Ray Harley and his trumpet were missing from the line-up this week, as he was away getting new teeth. I certainly hope it goes well.
And the gig went really well and I had a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon. The band was joined by a guest, Mike Bird from Wakefield, and what a whizz he was on the clarinet!
I arrived to the strains of I’m Beginning to see the Light, one of our songs from The Sage class, so I felt at home straightaway.
Then Olive stepped up in great voice to Lock her Heart and Throw Away the Key. Mike Bird struck up with Creole Love Call, accompanied by effective sweet insistent notes played on the piano and good work from the trombone and the other clarinet. Indiana and a very bluesy Basin Street followed. I was thinking that the bass should have a solo; the band must have read my mind for, lo and behold, there was a bass solo during Nobody’s Sweetheart Now.
I like the humorous songs that this band does and today was no exception, with Take off Your Skin and Dance Around in Your Bones (ie what to do when it gets to hot for dancing!). Other tunes in the second half included China Boy (with a piano and clarinet duet); and My Girl Sal.
Olive’s songs were of special interest to me after my own jazz singing efforts. I watched as she calmly indicated timings to the band, and gave looks and nods to show arrangements with such ease. She did a lively I Got Rhythm; a spirited I Double Dare You; and rounded off proceedings with Bourbon Street Parade.
And you get all this good music and singing free of charge!
Ann Alex.
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