Darlington Jazz Festival: Dennis Rollins & Al Wood with the Durham Alumni Big Band & Durham County Youth Big Band. April 23.

(Review by Russell/Photos courtesy of Shaune Eland)

Darlington Jazz Festival’s evening concert in the grand surroundings of Central Hall in the Dolphin Centre attracted a sell-out crowd. Chandeliers, linen table cloths, the scene set, a frisson of anticipation in the air. Penguin suits and gowns the dress code, Durham Alumni assembled on stage ready to go. The orchestra’s guest MD for the evening, Al Wood, gave the command: Strike Up the Band. Mr Wood is an authority on big bands. Basie’s recording of I Left My Heart in San Francisco was on his set list, so too Emily and he invited star guest Dennis Rollins to join the band on this one.

Just Friends (a hall full of them) to I Love Paris, along the way, loving references to the arrangers, composers and band leaders – Lennie Niehaus, Bob Florence, Stan Kenton – Wood so admires and behind him a magnificent big band, the Durham Alumni Big Band.

A big band fanatic of many years confided: That’s a trumpet section to die for absolutely right, sir. A five-strong section with Tom Hill lead trumpet for the occasion, they were, to use a phrase Matt Roberts is fond of, killing!  Trombone star Dennis Rollins rejoined the party to close the first set with Peanut Vendor. A glance at our big band fanatic, the boys in the trumpet section were about to party. Kenton’s glorious dissonant trumpet voicings were nailed time and again. Tom ‘Top Cs’ Hill led with distinction, a dead-eye precision. The section, none better, namely Jonny Dunn, Shaune Eland, Ian Robinson and Matthew Robinson. A roaring big band with a killer trumpet section. Mr J Dunn, of said section, was so pleased with their efforts he looked along the line at his section mates and duly punched the air! A moment of great satisfaction for him and those of us in the audience.

The glamorous Lindsay Hannon graced the stage to sing a couple of numbers with the band. First, You Took Advantage of Me and later Cheek to Cheek. The PA hired for the occasion enabled Hannon to be heard to best effect. Nerves of steel, Ms Hannon sang to the hall, a great performance. Well done, Lindsay!

Wood introduced Billy May’s arrangement of You Turned the Tables on Me, Alex Baker (tenor) and Rollins had some fun on Bebop Charlie and the band’s regular MD Shaune Eland stepped out front to put his charges through Fascinating Rhythm. To end a superb evening Al Wood suggested we went home on an unusual closing number. Guest Dennis Rollins sent us on our way with Misty. The crowd demanded more and their reward was a rousing One o’clock Jump.                          

Dennis Rollins (trombone) & Al Wood (MD & baritone saxophone) 

Durham Alumni Big Band: Alex Baker (tenor), Susanne Hewitt (tenor), Steve McGarvie (alto & soprano), Kirsty Dunn (alto), Alan Thompson (baritone); Jonny Dunn, Shaune Eland, Tom Hill, Ian Robinson, Matthew Robinson (trumpets); David Hamilton (bass trombone), Andrew Kirtley, Alastair Wood, Terry O’Hern (trombones); Dean Stockdale (piano), Shaun Henderson (guitar), Amy Baker (bass), Stephen Fletcher (drums) & Lindsay Hannon (vocals)

Earlier the Durham County Youth Big Band opened proceedings with a fantastic set of their own. Conducted by Shaune Eland, the young guns played so well. Cantaloupe Island, Boplicity, This Can’t Be Love – great tunes, played with no little skill. Al Wood, playing baritone, joined the band to romp through The Creep. Mr Wood spoke warmly of his admiration for the young musicians on the stand. They’re the stars of tomorrow.   

Russell.

Thanks to Shaune Eland for supplying the photographs:
(Top) Dennis Rollins (tmb) with the Durham Alumni Big Band. (Middle) Alumni trumpet section. (Bottom) Durham County Youth Big Band w. Al Wood (bar) & Shaune Eland (md).