The Panama Café Orchestra plays the Ripley Event, Ripley, Surrey
18 July 2009
Today I was to get my performance debut.
My assistant, Paul, plays in a band called The Panama Café Orchestra.
That's Paul, on the far left, playing Trombone.
They play traditional 1920s jazz, usually as a five-piece band,
occasionally a six-piece, but today they were going to play
as a seven-piece. I was finally going to get my big break.
We arrived at the gig in time to check out the local pub. It’s always a good idea to check out the local beers but Paul recommended
Aspall’s Cyder – a Suffolk cider, brewed since 2003, in celebration of 275 years of cider-making. It’s a blended cider, not too
sweet nor dry, making it a refreshing drink for a bear about to perform on the guitar for the first time in public.
At 2.10 we settled down for our first set of the afternoon. The sun was shining and people gathered to admire the guest bear
guitarist, and I understand a couple of the band’s regular fans had also turned up to appreciate the musical experience of the
Panama Café Orchestra.
The PCO play a regular gig down in Surrey at the Cricketer’s, in Horsell, Surrey,
or, if you’d like to hear more, you can find them on YouTube. Here's our rendition
of Running Wild which we played to finish off the first set.
The band leader, Dave Lowe, did suggest I take on the singing (you might notice my reaction in the video, but Paul
came to my rescue after I fainted!) Anyway, I figured Dave could manage and he did!
Of course, my nervousness played no part in my decision. And despite what Paul would have you believe, it was NOT down to too much cider! (Probably)
The band today featured Dave Lowe on cornet, Richard White on clarinet and saxophone, my mate Paul on trombone, Dave Griffiths
on banjo, Chris Houslander on sousaphone and Mike Gibbings on drums. Well, and me on guitar, of course. We entertained
the crowd with renditions of My Blue Heaven, Louisiana, Savoy Blues, Yessir That’s My Baby, Making Whoopee and many others.
Between the second and third sets, I took the time to check out the Ripley Event. For a village fete, they really pull out
the stops (as did the accordion band!). There was an impressive collection of historic vehicles and tractors,
a dog show, a display of radio control models, with the usual charitable raffles, tombolas, pony rides, craft stalls
and, the best part – the tea tent! I had some really light coffee cake with a cup of tea (I think Paul had gone for
another cider, but I know my limits).
I chose to sit out of the third set and let the band take the stage. You wouldn’t want
them to become reliant on my talent as I’m a busy bear and I’m not often available.
Don’t worry, though, they are still a good band, even without me!
They are available for public and private gigs so, if you are looking for live music
in the 1920s jazz style, check out their website at www.panamacafe.co.uk
and give Dave a call or drop him an email.
And this...is a sousaphone!
Except for a brief shower, the sun shone almost all day. The only downside is I’m still waiting for the call
to tell me I won the car in the raffle. Maybe they lost my phone number? Oh well, maybe next year?
