David Burley

 “My first contact with music started at a very early age. My father loved listening to music and had quite a collection of 78’s and my mother played the piano which and is still going well into her 90’s!  You could say I had no choice.

Around 1950 I joined a local church youth club and from this a small band was formed. We used to play at club meetings and had a regular slot every week playing at the Saturday Night ‘Hop’ sometimes with up to seven band members.

By 1959 I found another interest; I married! And moved from South London to Bedfordshire, packed up the guitar and never played for the next 22 years.

In 1981 I came across the present band playing in a pub.  That did it for me! Within a few months I was playing again and eventually joined the band and here we are, still going strong. The James Goff Big Band provides a great interest for me and a pleasure to others who come to hear us.

Long it may continue!”  

Dave Burley

Nick Dytham      Nick started his musical career playing the piano at the tender age of six and a varied distinguished musical career followed.   Brass bands were Nick’s next interest playing the cornet, tenor horn, flugelhorn, bass trombone and euphonium for bands such as the Wolverton Silver brass band. Nine years was enjoyed with the Towcester Studio Band on Bb Bass, Eb Bass and Bass trombone.   For over thirty years he has played with the Edinburgh Rehearsal Orchestra (ERO) working under legendary conductors Harry Legge, Sir Charles Grove, Rudolph Kempe, Simon Rattle and Andrew Davis, also playing locally for the Northampton, Bedford, Aylesbury and Brent Symphonies, and Brackley, Bletchley, MK Symphonias.   He has played most of the operatic society music and all of Gilbert and Sullivan’s music, some operas and ballet music, as well as many oratorios including Messiah. Venues visited include Belgrade Theatre Coventry, Royal Theatre Northampton, the 101 Night Club and even a spell with the P&O cruises playing with the Sydney Lipton’s Band.   Diversity of style could not be truer than Nick’s playing history ranging from the Pasadena Roof Orchestra to the Pete Allen Jazz Band.   Click image It  has even  thrown in some comedy with the Bob Kerr’s Whoppee Band playing the sousaphone;  this lasted for two years (see photo left) and he  has also appeared  with the Curtis Radio Big Band over a period of nine years, Johnny Harris Big Band, Jimmy Wooding Big Bands, Billy Graham Big Band, the Mike Kemp Trio, Stackyard Stompers, Tad Newton’s All Stars and Brain Mellors All Stars Birmingham.     Nick has a vast experience of all types of music and this was enjoyed at the Band’s Annual dinner in May 2004; after dinner everyone was entertained with an hour’s impromptu music with Nick on double bass, James Goff on piano and John Shelley playing sax and clarinet.   Nick is still kept busy with some freelance work and plays for the James Goff Big Band. Nick tells me he even tries a spot of busking now and again!   Nick Dytham top right     Nick outside 10 Downing Street with his  sousaphone.  Click images to enlarge   Instruments played:  piano, trumpet, Eb tenor horn, soprano, flugelhorn, cornet, bass trombone, euphonium, sousaphone, double bass, bass guitar, tuba.  Nick Dytham