The Hammond-Clarke Sextet

As you may know, although the club’s raison d’etre is keeping the music of New Orleans alive, its remit officially extends to other musical genres, too. The resident Queen Street Band has been instrumental in reviving the fortunes of the club, and with the introduction from time to time of guest leaders – Brian Boles, Peter Surfleet, Brian Clarke and others, there has been plenty of variety to keep the attention of club members and guests.

Add to that the occasional Saturday night sessions from The Easy Riders who normally play once a month on a Thursday, as well as bands such as the Brian Carrick’s Algiers Stompers plus the Jelly Babies all the way from Sweden, and you can see how ringing the changes from time to time has helped maintain interest as well as generating increased attendances.

This Saturday night was no exception. The first ever performance by The Hammond-Clarke Sextet attracted a decent crowd and some new faces, too. Jointly led by Brian Clarke, who many of you will known from his previous guest appearances with the Queen Street Band, and Malc Hammond of Gentle Jazz, this mainstream band played a number of Ellington small group pieces as well as Hoagy Carmichael favourites Old Rockin’ Chair and New Orleans.

Later, the band shook the Club to its very foundations by playing something composed later than 1945 - Neil Hefti’s Splanky, which features on one of the best big band albums ever recorded– Atomic Basie. Judging by the audience reaction to the band’s final piece, Royal Garden Blues, the Sextet will be back. When they are, don’t miss them.


The Hammond-Clarke Sextet is:
Malc Hammond: alto and tenor sax
Brian Clarke: Cornet and valve trombone
Peter Tabois: Piano
Graham Crampin: guitar
Dave Ward: Bass Guitar
Lenny Dales: drums

Contact Malc Hammond: malhammond@virginmedia.com