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Born when dinosaurs walked the earth, e.g. Lightning Hopkins, Leadbelly, Muddy Waters, Howlin Wolf etc, at  a time when music was valued as an important human resource, not as wallpaper.  Received musical influences in the greatest period for contemporary music in the modern era and considers it an obligation to pass that legacy on to the youth of today.  A few of them actually listen.
Grew up in Manchester. Continues to grow up in Macclesfield.
Favourite place: The Blues Club, Bluefunk in Poynton.
Likes: Talented people, virtuosity, sunshine, the company of friends and/or musicians (preferably in an ace British pub of which Macclesfield has several). Besotted with his two beautiful grandchildren.
Dislikes: Flaky people. Abusive authority.
First stage appearance: Solo boy soprano, aged 10, in ‘The Yule Log’ at juniors.
First band he ever promoted: Lindisfarne.
Musical Hero: John Peel, taught me how to listen with an open mind.
Ambition: To stay alive a while longer.
Motto: Ne tentes aut perfice.

Tom 'The Teacher' Read [Bass]

Born Macclesfield

Lives: Macclesfield – like it here too much.

School: Still at school.

Inspired to play bass by my dad (Roger Read)’s offer of £10 per gig at Sharston Labour Club, Wythenshawe in 1986. Only ever used 3 basses in over 25 years of gigging – Fender Jazz, Yamaha fretless, Westone Spectrum DX, Still trying to learn how to work the controls on my Trace Elliot amp. Communicates mainly in morse code when not playing bass. 

Born: Poole Dorset, last century.

Lived: All points north.

First guitar: Eleventh birthday present.  Still buying ‘em in search of perfect sound.  Still thinks SRV is some kind of Land Rover.

Favourite book: Play in a Day, oh alright then, Brighton Rock.

Favourite amp: The one that’s not in bits.

2nd Favourite phrase: “I'm not stopping”.

Plays: Gibson SG which his dad bought for him "to keep him the hell away from my guitars".

Mystery man. Says he is from Biddulph but talks with a cockney accent. Nobody knows who he is or where he came from.  Rumours abound.  Some say Mark Breen is the alter ego for the super hero 'Pianoman', others murmur something about MI6.  Known that he played with Box Groove Coolers and Got Funk but that's about it. Time will tell...  Pretty good keyboard player though.

Debs 'Saxy' Doorbar [Tenor & Alto Saxes]

Joined the Territorial Army at 26 (mid 20's crisis).  Got the name Scary Spice. Won a couple of wars then swapped the SA80 rifle with a drug dealer for a saxophone and, at the age of 30, became Debbie D AKA Kenny G - not because I played like him, but because I have hair like his...

Taught by the late Roger Read (bass player’s dad) classical and jazz, one of the most amazing guys I have ever known (until I met Garry of course - hmm...).
Roger always said to me "learn to play on your own, that way you will make more money”, now I have joined this lot in a 8/9 piece band and earning nowt. 

Worked with kids most of my career but none as maladjusted as Manatees.  Loving every minute of it but I'm sure it will wear off?  Yes, yes....it has.

Judy 'Jude' Lakeland [Alto & Tenor Saxes]

First sat down at the piano aged seven (before I could reach the pedals) and after studying it for a couple of years someone told me that if I lifted the lid I would find the black and white things that make a nice noise. Eureka, I was off. Played until teens when sport, boys, horses and other fun stuff distracted me.

Following marriage and babies I returned to music being taught to play clarinet by the late Roger Read. Later I was encouraged to try saxophone by Debs, my friend and co-band member.  Loved it and still do. Managing to find time to continue with all three instruments in a big band, a swing band and Manatees respectively, even though I am full-time employed with the NHS.  Playing with Manatees is great, but you know what they say about ‘all good things…’.

Elliot 'Tiny Tempo' White [Drums]

Born: Same year as ET.

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