Report from the QE2 -The Squadronaires

What a day that was! We all rolled up at the quayside with our instruments, bags and suitcases hoping to get aboard early. No such luck! We knew that we had to play that first evening, and we were anxious to get our stage set up (flags etc) in good time. After about 2 hours, Greg sent the musicians aboard the ship and waylaid a porter who, for a 'bribe' helped to load the heavy fiightcases aboard. These cases contained the band desks, the uniforms, and the music. When we were all finally aboard and getting our- selves settled in, a major 'tradgedy' loomed on the horizon -we could not locate any of our RAF uniforms or the music. Panic stations was the word. Eventually, due to the kind assistance given us by Maureen in the Cruise Directors office, the uniforms were located and we hurriedly changed and set the scene for our first night show.

What a wonderful working environment the QE2 is. We got so much help from the crew -particularly resident vocalist PAUL BARRY who is now 'jumping ship' to join us as vocalist with the Glenn Miller Tribute Orchestra. Being treated as passengers, we found the service to be absolutely 100% and would thoroughly recommend it- if you have a 'hour' or so to spare.

 Paul Barry

We met up with some really interesting people too. Particularly Iof interest to us all was ex Sands Casino Orchestra leadTrumpet player NICK RUSSO. He was leading the Charlie I Spivak Orchestra and anybody listening and watching would not have believed that Nick is 82 years old. He played all of the great Harry James solos -just perfect !

Also on board we met 89 year old Orrin Tucker who was leading the Erskine Hawkins Orchestra, and Ray McVay was aboard v.Jith his band playing Glenn Miller and Andrew Lloyd Webber music -which he especially dedicated to Greg 'what's his name' !

Of course we were playing 'against' these orchestras in different rooms, so you can imagine that there was a fair bit of rivalry. We're happy to say that without any shadow of a doubt, the Squadronaires were the highlight of the cruise. So many people came up to tell us, and many of them even went to the Cruise Director to say they would book again 'there and then' if we were coming back next year. It was a big 'booster' for the youngsters in our orchestra -just the sort of thing they needed. We had a 'jam session' one night after the dancing, and our young star tenor player Mike Hope went on stage with the young American musicians. He played a jazz solo for at least 15 minutes non stop! After all that, the Americans gave up and went to bed! Wish you could all have been there -maybe next time ?