Denny Ilett's Electric Lady Big Band live streaming from Ronnie's - Mar. 7

(Screenshots by Ken Drew)

Shortly before he died Jimi Hendrix mooted the idea that he would one day record a big band album. It never came to pass, perhaps this evening's Electric Lady Big Band set from Ronnie Scott's was something like the man had in mind. An explosive start with solos from Laura Jurd and Nat Facey set both the tone and the pace. Kevin Figes brought in If 6 was 9 (from Axis Bold as Love) on baritone sax with a killing Daisy Palmer (drums) seeing it off, big style. Earl King's Come On (Part 1) maintained the punishing pace, Ruth Hammond blowing tenor, Dan Moore on Fender Rhodes, bandleader Denny Ilett hitting the wah-wah pedal hard. Long Hot Summer Night mashed up the 'bones, the all-star section, anchored by birthday boy bass 'bone man Richard Henry, trading good natured two and four bar insults, Tom Gardner picking it up with a tremendous solo, Palmer once again nailing it. 

Stone Free promised to be a set piece feature for Denny Ilett and so it proved with, for the most part, the sections watching on as guitar, bass and drums recreated the Experience. Angel brought Ian Shaw to the stage. Ben Waghorn's tenor introduced our guest vocalist. Shaw? One word...sensational!!! Ilett realised the next number featured himself singing. He said he had no idea why he arranged the set list to see him attempting to follow Mr Ian Shaw! Mr D Ilett, singing Fire, acquitted himself rather well, aided and abetted by Nat Facey's blistering alto solo. Gypsy Eyes' funky rhythm heard from Laura Jurd blowing in a somewhat different style to that when she leads her own Dinosaur outfit. Running over time, Ilett dropped a couple of numbers, choosing to finish the set with Voodoo Chile (Slight Return). Ilett set the famous riff in motion and from there on in the Electric Lady Band had a ball - solos: Rollins, Gardner T, bass man Jerry Soffe, a free for all section and out. A superb gig, a Hendrix fan or not, this was as dynamic a big band set as you're likely to hear this side of lockdown ending.  

Russell             

Denny Ilett (guitar, vocals); Simon Gardner, Craig Wild, Laura Jurd, Tom Gardner (trumpets); Winston Rollins, Ian Bateman, Ashley Slater, Richard Henry (trombones); Nathaniel Facey, Ben Waghorn, Ruth Hammond, Kevin Figes (saxophones); Dan Moore (keyboards); Jerry Soffe (bass); Daisy Palmer (drums); Ian Shaw (vocals)