Oxcentrics
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The Oxcentrics were a Dixieland jazz band founded in 1975 at Oxford University. The band's name was derived from The Oxontrics, an original 1920s jazz band. Several (although by no means all) members were from University College, where many of the rehearsals took place. They played at a number of Oxford Balls, for the Oxford University Jazz Club, on May Morning, and for other events. The line-up, mostly Oxford University undergraduates, who recorded The Halcyon Days of the '20's & '30's on 29 February 1976 at the Acorn Studios in Stonesfield, Oxfordshire, were:
- Adrian Sheen — vocals
- Geoff 'Hot-Lips' Varrall — trumpet
- Adam Brett — trumpet
- Olly Weindling — clarinet
- Glyn Lewis — tenor saxophone
- Paul St John-Smith — trombone
- Charles 'Herbie' Kuta — tuba
- Simon 'Des' Wallace — piano
- Graham Downing — banjo
- Chris West — drums
Adrian Sheen was the original bandleader and Mike Southon subsequently took over as frontman in late 1976. Colin Moynihan was the original but short-lived pianist. Sally Jones tap danced for the band on occasions. Jonathan Bowen took many photographs and recorded the band in the 1970s. Further musicians who played with the Oxcentrics included Yva Thakurdas (trumpet) and Hugh Wallis (tuba).
The band continued in a changed form in London in the 1980s, managed by Olly Weindling, using many of the top young London jazz musicians such as Ashley Slater, Mark Lockheart and Billy Jenkins. Guests included Django Bates, Iain Ballamy and many others from Loose Tubes. In 1988, the Oxcentrics produced a CD, Oxcentromania! through Eccentric Records.
In 2005, the Oxcentrics reformed to celebrate their 30th anniversary. They also got together again in 2006 for a one-off gig at a ball held at St Hugh's College, Oxford.
