Michael
Lamb’s Strictly Smokin’ Big Band are one of the most highly regarded big band
outfits in the UK. Boasting a selection of the most talented jazz musicians in
the northeast who skilfully perform everything from classic swing to
contemporary compositions at venues nationwide. Their most recent live
collaboration - this time with London based vocalist Anthony Strong - is a
perfect match to compliment his most recent big band based album “On a Clear
Day”.
With
his sharply tailored suit and easy charm, singer-pianist Anthony Strong seems
to happily fill the role of ‘The English Gentleman’ often thrust upon him. His
swaggering vocals and swinging piano style are matched by an energy that have
entertained audiences at his live shows around the world. One thing is sure:
underneath the crowd-winning stage show, there is a seriously talented
musician.
Strong
himself pens the arrangements and orchestrations, including the full big band
scores to be performed at this gig. Since signing to iconic French label Naïve
Records in 2013, he has been hailed by UK newspaper Metro as "a major new
talent,” featured on the front page of French daily national newspaper Le
Figaro and performed live on national TV in Germany, Poland, Turkey &
Portugal. His last album, Stepping Out, reached #1 on the US iTunes Jazz Charts
and saw the radio giant NPR feature him in a special 60- minute feature
programme from Hollywood.
Strong’s
new album, On a Clear Day, is a statement of intent to continue doing what he
does best. The repertoire is unashamedly ‘old school’ - from jazz standards and
classics, through to early Stevie Wonder and Motown. There is nothing ‘old’
about the treatment of them though. The songs capture the fresh, positive and
feel-good energy of his audience-winning tours.
Strictly
Smokin’ perform a regular quarterly residency at renowned Newcastle jazz, funk
and soul venue, Hoochie Coochie. The club that holds over 200 punters ensures a
real ‘up close and personal’ experience with its artists (Courtney Pine; Brand
New Heavies; Gregory Porter; Incognito; and Chaka Khan to name but a few have
all visited). With a full 19 piece big band playing with one of the UK’s
foremost up and coming jazz vocalists – this is a gig not to be missed.
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