(Review by Ron H)
The Middlesbrough Jazz and Blues Orchestra, a 20+ piece band led by Kevin Eland, held their Christmas party at Dormans Club playing to an enthusiastic capacity audience drawn from all age groups.
The band started the night with a great arrangement of St Louis Blues, giving the audience a taste of what was in store. This was followed by Sugar Valley with a nice intro from Dave Archbold on keyboards.
Let’s Take it Nice and Easy sang Django followed by a nice and easy big band arrangement of Winter Wonderland.
Vicki Jackson sang a rousing version of Route 66 with fine solos from Dave on keys, Dave Bell on sax and Neil Brodie on trumpet. Further numbers included Chameleon, Lonely St. Cute, featuring Shaun, and Miles of Milestones.
A sexy, slinky, Santa Baby was sung by Kate Bulman, watched by the youngest audience member ever, Kate's 4 weeks old son Lawrence. Blue Monk included lovely sax solos from Donna Hewitt and Jim Madrell.
Graham Thompson took over on keys for the second set which started with an up tempo Orange Sherbert followed by Bye Bye Blackbird with a fine solo from Kevin Eland and Kate Bulman singing Have Yourself a Merry Christmas.
Other numbers included a very impressive rendition of Jim Martin’s bossa nova style arrangement of Silent Night with a moving solo from Kevin on flugel and Vicki Jackson sang the ever popular Mustang Sally with a rocking solo from Simon Jones on baritone sax.
After Swinging Shepherd Blues, the night finished off in great style with Vicki singing Alright, OK, You Win. This was a memorable jazz party night with the interval food kindly provided by the band.
With much appreciated help and support from the staff at Dormans, we have been able to run a highly successful weekly "Dormans Jazz Club" for the past 8 years. Many of the best Jazz musicians in the area have played as guests with the resident Tees Hot Club band as well as with their own groups on the monthly guest night.
Ron H.
1 comment :
excellent show, well played by all
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