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The Band's History
The
music of the Ragweed Jazz Band is for listening, dancing, tapping toes, ordering
up another beer, and for remembering the golden years of jazz - the 30's and 40's - when people like Bix Beiderbecke, Louis
Armstrong, Muggsy Spanier, Jack Teagarden, Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman were setting the tempo for an era. It all adds up to a band with an infectious sense of fun and close attention to
the essential spirit of jazz. For many years the band has happily played for its local fans, but more recently has found enthusiastic
acceptance farther afield with appearances in the Orillia Jazz Festival, Simcoe County Jazz Society, London Jazz Society,
Jazz FM 91.1 Summer Series, Du Maurier Jazz Festival, Beaches Jazz Festival, the International Ragtime Jazztime Festival in
the United States, the Canadian Big Band Festival and Jazzmania. the Hot Steamed Jazz Festival in Essex, Connecticut USA,
the Earlyjaz Fall Festival in Strongsville Ohio USA and frequent appearances at the Chick'n' Deli.
Bob Welbourn - Bass
Bob is one of the original members and manager of the band which
had its beginnings about 32 years ago. An advertisement in a local paper resulted in a gathering of musicians interested in
traditional jazz, thus the formation of the Ragweed Jazz Band.
Brian
Graville - Trumpet & Vocals
Brian received a classical music education on piano in England before taking up trumpet to play traditional
jazz. On piano he has recorded with Chris Barber and Jeff Healey and performed at numerous ragtime festivals. Several of his
musical compositions for young players have been performed at local musical festivals and in 1999 he wrote the music for the
full-length musical "Jack & the Beanstalk".
Manfred
Koch - Trombone
Manfred
started his jazz career in Germany where he delighted audiences in the clubs of Cologne and Hamburg. Following formal
training in Toronto (Royal Conservatory of Music) he played at The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (1977).
Manfred has previously played with The Excelsior Jazz Band, Silverleaf Jazz Band, Climax Jazz Band and the Happy Pals with
whom he performed at festivals in both Italy and Switzerland. He also organizes the Haiti Relief annual jazz concert.
Jamie Macpherson - Tenor Banjo
Twice Canadian National
Banjo Champion, Jamie has performed with Peter Appleyard, Jeff Healey, and CBC's Royal Canadian Air Farce. He is a regular
member of both the Ragweed Jazz Band and the Hot Five Jazzmakers and frequently works with the internationally known, Climax
Jazz Band. His banjo playing has taken him on Caribbean cruises, as well as New York, Colorado, Jamaica, England, Scotland
and most recently, Denmark. In May, 2010, Jamie performed solo on the Stratford Express train for their 25th Anniversary gala
event. Jamie has been teaching the 5 string and tenor banjo since 1975 and is also an active member of the Megacity Chorus.
Jim Purdie - Sax, Clarinet, Washboard & Vocals
Jim, toured Canada with Borgy Borgenson’s Banjo Reunion Band.
He then spent seven years with the band at the Diamond Lil’s Show at the Skyline Hotel. He played with Bourbon
Street Buskers/ Excelsior Jazz Band/ Fig Leaf Jazz Band and recently joined the Ragweed Jazz Band.
Pete McCormick-
Drumss & Percussion
Pete,
a celebrated drummer, like a surprising number of jazz performers in Toronto is a Scot. Inspired by the playing of Gene Krupa
(then with the Benny Goodman band), he brought his love of jazz to Canada. Pete is a former drummer of the Climax Jazz Band
and now adds his talents to the Ragweed Jazz Band. He says he likes to swing - both drums and golf clubs.
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