Ian Smith (trumpet), Alan Barnes (alto saxophone &
clarinet), Matthias Seuffert (tenor saxophone & clarinet), Karen Sharp
(tenor & baritone saxophones, clarinet), Adrian Fry (trombone), Martin
Litton (piano), Alyn Shipton (double bass) & Bobby Worth (drums)
(Review by Russell)
Some gigs are a ‘no brainer’. This was one of them. A
top class line-up, first rate material and a world class venue. The Buck
Clayton Legacy Band returned to Sage Gateshead and they brought with them a new
show – A Celebration of Duke Ellington.
Edward Kennedy Ellington maintained a close friendship with trumpeter Buck
Clayton and, as co-leader of the Legacy band Alyn Shipton explained, the focus
of the evening would be on Ellington and his musical associates, particularly
Duke’s small group oeuvre.
Stomp, Look and Listen, then Globetrotter.
Quite a start with Alan Barnes’ alto playing in overdrive from the off. Alan
Barnes/Johnny Hodges or Johnny Hodges/Alan Barnes…the striking thing was just
how good Barnes was (and is). A world class talent, Barnes would have made it
in America had he been around in the 40s or 50s. He would have been in the
Ellington band!
Tonight I Shall Sleep with a
Smile on My Face, a
feature for Tommy Dorsey, featured the immaculate trombone playing of Adrian
Fry. The ‘bone man’s contributions didn’t invite comparison with anyone, he was
his own man. The five brass and reeds front line worked wonders throughout the
evening yet knew when to stand aside – indeed the band departed the stage –
leaving pianist Martin Litton to play Washington
Wabble.
A highlight of highlights came in the form of Johnny
Hodges’ Sweet as Bear Meat: Fry’s plunger
work, Matthias Seuffer’s tenor and a round of ace solos. Snibor (Ellington’s music publisher backwards!), Take the A Train, they just kept on a
comin’ down the line. Billy Strayhorn’s master work was heard with an
interesting (band?) arrangement featuring an excellent baritone sax solo from
the excellent Karen Sharp. The three clarinet feature on The Mooche – Barnes, Seuffert and Sharp – illustrated the
multi-talented line-up in Sage Two. The audience loved every minute of it and
one got the distinct impression that the musicians were having a ball. Time and
again trumpeter Ian Smith and Barnesy showed their appreciation for Bobby
Worth’s playing, turning around, smiling – a
concert-length drum master class, no less.
Johnny Hodges’ Three
and Six (Shipton mischievously suggesting Alan Barnes moaned about
receiving the princely sum of three shillings and sixpence for his
arrangement!), an evocative Harlem Air
Shaft and the Paul Gonsalves’ inspired Happy
Reunion (the encore) were just great to listen to. An appreciative audience
would willingly have stayed on, but all good things do come to an end. Another
cracking night at Sage Gateshead.
Russell.
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