Tauranga music veterans are ramblin’ men

The Bay City Ramblers: Derek Jacombs, Robbie Laven, Nigel Masters and Mike Garner.

They might be the new boys on the block, but don't you go getting mistaken, this isn't The Bay City Ramblers' first rodeo.

The four-piece band featuring local music scene veterans Derek Jacombs, Nigel Masters, Mike Garner and Robbie Laven are off to play their first overseas show at the annual Norfolk Island Jazz Festival in December.

Specialising in 'old-timey” 1920s and 1930s acoustic blues, Americana and jazz, the festival will see The Bay City Ramblers share the stage with five other bands – four from Australia plus The Andrew London Trio from Wellington.

Nigel says it was pure chance that the trip came about.

'Mike went on holiday to the festival last year as part of the audience and while he was there they invited him to perform with a band this year. That was while Mike was playing regularly in a duo with Derek, so it was good timing.”

From there the duo assembled the band, head-hunting Nigel to play upright bass and recruiting multi-instrumentalist Robbie Laven, who regularly plays with gypsy jazz group Bonjour Swing.

Thus The Bay City Ramblers was born.

'Robbie was an obvious choice,” says Derek. 'He knows that music so well and can play a host of instruments with real authenticity. We're just lucky he was free and happy to come on board.”

Robbie not only brings his fiddle, mandolin and washboard to the party but his love of gypsy jazz, playing guitar and bringing a Django Reinhardt flavour to the band's take on early American jazz tunes.

But before The Bay City Ramblers board the plane for Norfolk Island for their week-long stay, they'll be playing their final warm-up concert – a free gig at The Matua Pub this Sunday, from 3pm.

For more information visit Facebook and search ‘The Bay City Ramblers'.

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