Michael Jackson Special Tribute
Steve has recorded a special song in memory of the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson.
Click to hear All I Have To Do Is Dream.
R.I.P.
Video of the Steve Tucker All Star Jazz Band playing 'It Don't Mean a Thing if it Ain't Got That Swing'
Click the start button (bottom left) to watch this video:
Still more MP3 Soundbites from the 27 track CD box set
It Don't Mean a Thing
Fly Me to the Moon
Undecided
I Want a Little Girl
My Blue Heaven
You Took Advantage of Me
A Foggy Day in London Town
S'Wonderful
What's New
Travelling to a Sweet Jazz Melody, Adam Wilshaw, 18 May 2006 (Western Morning News, The North Devon Journal)
They played on the train, they played in the pub, and they played on the way home - being followed by a swinging jazz quintet is certainly a surreal experience. And on a gentle Friday evening in North Devon in May, the Rail Ale Jazz Trail experience was a welcome and unusual proposition.
When the diesel engine fired into life, there was a snap on the snare and we were off. The music started swinging as soon as the 18.08 Barnstaple to Exeter train pulled away from the platform. A downpour and a few rumbles of thunder marked the end of a sticky afternoon, and as the carriages rattled along, woodland and gleaming pasture peeled away.
The five members of the Steve Tucker All Star Jazz Band, who played impeccably while standing at the end of one compartment, were sweating in their cool black outfits as they filled the summer air with the tunes of a long-gone era. The drum, cymbal and double-bass provided the driving beat, the electric-guitar twanged through a tiny amplifier, the trumpet wailed through a muffler, and the clarinet drove the melody. By the time we got to Eggesford, we had heard half-a-dozen lively numbers.
It must have been strange for any casual traveller, perhaps on a trip to Exeter, to find themselves captive on this bucolic jazz train. And the demeanour of one or two commuters seemed to suggest they had heard it all before.
Clouds of mist were blowing through the trees as we stepped out onto a tiny platform. We walked up the road to the Fox and Hounds, a large country hotel which serves outstanding beer. The band, by now proven to be one of the hardest working in the land, dashed from station to bar and set up their gear. They were augmented by an electric organ, saxophone and microphone, and after a quick refresher, were dazzling the audience again with their jumping jazz and blues. The songs ranged from trad-jazz to classic show-tunes and standards such as Blue Moon and When You're Smiling.
After the final song of the pub set drifted into the ether and the almost limitless energy of the musicians was almost spent, it was time to catch the train home. The night was cool and filled with the scents of the rainy woodland as a party of revellers, many less sober than on the outward journey, made their way back to the platform. And the band played on, all the way back to Barnstaple, with no let up in vigour, quality of playing or infectious enthusiasm.
The striking difference compared to the outward journey was the train windows which, thanks to the black sky, had become mirrors rather than framed scenes of verdant countryside: it was possible to see three jazz quintets at once.
With a bit of imagination, a few ales - and a steam locomotive - it could have been 1925.
Click to enlarge photos
Devon & Cornwall Jazz Diary's critic, John Leonard (July 2005) 'On the English Riviera' CD,
"Recorded on a cold, frosty night in December 2004, this CD is pure pleasure. 'Pennies from Devon' sets the marker for what is to follow - swinging happy jazz. A good crowd at the Half Moon helps to convey the enjoyment of the occasion with the relaxed rhythm section never missing a beat, backing some excellent work from the cornet/reeds front line. The solos provide the links for the close harmony from Steve and his vocal henchmen with the choice of material being perfect to show off this well rehearsed and organised All Star band. The relentless foot tapping swing and the engaging vocals must have encouraged the audience to join in. Such is the fullness of sound that the obligatory trombone is hardly missed, this being a measure of the competence of the front line. For me the piano is outstanding. Somewhere in the background I can imagine Dave and Lois dancing to this very happy music - the twelve tracks each demanding more than just sitting and listening. Great entertainment conveyed on CD to those of us tuned in at home. The Fisherman's Cot at Bickleigh does seem to be a good place to be on the third Sunday of the month, if it's as good as this."
The North Devon Journal, Rosanna Rothery, (August 2005) 'On the English Riviera' CD,
"This is the best live recording I've heard from the All Stars. Just one listen and you'll find it hard to resist the feeling of being transported to another era - for me it's one of flappers, art deco and shiny automobiles (the film set of The Great Gatsby perhaps). And there's a party in full swing. This is essentially happy music; it's lively fun with a dash of humour. Steve's lead vocals sound contemporary and fresh over the trad jazz sounds. Popular songs like 'On a Slow Boat to China', 'Blue Moon' and 'When You're Smiling' are flawlessly played. Tim's percussion, John's guitar and Steve's double bass provide a stomping good rhythm section to back faultless solos from Dave Vaughan on reeds, Dave Soby on piano and Angus Thomson on cornet."
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Jeremy Huggett from Band of Gold (December 2004) 'My Blue Heaven' CD,
"As soon as I received this CD in the post, I put it into my CD player and sat back with eager anticipation of what I was going to hear. The result? WOW! Right from the first track you realise that this is a swinging, driving band that is guaranteed to get your feet tapping. Recorded live, this CD contains an interesting variety of music ranging from traditional and mainstream jazz, to ballads and boogie woogie, that will delight audiences of all musical tastes. The tight rhythm section of Steve Tucker on bass, John Westaway on guitar, Dave Soby on piano and Tim Bragg on drums provide a driving sound or sympathetic, laid back accompaniment depending on the type of number. They form a good basis for the front line men, Angus Thomson on cornet, and Dave Vaughan on clarinet and sax to 'do their stuff' with melodies, harmonies and solos. Add to this wonderful combination a smattering of vocals from the band's leader, Steve, and you end up with a band that is made of good musicians who complement each other well and can effectively deliver all types of jazz. The CD is well recorded and well produced with good cover design and inserts. Altogether, I recommend that you get a copy of this CD - if you like swinging, driving jazz with some laid back ballads thrown in for good measure, you'll be in heaven!"
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North Devon Journal, The View (September 2004) Rosanna Rothery, CD Review: The Steve Tucker All Star Jazz Band, My Blue Heaven.
"While young stars like Robbie Williams and Jamie Cullum bring classic jazz standards to a new generation of fans it's good to know that young jazzers like Steve Tucker are keeping trad jazz alive in North Devon. This live CD captures the fun and sheer exuberance of Steve and the All Stars in concert. Steve's singing is a good addition to the band's sound (how does he manage to do it and play double bass at the same time?) As always, this is essentially 'happy' music with energetic swinging arrangements of old favourites like 'Paper Moon', 'When You're Smiling', 'Lady is a Tramp' and 'Georgia'. Steve's double bass, Tim's percussion and John's guitar provide a strong rhythm section to back some very fine solos from Angus Thomson on cornet, Dave Soby on piano and Dave Vaughan on clarinet and sax."
Click to enlarge photos
North Devon Journal, The View (August 2001) Rosanna Rothery, CD Review: The Steve Tucker All Star Jazz Band with Derek Winters, Live at the Landmark Theatre, Ilfracombe.
"Stick this CD on the player and it's bound to make you smile. Happy, highly entertaining, energetic and emotional, this is traditional jazz at its best. Steve, from Braunton, said 'a jazz musician is a pioneeer, an explorer, even a scientist carrying out one experiment after another, taking risks with his instrument as an everyday occurrence.' Certainly the risks on the album were well worth taking. Featuring a wealth of talent it gives well worn titles an original twist."
The Western Morning News (9th July 2005)
Jazz Gig on Train an 'Act of Defiance'
"Steve Tucker thought twice about going ahead with his unusual gig on Friday evening. He thought twice because the day after savage terrorist attacks in London was a potentially sensitive time to be blasting out rousing jazz tunes on a train. But in the end the show went on and was, in its own way, an act of defiance. As the 18.06 Barnstaple to Eggesford Tarka Line music train pulled out of the station the Steve Tucker Jazz band were swinging. Passengers were treated to trad jazz - foot-tapping bluesey numbers and stirring gospel anthems. They then played at the Fox and Hounds in Eggesford and returning on the 21.36 to Barnstaple they stuck to their plan - despite the terrorist murders on the previous day. For Steve it was a tough call whether to go ahead or not, but the gig had been a success. 'It was a hard decision' he said 'but life carries on. Things carry on.'"
North Devon Journal (September 25th 2003), Andrea Foster
Thousands Pack Town to see Carnival Spectacular
"If success was judged on sheer numbers alone Barnstaple carnival was a clear winner this year. Mardi Gras was the theme. Steve Tucker and his jazz band set the pace for the parade with some rousing, toe-tapping numbers while youngsters from the Startrain Theatre Arts Group followed with gaily decorated brollies."
North Devon Journal (March 13th 2003), Alex Goodman - editor
Jazzed Up Journey
"Finally the work week from hell is over. The bottle of Russian vodka is chilling nicely in the fridge at home and the train is on time. You sink back into your seat, close your eyes - and suddenly you are jolted awake by the sound of jazz music filling the carriage. This must be a dream. After all, this is the 18.14pm from Barnstaple to Exeter on a Friday night filled with people going home for the weekend. An hour of excellent traditional jazz with 'Sweet Georgia Brown' and 'Ain't She Sweet' among the highlights. Steve said he was more than delighted with the response. A trip on a paddle steamer down to New Orleans it wasn't, but a good night out with lively music it was."
The Times (Saturday March 15th 2003), Lucy Pinney
"'Here's a number that will have you dancing in the aisles' said Angus Thomson of the Steve Tucker All Star Jazz Band, lifting his cornet to his lips. 'It's called Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue'. Around us commuters looked startled at having their homeward journey invaded. We were on the first music train to run this year on the Tarka Line in North Devon. Over the next couple of months bands will be climbing on board at different stations, riding with travellers to a nearby pub, and then serenading them home again." Trips organised by the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership
Video of the Steve Tucker All Star Jazz Band playing 'It Don't Mean a Thing if it Ain't Got That Swing'
