The Native Oysters Band – Folkestone’s Jazz Masters

The Native Oysters Band are a collection of musicians from across Kent, and first performed in Folkestone in 2013.  It was their first gig together in the newly named band.  They played for Charivari and have done ever since.  The Native Oysters Band has also been a regular on Folkestone Harbour Arm for the past 10 years.  Their New Orleans-style street jazz and sunny vibes can make a crowd jump with joy.  Folkelife caught up with Ivan Thompson and David Migden on a quiet Monday afternoon to find out more about the band.

Ivan: “I’m one of the founding members of the band which originally started out with around 9 or 10 people playing.  We started as a response to a plea from a dear friend and artist Mick Hill who would come to all our gigs, but sadly passed away in 2020. 

“We were going to play at the Whitstable Oyster Festival, hence our name, but our first gig was the week before at Charivari in Folkestone in 2013.  We’ve played at Charivari every since then and love being a part of the parade, and then the entertainment afterwards on The Leas.”

playing across kent

David: “I joined the band probably longer ago than it seems to me, but I’ve been playing with them for about 10 years now.  I play trumpet and vocals, and I think people’s response to the band is one of delight; delight at seeing and hearing so much brass playing music that is uplifting.  We certainly enjoy it.”

Ivan: “We play across Kent and London, and as far afield as Cornwall, but our regular towns are Whitstable, Deal, Broadstairs and, of course, Folkestone. When it’s sunny on the Arm, and heaving with thousands of people, there’s no better place.”

David: “We play New Orleans jazz which gets a crowd moving and feeling good, good vibes.

Hullabaloo

Ivan: “My main band is Hullabaloo, that’s where I make my money as a professional musician. And we also play at Folkestone Harbour too.  We play jazz in Hullabaloo too and it’s my first love.  It’s the reason I learned to play the clarinet.  I can remember listening to my mum’s trad jazz records as a kid and I’ve ended up a poor musician for the rest of my life!  I love doing the New Orleans thing, it’s a joyous sound that everyone can’t help but be lifted by.”

playing for the family

David: “”I think people aren’t used to seeing so much brass on show when we play.  It’s unusual to see a sousaphone, it is a bit of a spectacle. 

“The thing about playing at Folkestone Harbour when it’s completely rammed is everyone joins in – the children especially.  They have no inhibitions and get mesmerised by the music and start dancing. They love it, and so do we.”

Hullabaloo will be playing at Folkestone Harbour Festive Marketplace on 23rd November between 3 and 5pm, and The Native Oysters Band will be at the Festive Marketplace on 12th December from 5 to 7pm.