YARRA YARRA NEW ORLEANS JAZZ BAND

The Yarra Yarra New Orleans Jazz Band (YYJB) was formed in 1959 by Maurie Garbutt (trumpet), Bob Brown (bass), Lee Treanor (banjo) and Eddie Robbins (clarinet). Their inspiration was the New Orleans music of George Lewis, Ken Colyer and the Melbourne New Orleans Jazz Band (MNOJB). With Les Fithall on trombone, Don Hall on drums and 15-year-old vocalist Judy Jacques, they were to achieve phenomenal popularity. In 1961 the MNOJB left for England and the Yarras took over a number of their jobs. Denis Ball was now on clarinet and the band went on to greater success during the “Trad Boom” where their nights at Gas Works often attracted 1500 people. The 17th Australian Jazz Convention was in Sydney in December 1962 and the YYJB was selected to accompany English trumpet legend Ken Colyer. This was a great honour and tribute to their ability.

 Their first album 'Jazz As You Like It At City Hall Volume 1' was released on the Crest label in 1964. Judy Jacques left the band after this album and was replaced by English singer Pat Purchase. The band released the EP 'Introducing Pat Purchase'. Moving to the W&G label they recorded the albums: 'The Spectacular! Yarra's' (1964) and 'Yarra Yarra New Orleans Jazz Band' (1965). The band went through various personnel changes including Roger Janes (trombone), Nick Polites (clarinet), Paul Martin (clarinet), Willie Watt (banjo) and Graham Bennett (drums). Pat Purchase returned to England in 1967 and Sue Jennings took her place. 

The band did a wide range of work including being the support band for the Sonny Terry and Brownie McGee Concert in Melbourne in 1966. In 1969 the Yarras, with Dave Bailey on clarinet, sailed to England where they were joined by Roger Janes who had already travelled there with Graeme Bell. Even though the English jazz scene was at a low ebb, the Yarra’s got plenty of work. They toured extensively in Europe becoming friendly with Rudi Balliu clarinetist and leader of Belgium’s Cotton City Jazz Band. Rudi was later to join the Yarra’s for their tour of USA in 1971. This band consisted of Maurie, Rudi, Roger, Adrian Ford (piano) and Lynn Wallis (drums). Petra and Ashley Keating (banjo), from London’s Gothic Jazz Band replaced Andy Symes (banjo) and Frank Stewart, who together with Kay Younger (vocals) remained in England.

One of the many highlights of the Yarra’s American tour was a party in New York at Al Vollmer’s home where wild Bill Davison played and recorded with them. They also did concerts for the Connecticut Jazz Club and recorded for George Buck’s GWB records. Their 17 days in New Orleans included meeting and playing with many of the city’s legends like Percy Humphrey, Louis Nelson, Emanuel Paul, etc.

Rudi Balliu returned home and was replaced by American pianist Butch Thompson for the rest of the tour, including playing at the Emporium of Jazz in Minneapolis home of the Hall Brothers Jazz Band. Since returning home in October 1971, the Yarra’s have been an essential part of Australia’s Jazz Scene. They toured and recorded with New Orleans trumpeter Alvin Alcorn in 1973 when Percy Humphrey could not come to Australia. This included a series of three concerts in Melbourne’s AMP Theatrette which were recorded by Ron Halstead and Paul Burke. Another recording session was released on Emulation Recordings EMU-001 and later remastered and issued by Roger Beilby on Anteater Cassette 029.

In 1974 the Yarra’s were the support band for the Dutch Swing College’s Concert in Festival Hall. This performance has recently been issued on Paul Finnerty’s Riff Raff CD RR-004. Paul is a past member of the Yarra’s on banjo. A highlight of 2005 for the Yarra’s was the tour of legendary American pianist Don Ewell. After a welcome night at the Taiping Restaurant the band played a concert with him in Melbourne’s Nicholas Hall. Here Paul Martin was on reeds and Peter Clohesy on drums. Fortunately it was recorded and ultimately issued on the GHB label 'Australian Tour 1975 Nicholas Hall Concert'

(BCD 378/379).

During the YYJB’s 18 year residency at Bell’s Hotel in South Melbourne they hosted Osaka’s New Orleans Rascal’s visit in 1992 and celebrated their 25th anniversary in 1984. The latter was notable for the appearance of the original band except for drummer Don Hall whose place was taken by Kevin Bolton. During this period Hugh DeRosayro was on trombone, Col Elliott on clarinet, plus various other musicians including Eddie Robbins clarinet and Judy Jacques returning on vocals.

Members

Maurie Garbutt (trumpet), Bob Brown (bass), Lee Treanor (banjo), Eddie Robbins (clarinet), Les Fithall (trombone), Don Hall (drums), Judy Jacques (vocals), Dennis Ball (clarinet), John Brown (banjo), Nick Polites (clarinet), Pat Purchase (vocals, Roger Janes (trombone), Paul Martin (clarinet), Willie Watt (banjo), Graham Bennett (drums), Dave Bailey (clarinet), Rudi Balliu (clarinet), Adrian Ford (piano), Lynn Wallis (drums), Ashley Keating (banjo), Andy Symes (banjo), Kay Younger (vocals), Paul Finnerty (banjo), Peter Clohesy (drums), Kevin Bolton (drums), Hugh DeRosavro (trombone), Col Elliot (clarinet), Sue Jennings (vocals)

 

SINGLES

''The Mountains Of Mourne / Sari Marais'' [with Pat Purchase] 1964 W&G

EPs

'The Yarra Yarra New Orleans Jazz Band (Volume 1)' 1962 Crest
'Yarra Yarra New Orleans Jazz Band [with Judy Jacques] Vol. 2' 1962 Crest
'Introducing Pat Purchase' 1964 Crest

'Minnie The Moocher' [with Pat Purchase] 1967 W&G

ALBUMS

'Jazz As You Like It At City Hall Volume 1' [with Judy Jacques] 1964 Crest
'The Spectacular! Yarra's' 1964 W&G
'Yarra Yarra New Orleans Jazz Band' 1964 W&G
'Australian Jazz Of The 70's – Vol. 1' 1972 Jazznote
'Yarra Yarra Jazz Band On Tour Volume 1' 1982 GHB
'Yarra Yarra Jazz Band On Tour Volume 2' 1982 GHB