Hot Five Jazzmakers

Hot Five Jazzmakers

Dear Friends,

Sorry to have to give you the unhappy news that Charlie Gall passed away on Saturday afternoon, October 10th.   There will be a memorial service on Sunday October 18th at the Jones Funeral Home, 11852 Trafalgar Road, Georgetown (905-877-3631)  from 12 noon to 1.00 pm.

Charlie played trumpet with the Hot Five Jazzmakers for three years until his retirement from jazz in September 1996. He will be well remembered by Canadian jazz fans as a member of the Metro Stompers and subsequently the leader of "Dr McJazz", which disbanded in 1993.

In his native Scotland, he was a founder-member, with Jim McHarg, of the famous "Clyde Valley Stompers".  In London, England he led his own fully professional touring band - "The Charlie Gall Jazzmen" - which did a series of Radio shows.

Charlie played alongside Louis Armstrong, Earl Hines and Lonnie Johnson, to name just a few of the jazz greats from the formative years of jazz. He was for many years a key figure in the development of the Canadian jazz scene.

With sadness at this loss and deepest sympathies to his wife Rita, family and many friends,

Regards,

Brian Towers

Below you will see a photo of the band as it was in the 1990's with Charlie on trumpet. The tune you are listening to is "That's My Home" which was recorded at a live concert on September 14th 1996.  (thanks Keith!)

This was the last tune that Charlie played in public before he put away his trumpet! Brian is on trombone, Colin Bray - bass; Rainer Hunck - banjo; Gary Scriven - drums and Janet Shaw - reeds has moved over to the piano chair for this tune.

It was a fitting way to end his great jazz career!

Hear these sound clips

"The Victory Walk"

Playing live at their "C'est what?"

jazz club

"Nearer My God To Thee"

From a Jazz Gospel Concert, at Harcourt Memorial United Church, Guelph.

"Amazing Grace"

The band plays discreetly with the Harcourt Church Choir.

Watch these video clips

Band

The Hot Five Jazzmakers are a versatile Canadian jazz group who play a happy mix of ragtime, blues, spirituals & classic jazz with all the fun, joy & flavour of the 1920’s/30’s – the golden era of jazz. Their bi-weekly Saturday matinee sessions in the intimate setting of “C’est what?” (67 Front St E, Toronto) have been a feature of the Canadian jazz scene for over 19 years.   They have had many appearances in New Orleans; tours of Northern Germany, festivals in France, Scotland and the USA, plus Caribbean jazz cruises. They have issued twelve CD's.

Players

Brian Towers–tbn/ldr

Plays tailgate trombone in the style of the New Orleans traditionalists. Writes a Canadian jazz column for the Mississippi Rag. Has led the Jazzmakers for many years, as well as the associated Saturday matinee jazz club. Left England in 1969, when he emigrated to Canada.

Janet Shaw–reeds

A vibrant reed player of the traditional jazz genre, Janet alternates between clarinet, alto sax and baritone sax. Married to Brian Towers with two daughters, Jan balances her family and her jazz with her day job in the pharmaceutical industry. A unique singing voice with a twenties jazz style.

Jamie Macpherson-bjo

Noted for his happy and joyful image, as well as for his banjo skills. A fine team player as well as a soloist, he was voted “All-Canada Banjo Champ” twice in the 1980’s, in his pre-jazz days. Jamie has also been a member of the Ragweed Jazz Band, another Toronto-based outfit, for many years.

Bryan Day–bass

Another of the H5JM’s high calibre vocalists and also a skilled string bass player. Bryan was a member of the Sensation Jazz Band for many years. Started out as a bluesy guitar with a “Beach Boys” styled outfit, before finding jazz and his true “calling” First choice to sing the hurtin’ songs!

Andrej Saradin-tpt

Brings youthful energy and a carefree approach to the group. Andrej is a new Canadian and came from Slovakia in 2002, where he was the oldest member of a Dixieland band. Now he finds himself the youngest member of a Canadian jazz band! Contributes fully to the band’s stage personality.

Jordan Klapman–pno

The sixth member of the “Hot Five” A virtuoso of the “Harlem stride piano style, Jordan’s pianistic dynamics and musicianship add flair and depth to the band. A bandleader in his own right, he produced an excellent CD album recently, to commemorate 100 years of Fats Waller in 2004.

Glenn Anderson-dms

The seventh member of the mathematically challenged Hot Five Jazzmakers!   Glenn is not fully regular, as he has many other group interests but he is frequently to be seen with them, especially during their gospel concerts, jazz festivals and other major events. He also appears on a couple of the band's CD's. Glenn is a true pro' and is a master of the various styles of jazz drumming.    One of his particular skills is his "New Orleans Street Beat" which is guaranteed to ge the band hopping.

will be joining the Hot Five Jazzmakers on piano for their European Jazz Festivals in July 2009. Reide played with the H5JM for several years, before he joined the late Jeff Healey's Jazz Wizards in 2002. Reide is a dedicated stride player and lover of Jelly Roll Morton. He has also recorded extensively for the Jazz Crusade label, playing alongside New Orleans players such as Gregg Stafford, Michael White, Freddy Lonzo etc. He also appears on some of the H5JM's most popular CD's and some very successful ones with Jeff Healey's Jazz Wizards.

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