Made with Xara Web Designer Dave Moorwood - Jazz Musician THE MUSIC The Rascals have a very distinctive sound and once heard become immediately recognisable. The band does not easily fall into any particular category, which is one of its strengths in a jazz world frequently polarised into specialisms - New Orleans, Modern, Dixieland, Bebop and so on. They provide a refreshing visit to an era of swinging, carefree jazz as exemplified by the small bands of the 1930s. You will hear a varied and unusual repertoire from the classics of Jelly Roll Morton through Duke Ellington and Fats Waller and the wonderful tunesmiths whose work makes up the Great American Songbook. The band is tuneful, swings like mad and exudes energy and enthusiasm. It is a well organised and distinctive unit. The Rascals have made six CDs (all on the PEK label), five of which are still available. “Boiled Owl and Other Delicacies”,  “Hors D’Oeuvres and Other Tasty Morsels”, ”Love Potion Number 9 and other Heady Cocktails” featuring the vocal talents of Elizabeth May, “Mama Sings the Blues” with vocalist Susan Valliant Speer and a live album, “Laughing at Life” with the Rascals augmented by Ben Cummings on trumpet and Kevin Grenfell on trombone (usually known as the Lains Barn All Stars) The Rascals Of Rhythm This site was designed by Gaston Software THE MUSICIANS The Rascals are fronted by two wonderful musicians in Mike Wills and Tony Blincowe who between them play enough reed instruments to start a shop (or possibly a museum!). They carry on the great traditions of Jimmy Noone & Joe Poston, Mezz Mezzrow & Sidney Bechet, even Wally Fawkes & Bruce Turner!  The drumless rhythm section of Dave Moorwood - acoustic guitar, Perry Lock – piano, Roger Davis – bass, “provides a backdrop … as springy as a trampoline and uncluttered as air” (Digby Fairweather). The Rascals are led by :- Dave Moorwood – who started in Skiffle groups in the early 50’s playing banjo and guitar and even mandolin and clarinet. From about 1962 he worked in blues bands, dance bands and with an organ trio as well as with a variety of jazz bands. In 1990 he formed the Big Bear Stompers, a now almost legendary “Frisco” style band which survived into 1997 often playing host to top jazzmen as guests including Ball, Bilk and Lyttelton. However in January 1996 he was asked to join the Pete Allen Jazz Band and became a pivotal member of the rhythm section for the next eight years when he finally resigned to indulge himself playing his favourite acoustic guitar, singing and arranging for his own group, the Rascals of Rhythm. Dave takes great delight in searching for gems amongst the myriad almost forgotten songs of the  20’s and 30’s, many of which you will hear at Rascals’ performances. He is also a first choice “dep” in many top bands such as those of Roger Marks, Brian White, John Petters and Phil Mason. In 2004 he unveiled a new version of the Big Bear Stompers which has been taking the club and festival scene by storm. Mike Wills – he of the vast collection of instruments – first came to prominence playing trombone in the Oxford area.  He plays fine piano too, but with the Rascals shows his mastery of the curly soprano sax as well as tenor sax and clarinet.  A player with tremendous imagination, drive and swing. Tony Blincowe – another multi-reedman  – not only plays beautiful  clarinet  but also straight soprano, alto and tenor saxes.  He is comfortable in many styles from New Orleans through Big Bands to Modern jazz and is an ideal foil for Mike Wills with whom he has worked for many years. Tony joined in 2005 on the retirement of Tony Isaacs. Perry Lock – a most underrated pianist with a fine bluesy, rolling style – one of the best band pianists around. As an original Big Bear, Perry has worked with Dave for many years. Among his many talents Perry has most successfully tamed the electronic keyboard. In the age of the vanishing piano, this skill is vital to the Rascal’s success. Roger Davis - was the bass player who followed Geoff Hull into the Pete Allen band where he met Dave.  A dynamic and propulsive player, he is the rock on which the Rascals are founded and is also a fine soloist. He too has wide experience,  playing with  bands of every style and also joined the band in 2005. The Rascals have recorded with top musicians as guests and are happy to work live with them. These include Digby Fairweather, Enrico Tomasso, Denny Ilett and Ben Cummings on trumpet; Micky Cooke, Roy Williams, Ray Wordsworth and Jim Fryer (from the USA) on trombone; and Julian Stringle, Pete Allen, John Hallam and John Barnes on clarinet and saxes. The Rascals have also worked with a number of fine vocalists: Elizabeth May and Susan Valliant Speer for some years, and Joy Parke, Trixie Field, Cate Cody and recently Susanne Sheehy as guests.