After 110 years of Music, Mirth and Mayhem Ventnor Comic Jazz Band, from the Isle of Wight, have been chosen by The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee organisers to represent the South of England in the Platinum Jubilee Pageant, which will take place on Sunday 5th June 2022, in central London.
Over 5,000 people from across the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth will celebrate the Queen’s reign against the backdrop of Buckingham Palace and the surrounding streets, combining street arts, theatre, music, circus, carnival, and costume.
The ‘mop brigade’
Ventnor Comic Jazz Band first appeared in the 1894 Ventnor Carnival as a ‘mop brigade’. Members of the local 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.
A fun-loving band
Nowadays, the unique and highly popular Band appears annually in most of the Isle of Wight Carnivals, and other major Island events.
The fun-loving Band members still wear outlandish costumes, and play well-known tunes on a variety of instruments (some home-made).
Carried on the tradition of `Music, Mirth, and Mayhem
Since 1911, successive generations of the same families have provided continuity and carried on the tradition of Music, Mirth and Mayhem.
It is believed that The Queen`s Platinum Jubilee Pageant will be the first time in its long history that the Band will perform off the Island.
Kullander: Promises to be a lot of fun, which is very much our style
Mike Kullander, a senior member, 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.”
YouTube has a great collection of VCJB videos, and here’s a small sample.
News shared by Bob on behalf of Ventnor Comic Jazz Band. Ed
Image: © Ventnor Comic Jazz Band
