Cotton City Jazzmen

The Cotton City Jazz Band formed in 1954 and was resident at the Brunswick Hotel in Bury. In those days, the band was led by Doug Whaley. Barry Aldous joined them in 1956 to play clarinet and they enjoyed popularity on the Manchester jazz scene for some four years before disbanding. Barry re-formed the band in 1986, taking on the role of bandleader. He was keen to keep the Louis Armstrong All Stars sound that Doug Whaley had given the original band. Doug agreed to join the new band along with pianist Maurice Gavan, who had played occasionally with the original band. Cotton City played at the De la Salle Rugby Club in Salford for 10 years. They again stopped playing for a short while before re-appearing with their current line up.

Band Members

Front Line

Barry Aldous - clarinet/tenor sax.

Barry has played clarinet since the age of seventeen when he first met pianist/clarinettist Maurice Gavan at a Blackburn jazz club.
Has played traditional jazz on both clarinet and bass since the 1950s
Stints with the George Jackson, Jackson-Bradshaw, Rainy City , Cromwell and Panama jazz bands, and playing alongside Don Long in his band, feature in Barry’s long and eventful association with jazz.
Has backed many well known musicians including Wild Bill Davidson, Bud Freeman, Roy Williams, Humphrey Lytleton and Chuck Conners.
A freelance musician, Barry also runs his own jazz club, Jazz at the Grants in Ramsbottom, Bury
And, of course, he is doing a fine job leading and promoting Cotton City

Doug Whaley - trumpet.

Well known and respected in jazz circles, he has played with the best on many occasions
Founder member and original leader of the Cotton City Jazzmen
Health problems have restricted his playing, but the quality is still there

Don Long - trombone

A very experienced trombonist and band leader
Professional player with show bands in the 1960s
Musical director at Ganders Goes South, restaurant in Manchester for thirteen years
A great singer in the Louis Prima style

Rhythm Section

Grant Hogan-Taylor - drums

Grant’s main early influence came from his drummer/ bandleader father Nev, who enjoyed many successful years on the Manchester jazz scene.
He inherited his father‘s ability - and drum kit, which is still very much in evidence
Grant is also proficient on trumpet
He has played with the Don Long band, along with Barry and Maurice.
Grant is a very good musician, teaching music theory and piano professionally.

John Gordon - guitar

John is well known for his Gypsy style of playing
Has an extensive technical knowledge and experience and can readily turn his hand to different jazz styles
He plays solid rhythm with Cotton City and is appreciated for his featured solos - any tune, any key!
A great asset to the band

Paul Medena - bass

Plays bass fiddle and bass trombone, adding another dimension to the band
Plays with big bands on trombone
Has seven bass instruments, one played on stage with Charlie Parker’s band

Maurice Gavan - piano

Maurice is well known for his clarinet and piano playing
His jazz history lies in the main with the George Jackson band and the Smoky City jazz bands.
He shared the stage with Barry during the Cromwell Jazz Band years, and with bands lead by trombonist Don Long.
Has supported many great names, and has led his own outfits
Provides an exciting input to Cotton City .