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John Peel OBE, 1939 - 2004
'Barrie's Musical History
Here, in Barrie's own words is his 'Musical History'
I started playing clarinet when I was eighteen after hearing Monty Sunshine of the Chris Barber Jazz Band, I soon joined a band of young jazz enthusiasts called the Morecambe Bay Jazz Six, I should imagine we where pretty awful, in no time at all Rock and Roll took a hold on the populous (including me) and the band broke up. I kept playing at home for fun. In 1980 I was asked to join two bands, believe it or not, both band leaders asked me on the same day, one was a Jazz Band, The Lune Valley Vintage Jazz Band, the other was a Street/Carnival Band, Cat Island Street Band, the choice was easy, I joined both!, I played with the Jazz Band for four years until I met Alan Duckles, a Jazz cornet player who did not have a band, I left the Lune Valley and Joined Alan’s new Band, The New Riverside Jazz Band, it was around the same time that the landlord (Steve Thorn) of Ye Old John O’ Gaunt pub in Lancaster asked me to form a band to play on Sunday lunchtimes, I formed the Sun Street Stompers, both these bands are still playing, it was also around this time I was asked to join a New Orleans Marching band from Preston, The Red Rose Brass Band, I am also a player in The Quayside Hot Stompers who play a lot of rare and unusual Classic Jazz Tunes from the early twenties. I mentioned Cat Island Street Band earlier, I played for them for many years and it developed into Folk/Cajun band called Fiddling Boots Barfield And The Boat Band, it is now just called The Boat Band, and in this band I was a Cajun Clarinet player! A rarity I think. I have also played in Ceilidh bands, Aunty Beryl And The Barn Dance Serenaders, and The Red Monkey Band, there are other bands I have played for but two stand out, Parisian Swing, a gypsy jazz outfit, and The Slick Serenaders, I still play for this band.
Some other little bits, I often go busking on my own or with a guitar player, I am also a member of a Morris Dancing team based in Lancaster, The John O’Gaunt Morris Men, I once played music for them on an old English instrument, The Pipe And Tabor, a one man band of a Three Holed Whistle and Drum
Barrie Marshall