Roger Marks’ Jazz Band’s
MY NEXT EVENT IS:
Roger Marks Jazz
“After 10 years of learning the ropes with west country New Orleans style bands such as the Climax Jazz Band and the Happy Landings Jazz Band and a spell with the dixieland Teign Valley Stompers, Roger formed his first Armada Jazz Band in his late twenties. In 1977 at the age of 30 Roger turned professional with the Rod Mason Jazz Band, touring Europe extensively and appearing regularly on the BBC TV programme ‘Pebble Mill at One’.
There were also TV appearances on Dutch, German and Yugoslavian TV and several LPS of the band were released.
After three years on the road, Roger left to concentrate on his young family and reformed his Armada Jazz Band. With an unfortunate shortage of trumpet players and with a growing interest in the great American Songbook, Roger opportunistically formed his first Quartet in the mainstream mode with trombone lead. This venture was to make more demands on his technical ability, and in the fullness of time steadily improved his command of the instrument to a high level.
It was by public demand that he was to reform his Armada Jazz Band once again in 1992 when complete with a new band bus and a full date sheet the band hit the jazz club and festival circuit enjoying great popularity nationwide. When trumpeter John Shillito asked to join the band and Ken Rennison joined on soprano sax, Roger felt he had the best frontline in the country. A succession of superb CD releases won favour with the press and with BBC radio 2 presenter Humphrey Lyttelton, who was extremely complementary about the band and referring to Roger as ‘world-class’.
All good things must come to an end, and so it is that the sad demise of key personnel in the Armada and sister band Roger’s Cornish Armada led to the unavoidable dissolution of both bands and signalled the end of an era.
A fresh challenge presented itself to Roger to form a new band. After some teething troubles this has evolved into Roger Marks’ Fiesta 5, a new-look line-up and a fresh repertoire firmly rooted in the traditional jazz idiom which produces a lively up beat and exhilarating fiesta of jazz, great fun for the audience and the band alike.”
Roger’s newest band formed October 2024 is a vibrant five piece featuring Roger’s trombone together with reedman Nick White (who still occasionally enjoys fronting the still operating Chris Barber Big Jazz Band), James Clemas on keyboard (formerly eight years with the Pete Allen Jazz Band), John Baker on banjo, and long time musical associate Jim Newton on drums.
The repertoire, being very much in line with Roger’s philosophy (if it’s a good tune let’s play it), homes in on everything from New Orleans, Latin the Great American Songbook and English traditional melodies all played with great verve, rhythm and occasionally beauty and poise.
The things they say about Roger Marks
Andrew Liddle “The Jazz Rag” Magazine Summer 2025
Marks constantly reminds us he is very much more than a tailgate rambler and has the warmth and lyricism of the best. His melodic rhythmic lines of accompaniment are as masterly as the stirring solos.
Bert Thompson “The Syncopated Times USA” September 2023
As the CD demonstrates he is something of a virtuoso on that instrument and a talented musical director…. a trombonist will find the CD provides a masterclass on trombone artistry ….flawless.
Jim Denham “Just Jazz” Magazine August 2016
I first encountered Roger’s world-class playing in the 1980s and 90s when Humph repeatedly featured him on his radio 2 record show ….one of Britain’s very best trombonists.
“…. Recognised as one of the finest jazz trombonists in Europe”.
“…. The Armada Jazz Band has become one of Europe’s top traditional jazz units .”
Trevor Coleman ‘Devon Life’ magazine 2002
“It’s also my belief, voiced more than once on this programme, that the fluent, warm and sonorous trombone playing of westcountry based Roger Marks is of world-class quality and should be acclaimed as such.”
Humphrey Lyttelton’s ‘Best of Jazz’ BBC radio 2 broadcast 16th December 2002.
“…. Roger Marks’s bands are keeping a British mainstream/ dixieland presence on the world scene as strong as anything since the 60s and 70s when Alex Welsh made the world sit up and listen.”
Barry Clare ‘Just Jazz’ magazine May 2003.
“Star of the show is decidedly leader/ trombonist Marks whose technical fluency is matched by an inventiveness not too common in this kind of music”
Hugh Ledigo ‘The Jazz Rag’ magazine summer 2004
“… A freshness and melodic beauty.. flawless solos and ensemble playing. Unbeatable “
Musician magazine (of the M.U)
winter 2006
“… truly great Swing trombone”
Jim Denham ‘Just Jazz: magazine June 2011
“.. one of the most accomplished trombone men in Europe.
Brian Harvey ‘Just Jazz’ magazine 2008