Uncategorized

Many of you who have attended the Boogaloo events will have fond memories of Dr JJ, who sadly died last year.  His widow Carole has released a very good CD with previously unreleased material. This is on sale direct from Carole at £10 plus £1 postage at thatsvinyl@btinternet.com.   All proceeds are going to JJ’s nominated charities (‘The June Hancock Mesothelioma Research Fund’ and St Elizabeths Hospice, Ipswich).   Payment details are on the attached.

We have purchased some CDs from Carole to make it easy for JJ’s many fans to buy a copy.  These are available for sale at our gigs at Farnham Maltings each Thursday as well as at our weekenders.  The CD is well produced and a lovely memento of JJ – it will make you smile, and maybe also make you cry!  It also has a beautiful foreword from Doc Cox. It’s worth every penny, and for a good cause, so please do buy a copy!

We’ve had some brilliant gigs and weekenders in 2015 with highlights including Hamilton Loomis at The Toorak in June, Eugene ‘Hideaway’ Bridges at The Heathlands in December, and of course The Earl Thomas Band at South Downs in April 2015.
We’re now looking forward to our regular blues gigs at Farnham Maltings in 2016, starting with the Saiichi Sugiyama Band on Thursday 14th January, and our next blues weekend which is at South Downs Holiday Village, Bracklesham Bay, near Chichester next April 22nd to 25th 2016.  This weekend is fantastic value at just £179 for three nights half board,  with a quality line-up headlined by six piece blues band The Stumble playing rapturous Chicago style rhythm & blues, fronted by fab singer Paul Melville, critically acclaimed as one of the UKs best ever blues vocalists.  The line-up also includes fun five-piece band Cry Baby & The Hoochie Coochie Boys, and Boogaloo favourites The Spikedrivers and Bad Influence, as well as the classy Nigel Bagge Band, Wang Dang Doodle and the stunning Blues Duo.  Plus of course the legendary late night jam sessions hosted by Five Field Holler and MC/DJ Tony Farinha, who will also be playing a set with fine guitarist Neil Mercer.   Boogaloo are taking the bookings for this weekend.  Please visit our Blues Weekends page for a booking form, or ring us on 01252 793430.

There are just a few rooms left for our legendary blues weekend at Warner’s Norton Grange, IOW taking place 9th – 12th October 2015.
We have a great line-up with charismatic blues singer and harp player Jerimiah Marques & The Blue Aces, Bob Malone – US-based boogie woogie piano player extraordinaire, the fabulous Bad Influence, guitar supremo Laurence Jones, The Della Grants, Blue Touch and Boogaloo favourite Stompin’ Dave.  And of course the fabulous late night jam sessions led by Tim Aves.
The venue is in a great location by the sea and close to Yarmouth and the food is superb.

To book, phone Warner’s on 0800 1 388 399 to book one of the last few rooms.  Discounted ferry tickets are also available from Warner’s at the time of booking.

We were very sorry to hear of the sad death of Jim Homersham aka Dr JJ.   Jim had suffered from asbestosis having spent years in the building trade as well as fronting Dr JJ’s Blues Band and finally lost his battle against the illness on Thursday 18th June.
Jim was always a larger than life character and over the years played at many Boogaloo weekenders as well as gigs at the Farnham Maltings.  He always got a great reaction from the audience and brought a lot of fun and enjoyment wherever he played.   He was also a personal friend, along with his lovely wife Carole.

We didn’t see so much of him since he moved to Suffolk, but we know that he was very happy there.  We are pleased that he made a final performance for us at Pakefield in September 2013.    He will be sorely missed by all that knew him.
All are welcome at Jim’s funeral to say their farewells.   The date is Tuesday 7th July. 12.45 at Seven Hills crematorium, Felixstowe Road, Nacton, Suffolk IP10 0DQ.
Jim also suffered from Ménière’s disease which is a rare disorder that affects the inner ear.  It can cause vertigo, tinnitus, hearing loss, and a feeling of pressure deep inside the ear.  Jim once told Carole that Meniere’s disease had been more debilitating than cancer as it stopped him performing.   Therefore if you would like to pay your respects to Jim please send a cheque made out to ‘Meniere’s Society UK’ to Tony Brown Funeral Services, The Funeral Parlour, New Cut, Saxmundham, Suffolk. IP17 1EH.    Please include a note to say this is in memory of Jim Homersham.  You can also leave a message on Jim’s Facebook page (you will find it as James Homersham).