Kenneth is a trustee of both Durham City Freemen and their charitable trust, while his musical adventures are fronted by founder and lead vocalist Damaris Jean alongside keyboard player Jonathan Howe, saxophonist Louise Lockhart with Simon Smiles on double bass.
The quintet - the Ragtime Rewind Vintage Swing Band - specialize in Swing, Charleston and Blues music from the 1920s to 30s but have added rock music and sultry vocals to their repertoire venturing, on occasion, into the hits of Lady Gaga and Dolly Parton.
Their most recent appearance at the Durham Fringe Festival, their fifth in successive years, was enthusiastically received by an audience at a venue on Palace Green. But journeys since their launch a decade ago have taken them much further afield.
They appeared on the BBC’s One Show as part of Durham City’s Culture Bid and widened their fan base after performances at the Lincoln 1940s and Woodhall Spa Revival Festivals.
More locally they have appeared at the North East Tourist Awards and special events at Beamish Museum and Tanfield Railway. Their next “gig” will be at a vintage car rally later this month at St Brandon’s Church at Brancepeth where Kenneth, also an accomplished pianist, is a member of parochial church council and also on the reader’s list.
“During performances the quintet use a range of colourful costumes to match the mood of the music. As a group we have great fun doing what we do and that helps cultivate interaction with our audiences which is important,” he added.
A well-known figure on the regional court circuit he started his legal career in 1967 and continues to maintain his longstanding links with Durham Rotary Club and Freemasonry.
