BillF

Allen and Alexander -- strychnine and arsenic. I can't decide which to drink. With Scott Hamilton as hemlock, just in case the other two don't do the trick.

Harry Allen has many followers over here and is one of several "middle-of-the road" American musicians who have recorded with Britain's Alan Barnes: http://www.alanbarnesjazz.com/barnestorming/

Ronnie Barker Ronnie Corbett Ronnie Ross Prima Bari Dubla Dubya The Nasty Party

Michael Winner Joe Loss Victor Brox

Must try to catch it on the i-Player.

Here's their website with directions: http://www.jazzmessengers.com/about-us

Twelve Lords A-Leaping Jiminy Cricket Sally Bowles Peter Bowles Penelope Keith Keith Floyd Flat Foot Floogie with the Floy Floy P C Plod P C World

Twelve Lords A-Leaping Jiminy Cricket Sally Bowles

Mungo Park Maxim Gorky Charlie Parker

Kenny Napper Nappy Lamare Hedy Lamarr

Minnehaha The Chuckle Brothers The Laughing Cavalier

All sounds painfully reminiscent of some of the venues I've heard jazz in recently. Darkness and spotlights: Wigan Jazz Festival's latest venue. Lack of seating and intolerable volume: Band on the Wall, Manchester. Fortunately, there are still some excellent places; e.g. this room at the Royal Clifton Hotel, Southport:

Jasper Carrott Stix Hooper Gummi Bears

King Rollo The Big Roll Band Zoot Money

Thoroughbred Billy Harper Svengali

Acker Bilk Helen M Swindell Bernie Madoff

Emeric Pressburger Pres Lady

Thomas Drain Dagenham Girl Pipers Cautley Spout

George Shearing Georges Hearing Def Leppard

Sweets Edison Sugar Ray Robinson Killer Ray Appleton

Audrey Tatou Art Tatum Ben Webster

Uri Caine Spanky De Brest The Beat Generation