Jake Walker Orchestra: Cedric De Lat
(trumpet); Tobias Storme (trombone); Warre Van de Putte (tenor saxophone);
Ruben Van Bost (clarinet, tenor sax, soprano sax); Wouter 'Wally' Van den
Broeck (piano); Pieter Mortier (string bass); Wannes 'Wannie' Cornelis (drums).
(Review by Russell)
Gig of the year, as simple as that.
Jake Walker or, to give the band its full name, the Jake Walker Orchestra,
arrived on Tyneside midway through a first British tour. On the evidence of
this Newcastle performance, it'll be the first of many.
Jake Walker's tour itinerary found
the band with a blank date - Sunday in Edinburgh, Tuesday in Edinburgh, what to
do on Monday? In stepped Newcastle Arts Centre to offer the Belgian swing
septet a gig in the Black Swan venue on Westgate Road. Those concerned should
be congratulated on taking a punt, it paid off handsomely.
A number of dyed-in-the-wool jazz
fans joined a sizeable contingent of swing dancers drawn from across Tyneside
and, encouragingly, Durham University Swing Society. Jake Walker is a young,
conservatoire-trained outfit dedicated to performing swing-era charts. Taking
the stage in penguin suits the band hit the ground running - think Basie Kansas
City Six or Seven. In a nutshell C Jam Blues all night long
would just about sum up this fantastic band. From the downbeat, the
arrangements by pianist Wouter 'Wally' Van den Broeck were bang-on the money as
string bassist Pieter Mortier dropped anchor alongside rhythm section partner,
drummer Wannes 'Wannie' Cornelis.
From the off the floor filled with
dancers - stompin', swingin' numbers, ensemble and soloists absolutely superb
on such as Jive at Five, Shiny Stockings, Li'l
Darlin' and a first set closer, a seriously hot Sheik of Araby.
Musicianship of the highest order from a band of twenty/thirty somethings, this
was impressive stuff alright. All shone, to single out one would be invidious
but, hey, how about tenor saxophonist Warre van de Putte? Quite brilliant. Had
he beeen around some seventy five years ago Basie would have had him in the
band in a trice!
I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart (yet more superb
tenor from Van de Putte), Rose Room, drummer Wannes 'Wannie'
Cornelis swinging a Kansas City blues, Duke in the form of I'm
Beginning to See the Light, some Benny G in the shape of Don't Be
That Way and more - Stompin' at the Savoy (Van den
Broeck's ace piano playing), the second set matched the first - superb!
As Sing, Sing, Sing closed
the show the Black Swan audience wanted another number; One more tune! One more
tune! The Jake Walker Orchestra acceded to the demand sending the swing dancing
crowd on its way with Jeep's Blues. Gig of the year, as simple as
that.
Russell
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