(Review
by Ron H)
The
series of guest bands contributing to the Mini Jazz Festival was brought to a
close with a magnificent performance by the Customs House Big Band led by Peter
Morgan and with Ruth Lambert on vocals playing to a capacity and
enthusiastic audience.
Starting
the first set with Recuedos from the Stan Kenton’s Cuban Fire album and fine solos from
Mick Hill, Dave Brocklesby and Jim McBriarty on tenor, gave the audience a
flavour of
what was to be an exciting night of big band music.
Gershwin’s There's
A Boat That’s Leaving Soon For New York had an excellent alto solo
from Alan Marshall and Bob Florence's Nobody's Human featured
a fine piano solo from John Stevenson.
Ruth
Lambert took centre stage to sing The Very Thought Of You, following
it with a swinging Our Love Is Here To Stay.
Interesting
arrangements of Bluer Than Blue, Blue Bossa and
Ruth Lambert’s moving version of The Man I Love, before the
first set was brought to a close with a great version of Basically
Blues with a fine trombone solo from Neville Hartley.
Bob
Florence's arrangement of Afternoon of a Prawn got things
rolling again before moving on to Monk's take on Sweet Georgia Brown - Bright Mississippi - with
solos from all the big hitters.
Ruth
returned to sing That Ole' Devil Called Love and Almost
Like Being In Love in her usual inimitable way. After the
relaxed Easy Street, A Narrow Escape featured
Bradley Johnston, an excellent drum solo from Abbie Finn and bass from Karen
Maughan.
Don't Know Why, a modern ballad, was beautifully sung by Ruth before the
night almost ended with Steppin' Out before Ruth stepped up for the encore – Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps
- singing
the version used as the theme tune in the TV series Coupling.
This
excellent band led by Peter Morgan on bass trombone brought the mini-festival
to an end giving a delighted audience a night to remember.
I
must apologize to the musicians that I failed to mention as I was so engrossed
in listening to the band to make more than quick notes.
Once
again, thanks go to Dormans Club for their help and support.
Ron
H
Bob Temple, Mick
Hill, Ken DeVere, Ben Chinnery, (trumpets); Dave Brocklesby, Neville Hartley, Michael
Fletcher, Peter Morgan (M.D.) (trombones); Alan Marshall, Sue Hurrell, Jim
McBriarty, Josh Bentham, Chris Kaberry, (saxes); John Stephenson (piano); Karen
Maughan (bass); Abbie Finn (drums); Bradley Johnston (guitar); Ruth Lambert
(vocals).
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