 The band was formed in 1996 and the name
relates to happy times spent exploring the French Quarter and the local sounds
of classic jazz as it is currently played in New Orleans. It also says that the
sounds and stylings of the band will lean away from what many call Dixieland,
and lean more towards a gentler sound of the dance halls and tunes of New
Orleans in the early part of the century. The repertoire will therefore
include many numbers to which audiences can dance if they wish and we hope they
will hear the quicksteps, foxtrots and - yes, even occasional waltzes in our
rhythms. Some of the old rags, struts and classic gospel and blues will not be
forgotten.
The band has been enthusiastically received in the Ottawa International Jazz
Festival and for three years at the Rhythm In The Street dances on Somerset
Street, as well as at many public and private functions.
GERRY HELKE
Clarinet & Saxophones
Well known as a band leader, arranger, pianist and bass player, Gerry has thrown
it all away to return to his first love, the clarinet and to immerse himself in
some vintage jazz for his own and everyone else's pleasure. He is known for
bringing just one reed to practice sessions so that he can
only wear one out at a time.
NEIL SEALY
Bass
Neil joined the band in 1998 after a long stint with the resident trio at
the Chateau Laurier Hotel. Before that, as one of a large musical family in
Barbados he had entertained islanders and tourists at a number of major resort
hotels. Arriving in Canada, Neil was a regular at Jazz Ottawa and he played with
Vern Isaac, the Bytown Jazz Band and the Vanguard Jazz Band. His bass is strung
for a right-hander, yet he plays it like a southpaw, but his strong rhythmic
beat comes out just the same.
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GUEST BOOK! |
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ARTHUR GRAINGE
Tenor banjo & Leader
He enjoys the many sounds and styles of vintage jazz, from New Orleans to
Chicago, New York and back again, but he is an unrepentant traditionalist from
away back and now realizes that his prime love is the sound of the New Orleans
dance halls, or what can be gleaned of them from available recordings. He's so
traditional that he refuses to tune his tenor banjo like a guitar.
JOHN HAYSOM
Cornet
John is a professional engineer working for the National Research Council on the
development and maintenance of the National
Building Code. He also plays trumpet and valve trombone. He has played with a
number of traditional and modern jazz groups in
the Ottawa area, including Jamm Sandwich, the Swampwater Jazz Band and Glebop.
With the advent of e-commerce he has taken
to scanning the web in search of additional instruments to add to his collection
of "toys".
MUSIC SAMPLES
Click here for samples of
The New Orleans Days Jazz Band
.WAV
MP3
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THE MUSIC AND SOUNDS OF
Louis Armstrong, "Kid Sheik" Cola, Ken Colyer, Capt. John Handy, Bunk
Johnson, George Lewis, Sam Morgan, "Big Eye" Louis Nelson, Joe
"King" Oliver, Edward "Kid" Ory, "Kid" Thomas
Valentine, Clarence Williams - and not forgetting that
most famous of all jazz composers - Trad.
THE DANCE TEMPOS OF
Quicksteps, Foxtrots, Struts, Waltzes, Blues and Parade Marches in the New
Orleans style.
PLAUDITS
Our 1999 CD, Just Sittin' Around, was nominated for an award by the Canadian
Collectors Congress.
The award recognizes the best traditional or classic jazz recording.
and.....
"Thanks for the enclosed CD which I got a real kick out of - particularly
'Shanty Town', which I haven't heard since I recorded it with George Lewis back
in 1964, and 'Black Cat' - shades of Colyer"...Big Bill Bissonnette
of JAZZ CRUSADE.
DAVID REILLY
Trombone & Clapper
David is one of the most dedicated of musicians, traveling from Montreal every
week to play - and that is just for practice sessions! He plays great tailgate
style, complementing the gentler sounds of the other horns on the front row and
he's a fine ensemble player. David has led the Jazz Knights in Montreal for many
years.
STEVE BARRETTE
Drums
Steve joined the band in 2001. His musical bent was coaxed along by his music
teacher at the Ottawa Technical High School and he learned his drumming
techniques by teaching himself. He joined the Royal Canadian Navy Reserve Band
and was a percussionist and tympanist in the Ottwa Youth Symphony, and with the
Ottawa Centennial Youth Band. He performed with the R.C.M.P. band for 25 years
from 1969 to 1994, touring all over the continent. He was a solo drummer
(there's a thought to make my New Orleans heart shudder) and taught students
wherever the band travelled. New Orleans Days JB recently bought a vintage
Ludwig 30 inch drum set for his use, which now effectively hides Steve from
view. Steve is also the
resident drummer with the well known Rialto Rhythm Revellers, Ottawa's 11-piece
hot jazz orchestra.
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