The
Blue Jazz Quintet: Chris Finch (keys); Karen Rann, Jeff Smith
(saxes); Dave Parker (double bass); Michael Howard (drums)
Strictly
Smokin’ Big Band with Lindsay Hannon and James Hedley (vocals)
Sorry,
don’t know the big band names except for Chris Finch (keys, again!)
and Paul Gowland (sax)
(Review
by Ann Alex)
This
was a wonderfully enjoyable do involving a celebration of the co-op,
great value for your £5 ticket, with the money going towards this
years’ co-op charity, a carers’ organisation. And the music to
enhance the occasion was jazz, supplied as above. Jazz musicians
sure do get around! The Great Hall itself is a joy to see, finely
decorated in an Art Deco or maybe Art Nouveau style – sorry I’m
no interior design expert. About 200 people gathered, many of them
being ladies from co-op committees or ex-employees, and Tyne Tees
Television were present doing interviews. Apparently the hall used
to be part of the co-op warehouse in former days, and there was a
stall with items from the co-op archives.
The
event began at 4pm with a wine reception, then high tea of sandwiches
and delicious cakes was served at 5pm. Meanwhile the BJQ struck up
with a whole schedule of well known jazz tunes, beginning with Fly
Me To The Moon; A Foggy Day In London Town; All Of Me; Girl From
Ipanema; My Funny Valentine; Summertime (note to Lance,
thankfully not sung!) Don’t think I heard Tea For Two, but
I may have missed it when I was drinking mine.
Strictly
Smokin’ Big Band brought out the dancers in force, quicksteps
especially, entertaining to watch such skilled footwork. Lindsay
certainly knows how to dress for the occasion, and today it was a
figure-hugging dress with a dark-coloured front panel, 1950’s style
quaffed hair and elegant shoes, a stunning look. Straighten Up And
Fly Right started off the songs, followed by Orange Coloured
Sky; How High The Moon; A Tisket A Tasket (with the men of the
band joining in); Too Darn Hot (and it was!). James Hedley
treated us to Nice Work If You Can Get It; Wonderwall; Almost Like
Being In Love. The band did some numbers such as Favourite
Things; Bye Bye Blackbird; Have You Met Miss Jones; Do Nothing Till
You Hear From Me. And all this was interspersed with a raffle
with generous prizes such as weekends away, but I didn’t win,
shame.
All
this was an excellent example of jazz contributing well to a social
occasion, jazz in a wider context. Anyone fancy doing a dissertation
on this subject? I bet it’s already been done.
Ann
Alex
2 comments :
Thanks Ann. If anyone is interested the big band were:
Steve Summers, Nadiah Killick, Paul Gowland, Jamie Toms and Niall Armstrong on Saxes.
Gordon Marshall, Michael Lamb, Pete Tanton and Thomas Hill on Trumpets.
Mark Ferris, Alex Leathard, Robert Perry and Mr John Flood on 'bones.
Chris Finch, Pawel Jedrzejewski, Michael Went and Guy Swinton in the Rhythm Section.
Vox from Lindsay Hannon and James Hedley.
Thanks Michael, so you were on trumpet, and I've since met Steve Summers during the jam at the Star on Wednesday.
Ann Alex
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