Cozyjo’s Cozy Christmas Concert @ Washington Arts Centre. December 4

(Review by Russell).

The City of Sunderland Youth Jazz Orchestra (Cozyjo, with a ‘z’) made a return visit to Washington Arts Centre on a cold winter’s night and couldn’t be happier upon seeing a capacity audience in the auditorium. Family, friends, supporters, they were out in force.

A one set performance of forty five minutes rattled along with more than one Christmas tune given a swing treatment. Chattanooga Choo Choo, C Jam Blues, Hark the Herald Trumpets Swing, Tuxedo Junction, the band did a grand job. Four altos, a tenor/clarinet player, a tenor/baritone player, four trumpets, a lone trombone, two guitars, piano, bass and drums, all acquitted themselves well. Beth on tenor was responsible for the dreadful Christmas jumpers on display (it was her suggestion!); Santas, sleighs, trees, holly and, shamelessly, out front, ‘Sir’ (aka Mr John ‘Redemption Jazz’ Hall) sporting a reindeer strewn number!

Slade and Wizard were heard (every day, in every shop they are heard, think of the mega royalties!), as were American Patrol, String of Pearls and the top tune of the night – Sing, Sing, Sing (excellent ensemble work, Beth on clarinet doing BG proud). White Christmas (with audience sing-along) closed the show. It would be great to see Cozyjo at next year’s Great North Big Band Jazz Festival (North Shore, Charles Street, March 6-8).

The jazz done, the kids weren’t done yet. A quick change around and Under the Radar, a five piece rock band hit the stage. The Arctic Monkeys, the Fab Four, the Kings of Leon, Oasis, tight bass and drums, riffing guitars and a diminutive vocalist. They were good. A hard act to follow but Supersonic weren’t deterred. The White Stripes, Feeder, more from the Monkeys and Oasis, another cracking five piece with a slightly less diminutive singer. The finale featured a band, as yet, without a name. Whoever, they were Sunderland Soul Bros and Sisters, all eleven of them. Five singers, two altos, tenor, guitar, bass and drums belting out soul classics; Knock on Wood, Superstition, super tunes, the highlight being a soulful Valerie. Cozyjo intend doing it all again in the summer of 2015. Stay tuned – the first news of it will be right here at Bebop Spoken Here.                            

Russell.