Bob Wade (trumpet); Jim McBriarty (clarinet/tenor/vocal); Laurence McBriarty (trombone); Brian Bennett (banjo/vocal); Ollie Rillands (drums/vocals); Bill Colledge (bass guitar) + Neville Sarony (vocal); Miles Watson (vocal); Colin Aitchison (trumpet/vocal); Franco Valussi (clarinet).
(Review by Lance/photo courtesy of Colin Aitchison).
The annual visit by 'Our Man in Hong Kong' - ex-pat Colin Aitchison - and his Ned Kelly's escapees never fails to liven up the local scene. This afternoon, at the Crescent Club, Colin, Franco and Neville slotted into the Vieux Carré Jazzmen's line-up with ease making for a very enjoyable lunchtime session.
The VCJ set the scene with I'm Beginning to See the Light, McBriarty, the younger, taking the vocal and blowing fine tenor. Bourbon Street Parade reminded me of the Breda Jazz Festival back in the 1980s when it seemed to be practically the Dutch national anthem. Bob Wade and McBriarty, the elder. shone.
Time to call the visitors up.
Neville Saroney sang Ain't She Sweet with Colin, Franco and the home team in there pitching.
Miles hadn't brought his trumpet (Miles without trumpet? it's like Samson without Delilah). However, he had brought his voice along and he sang Carolina Moon with an acapella intro which requires a very good ear indeed!
Neville sang Buddy Bolden Blues and Colin got into the act with Bring me Sunshine.
It was now raffle time which was a very good time if you had a pink ticket but not so good if you'd been dealt a green one. However, it did have a bonus inasmuch as the lady who sold me my green tickets turned out to be a girl I remembered from my schooldays. Lovely to see you again after all these years Philis (unusual spelling)!
The second set had Neville Sitting on Top of the World before bemoaning the fact that Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out.
Ollie, on drums, took over the mic. for a medley that incorporated [or so it seemed] every number that Bill Haley and Jerry Lee Lewis ever recorded. The audience loved it and the dance floor was awash with zimmer frames.
Ollie, depping on drums for Fred Thompson, provided alongside Brian and Bill, solid support throughout.
Colin sang that jazz classic, It's a Long Way to Tipperary and he soon had the crowd singing along (they knew all the words) before giving us Down by the Riverside. This had a spirited Jim Mc/Franco clarinet duet.
All too soon it was time for Brian to sing Goin' Home.
A most enjoyable afternoon.
Lance.
PS:L to R of the picture, Neville, Franco, Yours truly.
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