There are few more inviting sounds when climbing the stairs to a jazz gig (once upon a time they were always in cellars) than to hear "Body and Soul" played à la Coleman Hawkins. When that most rhapsodic of ballads has Lionel Hamptonish vibes intertwining with the tenor it's a fair bet you're going to stay.John Rowlands was the tenor player and Laurie Brown the hot malleteer; a great sound despite the lack of a piano.
However, after "Barbados" and "Anthropology" had moved the band into bebop territory, In Walked Bud (actually Chris Finch) who holds down the piano chair with Budvivar (and recently added a few comments to this site). Chris plugged the rhythmic and harmonic hole nicely as well as taking some succinct solos on whatever chart was put in front of him.
For the second set, Mick Danby played bass and thus enabled Barry to move on to piano whilst Ian Forbes, replaced Eric Stutt on drums before making way for Laurie who forsook his vibes for a couple of numbers on drums before returning to vibes to allow Eric to get back on drums. Confused? I bet you are! As a matter of interest, Laurie played a snare drum he has used for 50 years. It dates back to his days with the Squads!
Through it all, Dave blew trumpet and sang in his inimitable style - particularly on "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" or, as someone once referred to it, - "Don't Get My Round in Any More."
The exclusive coterie of fans were appreciative.
Lance
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