The Tame Valley Stompers

Photo by Ann Lord at Eagley Jazz Club

L-R Terry Brunt, Roger Wimpenny, Peter Smith, Tony Denton, Karen Johnson, John Gordon

The Band was formed in 1999 by the late Norman Pennington, after he was asked to put a rock band together in the local pub. When he said he would prefer to put on a jazz quartet. The pub was called the Swan Hotel, so the Band was called 'The Swanee Swingers', The line-up then was Noel Broadgate, piano; Pete Smith, bass; Paul Broomhead, reeds; and Norman on drums.

Quite soon, the success of the Band meant they needed a new venue so they moved a few doors down to the 'White Horse' pub, consequently changing the band name to 'The White Horse Jazz Men'. After a few months, Noel left the Band and pianist Alan Howarth joined the band, he had at one stage backed Shirley Bassey' and had performed extensively both in the UK and abroad. Such was the quality of the Band by this time.

In January 2000 the band was approached by the Beaconsfield Conservative Club in Ashton-under-Lyne to move there, which they did, and the Beacky Jazz Club was formed: they are still there on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month, with a special guest at every session. Once again the name had to be altered and as the River Tame runs at the back of Norman's house in Ashton-under-Lyne, the 'Tame Valley Stompers' was born.

Shortly after moving to the Beaconsfield, we were fortunate to be joined by the ever popular trombone man with scarf and beret – Terry Brunt. During the time at the Red House, Noel Broadgate was able to rejoin the band.  Sadly Noel died in January 2019 and Norman on 19th June 2022, but the band lives on

The band is currently in demand at several jazz clubs in the North West, but due to logistics use several drummers depending on the area the band are playing and availability, ie Rod McNamara, Peter Silenski, Doug Timperly and Richard Lord as required

Band contact

Roger Wimpenny
roger.wimpenny@ntlworld.com