Dave Wilde (tenor sax/baritone sax/flute/vocal); David Gray
(trombone); Chris Jelly (vibes/Malletkat); Richard Burns (trumpet); Craig
Stephenson (bass guitar); Steve Glendinning (guitar); Martin Douglas (drums);
Brendan Murphy (percussion).
King Bee, Hoochie Coochie & Christmas - the perfect ingredients for a party. Add a few bottles of London Pride, described in the house drinks' menu (paperback edition) as "a big favourite of jazz critics", and you're in Shangri-la.
Dressed as elves, the 8 funksters blew up their seasonal storm with a batch of mainly originals, covers and, because it is Christmas, a carol. Every man jack of them has solid jazz credentials and it came out in the solos.
When not singing, Wilde blew rocking tenor and baritone as well as some Kirkian flute. Jelly, for my money, is The Man on vibes - bar none - whilst debutant slide man, the ubiquitous David Gray, not only slotted in seamlessly but also took the sartorial honours (see photo).
Richard Burns, the tallest ever elf, blew some notes that befitted his stature and announced the tunes. However, as I don't speak Australian, I didn't get all the titles. Steve Glendinning was his usual laid back awesome self, newcomer Stephenson acquitted himself so well that it was hard to credit this was his first gig with the band and Douglas and Murphy laid down a rhythm master class.
Although Wilde did most of the singing the others also had their moments as back-up vocalists.
As is traditional at this annual hoot, God Rest You Merry Gentlemen was taken only slightly faster than the speed of light with each solo merrier than the previous one.
Roll on next Christmas!
PHOTOS.
PHOTOS.
Lance.
PS: Conversation in Gents.
A young Hooray Henry type: "Enjoying yourself?"
Me: "Yes".
HH: "Good man. Do you like the music?"
Me: "Yes".
HH: "Good man. Are you having a nice Christmas?"
Me: "Yes".
HH: Good man."
Who said the art of conversation is dead?!
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