Dave Moorwood's Big Bear Stompers

The Midlands-based Stompers came into being in 1989, the brainchild of banjoist Dave Moorwood and trumpeter Clive Whitlock, who both wanted to organise a band to play in the 'classic' style, with the 1923 King Oliver Creole Jazzband and the 1940s revivalist Lu Watters Yerba Buena Band as their role models. The classic repertoire and punchy two-trumpet sound of this eight-piece band, backed by an infectiously rocking rhythm section with brass bass, soon built the Stompers a substantial following; the vocals of Judy Eames, firmly in the Bessie Smith vein, are an added attraction.