International Jazz Day/Anniversary Celebration @ The Globe - Part 1: The Customs House Big Band w. Ruth Lambert - April 30

(Review by Lance/photos courtesy of Ken Drew).

Some folk say big bands should be heard in big halls.

I disagree!

There's no greater thrill (jazzwise) than that of hearing a big band within the confines of a small room. You become part of it, picking up on every nuance even down to the asides between players, the rustle of the manuscript paper as pages are turned and the occasional hesitancy as player looks to leader for guidance which, of course, is dutifully given.

International Jazz Day and the Jazz Coop's first anniversary - what was there not to celebrate?

A goodly throng agreed although there were some members of the Jazz Community prominent by their absence. Perhaps they were across town at Strictly Smokin's monthly gig at the Millstone or maybe they stayed in and listened to their records - their loss.

The shebang kicked off in rousing fashion with the Buddy Rich version of West Side Story. Gareth Weaver doing the trombone bit on Somewhere. Surprisingly, seeing as how drum legend Barry Black was behind the kit, no drum solo - perhaps it was too early!

Mick Hill had some fiery trumpet solos throughout the evening, as did Alan (the trumpet) Smith, as opposed to Alan (the bass guitar) Smith who could be heard but not seen, he may have been relegated to the cellar - it is a small bar! Yet another Smith (Jay) played lead and hit the screamers.

Chris Kurgit-Smith stood apart from the other Smith's by virtue of his hyphenated name but he was right with them when it came to soloing! Alan Marshall was superb on tenor, the extended cadenza on his feature All My Life drew the most 'woo-hoos' of the evening.

We had to wait until the end before Jill Brett had a blast on the Jazz Police. It was a good one! Jill, I dub thee Princess of Wails! Newcomer, Andrew Walker, had some tasty piano solos - a young man to look out for.

I mentioned Barry Black earlier. No extended solos but hearing him drive Curious George, played at tempo di lick you recognised a class act.

Talking of class acts, Ruth Lambert did the business as she invariably does with Fever; Over the Rainbow (am I the only one who thinks the verse of this song is better than the chorus?); Cheek to Cheek (Mick Hill!!!); The Man I Love; Lady is a Tramp; My Heart Belongs to Daddy; At Last; Almost Like Being in Love and Alright OK You Win. The voice and the smile - who could ask for anything more!

Peter Morgan conducted, played bass trombone and educated the audience in between numbers.

A good start and with a jam session to follow in the Jazz Bar upstairs the night was young...

Lance.
Peter Morgan (tmb/MD); Jay Smith, Mick Hill, Ken DeVere, Alan Smith (tpts); Gareth Weaver, Chris Kurgit-Smith, Michael Fletcher, (tmbs); Jill Brett, Kim Webb, Alan Marshall. Peter Hepplewhite, Chris Kaberry (reeds); Andrew Walker (pno); Alan Smith (bs); Roy Willis (gtr); Barry Black (dms); Ruth Lambert (vcl).