The New City Jazzmen, Band Members

Chris Jaques - clarinet
Started playing the clarinet in his teens after hearing Humphrey Lyttleton and formed The Roaring Twenties Jazzband, in the Kingswood area, in the late 1950s. Joined the New City Jazzmen in 1963. Now aged 64 Chris is the 7th generation to head the family sports and games firm of John Jaques & Son. His two sons and a daughter are now in the business. He lives at Forest Row.

Mike Godfrey - piano

Hails originally from Kettering but after obtaining a degree in electronic engineering he took a job in Crawley in 1956 ãin order to get a houseä. Subsequently achieved higher qualifications and while lecturing at Brighton Polytechnic attained the status of Professor. Became hooked on small band jazz in the 1940s playing trumpet more than piano. A founder member of the New City Jazzmen in 1957. Aged 78 he lives in Crawley.

Barry Lewis - drums
Became interested in jazz at the age of eleven when he heard the Chris Barber band, obtained a 'practice kit' and played along to Barber records. Moved from South London to Brighton in 1958 and bought his first proper set of drums (for £50) when he was sixteen. Formed his own band in Brighton (which included the late Ted Ambrose on trumpet) during the 1960s before joining the New City Jazzmen in 1976. Now aged 60 he is an engineer and lives in Horsham.

Ron Westcott - trombone

Became interested in jazz in the 1950s when living in Croydon but didnât take up the trombone until the firm in which he worked, KDG Instruments (with his father and younger brother) moved to Crawley in 1957. Ron became a founder member of the New City Jazzmen in the same year. Now aged 72 he is retired and lives in Southwater.

'GODFREY (Sluff) HAZELL (Banjo/saxes)
Born in Slough, Bucks, moved to Brighton as a student and decided to stay. Became interested in jazz and banjo playing and met Mike Godfrey while attending the Polytechnic. Joined the New City Jazzmen in 1964 but after qualifying as a teacher spent time in Libya and Sunderland and then became the first banjo player and saxophonist they'd ever seen in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea! Rejoined the New City Jazzmen in 2001. Now aged 63 he settled in Lewes 23 years ago and opened a workshop and shop where he makes and sells pine furniture.'

Alan Kennington - bass

Born in Morden he moved to Crawley while still at school. At sixteen he became hooked on jazz and determined to play an instrument. Attended the first public session by the New City Jazzmen in the old bakery under the El Salvador coffee bar in 1957 and was finally persuaded to take up bass. Has never looked back. Flirted briefly with turning professional in the 1960s. Aged 63, he is now retired and lives in Brighton.

Bernard Hodgson - trumpet
Weaned on his elder brothersâ Nat Gonella records from an early age and took up the trumpet in his teens. Formed the Southorleans Jazzband (in Southall, Middlesex) in 1949 and, after moving to Crawley in 1956, became a founder member of the New City Jazzmen in 1957. Followed a career in the construction industry and retired in 1990. Now aged 76 and lives in Crawley.

Penny Payne - Singer

Moved to Crawley from London in 1951 but didn't become interested in jazz until 1991. She read an advertisement in a local paper from someone who was 'forming a jazz band just for fun, no experience necessary and age not important' so, at the age of 41, she went along. The band only lasted a short while but the experience gave Penny the confidence to carry on and she has never looked back. Since 1975 she has lived in Nutley on the edge of Ashdown Forest.

Some 150 musicians and vocalists are publicly acknowledged for their help and support in playing with the band over the years.

	Index Story The Band Book Venues Contact Shopping Cart
	Going to Town CD Cuff & Sammy CD To Be Collected CD I Like Bananas