Draft:The Jake Leg Jug Band

• Comment: It looks like this might be a notable band, but this draft needs a bit of work before it could become an encyclopedia article. It is still written in a promotional tone; the lack of sections, and the many quotes from various reviews, makes it unnecessarily hard to read; a lot of the information has no citation so the readers can't tell where the information comes from. bonadea contributions talk 16:17, 27 November 2024 (UTC)

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The Jake Leg Jug Band plays authentic 1920s and 30s jazz, blues, ragtime and gospel music. Formed in Stoke-on-Trent in January 2012, by vocalist and double bass player Duncan Wilcox, having previously spent 10 years in the folk band The Queensberry Rules. The inaurgural lineup also comprised of Purcy Harmonica (vocals, harmonica and washboard), James Berriman (guitar and fiddle) and Andy Anderson (vocals and banjo), with Pete Shirley (vocals and guitar) joining in April. Throughout the second half of 2012, they recorded the debut album "Cotton Mouth". But before the album was even finished, the lineup had changed, with Berriman and Shirley both leaving and Neil Hulse (vocals and guitar) and Esther Brennan (vocals and washboard) completing the lineup that would remain for the next 3 albums. Cotton Mouth was self-released in February 2013.

They immediately signed to award winning jazz label "Lake Records" and by July they were recording the follow up album as part of the label's Vintage Recording Project, recording live all around 1 ribbon microphone, emulating the recording technique of the period. "Next Stop!" was released in January 2014 to critical acclaim. "The playing is exemplary and it all adds up to a fine CD. Everything was recorded "live" with no overdubs. The overall sound is refreshingly warm. Fatea. The album proved to be the fasted selling new release the label had put out, and the band were once again ushered into the studio to record a new album to capitalise on the popularity of their lastest release. "Everythin's Jake" was released in April 2015 - "A masterpiece of nostalgic music. The band display real virtuosity and create a wonderful sound that will be hard for any other band to repeat" Folk North West. But within a few months the personnel had changed with Andy Anderson and Purcy Harmonica leaving the ranks and Toby Wilson joining on vocals and banjo. With no obvious replacement for harminica player Purcy, trombone player Mike Pembroke, who had been regularly deputising with the band, joined permenantly until a permenant replacement could be found. In April 2016, this came in the form of Liam Ward (vocals, harmonica and jug), who was playing in the Swansea based jug band The Rumblestrutters. But by August Esther Brennan had also departed and was replaced by the experienced vocalist Sarah Miller.

In July 2017, the band's 4th album "Break A Leg" was released marking their last album on Lake Records "The new line-up has bedded in very well. There is expert musicianship and great arrangements resulting in a much tighter sounding group. Highly recommended" Just Jazz. December 2018 saw the band release their first album on "Green Bullet Records", "Fifth Avenue", essentially a best of compilation re-recorded with Bryony Rose replacing Sarah Miller on vocals and washboard. ​"the tightness of a band that have spent many years on the road. A souvenir from stage from one of the best live jazz-lite bands on the circuit" Fatea. March 2020 marked the release of the band's first concept album, "Goodbye Booze", commemorating 100 years since the start of the American prohibition. “Pretty damn good! There isn’t a weak number so you can dip in anywhere and pick out a little delight. Good fun and lovely to listen to” Blues Matters. However, as the album was released, the Covid pandemic was taking hold and the band was unable to tour and promote the album. In September of that year Toby Wilson departed and was replaced by Jack Tasker on vocals and banjo.

In June 2021, Goodbye Booze received a vinyl release on "Coastal Light Records", then in August, the band expanded to become a permenant 6 piece for the first time, with the addition of award winning jazz saxophonist Alex Clarke. In 2022 the band marked it's 10th anniversary with it's biggest nation tour to date, taking in 100 dates from Scotland to Cornwall appearing in many cities never performed before. May saw the release of the band's first live album, "Live at Audley Theatre", recorded still under Covid restrictions. "Beautifully recorded in front of an enthusiastic audience. The band has a powerful, full sound -wonderfully entertaining"Twoj Blues (Poland).

Significantly, June saw the addition to the lineup of Warren James on vocals, guitar and banjo. taking the lineup to a permenant 7 piece, and adding a new stability to the band, performing 250 shows in his first 2 and a half years. But before the end of the year both Jack Tasker and Bryony Rose had departed and were not replaced, as the band continued again as a quintet. In April 2023, 'Cotton Mouth' finally received a digital release to celebrate it's 10th anniversary but at the same time Alex Clarke departed after perfoming over 100 concerts in 18 months, along with long-time guitarist Neil Hulse, who'd spent 10 years with the band and played nearly 350 gigs. Neither were replaced, and the band moved in a new direction with just Duncan Wilcox, Warren James and Liam Ward as permenant members, but expanding the lineup at most gigs to a 4, 5 or 6 piece with the addition of experienced jazz horn players.

In August 2023, the new look lineup released "Hello Central" which was to be the best received album to date, receiving airplay on BBC Radio 2 on the Cerys Matthews Blues Show. "A truly unique and talented group of musicians, their talent shines through on each and every track. These gifted musicians are just what the doctor ordered” Blues Blast Magazine (USA). A second concept album was released in May 2024 in the form of "Some Glad Morning" an entire album of Gospel songs. “An entertaining and varied mix of both popular and unknown spirituals, performed with passion. Warming the heart and touching the soul.the Band shows how moving spirituals can still be today” Rootstime (Belgium). The album was promoted by a series of concerts in Churches around the country which proved so popular that they would continue indefinitely throughout the ongoing touring schedule. November marked the band's 600th live show.

A second live album, recorded in Camden in early 2024 "Live at Green Note" is set for release in March 2025

Category:jug band Category:jazz Category:blues