Bristol's Severn Jazzmen celebrate 40 years together

The Severn Jazzmen celebrated their 40th anniversary as a band with a special gig at the Old Duke pub in Bristol.

The Bristol band has played at the jazz venue in King Street regularly since they formed in the late 1960s.

They appear there on alternate Mondays, and celebrated their four decades with a performance in front of a packed crowd.

The seven-strong band are Martin Williams on trumpet, Brian Huggett on clarinet, Alan Bramley on trombone, John Viner on guitar and banjo, Dave "Fats" Millman on piano, Mike Ducker on bass and John Keel on drums.

The band's style is traditional Dixieland, with vocals from band leader Dave Millman.

"It went very well, the place was full and it was quite an event," he said.

"The landlord had done the place out with flashing lights, there was bunting outside and champagne glasses all along the bar.

"After having been there for 40 years you find yourself attached and there's a nice sound in there.

"I'm 80 so I'm not sure if I'll be playing there when I'm 120, but we'll probably still play at the Old Duke until we drop dead."

The band has played at jazz clubs and festivals throughout Europe and has released three recordings – 32 years on, Bits and Pieces and The Severn Jazzmen.

Clarinet player Brian Huggett's wife, Pam, has kept a diary for the last 40 years, chronicling the Bristol band's achievements, which customers could see at the concert.