a four year residence at The Chester Grosvenor Hotel. Later Bill played with The John Dunbavand trio, alongside Hugh Potter, also the Brian Jones small combo and other bands in the Chester and Warrington area. In 1990 Bill was approached by trumpeter Tom Jones to re-form the Wall City Jazzmen (sadly now disbanded again), along with Trish Fields on vocals, playing at the Mill Hotel Chester. As well as now enjoying playing with The Original Panama Jazz Band, Bill also plays regularly with Martin Bennett's Old Green River Jazz Band.. We include the picture of Bill in full evening dress to give the band some class.