Northern Monkey Brass Band @ Hoochie Coochie

Graham Hardy, Alistair Lord (tpts); David Gray, Mark Ferris (tmb); Jamie Toms (sax); Phil Rosier (tuba); Nik Alevroyiannis (snare drum); Brendan Murphy (bs dm).

(Review by Lance).

This was one of those fun nights that make all the gig-going worthwhile. The youthful audience (well most of them were youthful) were somewhat taken aback when the Northern Monkey Brass Band formerly known as Horndogs marched through the hall playing What a Friend We Have in Jesus (Was this a reference to Alistair Lord?) A young lady standing nearby did indeed mouth "Jesus!" However, by the time the tempo had upped and the band were on stage the girl was dancing and did so for the rest of the set. It's always  a good sign when folk are dancing to jazz - it lets the outside world know that it isn't necessary to sit in reverential silence to enjoy good jazz.

Firmly ensconced on stage the Monkey Band delved back into their past for Horndoggin' followed by Big and Brassy which featured second trumpet Alistair Lord who hit some notes that must have been close to home (up there).

The Star Wars theme had more dancers on the floor and St. James Infirmary simply oozed the pathos and passion that you couldn't imagine getting from The RVI or The Freeman.

Leader Hardy played some feisty solos as did David Gray who seems to improve with each hearing. Toms the Tenor impressed but the nod I think went to the tuba player, Phil Rosier whose solo on Funky Pie did things that tubas aren't supposed to do in respectable company - amazing! Equally amazing was Nik A's snare drum solo helped along by Brendan's bass drum - who needs a full kit? - I can't remember if this was the first or the second encore but the crowd would have settled happily for a third! Instead the band marched off into the Gloryland.

A mind-blowing night.

Photos.

Lance.