Crosswinds

(c’78-’81) Mark Terry (guitar), Stuart Manson (keyboards), Ronnie Johnson (bass), Barry Grinstead (drums), and Cheryl Lucas (vocals).

Crosswinds were an Aldershot / Farnborough based jazz funk band formed by ex-T.T. Transmission members Terry and Manson. They joined forces with Johnson from local outfit The Basement Band, Grinstead and Lucas; adding ex-Jasmine Pie saxophonist Neil Pyzer soon after. Later, Pyzer was replaced by Nick Gatfield on Sax. Finally, The Famous Rondini Brothers percussionist Colin Garrett joined to make Crosswinds a 7-piece band.

Locally, they played gigs at military bases to universities, up into south London and further North to Manchester. Owl’s Night Club, Aldershot was a regular haunt along with The Robin Hood, Standford; The Royal Oak, Hollywater, and Tumbledown Dick, Farnborough to name a few. A demo was recorded and included the track “Body Motion”. There are also reports of a 7″ single titled “Life’s So Good to Me”.

In July ’80, Ralph Tee, a UK-based DJ, performer, writer, promoter, broadcaster and record label executive wrote an article on Crosswinds from Groove Weekly; which Tee launched when he was 20 years old. The next month, on 9 August ’80, the band appeared at Sinatra’s Night Club, Basingstoke. This was followed by Bunters, Guildford two days later on 11 August and The Robin Hood on 21 August ’80. A few days later, on 26 August ’80 the band performed at Al’s Jazz Club, Aldershot.

Shakatak and Crosswinds were ‘live on stage’ on 28 November ’81, for the “Soul Party” at the Recreation Centre, Farnborough with Capital Radio’s Greg Edwards and CBS Record’s first disco promotions manager Owen Washington DJ’ing. Sometime in the ’80’s, Terry recalls using the Music Studios, University of Surrey, Guildford a few times. On one occasion, along with composer Max Early and Gatfield he recorded a song of his own titled “It Doesn’t Matter” with Lucas on vocals.

Johnson would go on to tour with Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames and appear in Collective Sound. Terry and Mason were in a number of local bands together after T.T., and Crosswinds, including Spliff Riff and Undercurrents. Pyzer has since enjoyed a playing career with Spear of Destiny, Geno Washington and now with The Selector. Gatfield went on to play with Dexy’s Midnight Runners and is the CEO and President of Sony Music, EMI, Polydor, and Island Records.

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