The Band's History
The music of the Ragweed Jazz Band is for listening, dancing, tapping toes,
ordering up another beer, and for remembering the golden years of jazz - the 30's and 40's - when people like Bix
Beiderbecke, Louis Armstrong, Muggsy Spanier, Jack Teagarden, Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman were setting the tempo for
an era.
It all adds up to a band with an infectious sense
of fun and close attention to the essential spirit of jazz. For many years the band has happily played for its local fans,
but more recently has found enthusiastic acceptance farther afield with appearances in the Orillia Jazz Festival, Simcoe County
Jazz Society, London Jazz Society, Jazz FM 91.1 Summer Series, Du Maurier Jazz Festival, Beaches Jazz Festival, the International
Ragtime Jazztime Festival in the United States, the Canadian Big Band Festival and Jazzmania. the Hot Steamed Jazz Festival
in Essex, Connecticut USA, the Earlyjaz Fall Festival in Strongsville Ohio USA and frequent appearances at the Chick'n'
Deli.
Bass player Bob Welbourn, is one of the
original members and manager of the band which had its beginnings about 32 years ago. An advertisement in a local paper resulted
in a gathering of musicians interested in traditional jazz, thus the formation of the Ragweed Jazz Band.
Brian Dinsdale (Dinny) - temporary ,
has been graciously fulfilling a substitution role on the front line until the Ragweed Jazz Band finds
a permanent trumpet player. Brian brings a versatile trumpet and vocals to the Ragweed.
Jim Purdie, sax/clarinet/washboard and
vocals. Jim, toured Canada with Borgy Borgenson’s Banjo Reunion Band. He then spent seven years with the
band at the Diamond Lil’s Show at the Skyline Hotel. He played with Bourbon Street Buskers/ Excelsior Jazz Band/ Fig
Leaf Jazz Band and recently joined the Ragweed Jazz Band.
The band's heartbeat - the rhythm section - also includes Jamie Macpherson whose musical credentials are particularly impressive. He has twice been
chosen Canadian national banjo champion and has appeared in many venues including the United States and in the Caribbean.
An original member of Ragweed, trombonist Jim Nevins
returns after a 15 year absence. From big bands to concert orchestras to small combos, since he first pushed a slide 45 years
ago Jim has performed in Canada, the US and Europe. But he still claims Dixieland jazz as his first love.
Pete McCormick, the celebrated drummer,
like a surprising number of jazz performers in Toronto is a Scot. Inspired by the playing of Gene Krupa (then with the Benny
Goodman band), he brought his love of jazz to Canada. Pete is a former drummer of the Climax Jazz Band and now adds his talents
to the Ragweed Jazz Band. He says he likes to swing - both drums and golf clubs.
