(Review by Russell/photo from
2013 gig)
The hordes were out in force with just two weeks to go
before…before that day in the year that we ‘bah humbugs’ look forward to with a
curry and a bottle of beer. Santa’s shoppers were snapping up everything in
sight, much of it to be put in a cupboard and forgotten about. Meanwhile, in
the real world – known as the ‘jazz world’ – the Tyne Valley Big Band set up
shop on Chevvy Chase. A misnomer if ever there was one. An ugly shopping ‘mall’
shouldn’t be called Chevvy Chase, it shouldn’t be allowed, there should be a
law against it. Whatever…
The TVBB, led by Dave Hignett, played some great big
band tunes; Manteca, Mack the Knife, Minnie the Mooche and
Joe Zawinul’s modern masterpiece Birdland.
The hordes looked bemused, stopped and listened, some danced, one dude took to break
dancing. A big band of twenty three (MD and trumpeter Hignett included)
performed with bauble-busting enthusiasm. The band’s effervescent singer almost
missed her cue on Sway. The antler-wearing
Barbara Hignett had been spotted doing some last minute shopping in an adjacent
branch of John Lewis! Shopping bags deposited, our vocalist strolled out front
as if she’d been preparing in the (non existent) green room, took the mic and
did the job! Boundless enthusiasm (expert use of triangle on Henry Mancini’s Pink Panther) is a key element to
Barbara Hignett’s performance allied to a great soulful voice.
Inevitably Let
it Snow, Winter Wonderland and Santa Baby made it onto the set list.
Doc Severinson’s arrangement of In the
Mood made the cut, as did Hayburner and
Route 66. The Tyne Valley Big Band –
a ten-strong saxophone section, four trombones, three hard-working trumpets and
a four-piece rhythm section – is a talented, community-based band in the Tyne
Valley, headquartered at Hexham. Catch one of their frequent public gigs as
you’re guaranteed a great show. Stay tuned to Bebop Spoken Here for forthcoming
dates.
Russell.
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