Club Meeting: Bill Jones

Mon, Jul 2nd 2018 at 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Bill Jones - Headmaster at Spring Grove School - Louis Armstrong

Bill Jones is the Head of Spring Grove School in Wye as well as being passionate about music, in particular jazz. He is also a very talented cornet player. Louis Armstrong is his jazz hero and was a major force for decades in the world of jazz and other related genres of the time. Bill gave us a fascinating history of him from his birth in August 1901 and his poverty stricken upbringing in New Orleans to him hitting the music scene in 1929. Bill gave us a brief history of other memorable jazz musicians, playing some of their music and comparing the quality and different sounds to Louis Armstrong. He told us that the origin of Dixyland jazz originated from white musicians.

The black jazz players faced considerable colour prejudice. Louise Armstrong went to Chicago where he was part of a band of very talented musicians but his playing stood out from even them. Bill gave us a lot of very interesting history on the development of jazz as we recognise it now and the outstanding musicians who played with Louis Armstrong, with snippets of some of these wonderful jazz musicians playing with him and all playing by ear, as was the norm, not from sheet music. We were delighted that Bill brought his cornet with him and we had the pleasure of listening to an all too short sample of his wonderful musical ability.

Alan Paterson gave the vote of thanks.

'What We Do' Main Pages:

Fundraiser success

Bryan, Mark, Carol Ann are congratulated by Renate at the close of the event.

Charity Concert success as 3 top musicians entertain an excited audience in Ashford's St Mary Church

We will move our meetings to The Ashford Holiday Inn North from 25th March.

Bryan Gipps, Director of Music, St Mary’s Church, Ashford, is presented with a cheque by Sue Brown from London Beach Hotel Tenterden, with Rotary President, Alan Jose. This donation will go towards the Church Organ Restoration Fund.

REnate hands over to incoming President Alan and wishes him well

President Renate welcomes incoming President, Alan

The Mayor of Ashford, Cllr Callum Knowles, Ashford Rotary President, Amanda Cottrell and Leader of the Council, Cllr. Gerry Clarkson open the shelter

The Rotary Club of Ashford's Community Shelter at Conningbrook Lakes Country Park was opened today.

On Monday 10th January, following a frugal supper, PP Kitty Brook, her granddaughter, Kristina, and Kristina's partner, Akeem, gave a talk on 'Malcolm's Soup Kitchen'.

John Harris spoke of the work of the CWGC

Rtn Peter Gammon spoke on Criminal Law

On Sunday 26th June we ran a Charity Cream Tea Party for around 100 people in aid of President Liz's chosen Charities -'Canine Helpers' and 'Kent MS Therapy Centre'. Thanks to all who helped make it a memorable afternoon.

The Club learnt of the support given to the hearing impaired by HI Kent

President Liz Stuart-Smith received a cheque for £600.00 from the Ashford Muslim Association

The Rotary Club of Ashford join partners to collect for earthquake victims

The new Interact Club of Towers School is now up and running.

Paul Mott of McArthurGlen, Rotary President Renate Beerling, and the Mayor of Ashford, Larry Krause. Over £1,000 was made for Charity.

McArthurGlen Management teams up with the Rotary Club of Ashford to raffle prizes freely donated by many retailers at the Outlet Centre.

Lilia with some of her collection and President Liz Stewart-Smith.

We were delighted on Monday night with a talk by 12 year old Lilia who explained the meanings of Ichimatsu Ningyo, Hina Ningyo, Daruma Ningyo, Kokeshi Ningyo and Gosho Ningyo; various forms of Japanese Doll.