Performer:

Nick Ward – Drums. Nick is a superb drummer who is in constant demand; he is also one of Britain’s finest exponents of vintage style jazz drumming.

Nick plays in many UK bands. The current bands are Keith Nichols – various ensembles; Martin Litton’s Red Hot Peppers (1990 - ); New Century Ragtime Orchestra (1999- ) and the Fryer-Barnhart International All Stars (1998- ). He also deputises with many other bands. Nick has a selection of percussion instruments, including two Premier drum Kits, both dating from the 1930s. The one kit dates from 1934-37, and the other from 1937-1938, plus other individual bass drums, snare drums and Chinese tom toms, and temple blocks, all dating from the 1920s, also a large collection of cymbals also from this period. He also has a Boosey and Hawkes “New Century” drum console dating from 1934.

The Jelly Roll Quartet plays the music of jazz pioneer Jelly Roll Morton and also small group jazz as heard in Chicago's south side in the nineteen twenties. The quartet plays to great acclaim at Jazz Clubs and festivals throughout the country.