Here are details of the new album – sleeve notes by Roger Marks

In 1976 Pete Allen forsook his career as a constable with the Thames Valley Police, re-locating to Plymouth in order to join the fully professional Rod Mason Jazz Band. By coincidence, shortly afterwards, I left my job as a Building Inspector with Plymouth City Council to join the same band on trombone. Pete and I became known as “the bookends” and were to become lifelong friends and roommates on tour, experiencing all the attractions that a lifestyle on the road in Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Belgium could throw at us.
 
Within three years, and after several recordings and TV appearances, we both were to leave that band to form our own respective jazz bands. Pete, who remained professional, went on to tour Europe and America with the Pete Allen Jazz Band making several TV appearances with highlights such as leading the All-Stars at the Sacramento Jazz Festival and being awarded with an honorary citizenship of the city of New Orleans.  I, for my part, went back to reform my Armada Jazz Band and put on my Building Inspectors’ wellies once more!

 It is fair to say that Pete, in his 47 years and counting as a band leader, has
achieved very many of his objectives but the lure of a challenge, even at this late stage, has prompted him to assemble an eight-piece band at a time when such a line-up has become virtually extinct in Britain.
 
Recruiting only the best available to supplement his already supremely talented six-piece band, Pete has been able to engage Trevor Whiting on reeds (who played with Chris Barber, Max Collie) and Max Brittain on guitar and banjo (who played with Georgie Fame, Terry Lightfoot, Barney Kessel et al). The repertoire is broad and imaginative: as well as the grassroots New Orleans and Chicago jazz influence, there is a tip of the hat to Duke Ellington and, interestingly, some input from the West Coast. Not only that but two of the compositions are originals from Pete’s pen.

The solo feature numbers are noteworthy too with the smooth assuredness of Trevor Whiting – Sophisticated Lady; Chris Hodgkins – measured and moody My Old Flame; my own rather unusual arrangement of Comes Love; Max Brittain’s refined Nearness Of You;  James Clemas’ boisterous Brenda’s Boogie; Pete’s rather beautiful Just Wearying For You and my favourite Beau Sejour with the two dancing clarinets intertwining in a melodic embrace. We musicians in the band are all delighted with this release and believe you will be too.

Roger Marks 2025

NEW ORLEANS WIGGLE – JAZZ MAGIC

THE PETE ALLEN JAZZ BAND

Pete Allen clarinet, soprano sax & amp; vocals on tracks 3,5,7,15; Chris Hodgkins trumpet; Roger Marks trombone; Trevor Whiting clarinet, alto, tenor & amp, soprano saxes; James Clemas piano; Dave Hanratty bass; Max Brittain guitar, banjo; Jim Newton drums.

1. Under the Bamboo Tree Cole 4.41
2. Caution Blues 3.29
3. Oh How I Miss You Tonight 5.27
4. Just a Wearying for You 4.16
5. Wise Guy 4.12
6. Comes Love 4.16
7. Hello Brother 4.23
8. Bechet’s Walk 4.07
9. The Nearness of You 3.24
10. Brenda’s Boogie 2.47
11. Sophisticated Lady 6.02
12. Dardenella 4.54
13. My Old Flame 4:51
14 I’m Slapping Seventh Avenue With The Sole Of My Shoe 3.55
15. The Gypsy 4.55
16. Beau Sejour 3.09
17. New Orleans Wiggle 3.50

Front Cover Photograph: Nicky Allen

Design: Stefan Brazzo
Recorded 10th and 11th March 2025
Brazen Sound Studio Exeter Devon EX4 2HF
Recording Engineer: Ian Poole
Mix & amp; Production: Pete Allen & amp; Roger Marks
Producer: Pete Allen
Executive Producer: Liz Biddle

Welcome to the November Newsletter.

Sunday 2nd November – The Bowlers Arms, Falkland Cricket Club, Newbury, 2.30pm to 5pm – £20pp at the door, cash or cheque (payable to P Allen)

Saturday 29th November 2025 – Pete Allen’s solo music show. Shillingford St George Village Hall, EXeter, Devon, EX2 OQL. Showtime 7:00pm
Tickets £12 in advance from Norman on 01392 422390