Offering a wide-ranging programme of music from the 1940s to the present day, Stompin’ on the Quomps gets its curious name from the grassy area by Christchurch Quay. There are six fabulous bands booked for Saturday, August 3, and each bring something distinctive to the mix as organiser, Paul Kelly explains. ‘Back in the 1940s and 50s jazz was the prime entertainment music of the day, and that’s what we try to recapture at Stompin’ on the Quomps.’
Kicking off the 2024 programme at midday is Sound of Blue Note led by trumpeter Andy Urquhart and saxist Terry Quinney. Next up are the seven piece band The Boogie Bumpers (1.30pm). ‘This is where Jazz fused with Rhythm and Blues and created the roots of Rock ‘n Roll,’ adds Kelly. ‘If you want to flip, flop and fly, The Boogie Bumpers are the band for you.’
Fast-rising local band Soldoro specialise in the Latin grooves that emerged in the 1950s and 60s. Along with the expected Bossa Novas, they’ve added some Stevie Wonder and Sergio Mendes classics that will get those hips moving at 3pm.
When Jazz fused with Rock in the 1960s, the music got tougher with hard driving riffs and funky grooves. Bournemouth’s FNUK emulate that with tunes from Billy Cobham, Pat Metheny and Herbie Hancock.
Filling the headline slot is the exuberant Kim Cypher and her band, they opened Stompin’ in 2019 to great acclaim. Stompin’ always ends with a Big Band party blow-out from The Taverners Big Band. They’ll play two sets featuring contemporary classics from composers like John Barry and Weather Report before diving into Big Band classics from Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington and Glenn Miller.
FNUK with The Stacey Brothers
Behind many a stellar rock name, is a clutch of top-quality musicians providing the backing for the star in the spotlight. Seldom known to the public, these skilled players supply the essential grooves, riffs and solos for renowned global artists. This year, Stompin’ on the Quomps welcomes not one but two of these unsung music heroes, twins Paul and Jeremy Stacey (pictured) who are performing with Bournemouth’s FNUK. Hailing from Poole in Dorset, they both started out in 1993 with a British pop group called The Lemon Trees, which featured Alex Lewis, Paul Holman, and Guy Chambers. The latter would go on to work with former Take That star Robbie Williams, co-writing his 1997 smash hit Angels. After The Lemon Trees parted ways in 1985, guitarist Paul Stacey went on to work with Oasis, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds and The Black Crowes. His twin, drummer Jeremy Stacey, has been the rhythm engine behind the likes of Sheryl Crow, The Waterboys, Joe Cocker and The Eurythmics. Last year Jeremy toured America with the legendary King Crimson whose line-up includes Wimborne Minster native Robert Fripp. Both are great jazz players as you will hear when they take to the stage with FNUK at 4.30pm.
From Music Teacher to Jazz Star
Having played in a variety of bands semi-professionally alongside a 17-year career as Head of Music in a Gloucestershire primary school, Kim Cypher took the brave decision to leave teaching to focus on her own music full-time as a sax player and singer. At the same time, her husband Mike Cypher left his career in banking to join her on this journey as a drummer (pictured). The Cheltenham-based couple became full-time professional jazz musicians in 2012 and have never looked back. Inspired by the funkier side of jazz, having studied alongside US saxophonist Pee Wee Ellis and internationally acclaimed jazz saxophonist Andy Sheppard, Kim’s style of performance is best described as ‘funky saxophonist meets 1940’s jazz singer’. Her sax style is full of soul and passion, emulating the human voice. She in is many ways the British equivalent of the Grammy nominated Dutch jazz and pop saxophonist Candy Dulfer. Kim has performed and recorded with some of the country’s finest jazz musicians and is due to release her hugely anticipated third album featuring the likes of Liane Carroll, Ray Gelato, Antonio Forcione and Ashley Slater. Kim brings her four-piece band, including husband Mike on drums, to the stage at 6pm.
A Little Bit of History
Stompin’ on the Quomps was started by The Taverners Big Band (pictured) who have played the closing slot on each of its 27 years. Picked from the best players in the area, the band always invites a guest singer to join them and this year it is Poole’s very own Sam Merrick. The Taverners never fail to produce a rousing finale which gets people dancing to the Big Band beat with tunes from Count Basie to Benny Goodman from 7.45pm.
For full details of the line-up and timings visit stompin.org
