Despite the economic logistics, big bands are still around. I doubt if there is any city or town in the UK that hasn't got a large ensemble within earshot beavering away on anything from Glenn Miller to Sammy Nestico or Gordon Goodwin maybe even earlier or later - such is the diversity offered by the potential of 16 ± musicians swinging.
Thursday night we had SSBB and last night it was CHBB - there were however, a couple of common denominators. On Thursday Kieran Parnaby took most of the trombone solos whereas last night the limelight slid over to Eddie Bellis. Likewise, Alan Marshall had few, if any, solos with Strictly Smokin' but with CHBB he was featured extensively including a beautifully played All my Life. Marshall was the only sax soloist in a section efficiently led by Kim Skerritt.
Bill Watson handled the trumpet chores and was in the spotlight for Bobby Shew's Blue. Bradley Johnston was his usual brilliant self - no matter what the situation he can handle it.
At the Bridge it was Alice providing the words, last night it was Ruth who gave us 'S Wonderful; Cheek to Cheek; Sway; At Last; I Get a Kick Out of You; Come Fly With me; Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps and Alright, Okay, You Win. This latter number also had some vocal interjections from MD Morgan who apart from his droll introductions also joined pianist Stephenson for some four handed keyboard antics.
Instrumental numbers included: Straight Ahead; A Samba For All Seasons; Hefti Blues (comp. Edis); All the Things You Are; 720 in the Books (Jan Savitt); Blues in the Closet; Recuerdos; Lullaby of Birdland; I Didn't Know Why; Corner Pocket; When You're Smiling; High Maintenance.
Another swinging big band night - Lance
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