Your Freindly Host
Viv the Spiv
The most loved personality in the British 30’s and 40’s scene and we are very proud to have him at our weekender. He’ll be there to make you smile (and take a bit of money off of you!), host all the entertainment and he’s always ready for a twirl round the floor ladies!
The DJ’s
Rob Be-Bop, The Swinging Detective
Rob Be-Bop is one of the biggest ‘knowledges’ in the 30’s and 40’s world, and his authority shows behind the decks. He also happens to be one of the greatest dancers around. He is also joined by his lovely wife Julie to set the floor alight and take you for a spin. Former guest DJ, the Swinging Detective, will be joining the team for our authentic Savoy tea dances each lunchtime with his impeccable choices.
Pianist
Tim Huskisson
Here is a man with an encyclopaedic knowledge of all Jazz styles, and an incredible in-demand musician who plays an average of 300 gigs a year. Tim is so busy that we’ve booked him next year already!
A self-taught pianist from a very young age, Tim was inspired by Jazz that he first heard on 78rpm records. Throughout his career as a Pianist and Clarinettist, Tim has played for many stars and played (and been music director) for many stage musicals, as well as his great achievements as a very respected Jazz musician. He learned much of the Traditional Jazz repertoire as a member of ‘Dennis Field’s Hot-Jazz’, and received further encouragement from Digby Fairweather who included him in his ‘All-Stars’ on an Essex-Radio sponsored Jazz-Cruise to Sweden in 1981.
Latterly Tim has dedicated himself entirely to the music that first inspired him, He has established himself as one of the busiest musicians on the Jazz club circuit. Playing Vintage and Modern styles on piano and clarinet, and he has worked with Bruce Adams, Steve Waterman, Allan Ganley, Dave Shepherd, Pete Strange, Roy Williams, Betty Smith, Enrico Tomasso, Steve Fishwick, George Melly, ‘Spats’ Langham, Simon Spillett, Adrian Fry, Eric Delaney, Keith Nichols, Snowboy, Kenny Ball, George Chisholm, John Altman, Cy Laurie, Gordon Campbell, Spike Heatley, Colin Bowden, etc.
Dance Teachers
Mark And Hoc Ewing
Hugely well-known on the scene, Mark and Hoc are experts in the period dances from the 20’s to the 50’s and run the Cambs and Beds Lindy Experience.
Cinema
Paul Cotgrove
What other weekender can boast a PROPER Cinema experience? Vintage film-expert Paul Cotgrove is the co-owner and Director of the company ‘The White Bus’ which specialise in Film presentation, education and film-making. Paul worked in the film department at The British Council for years and also ran the preview theatre there, he has directed films, is the secretary of the Lindsay Anderson Foundation and runs and curates Southend-on-Sea’s yearly popular film festival (of which Ray Winstone is the Patron).
The Organisers
Mark ‘Snowboy’ Cotgrove & Tony Morrison
Mark was the original curator and organiser of the 30’s and 40’s entertainment at Wayne and Gerardine’s Hemingway’s celebrated ‘Vintage’ festivals, the 40’s bandstand for the official Queens Diamond Jubilee event at Battersea Park, Vintage NYE Southbank, Vintage Preston Guild, Vintage Glasgow, Vintage Morecambe and the 40’s area for Village Green in Southend. He is an international musician, band leader and recording artist, DJ, promoter, author on dance history and music journalist. He is proud to bring his many years of experience to this special event.
Tony Morrison is a Creative Producer with over 25 years of organising festivals, concerts and dance events including creating one of the UK longest running & most successful Salsa Weekenders, Latinfest.