l
to r.Sylvia Smail, Scott McGill, Jim Main, Faye Deane, Dave Young
Scott McGill (lead)
With a background in brass bands, Scott also played for the 10/83 Big Band in Lanarkshire, before moving to the Borders and joining the BBB. He still plays in brass bands and also in orchestras for musical stage productions.
Started playing cornet in school brass bands, and moved to trumpet when joining the BBB six years ago. Sylvia still plays in brass bands and also in orchestras for stage productions.
Originally from Penicuik, Jim started playing cornet in the local Brass Band. He was responsible for forming and conducting Galashiels Academy Brass Band for 37 years, which gave many local pupils a start in brass music. Jim has also conducted local brass bands and has been the BBB Librarian since its inception in 1978.
Dave was the driving force behind the setting up of the BBB when he decided to round up as many local interested musicians to start playing big band music, and was Musical Director for the first ten years.
Dave's musical history is too lengthy to list in detail !! but here is a summary:
Started playing cornet in Hawick Salvation Army Band at the age of eight, and progressed to local dance bands in his teens. National Service took Dave to India where he joined the Ken Mac Band, making regular radio broadcasts, recordings and live appearances in such venues at the Royal Bombay Yacht Club. After demob, Dave turned 'pro' playing with various dance bands in the country. He also played in the Wooltown Jazz Band which won the Scottish Jazz Band & came runner-up in the British Jazz Band Championships.
In recent years he has been musical director of various local Operatic Societies and Brass bands.
He now plays in local jazz band 'Jazz Award' with other BBB musicians.
At eighty years old he has just released his first solo album entitled - '80 Years Young'
Faye joined the band four years ago after moving to work in the Borders area. Originally from Hampshire, Faye's playing was mainly orchestral based before coming to her senses and joining a big band!
l
to r. Bobby Ferguson, Gordon Melrose, Ted Wheadon, Graham Hamilton
Gordon Melrose *(lead)
Gordon started playing tenor horn at the age of 12 at Galashiels Academy and progressed to trombone one year later. Played with the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland from 1973-75. He played in various brass bands, and was Scottish Junior Solo Champion in 1973.
Joined BBB in1978, and was later the Musical Director for two years. He was a member of the Tweed Valley Jazz Band for several years and is now also playing with Edinburgh based jazz band - The Dave Keir Hot 5.
Started playing tuba and trombone in a Salvation Army band from an early age up to 21 when National Service and rebellion replaced brass banding.
Took up trombone again many years later to alleviate boredom whilst working in the Middle East and his first "official" function was to play for the Jeddah Operatic Society performing Die Fledermaus in the open air in the British Embassy grounds to the accompaniment of nearby mating feral cats!!!!
First introduced to Big Bands whilst working in the north of Scotland when he finally learned to read bass clef properly. Joined the Borders Big Band after moving down for work in 1984.
Ted also plays in Berwick based band 'Night Rhythms'.
Ted is currently BBB Secretary.
Having played with the Band as a dep. on several occasions, Neil has agreed to join the Band on a more permanent basis in the bass trombone chair.
Neil started playing at Galashiels Academy, and on moving to Edinburgh has played with many orchestras, big bands, and brass groups.
l
to r.Dan T. Ward, Steve Lilley, Mike Westwater, Al Graham, Phil Curran
Mike
Westwater * (lead Alto & clarinet)
Started playing clarinet, and later sax, whilst a student in Edinburgh. He
then played with the Climax Jazz Band & Mound City Jazz Band. Work
then took Mike to Oban, where he played for several years with the Calum
Ross Band. On moving to the Borders Mike met and played with other
local musicians and was a founder member of the BBB. He formed the Tweed
Valley Jazz Band (originally part of the BBB) and now plays with Edinburgh
based band - The Dave Keir Hot 5.
Mike regularly transcribes & arranges number for the band.
A native of Belfast, Steve began learning the clarinet by attending evening classes at the City Of Belfast School of Music at the age of 11 from 1971 and achieved grade 8 in 1977, aged 16. He also played with the Reid Memorial Silver Band in Belfast for 10 years playing all types of percussion ( incl. tuned percussion Glock, Vibes, Xylophone, Timpani ) Steve joined a military band in 1981 playing clarinet & sax until he moved to Scotland in 1989. He then joined the BBB in 1992, and is currently in charge of the purse strings as band treasurer.
Al started playing with the Lyndsay MacDonald Quintet in Glasgow. On moving to the Borders he joined the Waverley Hydro Dance Band and also formed his own quintet. During his time with the BBB al played with the Tweed Valley Jazz Band and also plays with Berwick based band Night Rhythms.
Began playing under teacher Ronnie 'Fingers' Kerr, in Peebles, then joined his first band - The Gut Bucket 7. After 6 years playing with the Royal Scots military band, including one year at Kneller Hall, Dan returned to the Borders and played with many local dance bands.
Dan has become well known locally for fixing jazz bands (among other things!) and more recently has formed his own group 'Jazz-a-Ward' which frequently features Glasgow banjoist Alastair MacDonald.
Dan has recently returned from spending several months in Australia - apparently the Four X brewery just couldn't keep up with the demand during his stay !!! We are all delighted to have Dan back with us ( a sentiment echoed by the Scottish brewery trade)
l
to r.Eric Morris Chris Achenbach, Graham Cumming, Dave Dick
Chris Achenbach (piano)
After training formally as a classical player, Chris became a professional musician for many years, working with such diverse stars as Iris Williams and Bernie Clifton (including his ostrich!)
Chris retired from the ranks of the professionals to become a music therapist, and joined the BBB in 1990
He is much in demand locally for many musical events from opera & choral groups to small jazz combos. He has written and performed a complete oratorio.
The BBB is delighted and privileged to have Chris as their Musical Director.
Eric started playing tambourine and triangle in the Salvation Army, but was turfed out for missing his cues (believe it if you like!)
Originally from Fife, he formed a small rock band which later worked in London & France. A reunion recently spawned a CD for which Eric wrote the lyrics.
Eric joined BBB in 1993.
A long time member of BBB, Dave is the 'quiet man' of the rhythm section, but always seems to have a bus load of his own supporters at gigs!
Dave has played with many jazz & swing bands in the Edinburgh & Borders areas.
Vicky Leigh
information to follow
Bob Hunter