All Aboard the Durham Music Service Jazz Express!

(Review by Russell)

On 27 September 1825 the world’s first steam locomotive public passenger service opened on the Stockton and Darlington railway. Exactly one hundred and ninety two years later on 27 September 2017 the Durham Music Service Jazz Express celebrated the historic occasion with a jazz concert at Locomotion, National Railway Museum, Shildon.  

Civic dignitaries wearing chains of office took their front row seats to enjoy an evening of big band jazz. Two fantastic bands – Durham Alumni Big Band and Durham County Youth Big Band – were joined by Graeme Robinson’s Locomotive Rhythm project, each band playing one set to a Shildon big band jazz and steam train buff audience. 

Durham Alumni Big Band is comprised of the County Youth Big Band’s former members – the ‘alumni’. The Alumni is an award winning band and there isn’t a weak link in the line-up. Directed by Shaune Eland, the band commissioned composer and trumpeter Matt Roberts, himself a former member of the orchestra, to write a suite of music which would  be Durham Music Service’s contribution to Shildon’s anniversary year. A key element of the  band’s success is the sheer commitment shown by all of the musicians. Some travel many miles to  rehearsal sessions and concert performances, Roberts himself making the journey from London.

The band opened with Invitation featuring Roberts’ train whistle – simple but effective! Ted Heath’s arrangement of Honeysuckle Rose got the dignitaries’ feet tapping as did Bernie’s Tune featuring a five strong trumpet section – the regular hot shot four plus Matt Roberts – and a fiery alto solo from Daniel Johnson. Another number from the Ted Heath pad – Kenny Graham’s King’s Cross Climax – established a tenuous link with the Stockton and Darlington railway celebrations. More choo choo doings in the guise of an updated Chattanooga Choo Choo preceded Robert’s commissioned piece Homeward. The composer spoke of the east coast main line train journey that he often takes – this, in part, the inspiration for the composition, itself one section of The Train suite. Alex Baker on tenor and Jonny Dunn playing flugelhorn excelled, as they so often do. Shaune Eland thanked everyone for their time and commitment, and, by way of an encore, it was all aboard for Tuxedo Junction.

Earlier, Durham County Youth Big Band played a short set. The high standard of musicianship was  to be expected, and, as is the way, several members of the band are moving on. Indeed, some are already studying at university, and, once again, showed their commitment in returning home to play this gig. The band will lose up to six members from across the sections. Vacant chairs will be filled, the next generation is upon us. Earth, Wind and Fire’s Into the Storm whipped up the proverbial as Omar Shade blew gutsy baritone and Sammy Nestico’s Odyssey heard good section work from the trombones. Gut Bucket Blues recalled the late Abram Wilson’s workshop session with the band – trumpeter Matthew Robinson’s rasping solo impressed as did Beth Roberts’ alto saxophone solo.

Roberts featured again on On the Sunny Side of the Street and The Look of Love. The band’s final number was, no less, a world premiere! With Matt Roberts, flugelhorn at the ready, joining the band to play his composition Steamfunk, this was great stuff.

Locomotive Rhythm is Graeme Robinson’s unique project taking as its inspiration the history, toil,  sweat, and nuts and bolts of the region’s railways. A percussion set up incorporating iron and steel parts forged and foraged from the area’s rich industrial past bolted on to present day technologies made for an intriguing listen. Robinson created all manner of clanking rail yard sounds. Joining him on this gig were Kevin Eland, trumpet, Alex Baker, tenor, Gavin Bell, bass, and Chris Rutherford on guitar. The titles of the pieces sought to place the music in the community; familiar places – Myers Flat Battery, Grey Horse (not one, but two local pubs), Hometown and Diesel Multiple Unit. Yes, an ‘industrial’ jazz performance with atmospheric tenor saxophone from Alex Baker and ghostly Miles’ muted horn from an on form Kevin Eland. Locomotive Rhythm is an unusual project. It’s a fair bet that Graeme Robinson is an enthusiast when it comes to the region’s railway heritage.    

   

Durham Alumni Big Band: Shaune Eland MD, Matt Roberts, Ian Robinson, Tom Hill, Jonny Dunn, Matthew Robinson trumpets; David Hamilton, Andrew Kirtley, Terry O’Hern, Alastair Wood trombones; Danielle Drew, Alex Baker, Daniel Johnson, Kirsty Dunn, Omar Shade saxophones; Ben Connor piano, Mick Shoulder bass; Stephen Fletcher drums   

Shildon’s part in the development of the railways cannot be underestimated and Locomotion plays an important role as an invaluable free admission educational resource preserving historic engines and rolling stock for future generations. Visit: www.nrm.org.uk     

Russell