(Review by Russell).
The curtain-raiser to the tenth
annual Great North Big Band Jazz Festival featured a new name as guest
performer and competition adjudicator – multi reeds virtuoso Pete Long. A star-studded quintet led
by Paul Jones (alto) and Long (clarinet) breezed through a
selection of tried and tested numbers.
Opening with Cherokee at quite a lick introduced the rhythm section; Colin Haikney (keyboards), Neil Harland
(electric bass) and drummer Adrian
Tilbrook. Stone Fox Chase (the theme tune of the Old Grey Whistle Test)
worked well in showing off Long’s command of his instrument. Altoist Jones, an
alumni of the County Durham Youth Big Band, blew vigorously and the tunes flew
by including Creole Love Call, a
Chick Corea number and a Rollins’ calypso.
The second half of the evening
featured the fearless young composer
James Hamilton working with a hand-picked festival big band. One and a bit
rehearsals over recent weeks (snow drifts made things difficult) was scarcely
time to get acquainted, let alone knock into shape a big band and produce a
concert performance. Hamilton was able to draw upon senior professionals to
join the sections of promising young players from the north east of England; Bill Watson (festival organiser), Gordon Marshall and Thomas Hill* ensured that the trumpet
section was up to snuff, pianist Colin Haikney stayed on and the talented Dave Mckeague held down the drum chair.
The purpose of this endeavour was to highlight the talented stars of tomorrow.
The genial
A newly commissioned piece - Open Season - put the band through its paces and none flagged. To
think that the seasoned pros were once in the position of these aspiring young
musicians, generations apart but together in music. Fantastic! Bill Watson took
the baton and called up Jones and Long together with Neil Harland to join the
band to run through a few standards. Where
is the Love? featured Susie Roberts
(alto) and James Burchmore (tenor) and the young duo went for it.
The select audience sensed this was their big moment and the applause afforded
these young musicians typified what this event is all about.
The concert ended
in rabble rousing fashion with C Jam
Blues on which everyone got the chance to blow (Pete Long briefly grabbed a
flugelhorn!). A great start to the weekend. Saturday and Sunday is when the
competition proper gets under way with workshops for the early birds and prize
winning big band performances from around midday ‘til late. Literally hundreds
of young musicians will play across the weekend. If you’re in the area call in
to North Shore
(Sunderland University ’s
Students’ Union) on Charles Street
in Sunderland – you’re in for a treat!
Russell.
* County Durham
1 comment :
Good to meet you Russell. I and my 2 friends also enjoyed the night. They had not previously been to the festival and liked it. I hope they will return with me next year
Elaine
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