‘We all play for fun and we enjoy the music’
Gig
The trio that is Jelly Roll Jazz Band is a fluid outfit – a bit like the music itself.
The line-up changes with whoever is available and there are 10 musicians who step in when required.
Today it is Michael Grant, clarinet and spoons, James ‘Hummus’ Ure, sousaphone, and Alastair James, guitar.
“We play mainly because it is fun and we enjoy the music,” said Michael who grew up in Scarborough and went to Northstead School and Scarborough Sixth Form.
The band is named after Ferdinand Joseph LaMothe, better known as Jelly Roll Morton. It plays trad and Dixieland – standards and give a twist to modern songs including My Heart Will Go on, the Celine Dion hit from Titanic.
Under the Sea from the Little Mermaid and Catina Band from Star Wars are also on the play list alongside trad numbers like Sweet Sue.
Michael went to Northstead and Graham schools and Scarborough Sixth Form College. He is a chemistry graduate from Durham University.
“Now I’m a musician,” said Michael who also plays for musical theatre and is about to move to London to pursue his career. He started playing music at school. One of clarinets is metal and picked up for £50 in a second hand shop.
James’ sousaphone – which he describes as jazz bling worn round the neck – was £450 from a brass instrument seller in Bridlington.
“Both my grandparents were trombonists in jazz bands so I was encouraged to pick up a brass instrument early on,” said James.
He was born in Hong Kong, brought up in Germany, moved to Scarborough and now lives in Huddersfield where he studying music at the university.
Alastair, brother of Robert Schmuck who is leading a Billy Joel tribute night at the YMCA on Saturday, is a regular on the Scarborough music scene.
He plays at the Merchant every Wednesday as well as gigs at the Blue Crush and the Watermark.
He went to Lindhead, Scalby and Raincliffe schools and has been playing in bands since he was 14 – and a full time musician since the age of 17.
He plays a guitar he made himself while taking lessons in Spain.
“It took me 150 hours to make,” said James.
“For my solo gigs I play blues, jazz, reggae and soul and write and perform my own songs,” said Alaistar.
Jelly Roll play the Monday Menu with Music at Farrers’, Scarborough Spa, on the first Monday on every month. Their next gig is Monday April 3. Food is served fro 6.30pm and the music starts at 7pm.
They can also be seen busking in Scarborough town centre.