(Review by Russell)
At the
last minute BSH Editor-in-Chief LL couldn't make it hence your reviewer being
given the nod to come off the subs' bench. Listening to the Strictly Smokin'
Big Band at Gosforth is hardly an arduous task! This was the first of two sold
out nights, it's been that way for nine consecutive years!
An evening
comprising timeless GASbook numbers, the work of contemporary composers and
arrangers, ancient carols and, of course, perennial singalong favourites
performed by the Strictly Smokin' should be on everyone's bucket list.
Winter Games opened the programme. Never in a month of
Sundays could anyone have predicted the official anthem of the 1988 Winter
Olympic Games in Calgary, Canada would be heard some thirty years later at a
big band concert in Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle upon Tyne! Vocalist Alice
Grace made an early appearance to sing The Late, Late Show (Ms
Grace alluding to Nat Cole's late fifties' recording of the number). We would
hear much more of AG during the evening singing Anita O'Day, Ella and
more.
A Bobby
Watson chart made its way into the set list and the one member of the orchestra
all but guaranteed to take on the alto part just had to be Keith Robinson. KR
stood up, from first note to last, the floor was his. The 'jazz heads' in the
audience were impressed. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (remember
it's Christmas time) featured the mellifluous tones of Pete Tanton's
flugelhorn.
Alice
Grace returned to the stage to sing a Chris Walden arrangement of Willow
Weep for Me. Phrasing, timing, projecting to all parts of the hall, AG
knocked 'em dead. And our adopted Geordie did it again singing Rodgers and
Hammerstein's People Will Say We're in Love from Oklahoma!
If that had been the sum total of AG's contribution it would have been worthwhile
attending but there was more to come, much more.
The SSBB
closed a fine first set with two carols - a Dick Stacey feature on O
Holy Night (at its end fellow trumpeter Gordon Marshall gave DS a pat
on the head!) - and an energetic (if the charts were marked 'con brio' or
similar that would be about right) Joy to the World with a
crystal clear contribution from guitarist Pawel Jedrzejewski.
The
interval: Brisk sales of the SSBB's new CD Christmas Live Gosforth
Civic Theatre (December 2018) suggested loved ones were going to
receive a much-appreciated gift in their Christmas stocking.
Tenor
saxophonist Jamie Toms contributed several assured, measured solos during the
evening, not least as the band opened the second set with It's the Most
Wonderful Time of the Year. On a Christmas gig it would be understandable
if a bandleader tailored the material to the occasion and, of course, MD
Michael Lamb did just that, however, Coventry Carol (Steve
Summers' committed alto solo) would have satisfied out and out, hardcore jazz
fans any time of the year. This was a real highlight among highlights.
Irving
Berlin, Alice Grace and Michael Lamb - now there's a winning combination! Yes,
a solo blast from MD Lamb on I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm. And
then there was AG singing Mel Tormé's Christmas Song (the
trumpet section off stage, pianist Graham Don accompanist to Ms Grace).
That''ll do, let's go home. No! Wait! MD Lamb was to introduce a surprise
guest..
Direct
from the London stage, local-lad-made-good, Mr Adam Dutton! Suited and booted,
Dutton (resumé inc. Show Boat, Oliver! and My
Fair Lady) joined Alice Grace to sing Frank Loesser's Baby, It's
Cold Outside. It's fair to say the place went wild. As AG temporarily left
the stage, Dutton, originally from Kenton, Newcastle, revealed this was his
first visit to Gosforth Civic Theatre. Singing Caroling, Caroling with
the band won the impressive Dutton a whole host of new fans. As our guest left
the stage we were left wondering if that was Dutton's last contribution of the
evening...
Duke
Ellington's arrangement of Jingle Bells (Jamie Toms' tenor sax
solo) added lustre to a lustrous occasion. Don't you just love jazz?!
And when
the lights were low...Ms Grace and Mr Dutton returned to say goodnight
singing Fairytale of New York. Everytime it's a winner. Dutton
played his part, Grace hers and the audience couldn't resist singing along. And
finally, Ms Grace had the stage to herself to conduct band and audience in a
magical Last Christmas. Magical, indeed.
Russell
Alice
Grace (vocals); Steve Summers, Keith Robinson, Jamie Toms, Dave Kerridge,
Laurie Rangecroft (reeds); Gordon Marshall, Dick Stacey, Michael Lamb MD, Pete
Tanton (trumpets); Kieran Parnaby, Mark Ferris, Chris Kurgi-Smith, John Flood
(trombones); Graham Don (piano); Pawel Jedrzejewski (guitar); Michael Whent
(bass guitar); Guy Swinton (drums) + Adam Dutton (vocals).
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