We are a bunch of old guys who still love good jazz / swing.We get together about once a week to rehearse with a glass of Okanagan wine. This is one of our earlier rehearsals, which gives you an idea of our sound and the mood of the day.

The great Silverleaf Jazz Band from Toronto. 

Dennis Elder who's distinct and powerful drummig set the style of the band. I don't think there are many bands in the world that could come close to that specific New Orleans bounce that only George Lewis could produce in his top period.
Leader Dennis Elder drums, Joe van Rossem trumpet, George Barry clarinet, Manfred Koch trombone, John Matheson piano, Bobby Boyle banjo and Dave Maynard made that bounce. Recorded around 1977 during one of the Peter Appleyard shows.

1979 Silverleaf Jazz Band

plays Kid Ory's "Savoy Blues". Although I think that Peter Appleyard is an incredible and versatile jazz musician, I'm glad he leaves this tune to be played by the band only . The vibraphone does not necessarily fits in the context of this band's recreation of their early New Orleans style approach.
The Silverleaf Jazz Band is from Toronto. I have now found several video recordings of this wonderful New Orleans band, and every time that I'm able to witness and process one of their tunes, I get more impressed.
They approach their music in a beautiful natural way. Leader Dennis Elder is a master in early New Orleans drumming. A simple set, bass, one tom, a snare and one cymbal. No high hat needed and nothing extra for that matter. But the power coming from his playing carries and inspires the band. I have been fortunate to play with Dennis many times and have even made some recordings with him. He was my all favourite drummer. Another giant in this band was reed player Brian Williams. I certainly think he meets Sammy Rimmington stylistically. (Sammy is probably the most recognized George Lewis styled clarinettist worldwide). Both Joe van Rossem and Manfred Koch do a superb job in carrying on that revival New Orleans Jazz.
I cannot think of many bands who played the style that well.

Panama Silverleaf Jazz Band 1979
The Silverleaf Jazz Band from Toronto. I have now found several video recordings of this wonderful New Orleans band, and every time I'm able to witness and process one of their tunes, I get more impressed.
They approach their music in a beautiful natural way. Leader Dennis Elder is a master in early New Orleans drumming. A simple set, bass, one tom, a snare and one cymbal. No high hat needed and nothing extra for that matter. But the power coming from his playing carries and inspires the band. I have been fortunate to play with Dennis many times and have even made some recordings with him. He was my all favourite drummer. Another giant in this band was reed player Brian Williams. I certainly think he meets Sammy Rimmington stylistically. (Sammy is probably the most recognized George Lewis styled clarinettist worldwide). Both Joe van Rossem (tpt) and Manfred Koch (tbne) do a superb job in carrying on that revival New Orleans Jazz as well.
I cannot think of many bands who played the style that well.

Careless Love Climax Jazz Band/Carol Leigh 1976 

Carol Leigh vocal, Bob Erwig cornet, Jim Buchmann saxello, Geoff Holmes trombone, Jack Vincken banjo, Chris Daniels bass, Steve Tattersall drums.
Many of you have seen some great jazz artists performing as guests on the Peter Appleyard shows produced between 1976 and 1979. More than 75 of these 25-minute shows were recorded by producer Bill Cooke.
It all started with a meeting between Bill and myself together with our trombonist Geoff Holmes.
Our Climax Jazz Band would be part of the "Pilot" project with an invited guest performer. That day we would record two shows. On behalf of Bill and his Company we invited New Orleans clarinettist Joe Cornbread and a singer from Connecticut. We had heard Carol Leigh as the vocalist of Chicago's Salty Dogs a few years before and we had become friends with her after she performed for a week at DJ's Tavern, the newly opened 330-seat club in Toronto's new Hydro building where we played 6 nights a week.
On the day of the recording there was a lot of excitement in the air. The recording crew's first experience with a live jazz situation, our first jazz show, Carol's tremendous enthousiasm and a totally sympathetic crowd.
All the Appleyard shows were recorded in a small room called Albert's Hall on the second floor of the Brunswick House, a famous pub in Toronto's University area on Bloor Street West.
Our band initially was formed in Albert's Hall in 1971 after having replied to a newspaper ad where owner Albert Nightingale asked for a dixie band. He hoped to have more success with jazz than with the wrestling dwarfs we would replace. We stayed there for about five years.
In this opening clip Carol Leigh sings the Careless Love Blues, a tune first recorded in 1925 by Bessie Smith with Louis Armstrong on cornet.