Graham Hardy, Alistair Lord (tpt); David Gray, Mark Ferris (tmb); Jamie Toms (ten); Brendan Murphy (bass drum); Alex Tustin (snare dm); Phil Rosier (tuba).
(Review by Lance)
This was the third of the monthly "Steamers" held in "The Robert Stephenson Boiler Shop" and the first one that I'd attended - or even heard of!
As the venue's name implies, in Victorian times, Robert Stephenson, son of George Stephenson, produced locomotive parts including boilers which led to the family becoming world leaders in the early days of locomotion.
On a sunny day like today, midst the beer, food and other attractions it was hard to imagine its industrial past although, take away the bars, the food stalls and the bric-a-brac, the fading walls and the iron girder beams may well have reminded you.
Settled at a table with a pint of Wylam Centenary Ale, a fish finger sandwich - cooked and breadcrumbed before my very eyes - the Stephenson ghosts disappeared to be replaced by the sound of bass and snare drum, a trumpet fanfare and the sound of marching feet.
"Hey Hey we're the Northern Monkey Brass Band..."
It was a grand entrance. they marched and played through the drinkers and diners before forming a circle in front of the stage. Do What you Want to was the tune and they did just that!
On stage they played Horndoggin' - a reference to their name in a previous incarnation. Jamie Toms took the first solo and set the ball rolling for lots more throughout the afternoon.
What a Friend We Have in Jesus began Sally Army Style - albeit with growl trumpet from Graham - before settling into a relaxed New Orleans' Swing.
Hey Jude, Funky Pie and a Melon Felony were other numbers that scored.
Drummers Brendan and dep Alex had a good workout. Tuba soloed like I would imagine Cat Anderson soloing if he'd played tuba with Ellington and the trombones were superb in solo and duet.
Too soon the set was over - there were many other bands and artists to follow but this would be a hard act...
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