Gigs for Good Causes – a Very Charitable Bunch
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18 THE BUGLE WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2019 Gigs for good causes – a very charitable bunch IF there is one thing that by BRIAN musical fundraising. musicians from all walks NICHOLLS Les started to learn the of life have in common – guitar about eight years be they amateur or inter- ago when he was fifty national stars – it’s that “Our stock-in-trade is three, initially taking les- they’ll always be prepared predominately charity sons from Bob Key in to support your charity fundraising events for Wolverhampton, and even fundraising effort by which we have performed taking his guitar on holi- donating their musical loads of gigs throughout day to to maintain his services for a good cause. Shropshire over the past practice. A few weeks ago whilst three years,” says Les, chomping on a burger in “mainly at care homes First gigs Bridgnorth, I bumped into throughout the county, Blackheath lad Alan but also pubs and open air Four years ago he was Morley, former drummer festivals. We are now seek- collared by the Activities with Walsall’s 1960s ing to break out into the Manager at Bradeney Decca recording artists, Black Country circuit House bemoaning the fact The Redcaps and later, of starting with our first gig that she was having a ‘dis- Kidderminster’s Chicken in the area at Mary Ste- astrous time’ trying to Shack. vens Park, Stourbridge on raise money for the resi- Saturday 14 September. dents’ comfort fund, and Singer It’s for a charity called put it to Les: “It’s about The Little Princess Trust bloody time you played Alan enthused over his who support children with that guitar to raise some latest musical venture hair loss as a consequence money!” with Bridgnorth group of cancer treatment.” I This was a spur for Les, The Bradeney Bunch. The interviewed Les at his who enrolled a few mem- group comprises six place of work, Bradeney bers of staff, and The The Bradeney Bunch: Les Jones, Paul Dunbar, Alan Morley, Carole Westwood, John Malcolm and Roger Wall mature members fronted House in Worfield, which Bradeney Bunch was by Wolverhampton-born is just outside Bridgnorth. formed. It was to be his as the sole founder mem- trio of jazz musicians, and bred Carole West- He runs the care home very first foray into live ber because co-founder opened the 2019 wood – a popular local along with his wife Jane gigging and soon his fund- member/ keyboardist and Bridgnorth Jazz Festival singer on the jazz music and a team of dedicated raising ventures were Bradeney House recep- and proved so popular circuit. care staff. yielding incomes of four tionist John Malcolm has that they were immedi- The current line-up Les is a most persona- figures with ease. The departed to be replaced ately booked to headline photo shows (top right), ble character who looks Activities Manager was by keyboardist Steve Mil- the 2020 festival. After Les Jones, Paul Dunbar, every bit your archetypal well pleased! lington, formerly of folk once sharing a stage with Alan Morley, Carole rock star, and he exudes “I know only too well band The Houghton jazz luminary Humphrey Westwood, John Malcolm enthusiasm when asked the power of music,” said Weavers (formed in 1975). Lyttelton in Wolverhamp- and Roger Wall. about his work and his Les. “Music also acts as ton he later said of her on reminiscence therapy for New boy his BBC radio programme long term memory loss. as he introduced her We had a resident with New boy Steve has album, “having a good Carole Westwood in action at Bilston’s famous jazz dementia, but he knew the toured the world as a side- voice quality, good range, venue, The Trumpet lyrics to all The Beatles’ man to international ability to take a song and songs we played and musicians. He has worked make it right, she deserves Pakistan, India and Nepal, such as The Beatles, The would sing along with the as a session musician in a place in the top rank of and would you believe Rolling Stones, Jerry Lee group, word perfect. He recording studios, written contemporary singers.” they have thriving blues Lewis and Gene Vincent. sort of came alive!” TV and film music and Carole was voted clubs over there. Upon The Redcaps cut three Pop groups have a regu- owns Frog Recording Stu- Shrewsbury Jazz Singer of returning to the UK he singles for Decca includ- lar churn of personnel and dios. the Year in 2005 and has formed Harrison Eddy ing a superb cover of The Bradeney Bunch are Vocalist Carole West- won top prize in the Bir- and then The Business Shout by the Isley Broth- no exception. Four years wood joined in June, 2018 mingham Music Awards Soul Band who once ers, a year before Lulu ago every member was a but, still continues with Jazz/Blues category. being headlined at the and The Luvvers. Bradeney House her jazz commitments Bassist and guitar col- Birmingham National Les Jones with his wife Jane. The couple run the employee, at the time of throughout the West Mid- lector Paul Dunbar is Arena. Diverse Bradeney House care home writing only Les remains lands. She, along with her originally from London’s He was a founder mem- East End where he played ber of Stourport classic The Bradeney Bunch with a number of local rock group The Barefoot are a competent functions groups during the late six- Serpents, followed by a band. Collectively, they ties/early seventies. Upon brief spell with Slick exude a most diverse moving to the West Mid- Chick and The Rhythm fusion of jazz, blues, folk, lands in the eighties he Roosters and then, with rock and popular musical played with Alan Morley, Carole Westwood, the genres. They are not flash in Texas Flood, Crawling acoustic trio, Hopstoned. or pretentious and have Kingsnakes and Fablon given generously of their Five. In recent times he Openers time to support local good was a member of Worces- causes. In their repertoire ter groups The Lazy Sun- Drummer Alan Morley there is something for days, Barrelhouse Blues served with The Redcaps everyone. Band and Big Fat Shorty. from 1962 to 1965 and Do please help them to Lead guitarist Roger then Chicken Shack break into the Black Wall was originally with whose singer Christine Country by going along to Cheltenham cult band Perfect eventually went Mary Stevens Park on One Over 237 who played on to join Fleetwood Mac, Saturday September 14. It to packed houses across and find fame as Christine starts at 12 noon and I the UK in the style of AC/ McVie. guarantee you’ll enjoy it a DC and ZZ Top. The Redcaps were lot more than trudging Roger lived and played known locally as the around Merry Hill. in Germany for a while group’s group and nota- If you manage a care performing with an acous- bly, whilst working the home or are a charity fund tic-style group who went Regan ballroom circuit, raiser, please give Louise The Redcaps in 1962. Alan Morley is third from left on to travel through Iran, frequently opened for acts a call on 01746 716686..