Present Big Band Section.

The Moonliters

Video clips of the Moonlighters at bottom of page

The present Moonliter Band was formed in 2005 as a new group by Ian Currie and Bill Davies and at that time was called "The London All-Stars", named after the band of Neal McKay which had existed for many years in London. It was to be primarily a rehearsal band  to play more challenging material than was done in existing bands. Many premium musicians were called and almost all accepted the offer to play in this new group. The Lambeth Legion was able to offer a rehearsal spot at the cost of two free performances a year. The band functioned in this format for a year and played the 125th anniversary of the London Club and a shared concert with the South S.S. School Jazz Ensemble.
Bill Davies was the leader and front man at this time.

In 2006, the existing Moonliter Band had not functioned for some time as it had been formed by Johnny Griffin, a player in Johnny Downs band and Maitre D at the Latin Quarter when John Downs decided to pack up the big band. He gave the music (the book) to J.G. who along with Murray Kelley, Len Coleman, Neil Harrington, Freddie Bernardo and many others started practicing at the Highland Golf Club. The band played at Highland and many other spots, and as the oldest members gave up playing or died, new members were recruited. After John Griffin’s death Neil Harrington took over and then Rick McGregor and then Ron Gilbert, but these events were brief as the membership declined and many substitutes took temporary spots only to leave as better offers appeared.

The remaining members decided that the legacy of the band would best happen if the equipment, including stands, music, lights and keyboard etc were given to the London All Stars as some of the remaining members played in that group and the name of the band was changed to the Moonliters. Since then, the band did a series of dances at the Lambeth legion in a cost sharing venture but these were not well attended and ended in the Fall of 2007. Bill Davies also resigned as leader and Andy Lusher was given the job.

Present membership is Saxes: Andy Lusher, Scott Edwards, Creg Johnston, Neil Harrington, Chris Lesko.

Trumpets: Doug Keenan, Ron Walker, Julianne Baskette, Dick Butterwick

Trombones: Don Smith, Rick Murray, George Stewart, Wolfgang Beckmann

Rhythm: Keyboard , Tony Pritchard, Drums, Ian Currie, Guitar, Joe Allgrove, Bass Bob (Doc) Livingston

Video Clips

Recorded live at a Lambeth Legion Dance on June 13th 2007                                                                  

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                                      Lil' Darlin"                                                                                     Little Girl

                                     String Of Pearls                                                            So Nice To Come Home To

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