The Driftwood Jazz Band captured the spirit of traditional Dixieland. Formed in 1959 at the Driftwood Club (Phillip Ballroom) in West Rosebud, they went on to perform at many of Melbourne’s top jazz venues. While rooted in Dixieland, they offered personalized takes on the entire jazz gamut, from New Orleans to mainstream. Their lively and unique interpretations of such a broad spectrum of jazz attracted record crowds to the popular Opus 61 club. In 1964 they released an EP on the Crest label. After the group disbanded, Barry Veith went on to form the Barry Veith Big Band, which gained a strong reputation in Melbourne during the 70s. Derek Harris died in 2008, and Brian O'Neill in 2022.
Members
Derek Harris (trumpet), Brian O'Neill (trombone), Barry Veith (clarinet), John Cawthan (vocals, guitar, banjo), John Adams (piano), Peter Barker (drums), Graham McClean (bass)
EPs'Derek Harris And The Driftwood Jazz Band' 1964 Crest
Hi Kimbo. I came across another Australian band you could include in your blog. The Mystics. There were two bands that I know of with that name. One on DVD that I have singing "Need Your Love". I think this you tube link might be them...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhyC-bvL2Is . The second Mystics were a Darwin Band that reunited after 40 years in 2014. See https://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-12-18/darwin-band-the-mystics-reform/5971322
ReplyDeleteThere was a South Australian band The Mystics from the same period that released a couple of singles on the W&G label, ''Zulu '65'' and '' Greensleeves''. I don't have enough info yet to add these bands. Cheers
DeleteAnd hi again Kimbo. I used to listen to a fabulous jazz band "The Maple Leaf Jazz Band" at a number of Melbourne venues, including and especially the Spread Eagle Hotel in Richmond in the late '80s and early '90s. There's not much available about them now, except I found a double album they put together ...https://www.ajm.org.au/?product=maple-leaf-jazz-band-ajm055-2 . I knew the sax/clarinet player and singer Kim Rushworth (https://www.facebook.com/groups/449925388405860/posts/3883887041676327/). Another band member was trumpeter Bob Whetstone https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZt89KOqEoE .
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