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The Band
The Heart of England Jazz Band comprises six experienced musicians playing traditional and dixieland jazz, most of whom are vocalists as well as instrumentalists. All have played for many years in the Midlands’ foremost bands.
The Band has played at most of the major jazz clubs in the UK and at numerous jazz festivals, both at home and abroad, where its entertaining and accomplished repertoire brings pleasure to varied audiences everywhere.
The musicians have performed many times in Europe, and have made repeated visits to The Canaries, the nineteenth time being in March 2007, and have toured St Louis and New Orleans in the USA.
Guests the Band has accompanied include some of the great names of British traditional jazz: Kenny Ball, Alan Elsdon, Andy Cooper, Digby Fairweather, Monty Sunshine, Pat Halcox, Pete Allen, Roy Williams, John Crocker, Terry Lightfoot; and four late ‘greats’: Bruce Turner, Duncan Swift, Kenny Baker and Tommy Burton.
The Band has also shared the stand with visitors from the USA, including Jim Beatty and Jim Fryer, as well as such household names as The Kenny Ball Jazz Band and Acker Bilk’s Paramount Jazz Band. The Band appears regularly at most of the country’s best-known venues, and is available for weddings, anniversaries, barbecues, promotional and corporate events; in fact, any event which requires live music to suit the occasion.
The musicians have made several recordings over the years, and the Band’s latest CD, Bye Bye Blackbird, was released in October 2005.
A regular News of Hearts newsletter is published, giving information about the Band and its forthcoming engagements.
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The Musicians
Pete Ainge ~ Trumpet Pete’s musical career began when he enlisted into the airforce at the age of sixteen. He joined the trumpet band at RAF Cosford to escape more strenuous duties and taught himself to play valve trumpet a couple of years later. Pete's driving and exciting style contributes so much to the overall sound. Hobbies include aviation and model aircraft, electronics and computing.
Dave Smith ~ Banjo Starting in the late fifties playing skiffle, Dave was drawn to the banjo in the Ball, Barber and Bilk trad revival era, contributing to the swinging sound of the Band with his accurate and reliable chordwork. Now retired from his computer graphics business, which produced artwork for cassette and CD covers for many of the top UK jazz bands. His hobbies include cycling and lager tasting!
Nick Millward ~ Drums Undoubtedly encouraged by his dad, the late, legendary, Clive Millward, Nick had his first set of drums when he was five. Clive was the first and only drummer with The Heart of England Jazz Band, and it is fitting that his son, despite commitments to other bands, fulfils as many engagements with ‘The Hearts’ as he can. Nick has been a professional musician all of his working life, playing with The Pete Allen Jazz Band, Terry Lightfoot’s Jazz Band and, since 1999, The Kenny Ball Band. In his spare time, Nick enjoys keeping fit and has completed the London Marathon in a respectable time.
Selwyn Newton ~ Clarinet Listening to Selwyn, you will hear shades of all the great American and British traditional and swing clarinetists. Selwyn is one of the founder members of the Band, and attended the same college as Andy Cooper of the Kenny Ball jazz band. Hobbies include eating Chinese food and listening to classical music.
Roger Heath ~ Bass The second member of the rhythm section to have his roots in skiffle, Roger soon moved over to the jazz scene. A much sought after bass player in all styles of music, Roger was a Jazz Awards winner in 1994. Roger is also a founder member of the band. Now retired from a major motor manufacturer, when he is not playing he is involved in local charity work and is a keen fisherman.
Kevin Grenfell ~ Trombone The latest, and youngest member of the Band, Kevin began playing cornet, aged six, adopting the trombone at eleven. Principal trombonist with the Cornish Youth Brass Band, at 18 joined Queen’s Own Hussars, studying music at Kneller Hall. 1990, left the army to become a freelance musician and teacher. Influenced by Don Lusher, ‘Tricky Sam’ Nanton, Tommy Dorsey and Roy Williams. An MG enthusiast.
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