A Day In The Life Of The Jive Aces ...A Swing & Jive Band For Hire

The Jive Aces recently performed at the 10th Anniversary City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival in Northern Ireland. The band have really struck a chord with the people of Derry since their first visit nine years ago, and have returned every year to the festival since due to overwhelmingly popular demand.

In six days, The Jive Aces did 10 gigs, 2 TV shows, 2 radio shows and 3 newspaper shoots. This is just one of those days...

Got up and even before breakfast it was a spot on local radio. Gone are the days when you needed a whole van for an outside broadcast, the presenter from BBC Radio Foyle turned up with a transmitter the size of a briefcase and off we went for a quick performance in the hotel car park!

After throwing down a full Irish breakfast (replete with soda bread and white pudding), it was off to the other side of the River Foyle for not one but two newspaper shoots.

Firstly for the Derry Journal

And not to be outdone, the Belfast Telegraph.

Not satisfied with enough media coverage for one day, we head off to the town square for a TV spot.

With us on the whole trip was 13 year old boogie woogie pianist Cody Lee from Essex.

Then a spot of lunch in a local cafe before moving on.

As we drive past tomorrows’ gig, Ken Smith (double bass player) is confronted by a familiar face in the window.

Then a spot of sightseeing before heading off to the first gig of the day for the Mayor of Derry, which is a charity concert raising money for Children in Crossfire.

Here we are performing for the Mayor of Derry's event.

And with the Mayor of Derry.

Tim and Thor (so named because we all thought he looked a bit like Thor but with less muscle. His real name is Alex but with Alex the trombone player too it was too confusing) twiddle the knobs to get the sound at Da Vinci's just right for the second gig of the evening.

Vince (piano player) gives Cody Lee a piano lesson, boogie woogie style!

Ramada Da Vinci's reaches capacity in no time when the Jive Aces are in town!

Jools Holland who was headlining the festival hears about the 13 year old boogie woogie wonder, Cody Lee, and pops in after his show to check out the competition.

And then to bed for just as much packed into a day tomorrow!