Album review: Strictly Smokin' Big Band - Sings Ella with Alice Grace

The Strictly Smokin' Big Band's new album (the second in a planned series of three) was recorded in rural Northumberland in July 2021. This Jazz Sounds Records' recording features vocalist Alice Grace, the band and a no-expense-spared string section. Ten tracks, thirty six minutes, the recording quality second to none (take a bow Liam Gaughan), the SSBB at the top of its game, is this the big band album of the year? Ella is, without question, a serious contender. 

And then there is Alice Grace. For those of us who have heard her sing, we've long-since known Ms Grace is one the great British jazz singers, up there with the very best of them. Ella is set to win our adopted Geordie a whole bucket load of new fans. From Cole Porter's Why Can't You Behave? (arr. Buddy Bregman) to Michael Lamb's arrangement of George Gershwin's There's a Boat That's Leaving Soon for New York, band and vocalist aim for the stars. One day they must tell us what it was like up there! 

The SSBB's sections and soloists are heard on top form (including guest tenor saxophonist Vasilis Xenopoulos) and the twelve-strong string section (Bradley Creswick, leader), plus oboe and French horn, are presented as an integral part of the album, not in any way a 'with strings' afterthought. Alice Grace highlights? Everything on the album. If pushed, That Old Black Magic and I Said No.    

The Strictly Smokin' Big Band's Sings Ella with Alice Grace  is on Jazz Sound Records (cat. no. JSR012). The album is available from: www.strictly-smokin.co.uk. Consider it an essential purchase. And if you're a promoter - jazz club or festival - don't think twice, book the Strictly Smokin' Big Band...with Alice Grace, of course. Russell 

Strictly Smokin' Big Band: Alice Grace (vocals); Steve Summers (alto 1, flute), Keith Robinson (alto 2, clarinet, flute), Jamie Toms (tenor 1, clarinet, bass clarinet), Dave Kerridge (tenor sax 2, clarinet), Laurie Rangecroft (baritone sax, flute), Vasilis Xenopoulos (tenor sax solo track 9); Gordon Marshall, Dick Stacey, Pete Tanton, Michael Lamb tracks 2, 4, 6, 7, Stuart McLean-Fowler tracks 1, 3, 5, 8-10 (trumpets); Kieran Parnaby, Mark Ferris, Chris Kurji-Smith, John Flood (trombones); Pawel Jedrzejewski (guitar); Graham Don (piano); Michael Whent (bass); Guy Swinton (drums)

The Orchestra: Michael Lamb (conductor); Bradley Creswick (leader), Joanne Atherton, Rebecca Howell, Ed Cross, Jayne Cuggy, Zoë Hodgson, Markus Lawrenson (violins), Chrissie Slater, Claudia Newbegin (violas); Ele Leckie, Mark Carroll (celli); Philip Cull (oboe); Chris Senior (French horn); Sarah Paterson (harp)

Why Can't You Behave?; Lullaby of Broadway; I've Got Beginner's Luck; That Old Black Magic; Love Me or Leave Me; All the Things You Are; I Said No; A Flower is a Lovesome Thing; I Fall in Love Too Easily; There's a Boat That's Leaving Soon for New York.