City jazz band returns to its spiritual home

Following the closure of The Robert Gillow pub last month, The Sun Street Stompers have now returned to their spiritual home in Lancaster - the Ye Olde John O Gaunt.

Formed in 1983, the band – believed to be one of the oldest-established in Lancaster – have performed every Sunday without fail since then.

Band leader Barrie Marshall said: “I originally formed the band at Ye Olde John O Gaunt and we played there continuously until its temporary closure in 2008.

“Since then we have played at the Robert Gillow under successive licensees.

“We are sad that Mark Cutter and Tash Burns are now leaving The Gillow but times change and we all have to move on.

“Landlady Claire Tomlinson and her staff have worked hard to put Ye Olde John O Gaunt back to the forefront of the Lancaster music scene and we were delighted to accept their invitation to return back home.

“We have a large following, who come and see us every week and everyone I’ve spoken to is delighted that we will still be around in the centre of the city.”

The band play every Sunday from 12.30pm until 3pm, featuring not only their regular line-up but also hosting talented guests from all over the country.

The Sun Street Stompers are Barrie Marshall on clarinet, Alan Duckles on cornet, Gerry Duckles on banjo, Steve Lister on guitar and Adrian Morris on bass.

The original session was known as Jazz, Dogs and Sausages as dogs were allowed in the pub and the then landlord Steve Thorn supplied free sausages.

In a salute to the past, current John O Gaunt manager Claire Tomlinson has reinstated the free sausages.

Open mic sessions are held at the John O Gaunt from 3pm every Sunday.