(Review by Russell)
A first public rehearsal/concert performance of
2020 by the mighty Strictly Smokin' Big Band. All reported for duty with the
exception of long serving baritone saxophonist Laurie Rangecroft who was,
perhaps, on a mid-winter sunshine break and his dep on the big beast of the
reeds stepped out of the Newcastle University Jazz Orchestra, a more than able
sub, welcome Brian Wicks.
Your correspondent's first scribbled note...BANG!
Straight out of the (Buddy Rich) traps with Big Swing Face.
This evening Michael Lamb's outfit certainly lived up to its name...Smokin'! No
time to lose on a session like this, welcome back Alice Grace to sing All
the Things You Are.
Killer trumpets on the Lennie Niehaus arrangement
of Cole Porter's I Love Paris for the Kenton band - once
again...Smokin'! In six weeks or so the SSBB will be linking up with NYC's
Danny Jonokuchi for a one off gig at Flat Caps Coffee and in advance of the
occasion the band and Alice Grace took another look at the New Yorker's
arrangement of The One I Love Belongs to Somebody Else. If this one
is in the set list in March just imagine Jonokuchi's reaction as Alice and the
boys take it apart! The prospect of it being an 'I was there' occasion? You
bet! Book your tickets now at www.strictly-smokin.co.uk
One or two musos in tonight's audience were on a
busman's holiday there to enjoy themselves with a pint or two listening to a
fantastic outfit. The Bridge Hotel's beers this evening included a new
favourite - the Bad Seed Brewery's Light Cluster (4.3%), unfined,
unfiltered.
Earlier Buddy Rich blew the place apart and to
start the second set who better to do the same than Gordon Goodwin? Count
Bubba tore it up with feature solos from Jamie Toms, Pete Tanton and
Dave Kerridge. Alice took a trip on Route 66 going here, there
and everywhere. Our star vocalist stayed on to sing You Turned the
Tables on Me (arr. D. Jonokuchi).
It was just about time to go but not before Alice
and Jamie Toms sang and blew tenor respectively on Mean to Me and
MD Michael Lamb had a blast on Alice's final number of the evening I've
Got My Love to Keep Me Warm.
The SSBB's 2020 events include not only the visit
of Danny Jonokuchi but an eagerly anticipated concert at Sage Gateshead with
Mike Lovatt (it's looking like a sell out on Feb 29 - book now!). The trumpeter
boasts an impressive CV - John Wilson Orchestra, BBC Big Band and countless
film and television sessions including the rather popular Bond movies. Nice
work if you (are good enough and) can get it and Mike Lovatt is just that.
Later in the year there is the second edition of the recently resurrected
Newcastle Jazz Festival to look forward to but, between now and then, you can
hear the band at the Bridge, Hoochie Coochie and elsewhere. Details as and when
right here on BSH.
Strictly Smokin' Big Band:
Michael Lamb MD, Pete Tanton, Gordon Marshall, Dick Stacey (trumpets); Mark
Ferris, Kieran Parnaby, Chris Kurgi-Smith, John Flood (trombones), Jamie Toms,
Dave Kerridge, Keith Robinson, Steve Summers, Brian Wicks (reeds); Pawel
Jedrzejewski (guitar); Graham Don (piano); Michael Whent (bass guitar); Guy
Swinton (drums); Alice Grace (vocals)
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