The Reg Vardy Band

Bass Section

Royal Albert Hall 2007

From left to right:

Stephen Malcolm

Alistair Storey

Shaun Roche

David Long

Steve started playing in 1978 whilst a pupil at Chuter Ede School in South Shields . His teacher at this time was Tom Young, a Salvationist tuba player from Monkwearmouth citadel in Sunderland .

Tom invited Steve to attend the South Tyneside Schools Brass scheme (STBBS), where he met (amongst others), Les Palmer and a young soprano player – Yvonne Gray, who was later to become his wife.

In 1980 he joined the Boldon Colliery band (4 th section), with guidance from Bill English and George Rowell. The band was just starting to take off after several years in the doldrums. Bill put Steve’s name forward to audition for the NYBB, and in the Easter of 1981 he passed the entry audition.

1982 saw Steve sign for the Harton and Westoe Colliery band (2 nd section) and a re-acquaintance with Les Palmer. This year saw the band win the area contest, an appearance at the national finals and promotion to the Championship section. Whilst in London for the national finals, Steve played in the massed bands concert with the NYBB under the direction of Ray Farr.

Late 1983 saw Steve joining the bass section at the Ever Ready band, sitting in a section of stalwart band members – Jim McNestry, Dave Carr and Alan Mortimer. Steve had great time with the band and enjoyed many contest successes under the batons of Eric Cunningham and Major Parkes.

In 1990 Steve took over the resident conductors’ job at one of his previous bands – Boldon Colliery, combining full time playing at Ever Ready and full time conducting at Boldon. During his time at Boldon, the bands competed at the National finals five times, and were promoted to the Championship section for the first time in their history.

1997 saw Steve take over the resident conductors post at the Ever Ready band, a position which he still holds today in addition to his bass playing responsibilities.

He is married to Yvonne (soprano cornet player with the Felling band), and has two daughters – Amy and Kate.

Alistair comes from the North-East of England and was born in Jarrow, Tyneside. Having an older brother who used to play tuba meant there was always a bass in the house so when he was 11 years old began 'having a blow' on the instrument and has never looked back!

At 12 years old he had lessons through the local authority music service and attended the South Tyneside Schools Brass Band Scheme on Saturday mornings.

His first contesting band came in the form of Cowpen & Croften Band, under the baton of John Pearson. Other bands he has played for include Boldon Colliery and the Northumbria Police where he spent 14 years. Alistair played both Eb and Bb bass for the band and was one of the founder members of Gateshead Brass which arose from the ashes of the Northumbria Police Band when the Force withdrew their sponsorship.

Deciding he needed new challenges for his playing Alistair took the decision to make a move to Yorkshire and gained a place with the Sellers International Band on Bb bass, partnering the legendary Derek Jackson, where he played for 3 years winning the Grand Shield trophy. He then moved over the road and spent 1 year playing with the YBS band under David King. With the band he toured Belgium and competed at all the major contests including the Europeans in Belfast.

Alistair joined the Reg Vardy Band in January 2007 making an immediate impact contributing to the band winning the Doug Cairns Prize for Best Basses at the Northern Area contest and the bands 30th Northern Area win.

Outside of the band Alistair works as a peripatetic brass teacher for South Tyneside Council and runs the South Tyneside Brass Band Scheme.