Sunday, September 30, 2007
Yo Ho Ho
The Xmas Dance at Nunsfield House is always popular, and more importantly, always a sell out. We have now had to make the Dance 'Ticket Only' The xmas Dance takes place on Sunday 23rd December, and you can get tickets at our next Dance on Oct 7th at Nunsfield House. See OBB web site for details.
Obituary
It is with deep sadness that the Band learned of the death of a fellow musician who had played with our Band on many occasions. Roy Buckley ,Trombonist, passed away peacefully after a long illness bravely fought. He was passionate about his music, and was a true Gentleman. Rest in Peace my friend.
The last 2 weeks
15th September 2007, A smaller version of the Band turn up to play for a surprise 70th Birthday Party at Studio One Long Eaton. The Band is cut down in size to 2 Bones 2 Horns 3 Sax's and 3 Rhythm with one Vocalist. It was cosy on the stage, even at this size Band. The Guest who thought he was going for a Chinese Meal, walked into a room decked out like an Air Raid Shelter, complete with an Air Raid Warden, Sound effects of Bombs going off and an 11 peice Swing Band. I am pleased to say that he survived.
22/09/07 From an audience of just 60, to an audience of 700 at the Victory Show in Cosby. This is a premiere gig for the Band and our third appearance at the Dance. Very pleased to be on the same Bill as Paul Harper an Ensa Entertainer, who has just had a Cameo appearance in the Film Atonement.
29/09/07 Down a very long and windy road for this gig, and to Buxton, and the Palace Hotel.
The occasion a Dinner Dance for NODA (No not Noddy) this stands for The National Operatic and Dramatic Association. This was once again an excellent showcase for the Band, although we did not start playing until about 10pm. The Derbyshire Born Actress Gwen Taylor was guest speaker and there was also a Cabaret spot by the Stowerbrige Operatic Society. It is worth mentioning that a road closed sign 4 miles from the venue, sending the Band on a 10 mile detour is never a good thing. It was worse for one musician who ended up back on the A6 as he should have been, but heading back to Derby!!!! We like to do the odd Barn Dance or 2, and on this occasion made it progressive. As always I announce that the ladies should take a step forward after the 'clap!' strangely this time it looked like a pile up on the motorway. It was soon realised that just one lady decided she was stepping backwards throwing chaos onto the Dance floor, because she said and I quote ' I have medals for dancing and have been taught this way' Ah well you can't win em all.
22/09/07 From an audience of just 60, to an audience of 700 at the Victory Show in Cosby. This is a premiere gig for the Band and our third appearance at the Dance. Very pleased to be on the same Bill as Paul Harper an Ensa Entertainer, who has just had a Cameo appearance in the Film Atonement.
29/09/07 Down a very long and windy road for this gig, and to Buxton, and the Palace Hotel.
The occasion a Dinner Dance for NODA (No not Noddy) this stands for The National Operatic and Dramatic Association. This was once again an excellent showcase for the Band, although we did not start playing until about 10pm. The Derbyshire Born Actress Gwen Taylor was guest speaker and there was also a Cabaret spot by the Stowerbrige Operatic Society. It is worth mentioning that a road closed sign 4 miles from the venue, sending the Band on a 10 mile detour is never a good thing. It was worse for one musician who ended up back on the A6 as he should have been, but heading back to Derby!!!! We like to do the odd Barn Dance or 2, and on this occasion made it progressive. As always I announce that the ladies should take a step forward after the 'clap!' strangely this time it looked like a pile up on the motorway. It was soon realised that just one lady decided she was stepping backwards throwing chaos onto the Dance floor, because she said and I quote ' I have medals for dancing and have been taught this way' Ah well you can't win em all.
The Adventures of the Ockbrook Big Band
I wish I had started this Blog 13 years ago when the Band first started. However there were no such things as Bloggs then, and I was to poor to own a PC (Although I did own a trendy Acorn Electron Hmmmm)
This is the Story of the Ockbrook Big Band, its ongoing mission to provide Music and laughter wherever they perform, to boldly play where some Bands have not played before!!!!!
The Ockbrook Big Band was formed in 1993 at The Royal Oak Ockbrook, by Geoff Ruddle. Formed mainly for a 'Beer and a Blow', no one could have imagined sitting in that back room, that one day the Band would be taking the Country by storm (Not this country, but we are very big in Serbia?)
Over 20 musicians turned up for the first get together. A multitude of Bones and Horns and a Gentleman with a Jews Harp? (he had got the wrong night).
To cut a long story ever so short, the Band was shaped to the standard 17 piece Big Band that everyone knows and loves. All the musicians were kitted out with original USA uniforms (From Belgium) and music was purchased to provide music from the 40s and swing era. Glenn Miller-Count Basie-Stan Kenton-Duke Ellington-Peter Kay............................Ok we have to do 'Is this the way to Amarillo for weddings.
Over the 13 years the Band has travelled all over the Midlands playing in Town Halls-Tents-Churches-Concert Halls and Back Gardens!
This is the diary of the Band starting with a big leap from 1993 to the 8th September 2007
This is the Story of the Ockbrook Big Band, its ongoing mission to provide Music and laughter wherever they perform, to boldly play where some Bands have not played before!!!!!
The Ockbrook Big Band was formed in 1993 at The Royal Oak Ockbrook, by Geoff Ruddle. Formed mainly for a 'Beer and a Blow', no one could have imagined sitting in that back room, that one day the Band would be taking the Country by storm (Not this country, but we are very big in Serbia?)
Over 20 musicians turned up for the first get together. A multitude of Bones and Horns and a Gentleman with a Jews Harp? (he had got the wrong night).
To cut a long story ever so short, the Band was shaped to the standard 17 piece Big Band that everyone knows and loves. All the musicians were kitted out with original USA uniforms (From Belgium) and music was purchased to provide music from the 40s and swing era. Glenn Miller-Count Basie-Stan Kenton-Duke Ellington-Peter Kay............................Ok we have to do 'Is this the way to Amarillo for weddings.
Over the 13 years the Band has travelled all over the Midlands playing in Town Halls-Tents-Churches-Concert Halls and Back Gardens!
This is the diary of the Band starting with a big leap from 1993 to the 8th September 2007
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