The Swampwater Jazz Band - Dixieland jazz at its best
The Swampwater Jazz
Band plays classic jazz and swing with a freshness and enthusiasm that keeps it
in constant demand even after 30 years. The band features a 'double reed' front
line with leader soprano saxophonist Robert (Bob) Godkin, backed by the clarinet
and bass clarinet of John Palmer, to produce a truly distinctive sound. Jacques
Waisvisz rounds out the front line on trombone. The rhythm section consists of
Chris Daly on drums, Larry Wilson on bass and harmonica and Andrew Clark on banjo/guitar.
The band's repertoire includes Dixieland, old popular songs, swing and dance numbers
- as well as some blues and rock.
The band has one objective: to make
people happy through music. Its motto: "Swampwater, better for you than aspirin,
red wine or broccoli". The band performs at many charitable functions, but
will happily play weddings, dances, corporate functions, barbecues - - wherever
happy music is required.
Members of the band are:
Chris Daly (drums,
band manager)
Chris Is a founding member (1976) and manager of the Swampwater Jazz Band. He played with the Grey Jazz Big Band for a couple of years before becoming a member of the Grey Jazz Combo Dance Band. Chris also played with the award winning H.M.C.S. Carleton Navy Trumpet Band and the Governor General Footguard Bugle Band. Chris fills in with several other small groups as needed.
Robert
(Bob) Godkin (soprano/tenor/alto sax, vocals, music director)
Bob has played with bands as diverse as the Governor General's Footguards, Con and the Cruisers - a rock band from the 60's, Fowler Street Ensemble - a pop group in the 70's, Old Grass Survival - a bluegrass band from the 80's and the Glebop Jazz Quintet in the 90’s. He originally joined the Swampwater Jazz Band in 1994 on clarinet. After leaving Swampwater in 1998, he returned to the group in 2001 as lead on soprano sax à la Sidney Bechet, and as musical director.
Jacques
Waisvisz (slide-trombone, vocals, sound manager, MC)
During Jacques’ earlier years in Ottawa, he played with the Capital City Jazz Band that was led by renowned Ottawa Dixieland musician, Gordon Bennett. While working for the Federal Government in Tokyo and Germany, Jacques had an opportunity to play with bands in those countries. He joined the Swampwater Jazz Band in 1988.
Andrew
Clark (banjo, guitar, bass, trombone)
Andrew first picked up the banjo (and guitar) over 40 years ago in Australia and dabbled in the long-hair, hippie coffee-house circuit. Then he left the country and the stringed instruments went into the closet for several years while he learned to play the trombone. He has played in the brass sections of many fine bands in Montreal, Vancouver and Ottawa including Take 5 Big Band (Vancouver), Royal City Musical Theatre (Vancouver), Lakeshore Concert Band (Montreal) and National Capital Concert Band (Ottawa). Since moving to Ottawa in 2005 Andrew has found an outlet for his once-rusty string playing with the Swampwater Jazz Band and now is busy bothering the neighbours on banjo, guitar and bass! He is currently the bass player for the Grey Jazz Big Band and guitar/banjo player for Swampwater.
Larry
Wilson (bass, harmonica, metronome)
Larry's musical background includes over 35 years with such Ottawa bands as Cy Smith's "4 x 3 + 1," the Grey Jazz Band, Swing Bridge and Swing Junction, playing both rhythm guitar and bass. In addition, he will play harmonica with any group that will let him. He joined the Swampwater Jazz Band in 1998.
John
Palmer (clarinet, bass clarinet, vocals)
John has played clarinet since his youth, internalizing the music of the classic jazz and swing masters through avid listening, but not actively pursuing public performance until 1996. Since 1998, John has realized a long-held dream playing with the Swampwater Jazz Band, and has had occasional great moments with Arthur Grainge, Derek Robertson, Souper Jazz, and the Glebop Trio. Since 2002, he has added the mellow darkness of the bass clarinet to his music.
For
bookings or further information, please call Chris Daly at
613-824-3629
