Peter Wright (tpt), Don Armstrong (clt), Barry Soulsby (alt/clt/vcl), Lawrence McBriarty (tmb), Brian Bennett (bjo), Brian Sibbald (bs), Fred Thompson (dms/vcl).
Former Panama (Jazzmen) clarinetist Don Armstrong celebrated his 75th birthday by making a guest appearance with the Vieux Carré Jazzmen at the Corner House.
Don, who has lived in Oz for many years (he's on vacation), was a regular on the local scene in the 1950s and is well remembered by survivers from that era.
His playing has (probably) changed little during the interim years with his allegiance still firmly nailed to the mast of George Lewis and the other New Orleans reedmen. Barry Soulsby, with his purer tone, provided a contrasting sound although, by necessity, tonight Barry played more alto.
Peter Wright, as he did last week drove the ensemble along whilst Lawrence McBriarty had an interesting feature - "Moonlight and Roses."
"If I Had You" put Fred Thompson in the vocal spotlight and the drummer did Ted Shapiro's song justice. The two Brians kept the rhythm clunking along; close your eyes, and you're transported back to Bourbon St or, more likely, Newcastle's Melbourne Street in the 1950s.
I could only stay for the first set this week but it was enough to give me a nostalgic fix and a reminder of the delights I knew before I discovered bebop.
Lance.
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