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| (Screenshot by Ken Drew) |
Imagine how elated you'd feel if the England men's football team competing at an international tournament won a quarter final match 4-0. An unlikely outcome, but it could happen one day. Well, Kansas Smitty's weekly streams have the same effect, whichever line-up takes to the stage, the musicians evoke a sense of elation - on the bandstand, among the studio audience and those watching online. This evening's concert theme - Kansas Smitty's celebrate the music of Fats Waller - couldn't be anything other than a (4-0) winner.
The musicians on stage this Saturday evening are A-listers to a man. Week to week these guys deliver the goods. Giacomo Smith, MC for the evening, placed Thomas Wright 'Fats' Waller in historical context: composer, performer, studio and concert dates with fellow luminaries, his place assured in the many jazz histories that were still to be written.
Truckin' set the ball rolling. Joe Webb as Fats didn't hog the limelight, the amiable Welshman simply did what he does best, play stonkingly good piano. Surrounded by the talents of Smith (clarinet and alto sax), trumpeter Pete Horsfall in scintillating form and a rhythm section featuring a swinging Tom Farmer on bass, and a beaming Shane Forbes, drums, the hour-long set proved to be a masterclass in small group swing.
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| (Collage by Ken Drew) |
Webb handled Carolina Shout as if he could play it in his sleep. Come to think of it...The Chant showcased Smith's clarinet. Is there a better clarinetist on the scene? Er? No names spring to mind. One of many highlights, Pete Horsfall's vocal on Black and Blue will live long in the memory. It had been another winning set. 4-0? Make that 5-0. Russell
Set list: Truckin'; Scram; Honey Hush; It's a Sin to Tell a Lie; Carolina Shout; (What Did I Do to be So) Black and Blue?; The Chant; Ain't Misbehavin'; Jitterbug Waltz.
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