Peter Morgan (md/bs tmb); Paul Riley-Gledhill, Mick Hill, Ken DeVere, Gordon Marshall (tpts); Don Fairley, Chris Kurgi-Smith, Michael Fletcher (tmbs); Jill Brett, Kim Webb, Alan Marshall, Amber Reeve, Chris Kaberry (reeds); Bill Brittain (pno); Roy Willis (gtr); Alan Smith (bs gtr); Barry Black (dms); Ruth Lambert (vcl).
(Review by Lance.)
The CHBB's annual back to base concert once more displayed the accuracy and precision of this well drilled unit.
Buddy Rich's Love For Sale kicked things off. Although this arrangement is to big bands what Summertime is to, I quote, "The congested field of jazz singers", it nevertheless is always a crowd pleaser with good solos from Brett, Alan Marshall and Hill. Needless to say the drum breaks by Tyneside percussion legend Barry Black were spot on. The trombones were showcased on Witchcraft and alto saxist Jill also cast a spell or two - as she did throughout the evening.
Chris Kaberry baritonised Duke's Prelude to a Kiss before Ruth appeared for her first spot of the evening.
It really was S'wonderful as was Teach Me Tonight.
More instrumentals. Jim Martin's arrangement of Sweet Georgia Brown is what, in the old days would have been referred to as a Killer Diller! - It remains an apt description! Alan Marshall and Don Fairley sharing the kudos.
A dreamy Moonlight in Vermont featured Alan Marshall - cool as a west coast cucumber. I'd love to hear him in a quartet session sometime.
Ruthtime once more and Sway took us into Latin America and had the audience swaying in their seats.
Time After Time - such a great tune and so well delivered.
The set finished with Just Friends, Satin Doll and Take The A Train - a very different A Train!
Set Two and the band set to it with Basie's Straight Ahead. Way You Look Tonight, But Beautiful (Jill), Mambo Italiano (Ruth), Black Coffee (Ruth), Spirit of St. Frederick, Georgia on my Mind, I Get a Kick Out of You (Ruth), Cheek to Cheek (Ruth), C Jam Blues (nearly everyone), Sing Sang Song (Black), Mack The Knife (Ruth) made for another well-balanced program.
It was farewell to lead trumpet Paul Riley-Gledhill who is on a "Mission to Moscow" and also Elaine Francis is no longer in the saxes although it was good to see Amber Reeve and Kim Webb in the section.
MD Morgan frequently reminded us, it was a fun evening but, there were moments of poignancy at the end when Peter spoke of the late Vince Bovill who, apart from being a first class musician himself (Vic Lewis, Oscar Rabin, Eric Delaney), was also a great supporter of the band.
Lance.
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