(Review by Tony Russell – no,
not the Tony Russell!)
Hummersknott Academy, located in a leafy Darlington
suburb, hosted Darlington Jazz Club’s big band night featuring the superb
Durham Alumni Big Band and the Durham County Youth Big Band. Tony Eales, Bebop Spoken Here’s big band correspondent,
as ever, took a front row seat in the Hummersnott rehearsal base and reports a
big turn-out for the occasion.
Yesterday’s early Sunday evening concert presented the
alumni on the floor, rather than the available stage behind them. Trumpeters Jonny
Dunn and Ian Robinson knocked-out cracking solos (Robinson on Black Orpheus) and Alex Baker, the
band’s star tenor man, played with his accustomed authority, exemplified by a
fine solo on Lady Day.
The stars of tomorrow – the Durham County Youth Big Band
– played an opening set of their own. Parents, siblings, friends, all applauded
every solo, every tune. Our man Eales predicts a big future for Tom McDonald
(trombone). At the end of the evening the senior band joined forces with their
younger counterparts for a larger than large finale. On July 12th at the
Quakerhouse pub in Darlington town centre the jazz club’s guest is none other
than Alex Baker. Tenor, piano, bass and drums – small group jazz at its best.
Doors open at half past five, first set at six o’clock. Thoroughly recommended.
Tony /Russell.
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