Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ The Punchbowl, Jesmond Thursday 29 March

The last Thursday in the month rehearsal session in the lounge of the Punchbowl on Jesmond Road in Newcastle is the ideal opportunity to hear a cracking big band - on this occasion twenty of them! - working out arrangements in a relaxed environment. Charts old and new – Love for Sale and Oh Lady be Good to Wonderwall and Feeling Good (excellent vocal from James Hedley) – served to illustrate the breadth of material and depth of talent in the ranks of Michael Lamb’s Strictly Smokin’ Big Band. Tenor player Paul Gowland and American ex-pat trumpeter Pete Tanton excelled on Bobby Timmons’ Moanin’ . 

A good number of customers were there to listen including three new converts to big band jazz - one of them had chanced upon the band’s February rehearsal night and suitably impressed brought along partner and friend to this month’s session! Two hours flew by, first-rate drummer Guy Swinton announced the band’s next public engagement (Hoochie Coochie, Pilgrim Street, Newcastle, Thursday April 5th , 8:00 pm prompt, FREE admission) and, having enjoyed a pint of Deuchar’s IPA, it was time to head into town to catch the second set of the jam session at the aforementioned Hoochie Coochie (check out Lance’s review). 

Another big band rehearsal night to look forward to is the Customs House Big Band’s regular first Tuesday in the month engagement at the New Crown in South Shields (Tuesday April 3rd, FREE admission) but before then you can hear the band in concert tonight (Friday) with the incomparable Ruth Lambert at HQ (aka The Customs House, South Shields).

Russell