(Review by Ron H)
A 23 piece band
+ vocalists led by trombonist Christine
Britland played to an enthusiastic capacity audience drawn from all age
groups.
The night began with the aptly
named Strike up the Band followed by American Patrol both
ideal numbers to show the audience how well they all played together giving
that nice big band sound.
Vicky Jackson then took to the stage to sing the
classic Georgia On My Mind before the band played an
impressive version of John Coltrane's Blue Train with a nice
tenor sax solo from Jim Madrell.
After This Masquerade the flamboyant Django sang Zoot Suit with
nice sax solo from Dave Vaughan then
the band played the Pink Panther Theme, followed by an impressive
alto sax solo from Donna Hewitt
on Mas Que Nada.
Vicky went on to sing Proud Mary and
Respect before Barry
sang Nice And Easy then a fine swinging Big
Spender all going down well with the audience.
After the band played 720 and Bare
Necessities with trumpet solo from Neil Brodie, Django finished the first set with Jump Jive
And Wail.
Sean Steel
started the second set with a swinging drum intro to Sing Sing Sing, followed
by Fancy Pants and Stray Cat Strut.
Ron Smith
drove Brick House throughout with great bass playing before Kate Bulman left the trumpet section to
sing Baby it's Cold Outside as a duet with Django.
Kate then showed her vocal talent with the seasonal Have
Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, Fly Me To The Moon and Santa
Baby.
After a bass intro Little Brown Jug included
nice contributions from Frank on
trumpet and Christine on trombone.
A nice version of the Duke’s Caravan led to the
swinging Lady Is A Tramp with vocals from Barry. An amusing George Formby style Chinese Laundry
Blues featured Donna on clarinet and Django singing.
Shiny Stockings
featured a fine piano solo from Dave
Archbold
Chatanooga Choo Choo with a vocal duet
from Kate and Django and then the second set was finished with Perdido and Mission
Impossible. Apart from the demanded encore of Music To Watch Girls By.
With a mixed and well thought out selection of numbers the band,
playing with excellent dynamics, provided the appreciative audience with a
great night of musical entertainment.
I must apologize for missing some of the soloist contributions
as I did not catch all of their names.
Once again thanks go to the management and staff of Dormans Club
for their help and support to enable us to run the jazz club.
Ron H
1 comment :
The band is now a lot better than we were years ago.
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