(Pic by Russell) |
It was good to hear Classic Swing swing again in a new - to them - venue. The band offering an enjoyable alternative to the more New Orleans' style jazz usually associated with the club - there's room for all genres.
Apart from some tried and tested standards, Tommy Moran had penned a few originals that gave the band a mid-thirties small group sound, not too far removed from some of the later Lyttleton bands.
Alan Marshall was making his first appearance with the band and he blew some agile alto. Tommy, apart from his arrangements, also chipped in with some booting tenor whilst Neville Hartley - that most underrated of north-east trombonists - also slotted in seamlessly.
Tommy paid tribute to the band's previous pianist, the late Colin Haikney, with a piece entitled The Master's Magic with Jeremy adding his own touch of magic.
Down in the engine room, Alan Rudd and Tommy Graham kept the ship on an even keel and, of course, it wouldn't be Classic Swing without some classic swing vocals from Olive who bewitched us with When You're Smiling; S'Wonderful; It's a Sin to Tell a Lie; Some of These Days; Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams; My Melancholy Baby and Tuxedo Junction. Olive also sang Summertime.
Instrumentals included Oh Lady be Good!; Strike Up the Band and a couple more by Tommy (Moran) - Classic Swing and Jeremy's Jive.
An enjoyable afternoon that included meeting up with a couple of former inmates of J.G, Windows Ltd. Lance
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