Bobby Shaftoe Chris Barber 1990

Bobby Shaftoe Barber Chris 1990

In a reunion concert series to celebrate the band's 40th anniversary the Chris Barber Jazz Band plays Bobby Shaftoe, a tune they had recorded in the mid fifties for the first time. Chris had found some of the former members of the band for this set of the concert. Trumpet/cornet player Pat Halcox is still in the band, former members are Monty Sunshine clarinet, Jim Bray bass and Colin Bowden drums.
When I think of my early days of playing in the Netherlands I remember using this Barber arrangement for my own group. Then when I immigrated to Canada in 1966 and joined the Climax Jazz Band in 1971 I introduced this same arrangement there as well. I left Climax some 10 years ago, but I believe the band still plays it, and I'm sure in that same Barber arrangement.