New Century Ragtime Orchestra @ Brunswick Methodist Church. Dec 19

(Review by Russell).

The Friends of King’s Hall met at an invitation-only event in Brunswick Church in the week before Christmas to enjoy a concert by the New Century Ragtime Orchestra. The shop-’til-you-drop types were out in force in Newcastle city centre rushing here, there, and back again in pursuit of yet more tat. Brunswick offered an alternative, 1920s jazz and ragtime numbers performed by Tyneside’s twelve piece ‘early jazz’ specialists.

Band manager Phil Rutherford acknowledged the season draping his sousaphone in the solitary piece of tinsel the New Century possesses – otherwise, it was business as usual. Mr Steve Andrews, the orchestra’s long-time MC, sat contentedly listening to the band play a selection of, in the main, lesser known charts. Scott Joplin’s 1901 Easy Winners opened proceedings with the ensemble playing entirely acoustically in the church hall.

Boy singer (Andrews’ description) Jim McBriarty crooned Palesteena, Ian Wynne, the youngest member of the orchestra played a piano rag – Nightingale Rag (comp. Joseph Lamb) – thus allowing the more senior members of the outfit to take five. Black Beauty (comp. Duke Ellington) featured Gavin Lee on a simple system clarinet. MC Andrews introduced the programme, frequently poking fun, albeit gently, at various members of the band. Do they arrive at a concert venue wondering if it’s their turn to be teased?

Steve Andrews invariably offers an insight, putting tunes in the context of their time: a feature for Alan Marshall, alto, and Gavin Lee playing tenor sax – I’m Gonna Meet My Sweetie Now, associated with Paul Whiteman and Jean Goldkette – being an example. Singin’ in the Bathtub – the title track of the New Century’s most recent CD – said MC Andrews, was recorded by non-other than Gracie Fields! Entertainment and education – Lord Reeth would approve! Your correspondent approves of any mention of Laurel and Hardy, and so it was that Andrews pointed to Busy Bodies (1931) in which Smile When the Raindrops Fall is heard on the soundtrack.

This Newcastle University ‘Live in King’s Hall’ concert (for logistical reasons relocated to Brunswick) was one in a regular, term time, series of lunchtime performances. During 2017 there will be a full schedule in King’s Hall, Armstrong Building, usually Thursday at ten minutes past one, of fifty minutes’ duration. Classical, folk, jazz and more, it’s all for free. Details of forthcoming jazz concerts will be posted to Bebop Spoken Here.

The New Century Ragtime Orchestra will be at Gateshead’s Caedmon Hall on Friday, February 3, 2017 at 7:30pm with special guests Keith Nichols, piano, and Nick Ward, drums.

Russell.

The New Century Ragtime Orchestra: Emma Fisk (violin), Jim McBriarty (clarinet, alto sax, vocals), Alan Marshall (clarinet, alto sax), Gavin Lee (clarinet, alto sax, tenor sax), Alistair Lord (trumpet), Graham Hardy (trumpet), Neville Hartley (trombone), Ian Wynne (piano), Roly Veitch (banjo), Phil Rutherford (sousaphone) & Steve Doyle (drums)