DixieMix Jazz Band
A pre-pubescent Simon
Found this picture in Dad's loft. Sweet isn't it? Those are not real dimples, just a by-product of a developing trumpet embrochure.
DixieMix on Facebook
We have started a Facebook page, so if you want to be a friend of the Band or if you have something to share, check it out. http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001559890099&v=wall&ref=search#!/profile.php?id=100001559890099&v=info&ref=search
We have started a Facebook page, so if you want to be a friend of the Band or if you have something to share, check it out. http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001559890099&v=wall&ref=search#!/profile.php?id=100001559890099&v=info&ref=search
Possible New Year's Eve DixieMix Party
Summer is flying by and the band is looking for some warm, cosy Autumn and Winter gigs. You will see from the list we already have a concert arranged for November 10 at Lakeside and there are other enquiries yet to be finally confirmed. However, we are pushing around the idea of getting a room, with a bar, dance floor and in-house catering for a DixieMix Party Night to welcome in the new year. To get beyond the discussion stage, we have to find a hall, hotel or pub room and we need to guage the possible uptake from you, the DixieMixers who have made our summer so successful. If enough people are interested the aim is to charge around £15 per person to include music, a seasonal buffet and maybe even a paper hat.
New Year's Eve is the best party night of the year. There will be dozens of awful disco events but we cannot ever remember a Dixieland knees-up. If you are a possible supporter, please use the Contact the Band page on this web site and let us know how many people would be at your party table. You might even know a friendly publican or village hall secretary who would host the event? Nothing is binding, we are just testing the water.
Thinly disguised DixieMix star?
Spotted by Papa Ratsy, our staff photographer, this poorly disguised cornet player looks suspiciously like the DixieMix front-man, Simon Nelson. If it was him, playing a leading role on the recent Norfolk Broads Water Rats Jazz Band tour, he is in serious breach of contract. Under the terms of his contract with DixieMix plc (still with 46 years to run) they have sole rights to his creative output. According to a spokeswoman, the contract is so far reaching it probably extends way beyond music and even into the realms of sperm donation. Though when pressed further she said "it is doubtful if anyone would want to undertake any fertilisation from a donor who is prepared to work simultaneously with TWO banjo players".
Tony Wilkins, the Abu Hamza of the drumming world
Welcome back Tony Wilkins. As you may know, Tony suffered a hand injury which has kept him away from the drum kit for several weeks. We want to thank Tim Marriot for filling in while Tony was away. Here is a picture of the reconstructed hand, a miracle of Far-Eastern metal work. The beard is all Tony's own work.
While recuperating after surgery, Mr Wilkins has learned the lyrics for several new songs and is anxious to get them into the set list. He has also writen an original song based on his hospital experiences which is called "Nothing by Mouth" and is an optimistic but sad song of unrequited love, far too rude to be performed in public (the song, that is).
Welcome back Tony Wilkins. As you may know, Tony suffered a hand injury which has kept him away from the drum kit for several weeks. We want to thank Tim Marriot for filling in while Tony was away. Here is a picture of the reconstructed hand, a miracle of Far-Eastern metal work. The beard is all Tony's own work.
While recuperating after surgery, Mr Wilkins has learned the lyrics for several new songs and is anxious to get them into the set list. He has also writen an original song based on his hospital experiences which is called "Nothing by Mouth" and is an optimistic but sad song of unrequited love, far too rude to be performed in public (the song, that is).
Bye bye Bill, hello Pete
It has been a couple of months since dear Bill Skinner left the UK to live in Australia. Elswhere on the site are some pictures of his leaving jam session at Lakeside, Lyng. Bill had a great send-off and wants to thank everyone who turned up to listen, to play and to contribute to such a happy occasion.
Since then the Job Centre has sent along a young clarinettist and saxophone player by the name of Peter Oxborough. He has succesfully auditioned and is easing into the DixieMix reeds chair as fast as his existing engagement book will allow.
Summertime, and the livin' is easy
Wow, we are having a great summer. Just lately nearly every festival, garden party, boat trip and picnic we have played for has been blessed with warm sunny weather. Long may it continue. At Wymondham Festival we played to an audience of over 1500 people on a perfect evening in beautiful surroundings. We are booked to do it again next year, so mark your diaries.
Does that make you long for some alfresco Dixieland and dining?
Well look no further than West Acre Summer Theatre! Dixiemix will be enhancing their summer picnic on August 1st. It is a beautiful setting and as you know by now, the entertainment will be a first class performance from East Anglia's best looking jazz outfit!
And if you want more outdoor listening, we will be at Oxburgh Hall, Banningham Crown, Lilac Farm, and the King's Arms, Reepham. Check out the gig list page for all the details
Summertime jazz for me (Simon) has always been associated with the Water Rats Jazz Band. I consider it an honour to be a Rat and will be trying to get some pints and some playing alongside the best bunch of musical eccentrics and ****heads anywhere in the world of traditional jazz. See http://www.water-rats.co.uk for the 2010 tour details.
Does that make you long for some alfresco Dixieland and dining?
Well look no further than West Acre Summer Theatre! Dixiemix will be enhancing their summer picnic on August 1st. It is a beautiful setting and as you know by now, the entertainment will be a first class performance from East Anglia's best looking jazz outfit!
And if you want more outdoor listening, we will be at Oxburgh Hall, Banningham Crown, Lilac Farm, and the King's Arms, Reepham. Check out the gig list page for all the details
Summertime jazz for me (Simon) has always been associated with the Water Rats Jazz Band. I consider it an honour to be a Rat and will be trying to get some pints and some playing alongside the best bunch of musical eccentrics and ****heads anywhere in the world of traditional jazz. See http://www.water-rats.co.uk for the 2010 tour details.
Happy Birthday DixieMix (from Dereham Times, March 2010)
DixieMix, the Dereham-based Dixieland jazz band is just about to celebrate their first birthday. Lead by cornetist, Simon Nelson of Toftwood, the band has been in existence "unofficially" for several years. It was first formed to help Dereham Jazz Society broaden its music policy to include all eras of jazz from the beginnings in New Orleans, right up to the present day. It is not that there is a lack of traditional style bands, but, in Simon's words "many of those that were available had grown rather old and tired". So, one year ago DixieMix was set on a permanent footing with a mission to dispel any dreariness and offer a vibrant band with fun and entertainment as their watch words. So have they succeeded?
In answer to that, Simon points to the band's extensive gig list for the coming year. Most are bookings to play for non-jazz audiences. Many are repeat engagements where the promoter has been only too pleased to rebook Dixiemix, following a positive audience response to their happy brand of good-time music. Locally, Dixiemix are playing for Watton Rotary Charities on 12 March at Queen's Hall, Watton and will be involved with the Dereham, Norwich and Wymondham Festivals. If you want to catch their birthday party gig, it is taking place at the Lyng Country Club on Wednesday 10 March, promoted by Dereham Jazz Society
DixieMix, the Dereham-based Dixieland jazz band is just about to celebrate their first birthday. Lead by cornetist, Simon Nelson of Toftwood, the band has been in existence "unofficially" for several years. It was first formed to help Dereham Jazz Society broaden its music policy to include all eras of jazz from the beginnings in New Orleans, right up to the present day. It is not that there is a lack of traditional style bands, but, in Simon's words "many of those that were available had grown rather old and tired". So, one year ago DixieMix was set on a permanent footing with a mission to dispel any dreariness and offer a vibrant band with fun and entertainment as their watch words. So have they succeeded?
In answer to that, Simon points to the band's extensive gig list for the coming year. Most are bookings to play for non-jazz audiences. Many are repeat engagements where the promoter has been only too pleased to rebook Dixiemix, following a positive audience response to their happy brand of good-time music. Locally, Dixiemix are playing for Watton Rotary Charities on 12 March at Queen's Hall, Watton and will be involved with the Dereham, Norwich and Wymondham Festivals. If you want to catch their birthday party gig, it is taking place at the Lyng Country Club on Wednesday 10 March, promoted by Dereham Jazz Society