Wheezards

The Woodford Wheezards

The Woodford Wheezards

The Wheezards, whose motto is “we wheeze to please”, will again be led by that man of many parts (some of which belong to him) and multi-instrumentalist, Geoff Seeff.
Geoff is a tenor saxophonist and violinist who’s playing has been said to create moments of exquisite pleasure ……….during the rests.  Providing he remembers which instrument to blow and which to bow, and which end to do it to, it should not, this year, be necessary to have to call again on the St John’s Ambulance service and the Fire Brigade.
The Wheezard franchise has in the past extended to Chingford and Epping – there are advantages to name changes – and joining Geoff for his debut in the Woodford branch is an old Wheezard and one man big band Alan B (don’t ask) Phillips, on baritone and alto saxophones, flute and clarinet. Alan can usually be relied on to give it his all - which, unfortunately, is not very much after he has expended most of his energies getting all those instruments up on the stand   - but they look good and he generally makes a recovery at some point during the second set. Wheezard regular, Dave (side) Burns, the fastest valve trombonist in captivity, will complete the front line whilst John China (keyboard), Murray Salmon (bass) and Peter (the beater) Edwards (drums) will be on hand to add gravitas to the proceedings and keep the horn players from taking off into the blue.
Conscious that each of the Wheezards is PMG (pale, male and grey); Geoff has invited a variety of singers of both genders and contrasting styles to add colour and glamour at various Festival locations. Annie Dehaney-Smith has a voice that is as smooth as silk, Sue Jarvis does Latin in a way that sends shivers up your spine, Catherine Lima will tear your heartstrings on the ballads, Allan Cinnamon scats like a cool cat and Warren Berliner can be taken for Mel Torme. Who can believe it possible that such a collection of talent can be assembled in one small suburb of London – why next we will have you believing in Santa Claus!
The Wheezards and some of the singing stars will be performing at three venues during the 9 day Woodford Festival: On Saturday 3rd October between 11.00am - 2.00pm they will play at the "minstrel's gallery" in the Costa Coffee lounge at Waitrose (which celebrates the

2008 resume.
Coming to a performance of the Wheezards will be an experience that you will not forget in a hurry  - but you will get over it…..eventually and providing you keep taking the recommended medication (alcohol, and lots of it!).
The Wheezards (strapline, we wheeze to please) made their debut appearance at the Woodford Festival (last year) led by talented young international superstar (OK, incompetent local unknown oldie – but he wanted to see those words in print even if they were later corrected) Geoff Seeff, on tenor sax and violin. Seeff’s playing terrorised many a Woodford school PTA event during the eighties and nineties (20th century!) but recognition has finally come his way in recent years. The critics have acclaimed him a combination of two jazz greats, tenor saxophonist Stan Getz and violinist Stuff Smith, and his “adventurous and creative” improvisations are invariably followed by appreciative calls of “Stan Smith”….or something like that. The Wheezards rhythm section comprises every musician’s favourite accompanist (no kidding!), John China, on piano (well, an electric keyboard that does piano impressions), that man of pluck, top session bassist, Murray Salmon, and Peter (the beater) Edwards on drums. Wheezer geezers to a man!
On both the Saturday and Tuesday gigs (last year) the Wheezards were joined by instrumentalists and singing friends - or at least instrumentalists and singers who were friends up until that time. Sue Jarvis, a stunning vocal interpreter of latin jazz, Dave Burns, the fastest valve trombonist in captivity, and the Triangle’s very own bassman, Frank Roberts, are amongst the police studied guest line up. The Wheezard’s repertoire will probably disappoint adherents of Oasis, Barry Manilow, Garage, Hip Hop and Rap (if those are the right terms) – but if you, or indeed they too, like a Gershwin toon, want to take five as time goes by in an early Autumn afternoon or are looking for some easy living in the cool cool cool of the evening till round midnight (etc etc), get yourselves to there sessions this year come rain or shine (sorry).
There will not be a charge for admission at the gigs, but at both sessions audiences will be invited to make a donation. The proceeds will be given to the Woodford Festival and/or the Motor Neuron Disease Association in memory of a former Wheezard, pianist Peter Stocker, who, sadly, as a result of this debilitating affliction, last year joined that great jam session in the sky.
In a few words:...
The Woodford Wheezards return to play at this years Festival after making their debut performance at the Festival last year led by local musician Geoff Seeff on tenor sax and violin. The band will be joined by a number of guest artists and, if you like a Gershwin toon or similar, these sessions are for you.