It all began in Feb 1991 when villager John Ryde decided he was fed up of travelling all over the place to hear the cream of traditional jazz so he decided to bring the bands to Newbold Verdon. It also transpired that the Working Mens Club had a free night on the first Friday of the month.

 

The first band to appear was the Zenith Hot Stompers and the club was packed. Over the next few years many well known names appeared including  Humphrey Lyttelton, Acker Bilk, Kenny Ball, Savannah and possibly the favourite at the club Phil Mason’s  New Orleans All Stars,   in addition to bands from abroad.

 

However by July 2004 attendances had declined and John, out of the blue, decided to close the jazz club down, as he said it was no longer viable.

 

This came as quite a shock and a number of us decided to see if we could keep the club going. Between us we put in enough money to pay the first band, the Gambit Jazzmen, and we were delighted when over 150 people came. Since that day in July 2004 the present committee has stabilized the jazz club to become one of the biggest in the country and in Feb 2016 celebrated 25 years.

 

If you like Traditional and New Orleans music why not visit the now Newbold Verdon Social Club where you will meet friends of a similar ilk to listen to the best bands around.