(Review by Lance/Photos courtesy of Paddy M pictured right)
Russell, whose knowledge of Bratislavan musicians far exceeds my own, presented me with a probable personnel listing but, after enduring Rhapsody in Blue for 10 days (or was it 10 minutes?), I decided against deciphering the names - life's too short!
Apart from Gershwin, Duke Ellington was well represented as were the British bands of the period such as Jack Hylton and Carroll Gibbons. History has shown that, far from being poor relations, many English dance bands of the 1930s could hold their own alongside their American contemporaries.Apart from Gershwin's folly, the rest of the show was magnificent and, to his credit, Gershwin was shown at his best in I Got Rhythm, Our Love is Here to Stay, Deed I Do and the little known, Delishious - it was! Our Love is Here to Stay was poignantly dedicated to the late Mike and the very much present Patti Durham who presented the Hot Serenaders at the Whitley Bay Jazz Festival a few years back
However, this wasn't a history lesson, although in many ways it was, this was an evening of nonstop entertainment by a band jampacked with ace soloists and vocalists.
Leader Juraj Bartos blew fiery trumpet and introduced each number with much humour, there were sax, clarinet, trombone, violin and piano solos - rarely more than one chorus (hallelujah!) - vocals and, of course, the Boswellian Serenaders Sisters who looked and sounded superb.
One fabulous evening and in a style that will be near replicated (but not copied) this coming Sunday at Caedmon Hall, Gateshead, by the New Century Ragtime Orchestra. If you enjoyed the Hot Serenaders you'll enjoy NCRO but Hurry! Hurry! tickets are going fast...
Lance.
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