Tony Dunleavy     Ken Doran

 Neville Goodwin   Tony Ormesher    

 Rae Owens     Brian Singleton


"It's not what you do, it' the way that you do it" and there is something about the way the Chicago Teddybears Society Jazz Band do it that attracts large audiences everywhere they go.

Based in North West of England since the early 1970's the band has undergone one or two changes, but the current lineup have been together for the last twelve years resulting in the tight, polished performances which are the hallmark of the band.

Acclaimed as one of the most entertaining bands in the UK the Teddy Bears, with a repertiore ranging from Dixieland through New Orleans to Mainstream, have thrilled audiences with their exuberance and vitality.

As the band's reputation has grown they now travel extensively throughout the country for Jazz Festivals, private functions or corporate events, hence the saying "Have band will travel". However, such is, the demand from their staunch local supporters that they still play monthly residences at three or four of the best jazz scenes in the North West . (See the "Gig List").

Their versatility is such that they can be found playing at weddings, christenings, balls, barmitzvah, and for as many likely or unlikely functions as you would care to name.

This is why their diary fills so quickly each year as word spreads of their ability to make a party "go with a swing" or a function to be a success. Repeat bookings year after year prove the point.

TONY DUNLEAVY      Trombone

Tony is now one of the longest serving members of the band having joined in 1978. He started out on trombone down in the "smoke" studying at the Parker Brass Studio, after a spell with the Teddy Foster Orchestra he moved on to do cabaret in Churchills night club in Bond St. Tony came to Manchester in 1963, where he played with such bands as The Keith Pendlebury Band, The Pete Hartigan Band and the Manchester Panama Jazz Band, finally joining the Teddy Bears in '78. The greatest influence on Tony's style was Jack Teagarden whom he met whilst in London and one of his dearest friends during those days was the late
George Chisholm.

KEN DORAN    Trumpet/ Vocals

Ken, like Tony joined the band in 1978. At first it was on a temporary basis just to help out, but like so much in the jazz scene things have a habit of never being what they started out to be and the temporary basis went on and on. On stage Ken fronts the band, a task which he undertakes with great style and loads of energy as anyone will testify who has seen him. Ken's formative years were influenced by listening to such bands as Freddy Randall, Terry Lightfoot and Chris Barber, the most important of these being the Barber band newly formed with Pat Halcox replacing Ken Colyer on trumpet . Halcox was and still is the biggest influence on Kenís
trumpet style.

NEVILLE GOODWIN      Piano

Nev is the elder statesman of the band, being a grandad as well as a great grandad, having said that he can see the rest of us off when it comes to health and general well being. Neville became interested in jazz about 30 years ago,when he first heard Oscar Peterson who influenced his playing significantly. Another favourite of Nev's is Hoagy Carmichael. You can sum Neville's style of playing in one word,"gentle", he is as much at ease doing a ballad as a boogie.

TONY ORMESHER      Banjo / Guitar.

Tony started playing guitar in a dance band in the mid 50s. His liking for jazz came from listening to such greats as Django Reinhardt, Barny Kessel and Tel Farlow, and though his taste leans towards the style of jazz played by these greats, he also had a liking for the music of The Original Dixieland Jazz Band. Realising there were more opportunities to play one more than the other, he took up the banjo and has played with various bands over the years, not least of which was the Liverpool Panama Jazz Band. He joined the Teddybears in 1994.

RAE OWENS      Bass / Tuba / Vocals.

Rae was born in Liverpool last century and began his musical tuition on the piano, which he now cannot play. His first instrument was guitar which he taught himself to play. He played in a variety of bands playing guitar and similar instruments until in the 80s when he met a band leader, David Mills, in Bahrain, who urgently required a bassist for the Barhrain Jazz Quartet. Rae agreed and embarked upon his second musical career which has given him the opportunity to meet, socialise and work with some of Europe's finest musicians. He joined the Teddybears in 1994 making with Tony Ormesher the dynamic duo from Liverpool who have greatly increased the repertoire of the band.

BRIAN SINGLETON      Drums / Vocal

Brian is an out and out fan of the British trad sound as evoked by such bands as Barber, Bilk, Ball, Lightfoot and Wallace, who he started to listening to in the 50's. He took up drumming when in the Air Force and played in a variety of bands, i.e. pop groups, modern jazz trio and such like, and he started to play trad again after leaving the RAF when he joined the Ted's in 1980 .The man who guides his style and who he regards as one of the best trad drummers around is Ron McKay, especially from his early days with the Paramount Jazz Band. Brian ís the guy you call about booking the band and for information about CD's.


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