(Review by Russell).
The opening
night of the eleventh annual Great North Big Band Jazz Festival stuck to a
tried and tested formula. Trumpeter Bill Watson, organiser of the mammoth event
at
North Shore
(
Sunderland University’s Student Union on
Charles Street near
the National Glass Centre), relies upon musicians and an unsung band of keen
volunteers to make the whole thing work. Senior professional musicians working
as tutors throughout the weekend took the opportunity to have a blow before the
musicians of tomorrow get down to competitive action.
Competition adjudicators Mick Donnelly (tenor saxophone) and Paul Jones (alto saxophone) fronted a
five piece band comprising Colin Haikney
(keyboards), Neil Harland (electric
bass) and Adrian Tilbrook (drums). The
adjudicating pair soloed at length (Nature
Boy a highlight and the boys boogied on down to Stevie Wonder), setting
down a marker to the young musicians listening to the performance. The quintet
showed what can be done with dedication and no little talent. Veteran pianist
Colin Haikney shared the solo spotlight and the bass and drums pairing of Neil
Harland and Adrian Tilbrook did the business as one has come to expect of them.
Whitburn Church
of England Academy Big Band
(MD M Anderson)
competed in last year’s schools’ section and on this occasion had the honour of
being invited to perform in concert. Excellent section work all round and
knockout vocals from Jennie Blackburn on
Birdland and a scorching R.E.S.P.E.C.T. (the first tear in the
eye was timed at 9:25 pm). The Festival Band
has been working with Paul Jones and others in recent months and a unique
feature of the band’s set was the presence of three award winning young
composers in their ranks and each one had the distinction of having their music
performed on the night. Katharine Noble
(piano & trumpet) sat at the piano to hear Musica played by her band mates with Paul Jones sitting in and
taking an impressive solo. Take a bow Ms Noble. Alice Buhaenko (piano) composed Flourish
for Big Band, how proud she must be. Take a bow Ms Buhaenko. Drummer Elizabeth Chapman wrote a tune
with no name hinting at Glenn Miller and Ray Charles’ What'd I Say, so
earlier in the day Liz’s Tune was
born. Take a bow Ms Chapman. The all female saxophone section (two altos, two
tenors and baritone) played the intro to Bill
Bailey with precision, deservedly winning applause. Stardust (the Ted Heath Band arrangement) called for someone like
Bill Watson to step in but he didn’t get the chance as lead trumpet Tom Hill
and second trumpet Tom Parkin
played maturely beyond their years. 'S Wonderful
was wonderful and to round off the night Bill Watson led the ensemble on C Jam Blues. Set the alarm for Day 2
(Saturday 1 March) as things get under way at 11:00 am. With ten or more bands
scheduled to perform in the Open Section (university bands and other senior outfits)
followed by a winners’ concert it makes for a day of highlights, one after another.
Russell.
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