Gerry took his first band "The Gerry Brown Jazzmen" on the road in the late fifties. In 1962 the band was chosen to accompany Louis Armstrong and his All Stars on a nation-wide concert tour, a wonderful experience for Gerry, who had for many years been influenced by the inspirational playing of the great trumpeter.

Gerry took over the leadership of his present band following the retirement and subsequent death of the legendary Bournemouth clarinettist Pedro Harris. To this day the band retains many of Pedro's favourite old numbers, whilst at the same time extending the repertoire to include classics more familiar to the followers of Condon and Ellington.



The Mission Hall Band is a happy band who genuinely enjoy what they do and this is very effectively communicated to their audiences.

Veterans of television and radio both here and abroad, they have built a reputation second to none at venues and jazz clubs throughout the land and were voted 'Band of the Year' at Nat Gonella's own club at Gosport last year.

They have recorded a number of tapes and CDs which are available at gigs or by phone.