We major on having a good time with our music and giving everyone who has come to see the show the same good time !
Red Stripe (aka Neil Drinkwater) formed the band nearly 30 years ago and has worked with some lovely people over the years.
The band plays all over the world at festivals, clubs and parties. They are asked back year after year to several jazz and blues festivals including Edinburgh, Derry, Umbria, Marlborough, Birmingham to name but a few.
Members
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Red Stripe (aka Neil Drinkwater), piano, vocals and keytarI started playing the piano when I was 13 – the only instrument I dare touch! I have been playing with the Red Stripe Band since I formed it as the Jazz Nomads in 1994. What a lovely time we have had over the years and long may it continue ! -
Helena-May Harrison, lovely vocalsHelena-May has been singing across the UK and internationally since 2008? with? acts including ?British 70’s Soul pioneers Kokomo, (?Ronnie Scott’s, Royal Festival Hall, The Half Moon) and Redtenbacher’s Funkestra (606 Jazz Club). Since moving to London in early 2016, Helena-May has been crowned London Gay Big Band Jazz Idol 2016, and has performed at this year’s Pride events in London’s Trafalgar Square and Sitges, Spain, as well as at the British Summertime Festival in Hyde Park?. Helena-May most recently performed with Incognito’s Imaani at the opening of EFG London ?Jazz Festival at 606 Club and is delighted to be the latest member of the Red Stripe family.
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John O’Neill, tenor sax & clarinetI started playing the sax at school. Taught myself. Sounds like it an’ all. I also play flute, clarinet, keyboards & percussion. In other words, multi-talentless.
I’ve been playing with the Red Stripe Band since October 2011. The gigs – Believe me they’re all funny, more recently though, there was one gig where all the walls were covered in tubas. Is it just me, but is that not funny?
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Lee Vivian ,trumpet -
Erica Clarke, Baritone sax, flute & swanee whistleI started playing when I was 15. Think I needed to escape the shackles of the classical cello and singing I was doing. Oh dear, not much of a rebellious streak! I am also the proud owner of a flute, clarinet, bass clarinet and bass guitar. Not sure I can play them yet, but my swanee whistle solos are coming on a treat. I have been playing with the band since 2007. The first gig was in France and it was warm so I am guessing it was summer. We arrived at 11am and did not play until 11pm. The Champagne started flowing at 12pm and did not stop. Memories of the gig are a touch hazy, but I do remember thinking that this was my sort of band.
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Costa, bass & choreography1. So Costa – when did you first start playing the bass? 13
2. Do you play any other instruments? Double bass and guitar
3. How long have you played with Red Stripe? 3 years
4. Can you remember some really funny gigs? All of them
5. What do you do in your spare time? Do you really want to know that?
6. Have you made any New Year’s Resolutions? No
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Ed Williams, drums & percussionI started playing the drums when I was twelve. I had been naughty in class and was told to sit next to the other naughty boys at the front. One of them already played drums and guitar and invited me to the music at break time. From playing my first beat I became completely obsessed with drums, tapping everything in sight annoying the hell out of my mum and sister!
I had violin, recorder and piano lessons for many years as a child but none of them really grabbed me. I’m now learning the pandeiro (brazilian tambourine) and hope to eventually learn the bass guitar.
I have been in the band since 2005 I think! My first gig was down in Bude for the jazz festival – in at the deep end!