The Night Owls are a five piece vintage jazz band playing the hot syncopated songs of the 1920’s and the wooing love songs of the 1930’s and 40′s. They use a combination of harmony singing, double bass and ukuleles to create a fresh but authentically vintage sound. Performing standards and more obscure songs the group sound tight and crisp but retain a real feel of the 1930′s. The band were formed in early 2008 and have played many successful local gigs as well as appearing on the main stage at the UK Ukulele festival and live performances on BBC Somerset Sound and Apple AM.
__________________________________________
Jim Gritt – Soprano and Concert Ukulele
Jim began his musical career as a youngster, forming his first band ‘The wild Outcasts’ while still at school. He spent many years on the southwest folk circuit as a multi instrumentalist in bands ‘Rooting Around’, ‘Pagan Gypsies’ and as part of the duo ‘Gritt and Gravell’. Jim began playing the ukulele seriously in 2007 and brings a wealth of melodic ideas to the band, often referencing his hero Django Reinhardt.
Nipper – Baritone and Tenor Ukuleles
Nipper has played ukulele since the age of 15 and is now a well known teacher of the instrument. He has published several books on how to play ukulele and written widely about all things uke. He has performed in many bands including ‘Skaville Train’ and TUSC. As well as the Night Owls he also performs solo with ukulele and voice. He spends many hours writing and recording ukulele music in his Taunton studio and researching the band’s songs from his extensive collection of 78rpm records.
Click here for Nipper’s Website
Pat Goodall – Lead Vocals
Pat spent many years as a singer in barbershop quartets and brings a wealth of singing and harmonizing experience to The Night Owls. He sang most successfully with the band ‘Latest Edition’, who during the early 1990’s competed at a national level. He is a member of the Taunton Ukulele Strummers Club where he sings and plays uke; he now brings his vocal talents to the role of lead singer with the Owls.
__________________________________________
Ian Elenor – Upright Bass
Ian is new to the Night Owls but brings many years of bass playing experience. He has played with local Hot Club jazz groups, but has spent the last few years playing folk with music with Bridgwater based ‘Jankie Fardel’. His return to jazz brings a touch of class to the Night Owls.
__________________________________________
Tom Walls – Drums
Tom has been playing drums for 40 years and keeps the band in line with his tasteful fills and time keeping.
__________________________________________
Past Members
Tom French
During the late 1990’s Tom cut his teeth playing bass in London based funk rock bands ‘Immaculate Deception’ and ‘The Lonely Band’. After spending some time in Hawaii he became interested in the ukulele and on his return to the UK joined the Taunton Ukulele Strummers Club. Tom was a founder member of The Night Owls, providing a fluid and rhythmic underpinning to the songs. He left the band in 2011 and is now playing electric bass on the London music scene.
