Double Hat Trick for Summers - Strictly Smokin' Big Band @ Black Swan Arts Centre, Newcastle. Day One - Dec. 18

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

The SSBB's Christmas session at the Black Swan Arts Centre is now so much a 'must have ticket' event that, this year, they extended it to two nights and still the tickets flew. Given the time of year it wasn't surprising that there was much Christmas Fayre on the musical menu but, rather than take away the sound of surprise for tonight's audience I won't give away the set list secrets save to say that some were predictable and some certainly weren't!

Lead alto Steve Summers, sporting a hat as distinctive as Lester Young's pork pie titfer, feared leader Lamb wouldn't countenance the wearing of such an outré object beyond the first bar let alone the first set! However, the spirit of Christmas was in evidence and the hat remained atop the good doctor's head for the complete session! It certainly didn't effect his playing, in particular the alto joust with Keith Robinson on one seasonal journey.

Steve was also involved in the opening tear up with Gowland and Toms - truly a triumvirate of majestic men from the east (a clue to the tune!)

Lamb and Tanton took care of the trumpet solos whilst Parnaby handled the trombone chores with much aplomb. 

Pawel featured prominently and Don, Whent and Swinton also had memorable moments.

Lindsay and F'reez struggled to be heard in their opening numbers but eventually the balance evened out and they were, as always, in good voice.
Maybe next year it will be 3 nights!
Lance.
Michael Lamb (tpt/flug/md); Pete Tanton, Gordon Marshall, Dick Stacey (tpt/flug); Kieran Parnaby, John Flood, Mark Ferris, David Barnes (tmb); Steve Summers, Keith Robinson, Paul Gowland, Jamie Toms, Laurie Rangecroft (reeds); Graham Don (pno); Michael Whent (bs); Pawel Jedrzejewski (gtr); Guy Swinton (dms/mc); Lindsay Hannon, F'reez (vcls).