The only Sunday Blues found in County Down at the weekend were musical, as a local jazz band celebrated its impressive 35-year residency in a popular Bangor pub.
On Sunday (November 24), Jenny Watts in Bangor marked the swinging success of Marty Wilson and his popular jazz band, also known as ‘the Kings of Swing’ as they celebrated what is believed to be the longest running jazz residency in Ireland.
Since 1990, local patrons have gathered in the city’s oldest pub each and every Sunday to enjoy the popular afternoon jazz session, and last Sunday, crowds gathered to enjoy an extended three-hour jazz set to mark the monumental milestone.
Marty Wilson (62) first moved from Scotland to Northern Ireland to join the Ulster Orchestra as its principal trombonist before adopting Jenny Watts as his local pub.
From striking up a chance conversation with a young Bill Wolsey, Jenny Watts’ owner, now managing director of the Beannchor group, he set a chain of events in motion that has now resulted in the band’s impressive residency.
Speaking at the event, Marty recalled the origins of their Sunday jazz slot, “Bill was certainly sceptical at first. Despite my reassurance of the success of Jazz Sundays in London, Bill was quick to remind me that this was Northern Ireland, and in 1990, not very much happened here on a Sunday.
“But after our initial chat, he was willing to get behind me, and trial Jazz Sundays at Jennys for three weeks.
“Bill put out an ad in the local paper, I spread the word and booked the musicians, and as they say, the rest is history – 35 years of successful history.”
Enjoying the 35-year anniversary celebrations, Bill Wolsey added, “The Jazz Sundays proved themselves to be a success very quickly. It is now an institution here in Jenny Watts and the fact that it has been Marty and the band here from the start is remarkable.
“We can’t find any other Jazz band throughout Ireland, and even the UK, that has had such a long, well established and successful residency.”
Bill continued, “Pubs have changed dramatically over the last 35 years. Pubs now have televisions, music in the foreground and all the sort of gambling machines on offer.
“This is a pub that has good food, good service, a fire, live music, and our success is a tribute to musicians like Marty, who help create the atmosphere that our patrons keep coming back for.”
Marty added, “The fact that our residency is in Jenny Watts is what made it such a success. It’s a venue that has such respect for musicians and our music.
“We’re not doing it for the money. We’re here because we want to be here. We love the music and the venue and even the time they gave us to perform – the Sunday afternoon slot is perfect for us. It gives us the right crowd.”
Over the last 35 years, right through to today, Jenny Watts’ Jazz Sundays has attracted a diverse clientele, as Bill explains. “If you look around here today, there is no defined age group” he says.. “There are parents here with their kids. There are teenagers here by themselves. It goes right up to the old farts like me.
“It’s really special to find music that transcends all generations, but Jazz does, and this works seamlessly with a venue like Jennys. The proof being the fact that we are here celebrating 35 years today.
“It is a real testament to Marty that in the whole 35 years he’s worked with Jenny’s he has never let us down. Never once have we been without a jazz band in that time. When a venue and a band have mutual respect and a great rapport it is something that should be cherished.”
Marty added, “From day one we have had great open lines of communication with Jennys. This extends from the relationship with have with the audience, to the staff and right up to senior management. it’s become like a family, and I hope we will continue to play here for many, many more years to come.”
The Marty Wilson jazz band still has three of its original band members, Charlie Burton on drums, Steve Barnett on keyboards and Marty Wilson on trombone. Bassist, Bobby Forsythe has been with the band for 20 years. The band originally performed as a five piece, but after their saxophone player left a few years ago, they became a four-piece. The jazz band performs every Sunday from 1-3pm at Jenny Watts, Bangor.
For more information on Jenny Watts’ entertainment line-up visit www.jennywattsbangor.com, or follow Jenny Watts on Facebook / Instagram, @JennyWattsBangor.