They have been bringing smiles to people’s faces at Isle of Wight carnivals for more than 120 years — and now Ventnor Comic Jazz Band will be taking part in the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant in London today (Sunday).
Ventnor Comic Jazz Band first appeared in the 1894 Ventnor Carnival as a ‘Mop Brigade’.
Scroll through the gallery of pictures above to see more...
Members of the Isle of Wight Rifle Volunteers, dressed in weird costumes and performed comic drill displays using mops instead of rifles.
In 1911, a core section of the Mop Brigade formed a ‘comic band’, which — apart from interruptions for the two World Wars — has appeared in successive Ventnor Carnivals up to the present day.
Today, the unique and highly popular band appears annually in most Isle of Wight carnivals, and other major local events, but it is believed to be the first time they have performed on the mainland.
The fun-loving band members still wear outlandish costumes, and play well-known tunes on a variety of instruments — some of which are home-made.
Since 1911, successive generations of the same families have provided continuity and carried on the band’s tradition of ‘Music, Mirth, and Mayhem.’
WATCH: Ventnor Comic Jazz Band practising ahead of their trip to London!
Fifty band members will be taking part in the London pageant in conjunction with ShademakersUK, and their Heraldic Beasts.
Mike Kullander, a senior member of Ventnor Comic Jazz Band, said: “We are honoured and thrilled to be chosen for this prestigious event. It promises to be a lot of fun, which is very much our style.”
Bob Trowbridge, band historian and long-term member, added: “The bandmembers are very excited about the Queen’s Jubilee Pageant; it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
The pageant is expected to feature more than 5,000 performers from across the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.
The performers will celebrate the Queen’s reign against the backdrop of Buckingham Palace and the surrounding streets. The pageant will combine street arts, theatre, music, circus, carnival and costume.
- See inside the current edition of the County Press (Friday, June 3) for your FREE eight-page jubilee supplement featuring stories and pictures from each of the Queen's five official visits to the Isle of Wight.
Want to know what's on this weekend? Click here for our jubilee events guide
DID YOU KNOW? We have also produced a 116-page commemorative magazine, The Queen's Platinum Jubilee: Hampshire & the Isle of Wight celebrates 70 years, which is available in selected Island newsagents, or by clicking here to order online
HAVING A JUBILEE EVENT? We are hoping to feature as many events as possible in next week's County Press! See: countypress.co.uk/jubilee or click on the submissions box below to send pictures and details to us!
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