(Review by Russell)
On entering a
sweltering Millstone Michael Lamb indicated that the pub’s upstairs room
offered a cool refuge from the heat of the day, hastily adding: Only joking! Sure enough the first floor
room resembled a boiler house. MD Lamb’s
troops arrived in ones and twos for the Strictly Smokin’ Big Band’s monthly
public rehearsal night. Several members of the band arrived in shorts. Where
did they think they were? The Costa del Plonk?
Strike Up the Band, Sister Sadie, Basically Blues – a typically eclectic selection from the SSBB. A
noticeably absent Alice Grace (presently, the woman has more important things
to attend to!) gave some present a first opportunity to hear Jennifer Davies. Orange
Michael Lamb
lead from the front – intro and solo – on Autumn
in New York. We should hear more of ML in a small group setting! The SSBB likes
to play Jacob Mann charts. Pronk has
become a gig staple and at this rehearsal night we heard Bounce House. It’s well worth checking out J Mann, the composer and
big band leader.
More from Jennifer
Davies: Alright, Okay, You Win and It Was a Very Good Year. No sign of
F’reez tonight, so, Davies had the mic to herself and no one was complaining.
Familiar faces were given a chance to shine; on this occasion David Barnes,
trombone, Jamie Toms on tenor, Keith Robinson, alto, and, across the room,
Graham Don, keyboards, and the ever-impressive Pav Jedrzejewski on guitar.
Others featured, they often do, they know who they are! The Strictly Smokin’
rock up at Soul Central (aka Hoochie Coochie) on Sunday 18 June. On stage at
5:30pm, with Alice Grace and our man F’reez, plus a bonus set from Scarlett Street
Russell
Michael Lamb MD,
Stephen Wilkinson, Gordon Marshall, Bob Temple (trumpets); David Barnes, Kieran
Parnaby, Chris Gurji-Smith, John Flood
(trombones); Jamie Toms (tenor), Paul Gowland (tenor), Steve Summers
(alto, soprano & flute), Keith Robinson (alto), Laurie Rangecroft
(baritone); Graham Don (keyboards), Pawel Jedrzejewski (guitar), Michael Whent
(bass), Guy Swinton (drums) & Jennifer Davies (vocals)
2 comments :
Thanks for the review Russell... just a minor correction that Scarlet Street won't be gracing us with their presence at Hoochie on June 18th '17. However, correct that Alice and F'reez will be there and doing their thing! Tickets available at www.strictly-smokin.co.uk ��
I knew I should have relied on the SSBB website. Warren needs to update his website!
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