The UK Glenn Miller Orchestra directed by Ray McVay
returned to Sage Gateshead to play a sold out matinee show. All 1700 seats occupied
a matter of days after Christmas was a sure sign of the band’s popularity and,
of course, the enduring popularity of their raison d’êtré – Major Glenn Miller.
The tunes, largely associated with Miller, together
with a smattering of other numbers, were instantly recognisable, such was, and
is, the popular entertainment status of Miller. Caribbean Clipper, I Got a
Gal in Kalamazoo, Jumpin’ at the
Woodside, number after number, the audience knew them all. The focal point
of the performance shifted from a vocalist to a vocalist, to a vocal troupe to
a dance troupe. Catherine Sykes, a graduate of Leeds College of Music, shared
the spotlight with veteran Colin Anthony. Sykes sang All of Me, Anthony A
Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square. Class performers fronting a big band,
they vacated the stage returning from time to time to sing some more
favourites.
The Uptown Hall Gang, the band within a band originally created by Mel Powell after Miller's disappearance, played some small group swing, sang a tune or two, and the Jiving Lindy Hoppers bounced
onto the stage to inject some vim and pep to proceedings. They had the jive,
Jack, and they gave the boys in the band an opportunity to have a blow.
American Patrol – this was the AAF stuff – and Minnie the Moocher (Alan Berlyn blew
trumpet out front), then String of Pearls,
then When Johnny Comes Marchin’ Home.
The realisation that this was a genuine ‘greatest hits’ affair struck home. MD
Ray McVay – a Miller enthusiast if ever there was one – frequently introduced
numbers with ‘Another million selling
number…’ Second set, more of the same, and no one was complaining! St Louis Blues March, Chattanooga Choo Choo (featuring the Moonlight
Serenaders), then some jazz, yes jazz, with Jersey
Bounce and the excellent dance steps of the Jiving Lindy Hoppers.
Moonlight Serenade…cheers rang to the echo (‘Aye, when I was
a lad…’). And then for something completely different…Colin Anthony paid
tribute to Sinatra. Ah, this was an unexpected bonus. A medley comprising
classic 50s material (Come Fly with Me)
and a great take on New York, New York (perhaps
not Ol’ Blue Eyes’ favourite) heard McVay’s band at its best behind the saloon
bar vocal ‘These little town blues…’
There was more. Pennsylvania
65000 (inevitably), then Runnin’ Wild
with guess who? The Jiving Lindy Hoppers, of course! Two and a half hours of
music, Sage Gateshead’s audience went home happy, very happy. In the Mood sent them on their way. So,
an entertaining afternoon, a trip down memory lane for those who were there
first time around, and, for the jazz heads, an education.
Russell
Ray McVay (MD), Colin Anthony (vocals), Catherine Sykes
(vocals), Andy Potts (alto saxophone), Simon Meredith (alto saxophone), Martin
Dunsdon (tenor saxophone), Dan Faulkner (tenor saxophone), Loren Hignell
(baritone & alto saxophone), Dave Ford (trumpet), Alan Berlyn (trumpet), Danny
Hammerton (trumpet), John Hinch (trumpet), Dale Gibson Jnr (trombone), Ray
Wordsworth (trombone), Cliff Hardie (trombone), Bruce Douglas (bass trombone), Bunny
Thompson (piano), Paul Scott (double bass) & Bobby Cleall (drums); the
Moonlight Serenaders; Uptown Hall Gang & the Jiving Lindy Hoppers
1 comment :
times like this when I wish I lived up there, good review Russell
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