River City Hot 4 @ Beresford Arms, Whalton - May 6

Gordon Solomon (trombone); Bob Wade (trumpet, clarinet, vocals); Keith Stephen (banjo/guitar); Phil Rutherford (sousaphone)

(Review by John T.)

What an excellent night on Monday at the Beresford Arms at Whalton with the River City Hot Four. Timothy Taylors’ Landlord was a bit on the flat side - as against the band who were on top form.

Oh Lady be Good was followed by Black and Blue featuring Bob on muted trumpet and later clarinet (unfortunately not at the same time as per Gunhild Carling) The Original Dixieland One Step was followed by My Blue Heaven, Sugar and the interval number Royal Garden Blues.

Please Don’t Talk About Me When I’m Gone was followed by Georgia on my Mind with guest sax player Simon Probyn. Simon did one more number - It Don’t Mean a Thing. He tells me he has guested with several bands in the area and has had a mention or two in Bebop Spoken Here. 

Gee Baby Ain’t I Good to You and Tiger Rag followed. Bob moved over to clarinet for Creole Love Call with close harmony with Gordon on trombone. Back Home Again in Indiana completed the performance and the few close band followers left at the end all agreed that this was a night to remember. 

John T