(Click to see List of Pictures)

The Jade Basin Five plus One was a RAF Jever Station Jazz Band led by Stanford Howard in 1957 and 1958.   They were very famous in the area and on the camp, they also broadcast on British Forces Network introduced by Bill Crozier.   Maurice Gavan tells the story of his involvement:

"I arrived in Block 40 after midnight on 23rd December 1956.   Those who were awake were stoned.   It turned out that Tiger Shaw had donated a huge barrel of Jever Beer to the winners of the Best Bar competition!

I soon met the unforgettable Stanford Howard and we formed the Band.   We were: Stanford on trumpet; Dave Watt piano; Dennis Crewe trombone; Dave Fowler, Drums and yours truly on clarinet.   The "plus one" bit came later when Ginger Cobbold joined us on double bass.   Danny Sands also came along from time to time as a vocalist.

We did a lot of gigs on the station and all the venues in and around Jever and Wilhelmshaven.   We were invited to do a broadcast for BFN in Cologne by Bill Crozier who later handled the popular Two-Way "Family Favourites" for the BBC.   He loved his jazz, was a fine pianist, and booked us into two jazz cellars in Cologne.   These were the infamous "Tabu" and "Boheme" clubs.   We had a ball!!

I recall that we had a residency at the Strandhalle at Wilhelmshaven where the local jazzers seemed to regard us seriously, in that they all copied our numbers.   One memorable gig was at the Officers' Club at Bremerhaven.   After the dance, we were entertained at the bar by some Senior Officers.   The first Sputnik had just gone up and was successfully bleeping.   Some of our American friends refused to accept that this event was a reality!   Their hospitality left some of us with monumental hangovers the next morning.

Demobilisations meant we had to have two replacements for the band.   Bill de Graaf, our Dutch guitarist and banjo player was a very good musician.   We managed to obtain Bruce 'Digger' Davidson who kept us going well in his place.   Dave Fowler was replaced by Phil Riggott and we stayed together until Stanford was posted to the U.K.

After the disbanding of the band I did a short spell playing Tenor Sax with the Station Band.   However, I was discovered to be playing notes which were not on the arrangements and had to depart!

After I left the RAF I went into education and took early retirement from Preston College where I laboured under the title of Principal Tutor.   This gave me the opportunity to play more clarinet and piano.   I still enjoy the odd gig.

L to R: Dave Watt piano, Danny Sands vocalist, Phil Riggot drums, Maurice Gavan clarinet, 'Digger' Davidson guitar and banjo,
Stan Howard trumpet, Dennis Crewe trombone.   (Thanks to Brian Walker.)

List of Pictures:

• Stanford Howard, Trumpet and Leader for the Jade Basin Five plus One - Reaching for the sky!
• Dave Watt, piano.
• Maurice Gavan, clarinet.
• Dennis Crewe, Trombone.
• Dave Fowler, Drums.
• Bill de Graaf, Guitar and Banjo.
• Stanford Howard, Leader and Trumpet.
• ...Put them all together and you have - Jade Basin Five Plus one.   L to R: In the corner, Dave Fowler Drums, Bill de Graaf Guitar, Maurice Gavan Clarinet, Stanford Howard Trumpet and Dennis Crewe Trombone.
• In full swing - Jade Basin Five Plus one.   L to R: Maurice Gavan Clarinet, Stanford Howard Trumpet and Dennis Crewe Trombone.
• The Schutzenhof again - Jade Basin Five. L to R: Dave Fowler Drums, Bill de Graaf Guitar, Maurice Gavan Clarinet, Stanford Howard Trumpet and Dennis Crewe Trombone.
• The Deutscheshaus, near Jever Railway Station - Jade Basin Five. L to R: Bill de Graaf Guitar, Dave Fowler Drums, Maurice Gavan Clarinet, Stanford Howard Trumpet and Dennis Crewe Trombone.
• Also at the Deutscheshaus, near Jever Railway Station - Jade Basin Five. L to R: Maurice Gavan Clarinet, Stanford Howard Trumpet and Dennis Crewe Trombone.
• At the Wilhemshaven Strandhalle - Jade Basin Five. L to R: Maurice Gavan Clarinet, Bill de Graaf Guitar, Stanford Howard Trumpet and Dennis Crewe Trombone.
• At the Wilhemshaven Strandhalle with the "Boppers" - Jade Basin Five. L to R: Maurice Gavan Clarinet, Stanford Howard Trumpet and Dennis Crewe Trombone.
• Back at the Schutzenhof - Jade Basin Five. L to R: Maurice Gavan Clarinet, Stanford Howard Trumpet and Dennis Crewe Trombone.
• Dave Watt on the piano.
• Dave Fowler on the drums.
• Bill de Graaf on Guitar.
• 118 Sqn 'Do' with 'Eddie' German Bass Player - 1957.   L to R: Maurice Gavan clarinet, Dave Fowler Drums, Bill de Graaf Guitar, 'Eddie' Bass, Stanford Howard Trumpet.
• Squadron 'Do'.   L to R: Maurice Gavan clarinet, Stanford Howard Trumpet, Dennis Crewe Trombone.
• Vocalist Danny Sands performing with the Jade Basin 5+1 - 58. L to R: Maurice Gavan clarinet, Dave Watt piano, Stanford Howard Trumpet, Danny Sands vocalist.
• Digger Davidson on the Guitar who took over from Bill de Graaf after he was demobbed.
• Dave Watt stomps in cavalry twill and suede boots.
• Wittmund 57 or 58.   We had a Male Voice Trio for "Sister Kate".   L to R: Dennis Crewe Trombone, Maurice Gavan, Clarinet, Stanford Howard Trumpet, Eddie Double Bass, Digger Davidson Guitar.
• Later Rhythm Section of the band.   Dave Watt Piano, Bruce Davidson Guitar/Banjo and Ginger Cobbold Double Bass.
• The Other Station Jazz Band was called the "Malcolm Club Orchestra".   Here it is seen playing at the Malcolm Club - May57.   The band had faded by Aug57, most of the members being demobbed by then.
  L to R: Maurice Gavan (back) Piano, Brian Hodders" Holden Trombone, Al Gardham Trumpet, Brian 'Stan' Stanworth Clarinet, Walter 'Wally' Tickle Guitar, Rear of head: Mick Adams snare drums.
• Another Shot of the "Malcolm Club Orchestra".   Here it is seen playing on the same night at the Malcolm Club - May57.   L to R Rear: Brian "Hodders" Holden Trumpet, Alan Gardham Trumpet, Brian 'Stan' Stanworth Clarinet, Front row: Walter 'Wally' Tickle Guitar, Wilhelm de Graaf Guitar, Mick Adams snare drums, Maurice Gavan Piano.
• Maurice Gavan Clarinet joined by Flt Lt. Hare on the Violin at a 118 Sqn do at the Schutzenhof - 1957.
• The "Downtowners" Station Skiffle Group also at the Schutzenhof - 1958.
• The "Downtowners" Station Skiffle Group.   L to R: Rex Cole, 101 SU Guitar, Ginger Cobbold Teachest Double Bass, Dave Fowler Drums, Unknown Guitar.
• Somewhere in Jever - Danny Sands sings - 57. L to R: Danny Sands Vocalist, Maurice Gavan Clarinet, Dave Fowler Drums, Stanford Howard Trumpet, Dennis Crewe Trombone.
• The talented Stanford Howard on the piano - 57.
• A Cox Saxophone - 1958.
• Strandhalle, Wilhelmshaven - 1957. L to R: Maurice Gavan Clarinet, Stanford Howard Trumpet, Dennis Crewe Trombone.
• Who's the Bird?   Maurice Gavan Clarinet.
• Nordheim Aug57   L to R: German Pianist deputising from the Deutscherhaus band, Maurice Gavan Clarinet, Bill de Graaf Guitar, Stanford Howard Trumpet, Dennis Crewe Trombone, Eddie, German deputy from Deutscherhaus, Double Bass.
• Demob Party for Dennis Crewe?   L to R: Tom Sharratt, Maurice Gavan, Dennis Crewe, Danny Sands, Digger Davidson.
• Maurice Gavan and Taff Reed on the airfield, FWHQ behind.
• Jade Basin Five plus One Re-union at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Blackburn about 1961. L to R: Maurice Gavan Clarinet, Stanford Howard Trumpet, Digger Davidson Banjo, Dennis Crewe Trombone, Dave Fowler Drums, Dave Watt Piano.
• Somebody's Demob 'Do' at the Deutscherhaus.   L to R: Danny Sands, Maurice Gavan, Ginger Cobbold, Tom Sharratt, Digger Davidson.
• Farewell Demob Party for Dennis Crewe - about 58.   L to R: Unknown Lady from Malcolm Club, Danny Sands, Maurice Gavan, Tony Ewen, Dennis Crewe at piano, Digger Davidson, Unknown, Phil Riggott.
• Maurice Gavan in repose.
• RAF Jever Station Band at Schutzenhof - 13May58.
• Danny Sands, 'Gav' Gavan and Dave Cobbold.
• Dennis Crewe, Dave Cobbold and Danny Sands.
• Danny Sands singing and 'Gav' Gavan at the piano.
• 'Digger' Davidson, Dave Cobbold, Rex Cole and Danny Sands in front of a visiting Canadian Sabre.
  
  Places we have played:
  
  
• The Jever and Wilhelmshaven area.
• Strandhalle, Nordseebad Wilhelmshaven.   Maurice remembers that they seemed to play here weekly - it may have been Sunday evenings.
• The Dom in Köln am Rhine.   We were invited to do a broadcast for BFN in Cologne by Bill Crozier who later handled the popular Two-Way "Family Favourites" for the BBC.   He loved his jazz, was a fine pianist, and booked us into two jazz cellars in Cologne.   These were the infamous "Tabu" and "Boheme" clubs.