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| (Photo from 2016 Wigan Jazz Fest courtesy of Dave Tyas) |
Highlights for this listener included Holman's treatment of Jerome Kern's Yesterdays featuring the impassioned yet measured tenor sax of Rick Halliwell. Trombonist, Lee Hallam's fleet linearity on Bill Russo's Frank Speaking (for Frank Rosolino) also scored highly. The haunting harmonies and rhythmic dynamism of Hank Levy's Chiapas resonated early in the second set. This opened a pathway for more Latin American flavoured pieces to follow. Excerpts from Mexican born jazz composer, Johnny Richards' iconic Cuban Fire Suite as well as songs from Leonard Bernstein's West Side Story - I Feel Pretty and America.
The sheer number of blowers onstage prevents one from citing the numerous protagonists soloing. The fluid trumpet improvisations of Tom Sharp and Steve Valentine, Lee Hallam's trombone as well as saxophonists, Rick Halliwell, Munch Manship and Rod Mason all contributed impressively. Also, the mellifluous flugelhorn of Albert Mike Atkinson came to the fore on Body and Soul, arranged by Herb Phillips. It was originally penned for Bobby Shew and Atkinson's lyrical delivery made it his own.
The jazz orchestra began in 1983 - known then as the Shades of Kenton Jazz Orchestra. Original drummer, Dave Tyas, took the helm in 2013 and the SK2 has moved from strength to strength since. Thanks also to the good offices of Ian Darrington and his fine crew of soldiers of Sunday Jazz in Wigan who have done such a fine job with the monthly gigs at the Whelley Club as well as the annual Wigan Jazz Festival which will be held on 8-10 July 2022. For more information on upcoming events, logon to www.musiccontinuum.co.uk.
Frank Griffith's weekly radio show "The Jazz Cavern" can be heard on www.mykindamusic24.com on Thursday's at 9PM. UK time.
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