DixieMix
DixieMix made their debut at the Dereham Jazz Society in November 2006. From the beginning the band played a mixture of Dixie Land jazz and swing and this mixture has proved successful in entertaining many audiences over the last ten years. Simon Nelson has led the six piece band since its foundation and along with Kevin West is the band’s longest serving member. The range of the bands instrumental talent is impressive.
Simon Nelson – cornet, trumpet, flugel horn and vocals
Chris Wigley – trombone and vocals
Peter Oxborough – clarinet, alto sax, tenor sax
Kevin West – banjo, guitar, ukele
John Benson – bass and vocals
Tony Wilkins – drums and vocals
In 2011 the band recorded their first album ‘Nelson’s Revenge’, thanks to sponsorship by Woodforde’s Brewery. Since then they have recorded three additional studio albums and are working on a fifth.
The band’s style continues to be eclectic and ranges from the classic New Orleans style of the Buddy Bolden era to the jump-jive of Louis Prima, and, they would add, everything in between! The band is known for their enthusiasm and their good humoured friendly style.
In June 2014 DixieMix was invited to join Rod Stewart’s UK tour as the audience warm up band.