(Surrogate review by Russell)
Bebop Spoken Here’s big band man at large Tony Eales reports on another successful Wigan International Jazz Festival. Georgie Fame impressed Eales. The ‘pop star’ jazz and blues veteran shared the stage with the all-star Guy Barker Big Band. Eales states that Fame has still got it – great voice, great entertainer and a great band in tow.
Eric Marienthal flew in from the States to play a funky set with the Wigan Youth Jazz Orchestra. The ex-Chick Corea sideman was the latest in a roll-call of superstar names down the years to gig with WYJO. Maynard Ferguson, James Morrison, Bobby Shew, and this year Marienthal.
The Swingtime Big Band impressed, as did special guest Andy Prior. The NATO Jazz Orchestra looked the part – starched uniforms and all – although in Eales’ opinion that vital spark was somehow missing. The New York Brass Band (York, England) made a big impression on BSH’s big band man. The band’s performance and two hundred plus schoolchildren doing the conga will live long in TE’s memory.
Work has already started on the 2017 Wigan International Jazz Festival. Breaking news on the big names will appear first right here on Bebop Spoken Here. Stay tuned.
Russell.
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