The Jazz Caverners

The photo is of The Jazz Caverners (Rag-time Orchestra) who took their name from the St Clements Caves where regular sessions were held during the summer months.  The band was formed to fill the vacuum left by the famous Dolphin Jazzband.

The aim of the band was to use the neglected attributes of simplicity, sincerity, maturity, and last but not least, good humour. Styles ranged form Ragtime, Classic, Revival, and Folk.

The photo was taken at the Regent Hotel in the 1960's and features from left to right

Chris Watford: Clarinet
Roy Martin: Banjo
Ted Bishop: Piano
Pete Kitcher: Trumpet
Geoff  Coates: Banjo and 12 String Guitar
Reg Lower: Percussion
Brian Towers: Tombone/Leader
Ian Scriven: Bass

Towers, Watford, Coates and Bishop were ex-Dolphins, Kitchen, Scriven and Lower came from Eastbourne's Mojo Rhythm Kings. Roy Martin was former leader of the Old Town Stompers and although in his 80’s he is still managing and playing with The Jazz Caverners and Expedient Marching Band.

The band recorded an E.P for the V.J.M label in 1966, the four tracks were,

SHOUT'M, AUNT TILLIE
FIVE FOOT TWO, EYES OF BLUE (voc. Roy Martin)
RICKETY DAN
DO SOMETHING (voc. Geoff Coates)
Roy Martin 'rediscovered' the sheet music to Rickety Dan in a second hand music shop and believe this is the only recording made of this number.

The band also featured on V.J.M’s L.P. JAZZ PANORAMA OF THE SIXTIES  with Cole Smoak Rag.
Incidentally, also featured on this Album were Colin Kingwell’s Jazz Bandits who
are still a regular feature at The 1066 Jazz Club.

Surviving members still visit on occasions.

Notable guests who appeared with the Jazz Caverners over the years were Wild Bill Davidson at the Chatsworth Hotel, and Beryl Bryden at the Bathing Pool.

Ella Fitzgerald once said of Bryden that 'she was Britain's Queen of blues'

In the 1970s, became the only British female jazz musician to be awarded the freedom of the City of New Orleans.