Frosty and the Snowmen
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| Frosty and the Snowmen | ||
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 Frosty and the Snowmen photo shoot from their first album recording in 2006.
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| Background information | ||
| Origin | Saffron Walden, Essex, United Kingdom | |
| Genre(s) | Jazz, Funk, Fusion | |
| Years active | 2004-present | |
| Website | http://www.myspace.com/frostyandhissnowmen | |
| Members | ||
| Ben Frost - Trombone, Edward Haine - Alto Sax, Peter Knight - Tenor Sax, Ben Paul - Guitar, James Beckwith - Piano/Keyboard, Leo Cunningham-Baily - Bass Guitar, Harry Wrigley - Drums | ||
Frosty and the Snowmen are a jazz/funk band from the Saffron Walden area in Essex, United Kingdom. They play a variety of music from straight-ahead funk to more fusion style pieces and are well known in the area.
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[edit] History
The band started out as Ben Frost, local trombonist from the Saffron Walden area, decided that he wanted to form a band that could play the kind of music that he wanted. Ben was already in a few other bands in early 2004 but these were mainly larger Big Bands which he had less of a say in. Being a competent trombone player, Ben decided that he needed some players that were of a similar of not better ability to him.
The first musician that Ben sought out was Edward Haine. Edward was a good saxophone player who had experience of playing down at the Royal Academy of Music. However Ben saw that the band was in no state to perform without any rhythm section accompaniment. James Beckwith was the piano player of choice for Ben as James had recently become interested in jazz piano and thus brought some fresh new ideas to the band. Edward saw that the horn section was lacking and asked tenor saxophonist Rob Landor to join. Ed said that it gave the horns a "lower end".
Unfortunately for the band, there was a lack of rhythm. Although James was doing a fine job of keeping the time the band needed a percussive role. Daniel Smith, pupil at Friends' School was the best choice at the time for drummers. By this stage, the band had the basics for performing and playing some music and as a result booked a slot in an assembly coming up.
The assembly went well, with the band playing C Jam Blues, but they realised that regardless of what Edward said, the band did not have a "lower end". In other words, they needed a bassist. Leo Cunningham-Baily was the only bassist that the band knew was reliable and so he was hired. This meant that James no longer had to provide a walking bass and could concentrate on becoming more of a comper.
[edit] Band Bios
[edit] Ben Frost
Ben (Frosty) started the band in early 2004. Ben plays aC.G. Conn 88HT which he says is a keeper! Ben has been influenced by many people but none more than Kai Winding and J.J. Johnson. He also plays the Euphonium and Bass Trombone. He has appeared a couple of times at the National Youth Jazz Orchestra (NYJO) to play in the second band there. Ben currently attends Friends' School Saffron Walden. He also plays in a wide variety of bands and is looking forward to a career in Army Music.
[edit] Edward Haine
Edward has been playing with his horn for around eight years. He goes to the Royal Academy of Music every Saturday. He is also an enthusiastic Guitar player and a amateur Drummer. He has had many influences on the sax but he says Wayne Shorter has to be he is Jazz hero. He was one of the first members of the band along with Ben, James. He is another band called Beak & Feathers that plays down in London. Edd has also been taught by some of the most influencial jazz musicians on the current British Jazz Scene such as Nick Smart and Phil Robson. Ed now goes to Long Road Sixth Form College in Cambridge.
[edit] Peter Knight
Peter is the second newest member of the band and joined late 2006. He plays Soprano Saxophone, and Alto Saxophone Saxophones as well as Tenor Saxophone. He has been playing for several years and has passed Grade 8 Saxophone. Peter's main musical tastes are Jazz and Funk with one of his favourites being the Average White Band; and he has helped the band become more funk orientated. His interests include Rhiannon and playing Rugby. He goes to Saffron Walden County High School.
[edit] Ben Paul
Ben is the newest member of the band joining in late 2006/early 2007. Ben joined when the band decided to become more of a Funk band and needed a guitarist to fulfill this role. He is a competent guitar player who also plays the trumpet and is in other bands The Spores and Naked Squid. The Spores came runner up in the national Battle of the Bands competition in 2006 partly thanks to Ben. His interests other than music are skateboarding and unicycling. One of his main influences is Pat Metheny amongst other Rock Musicians. He goes to Saffron Walden County High School.
[edit] James Beckwith
James has been playing his instrument 9 years. He started out playing Classical Music but quickly found out that he prefered Jazz. James joined Frosty when it was first created in 2004. He has improved dramatically since he first got into jazz and as such plays at the Royal Academy of Music Jazz course. James has been taught by some of the leading musicians on the British Jazz Scene including: Nick Smart and Simon Colam. He is another band called Beak & Feathers that plays down in London. His main musical tastes are Jazz, Funk, Latin & Blues; and is influenced mainly by Herbie Hancock. James also plays the Alto Sax and has some drumming skills. He goes to Saffron Walden County High School.
[edit] Leo Cunningham-Baily
Leo joined the band about 4 months after it was started by Frosty. He plays a Cruiser made by Craft which is a Fender Jazz Bass copy. Leo mostly plays funky low-end lines in the band but also does a bit of slap on the side. He has been playing for a few years and almost knows all the notes on his bass. He is influenced by bassist Victor Wooten. Leo goes to Friends' School Saffron Walden, [Essex]].
[edit] Harry Wrigley
Harry has been playing drums and percussion since 2003, starting in the move to secondary school. His playing has been influenced by many drumming icons such as the great Buddy Rich, the innovative Jimmy Chamberlin and the inspirational Don Famulero. He also is involved in a varied array of musical styles ranging from jazz to rock. He has resently taken in interest in the world of sound engineering and is planning to create a home studio in the near future. He goes to Saffron Walden County High School.
[edit] Influences
Miles Davis, Dennis Rollins, Kai Winding, JJ Johnson, John Coltrane, Soweto Kinch, Wayne Shorter, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Keith Jarret, Pat Metheny, Kenny Garret, Wes Montgomery, Jaco Pastorius, Dave Holland, Marcus Miller, Buddy Rich, Jack DeJohnette, Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers, Average White Band, Sax Appeal.
[edit] Trivia
- Ben Frost is known for how many ttombones he has gone through. He is now on his 4th!
- Ben Paul gets his jazz name from London trumpeter Alaric Taylor who first saw Ben when he came out of his house topless, on a unicycle, with dreadlocked hair, wearing stripy pantaloons and juggling.
- Ed is most recognisable because of his skinny jeans.
- Leo is the tallest member of the band - 6'4.
- James frequently rides a girls bicycle, which he claims is his mother's and the band use this as their main method of local transportation
- On the 23 March, 2007; James and Ben Paul carried all of James' kit from his house to a gig on foot.
- Peter is the only member of the band who owns a car.
- James' nickname comes from County High pupil Tom Mockford.
- Ben Frost single-handedly managed to scare over 10 girls away by picking up a drawing done by a five-year-old and quoting "Do you like my picture". It was on this day that Ben also said he cannot go one day without a drink.
- Harry, (being a [[drummer jokes|drummer) has the lowest IQ in the band - 54.
Jazz Names
- Ben Frost - Frosty / Bad-Bone
- Edward Haine - Low Self-Esteem
- Peter Knight - Taxi
- Ben Paul - Circus Boy
- James Beckwith - Beckers / Wee Wee Jefferson
- Leo Cunningham-Baily - Smokey Joe
- Harry Wrigley - Wriggers
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