38 Express:
This band had a previous life, known as the Greg Allen Band, which was based in Revesby, but most members were in the Ryde Silver Band. The band was run and organised by Greg Smale (Allen), he didn’t like the name). The band comprised a revolving door of saxes, clarinets, trumpets and occasionally a trombone and guitar. It had a rhythm section of piano and drums only. Greg was looking to modernise the band to play “swing”, which was not the forte of some members. It had a repertoire of largely orchestral and pop music. This was about the time the Yeoman went their separate ways, and I jumped at the chance to join another swing based band. I also brought the Yeoman’s drummer with me (Dave Azzopardi). The band was renamed the 38 Express and comprised: Greg Smale on saxes and clarinet, Vince Waller on saxes and clarinet, Dave on trumpet, Betty Murphy on piano, Dave Azzopardi on drums, and Russ Davis on Bass. The band played the usual functions of pubs, clubs, weddings and parties, with recurring gigs at the HydroMagestic in the Blue Mountains. The band also attended some of the jazz festivals, such as Jazz in the Highlands, with several trips to Merimbula Jazz Festival. Russ Davis left the band in 1995 to move to Forster on the Mid North Coast , but the band continued on for several years.
