(Review by Russell)
Approaching the Phoenix the thought occurred that on walking
into the place it could be an audience of one. How wrong could I be? The place
was packed! Hexham is the home of the Tyne Valley Big Band. MD Dave Hignett’s
commitment to music education is well known throughout the north east and
beyond.
The TVBB is a big band – eight trumpets, ten
saxophones, four trombones (four, is that all?), piano, guitar, bass and two
drummers. The youth band, formed less than two months ago, has been gigging and
competed in the recent Great North Big Band Jazz Festival. The sections
comprise eleven trumpets, five saxophones, three trombones and a rhythm section
of piano, guitar, bass and drums.
The young musicians had their
supporters out in force – parents, grandparents, siblings. The set list
included stock funk material – Herbie Hancock (Chameleon) and the Hypnotic Brass Band. Hignett encouraged his
charges – they could achieve anything – and sprung a surprise on them…You (pointing, smiling)…solo! Nowt like being thrown in the deep
end! They survived, they thrived, they heard the applause.
Satin Doll…the young musicians weren’t keen to rehearse it, Hignett
persuaded them otherwise. Great stuff! The set closer – Lady Madonna – came too soon but there was much to fit in at this
end of term gathering before Hignett and co went out for a curry. The senior
band cracked on – Hayburner, Sway, Wonderwall,
RESPECT (soul sister Barbara
Hignett, vocals), Pink Panther (theme),
Apple Honey. Impressive soloists
stepped up with members of the youth band watching on (there time will come)
including Andrea DeVere (tenor) and narrowly avoiding a hernia, top C trumpeter
Alistair Lord. As a finale Hignett brought the two bands together (all twenty
seven million of them) for one last blast. What a blast! Checkout the band’s
website for news of up coming gigs www.tynevalleybigband.co.uk
Russell.
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