Chris Finch
(keys); Karen Rann (sop sax); Jeff Smith (ten sax); Dave Parker (bass); Michael
Howard (drums) + Jen Errington, Sue Straker (pictured), Kath Jobes, Yours Truly (vocals)
(Review
by Ann Alex)
It began with a call
from the soprano sax that brought us into A
Foggy Day In London Town. Saxes featured well, in harmony, then solo, and
Michael on drums going great guns after being away in France
Feeling
Wise, a
world premier composed by Chris Finch himself, a swinger of a tune with a solo
from Chris. Well done!
My
Funny Valentine featured Jeff on tenor; Ladybird
had 4s from bass and drums, so it was good to have the rhythm people coming to
the fore, so to speak, in mid performance, with some bands they often have to
wait a while for their special moment.
We then went Latin with Song For
My Father, a gift for drums, and Michael played the part with aplomb.
So
What
segued amusingly into Some Day My Prince
Will Come (maybe a tribute to the new royal baby, or not) and the set ended
with Sonny Rollins Tenor Madness. And
you can catch this entertaining band again on the Sage Concourse this Friday at
8pm.
No other
instrumentalists were present, it must be holiday time for blowers and
fretters, but vocalists were out in force to support ‘our’ band, bless them,
who accompany Blue Jazz Voices.
Jen Errington stepped up
to do confident, tasty versions of Lullaby
Of Birdland and East Of The Sun. Sue Straker came up with No More Blues and a sweetly sung Bye Bye Blackbird. Kath
Jobes told us that she was Beginning To
See The Light, with great style and swing.
By now time had run out, but the audience shouted for Yours Truly to
sing one (honestly they did!), so I came up with Autumn Leaves, nothing to do with the time of the year at all, but
why be logical?
Ann Alex
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