Postmodern Jukebox @ Sage Gateshead - Feb 18

(Review by Russell).

The phenomenon that is Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox rocked up at Sage Gateshead to play the third date of an extensive European tour. Sage One’s near-capacity audience loved the fast-paced two-hour show, the band playing straight through without a break. Simultaneously Post Modern Jukebox (PMJ) was touring coast to coast in America. How could this be? Simple, Scott Bradlee’s roster of musicians has grown to such proportions that it is possible to organise itineraries on two continents!

Charismatic frontman ‘Cunio’ (Michael Cunio) bounded onto the stage; shaven head, shiny suit,  shiny black Rat Pack cabaret shoes (no socks!). Our MC for the evening came right out with it… this was his debut tour with PMJ! The band cruising, Cunio produced all the moves, screaming, falsetto vocals, a touch of James Brown. Get on down, the revue was well and truly underway, non-stop action, the singers on and off stage, left and right, the band cruising.

Earlier in the month West End star Emma Hatton (Evita) went into rehearsals for this PMJ show and would feature extensively alongside fellow vocalists Dani Armstrong (aka Jack Dani), Brielle von Hugel and the larger than life Mario Jose. The PMJ’s setlist would be drawn from the huge pad of tunes amassed by Bradlee. Would we hear Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga, Justin Timberlake?

Bradlee’s winning formula is in reworking popular tunes, presenting them in Jazz Age and swing era styles, with, at times, the familiar cleverly disguised, often until the hook. The band – rhythm section and horns – couldn’t have been tighter. Clearly rehearsed to the nth degree, solo spots were few and far between as this Sage Gateshead show was all about the singers, themselves submitting to first class choreography. Backstage costume changes were many with Jack, Emma and Brielle in and out of one slinky number after another as the band played on. Jack sang Sia’s From the Chandelier bringing the house, if not the ornate light fitting, down. Brielle von Hugel’s vocals on PMJ’s All About That Bass YouTube hit just about won a standing ovation from Sage Gateshead’s by now jumping crowd.      

Chloe Feoranzo, all of five feet nothing, blew great tenor and clarinet from behind her PMJ Jazz Age music stand, and, on one number, sang like an angel! Fellow horn player, Berklee graduate,  trombonist Lemar Guillory, matched Feoranzo’s abilities as the pair of them had a ball. The duo’s feature spot found the horns stepping down into the packed stalls, blowing as they walked up the aisles. As Chloe approached row P your reviewer’s companion for the evening engaged in brief conversation with our dancing saxophonist. They had met at a jazz festival in America and here they were (almost) high-fiving at Sage Gateshead!

You Give Love a Bad Name (Bon Jovi), Seven Nation Army (The White Stripes), some Maroon 5, Cab ‘Hi De Ho’ Calloway segueing into a searing Thriller, throw in a jazz tap masterclass from Lee Howard, PMJ had the audience in the palm of its twelve-strong collective hand. And, you say, just where was the Main Man, Mr Scott Bradlee? Probably home in the US of A, quite possibly on tour with his many other Post Modern Jukebox musicians. Bradlee or not this Sage Gateshead concert was a show and a half. Cunio and co promised to return and when they do, be sure to be there.     

Russell

Michael Cunio (MD, vocals); Dani Armstrong (vocals); Emma Hatton (vocals); Mario Jose (vocals); Brielle von Hugel (vocals); Chloe Feoranzo (tenor saxophone, clarinet & vocals); Lemar Guillory (trombone); ? (guitar & banjo); ? (piano); ? (double bass & bass guitar); Martin Diller (drums) & Lee Howard (jazz tap dancing)