Great North Big Band Jazz Festival @ North Shore. March 3, 2013

(Review by Russell).

Sunday. Day three. Another early start, plenty of people about, bar and café busy. Two competitions to enjoy - the schools and youth sections.

Bolton School Jazz Band, first time visitors to Sunderland, led the way in the schools’ section  with three tunes; Talk is Cheep (Kris Berg), The Red Door (Mulligan and Sims) and Soul Sacrifice (Santana). Altoist Natasha Lomas stepped forward to take the first solo, eschewed the use of a mic and strode to the front of the stage (other soloists adopted the same approach) resulting in a very different experience for the listener. In addition the work within the sections was clearly audible. The Santana number (from the earlier and better days of the Santana  band) highlighted the percussive talent in the rhythm section (Sam Harrison drums and Adam Critchlow congas). A high standard set, the other bands had it all to do.
Gateshead’s Little Big Band presented a set of five tunes including Mike Steinel’s Bubbert Goes Undercover and Ants in the Pants, the latter showcasing the big talent of the diminutive Dylan Thompson (drums) and guitarist Nathan Lawson. Keen supporters of the annual big band weekend,

Prudhoe Community High School Big Band put together an enticing programme; Lullaby of Birdland, a delicate Little Sunflower, How High the Moon (guitarist Will Rees sang this one) and Gordon Goodwin’s  Act Your Age (Rees on guitar).

Two bands new to the Great North Big Band Jazz Festival - English Martyrs School from Hartlepool and Whitburn Church of England Academy - gave a good account of themselves and will surely return in future. The Hartlepool band travelled in numbers - in the region of twenty three took to the stage at North Shore and knocked out a gutsy version of Chicago’s  25 or 6 to 4. The Whitburn entry included Georgia on My Mind (Elizabeth Atkinson (vocals) with a wonderful arrangement by the late Ray Chester. Mr Chester lived in the area and he would have been proud of these young musicians from Whitburn.

Last year’s winning band St Aidan’s Swing Band from Harrogate closed this year’s competition. Their 2012 success, rated by some as the best performance (by a country mile) by a schools’ band in the then nine year history of the event made them hot favourites to retain their title. Their mouth-watering programme included Oop Bop Sh’ Bam, Amazing Grace and Brass Machine. One concern was the absence of one or more key members of the band - bands evolve year on year and on this occasion two of their hot-shot trumpeters were on brass band duty elsewhere. So, a six-gun trumpet section was reduced to a quartet. No matter, they were magnificent!

The hard working adjudicators - Messrs Jones and Long - compared notes, reached agreement and delivered their verdict.

Three adjudicators’ awards were given to:
St Aidan’s Swing Band drummer Jake Fireman, Elizabeth Atkinson (vocals, Whitburn Church of England Academy) and the trumpet section, Little Big Band.

Winner Best Balanced Programme: St Aidan’s Swing Band.

Winner Best Section: Bolton School Jazz Band (Reeds).

Winner Best Soloist: Chris Williamson, trumpet (St Aidan’s Swing Band).

Winner Best Band Bolton School Jazz Band.

The youth section comprised six bands (one of them an unknown quantity from Derby). Northumberland Youth Jazz Orchestra, regular supporters of the event, opened the show with a typically energetic set led by MD Dave Hignett. Chuck Mangione’s Children of Sanchez shook the foundations and Bill Chase’s Get it On did likewise with good trombone from Harry Forster.

Another frequent visitor to Sunderland - Durham County Youth Big Band - chose another Mangione number - Land of Make Believe – to highlight the trumpet of Tom ‘Chuck’ Hill. MD Shaune Eland continues to work the magic with the band as Hill is yet another who is soon to continue his studies at music college. The likeable Hill is sure to return as a member of the alumni band.

Hull Youth Jazz Orchestra is a formidable ensemble well capable of tackling challenging material. Oliver Nelson’s Stolen Moments and Andy Scott’s Spill the Beans made great demands on the musicians and they responded in some style. Trombonist Danny Barley took solos on both numbers. There is little doubt about it - Barley will go on to achieve much in the music world. Note the name.

Last year’s winning band from Gateshead - Paraffernalia - knew they were up against it and gave it their best shot. Vocalist Alex Williamson gave a crowd-pleasing rendition of At Last and the band finished their set in barnstorming style with Sing Sing Sing. Clarinetist Sophie Farrell found just the right sound as drummer Beth Carabine detonated bombs in a glorious finale.

So, to the band from Derby. As Hothouse Screaming Kicks Big Band took to the stage they looked the business; cool, sharp suits, ready to go to work. And go to work they did! Check out the arrangers of these numbers - Chicago (arr. Bob Florence), Always and Forever (arr. Bob Curnow), Bill Bailey (arr. Tom Kubis). The sections were stunning, flawless. Guitarist Oliver Mason is destined to work with the best; on the Florence arrangement of Chicago his guitar playing was top-drawer contemporary, on Always and Forever his crafting of a ballad exemplary. This band was the band of the youth section competition, the band of the entire weekend, no two ways about it.

Festival chief Bill Watson had the honour of closing this fantastic weekend of big band music by directing the Tees Valley Youth Big Band. Where is the Love? matched Susie Roberts (alto) with James Burchmore (tenor). Romance or not, it was time to go out on C Jam Blues. The adjudicators - Paul Jones and Pete Long - remarked upon the breadth and depth of talent heard throughout the weekend. Their work done, Bill Watson announced the results.

Three adjudicators’ awards went to:
Beth Carabine (drummer, Paraffernalia), Oliver Mason (guitar, Hothouse Screaming Kicks Big Band), Hull Youth Jazz Orchestra (Brass).

Winner Best Balanced Programme: Paraffernalia.

Winner Best Section: Hothouse Screaming Kicks Big Band.

Winner Best Soloist: Danny Barley, trombone (Hull Youth Jazz Orchestra).

Winner Best Band Hull Youth Jazz Orchestra.

Thanks go to Bill Watson and his unsung team of hardworking staff, the Students’ Union at Sunderland University, the many sponsors of the event and the musicians. The Great North Big Band Jazz Festival 2013 was a great success. Next year’sevent is sure to be just as good (it can’t be any better!). Make a note in your diary - March 2014.

Russell.                        .