Brian Bennett (banjo), Fred Rowe (trumpet & vocals), Barry Soulsby (clarinet & vocals), Lawrence McBriarty (trombone), Johnny Handle (keyboards & vocals), Dave Percy (electric bass) & Fred Thompson (drums & vocals).
Today's regular Wednesday lunchtime session with the Vieux Carre was party time down by the seaside. A good number of folk turned out just a couple of days before the festive season sees all musical activities cease - well, for twenty four hours at least.
Garish waistcoats donned, garish bow ties tied and off we went with many familiar tunes honed to near perfection by the VCJ.
Fred Rowe was in fine form on trumpet and vocals. Barry Soulsby played ever inventive flowing lines, Lawrence McBriarty knows all the tunes and from time to time growled, friendly like, on plunger mute.
'Careless Love', 'Mandy' and a hot 'Dr. Jazz' with Fred Thompson taking the vocals, were just some of the tunes on offer today.
I half expected a buffet - I don't know why - but it didn't materialise. The interval raffle prizes included a painting by local artist Eddie Russell - it went first pick (a good choice by the lucky winning ticket holder).
The second set began with Johnny Handle taking to the stage to play two tunes - 'Keep Yer Feet Still Geordie Hinny' and a Handle original, a rag called 'Malvern Swings'.
Handle played double bass with the Vieux Carre way back. He then went on to write his name in folk music history as founder of Folk Song and Ballad (the club thrives half a century on, although now known as the Bridge Folk Club) and as a member of the High Level Ranters. It was great to hear him play some jazz (it would have been better still to have heard him play the upright piano tucked away around the corner).
Silly Santa hats and beards were afixed yet they didn't stop trumpeter Rowe and 'bone man McBriarty from stoking it up on 'Jingle Bells'. Dave Percy, depping on bass, fitted in well and MC Mr.Bennett kept the band in order and things to time.
More Vieux Carre festive goings-on can be had on Monday night (28th) at the Corner House in Heaton and again next Wednesday afternoon (30th) at the Crescent Club.
Russell.
1 comment :
After Monday's culinary experience at the Jazz in the Afternoon Banquet I would have fully expected a buffet from the VC!
I suppose it was too much to expect to have Johnny Handle AND a buffet.
Monday's raffle prizes included fish and chips for two at the chippy next door and a 'Calendar Boys' calendar of the band.
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