DixieMix Jazz Band
Simon Nelson
Simon took up playing the cornet aged six, playing alongside his older brother in a local brass band.
At the tender age of 12 he began his journey into the world of jazz, starting tuition with a modern / mainstream youth band "Jazza". After much success with "Jazza", including a category win for junior jazz bands in the Daily Telegraph National Music for Youth Competition and performing at the Royal Albert Hall, Simon was introduced to the cornet playing genius – Mr Gerry Salisbury. During lessons with Gerry, Simon learned to love Bix and Clifford Brown in equal amounts and his ears were opened to traditional jazz. The rest, as they say, is history!
Having been a regular member of the Water Rats Jazz Band for sixteen years, Simon was taught the importance of establishing a strong traditional lead, to solo effectively and not to spill his beer on stage. Comunicating with audiences via the cornet and with his own dry sense of humour he quickly became a sought after front-man for many bands.
An eight-year stint with function bands around the East of England saw Simon ease off the jazz scene for a while, but in February 2009 he decided to make DixieMix into Norfolk's 'hottest' jazz outfit. Audiences don't lie when they say that Dixiemix is setting a new bench-mark for traditional jazz and entertainment in East Anglia.
At the tender age of 12 he began his journey into the world of jazz, starting tuition with a modern / mainstream youth band "Jazza". After much success with "Jazza", including a category win for junior jazz bands in the Daily Telegraph National Music for Youth Competition and performing at the Royal Albert Hall, Simon was introduced to the cornet playing genius – Mr Gerry Salisbury. During lessons with Gerry, Simon learned to love Bix and Clifford Brown in equal amounts and his ears were opened to traditional jazz. The rest, as they say, is history!
Having been a regular member of the Water Rats Jazz Band for sixteen years, Simon was taught the importance of establishing a strong traditional lead, to solo effectively and not to spill his beer on stage. Comunicating with audiences via the cornet and with his own dry sense of humour he quickly became a sought after front-man for many bands.
An eight-year stint with function bands around the East of England saw Simon ease off the jazz scene for a while, but in February 2009 he decided to make DixieMix into Norfolk's 'hottest' jazz outfit. Audiences don't lie when they say that Dixiemix is setting a new bench-mark for traditional jazz and entertainment in East Anglia.
Peter Oxborough
We are very pleased to have as our newest recruit one of the most sought-after clarinet and saxophone players for miles around. We don't know why they are searching for him, but he will be safe with us. Clarinet, alto and tenor sax are Pete's instruments. I don't think he has one of the little bendy Skinnerphones that the previous incumbent (now known as "Aussie Bill" used to play). If you have followed the local jazz scene for any time in the last 40 years – maybe more – you will have heard Mr Oxborough. He is almost synonymous with the development of our favourite music in God's own county. Physically slim and trim – Gerry Salisbury's estimate of his weight was 7 stones dripping wet – Pete blows up a storm that would do credit to a giant. For me (Simon) it is a rare priviledge to stand beside Pete. When I was in short trousers, begging to be allowed to sit in I was always in awe of the "real jazzmen" including Mr Oxborough.
Kevin West
Kevin took up the guitar because it is easier than the cornet!
The Brian May of the jazz world was asked to join DixieMix to keep the youthful feel to the band going. With the Freedom of Information Act, his real age has since surfaced, so he is now in the band purely based on his ability, his bail conditions and because DixieMix is an equal opportunities employer needing someone who owns a banjo. On the recommendation of his doctor, Kevin mixes his love affair with the banjo with some driving four-in-the-bar guitar playing.
Kevin is another musician who has the ability to "do it all" style-wise and has performed in rock bands, function bands etc etc but is still waiting for his call up to the Ukelele Orchestra of Great Britain.
Kevin enjoys life living near Southwold and it is rumoured on long dark evenings the strumming of a banjo can be heard along the moonlit sea front - hence his Asbo and restraining order!
The Brian May of the jazz world was asked to join DixieMix to keep the youthful feel to the band going. With the Freedom of Information Act, his real age has since surfaced, so he is now in the band purely based on his ability, his bail conditions and because DixieMix is an equal opportunities employer needing someone who owns a banjo. On the recommendation of his doctor, Kevin mixes his love affair with the banjo with some driving four-in-the-bar guitar playing.
Kevin is another musician who has the ability to "do it all" style-wise and has performed in rock bands, function bands etc etc but is still waiting for his call up to the Ukelele Orchestra of Great Britain.
Kevin enjoys life living near Southwold and it is rumoured on long dark evenings the strumming of a banjo can be heard along the moonlit sea front - hence his Asbo and restraining order!
Chris Wigley
Chris took up the trombone because it is easier than the cornet!
Originally form Saffron Walden (also know affectionately as Suffering Boredom!) he decided to move to Norfolk for the spectacular night life and City living! He was disappointed, but settled here after discovering nearly everyone in Norfolk needed to have some driving tuition when cars arrived in 1987!
Chris was the front man of Norfolk based traditional outfit 'Just Jazz' until December 2008 when the band parted ways. A phone call from Simon, the promise of many free beers and a contract that states he will never have to play "The Saints" again convinced Chris DixieMix was the way forward.
With his powerful approach to the trombone he has gelled with Simon to provide a double act leadership that is second to none.
Known to many as 'Wiggers' - this is believed to derive from his amazing amount of hair that never moves! (rumours say he goes to Terry Wogan's hairdresser!!!?)
Originally form Saffron Walden (also know affectionately as Suffering Boredom!) he decided to move to Norfolk for the spectacular night life and City living! He was disappointed, but settled here after discovering nearly everyone in Norfolk needed to have some driving tuition when cars arrived in 1987!
Chris was the front man of Norfolk based traditional outfit 'Just Jazz' until December 2008 when the band parted ways. A phone call from Simon, the promise of many free beers and a contract that states he will never have to play "The Saints" again convinced Chris DixieMix was the way forward.
With his powerful approach to the trombone he has gelled with Simon to provide a double act leadership that is second to none.
Known to many as 'Wiggers' - this is believed to derive from his amazing amount of hair that never moves! (rumours say he goes to Terry Wogan's hairdresser!!!?)
Mr John Benson
John took up the bass because he wanted to be in the Kenny Ball Band and Kenny already played the best instrument. So if it had to be double bass, John decided he would be double best.
Twice as noisy, twice as large as life and twice as great. With Kenny, John has been everywhere in the world before settling down in his own pub in Suffolk. As you can imagine, he has all sorts of commitments and demands on his time, but will pluck the bass for Dixiemix at every opportunity.
What an inspiration!
Twice as noisy, twice as large as life and twice as great. With Kenny, John has been everywhere in the world before settling down in his own pub in Suffolk. As you can imagine, he has all sorts of commitments and demands on his time, but will pluck the bass for Dixiemix at every opportunity.
What an inspiration!
Tony "Sticky" Wilkins
Tony took up the drums because they are easier than the cornet!
Believe it or not Tony is actually a musician as well as a drummer, being a fine guitarist. But it is the drums on which Tony has spent most of his career. Rumours say this is purely because it is easier to consume more beer sitting on the drum stool, than it is standing at the front!
Born and bred in Norfolk Tony began his "professional" music career as drummer in the resident band at Hy's Nightclub in Tombland Norwich. With his ability to count to four and operate both hands at once, Tony quicly found that as a drummer the world was at his feet.
Tony has ventured into most genres of music - and has usually been asked to leave! He met Simon playing in function bands around the East of England and jumped at the opportunity to be the driving force in the rhythm section of DixieMix.
Simon has been a large influence in Tony's life persuading him to sell his caravan, buy younger looking shoes and gel his hair!
The name Sticky Wilkins has no reference to the drums......
Believe it or not Tony is actually a musician as well as a drummer, being a fine guitarist. But it is the drums on which Tony has spent most of his career. Rumours say this is purely because it is easier to consume more beer sitting on the drum stool, than it is standing at the front!
Born and bred in Norfolk Tony began his "professional" music career as drummer in the resident band at Hy's Nightclub in Tombland Norwich. With his ability to count to four and operate both hands at once, Tony quicly found that as a drummer the world was at his feet.
Tony has ventured into most genres of music - and has usually been asked to leave! He met Simon playing in function bands around the East of England and jumped at the opportunity to be the driving force in the rhythm section of DixieMix.
Simon has been a large influence in Tony's life persuading him to sell his caravan, buy younger looking shoes and gel his hair!
The name Sticky Wilkins has no reference to the drums......