Classic Swing @ Jesmond British Legion - Dec 20

Tommy Moran (tenor sax); Jim McBriarty (alto sax, soprano sax, clarinet); Kieran Parnaby (trombone); Norman Brown (piano); Alan Rudd (double bass); Tommy Graham (drums); Olive Rudd (vocals)

(Review by Russell)

it's almost Christmas, isn't it? Things tend to be a bit rushed, don’t they? And, of course, every jazz gig during December seems to be an excuse for a party and/or buffet with a few beers. All this is a preamble to your reviewer confessing he forgot to take photographs at today's Classic Swing gig! 

Five days before Christmas, the Metro system shutdown, would anyone turn out for Classic Swing's seasonal knees up? They certainly did, what's more, raffle prizes galore and a buffet weren't to be sniffed at. Two deps in today - pianist Norman Brown and, on loan from the Strictly Smokin', trombonist Kieran Parnaby. 

A Tommy Moran composition to begin with - Jump for Jim - in typical small group swing style. A good start. Band vocalist Olive Rudd managed to organise the buffet and accept donations to the raffle in between singing a few numbers, the first of which, a seasonal Winter Wonderland, featured solos from Jim McBriarty, clarinet, Kieran Parnaby and Moran blowing tenor. Johnny Hodges' territory on Good Queen Bess heard a rare thing...a bass solo from Alan Rudd! 

McBriarty sang about a Honeysuckle Rose with a fine piano solo from veteran Norman Brown. Olive Rudd returned to the stand to insist It's a Sin to Tell a Lie with McBriarty on soprano sax and Brown quoting White Christmas just as regular band pianist Colin Haikney dropped by - it was good to see Colin out and about. 

At this time of year raffles tend to yield a bumper crop and here at Jesmond Legion no fewer than nine prizes were up for grabs. Your reviewer spied a box of Milk Tray. First number out the hat - no.856...YES!!! Your reviewer bagged the Milk Tray! Another pint of Old Speckled Hen to celebrate.

Second set: A first outing for Moran's The Master's Magic couldn't have been more apposite with Colin Haikney sitting listening. Clarinet, alto, trombone, tenor, piano, bass - all took a few bars, Mr Haikney nodded in appreciation. 

Rockin' Round the Christmas Tree tempted Olive Rudd back to the stage (pianist Brown couldn't resist quoting Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer) and before long the three o'clock finish loomed with, somewhat inevitably, our vocalist encouraging the room to sing along to White Christmas. 

Please note - Classic Swing won't be at the Ship Inn on Christmas Eve nor New Year's Eve. Your next chance to hear the band will be on Friday 17 January at Jesmond Legion, from which date the West Jesmond residency will be a third Friday in the month affair.  Russell