When Sonny Morris and Ben Marshall got together their conversation often turned to their early years as founder members of the Crane River Jazz Band and to the possibility of forming a regular band which would follow the path laid down all those years ago.

In 1989 Sonny and Ben achieved their aim to make music in the spirit of the recordings made by New Orleans musicians during the 1940's, '50's and '60's, with emphasis on ensemble playing and were helped to launch the Delta Jazz Band by Bob Ward (trombone), Terry Giles (clarinet), Colin Bowden (drums), and John Sirett (bass).

At the end of 1995, after six very successful years, Ben retired from the band and was replaced by Eric Webster. At the same time John Clarke joined the band on piano. In early 1997 he was replaced by Chris Satterly and in 2000 Andy Maynard took over from Eric on banjo and guitar, and Roy Maskell from Bob Ward.

On 13th Feb 2000 Sonny died. We thank him for the beautiful music he performed and luckily recorded during his long musical career - his legacy for us to enjoy in future years.

The Delta Jazz Band decided to continue to perform the style of music that Sonny loved so much with Pete Smith joining the band on trumpet in 2001 and Tony O'Sullivan in 2003.