Last month, after what seemed like an eternity, Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club resumed its monthly sessions at St Augustine's Parish Centre. The March session drew a sizeable crowd to hear TJ Johnson. April's concert (twice rescheduled) similarly attracted a large turn out to the Larchfield Street venue to hear the New Century Ragtime Orchestra. As the ensemble ambled onto stage at least one new recruit was seen taking his seat in the reeds. As usual, the NCRO invited one or two special guests to participate in the day's performance.
Jazz club organisers welcomed the band onto stage as the New Orleans Ragtime Orchestra. Not quite a faux pas, nevertheless the NCRO's MC Steve Andrews wasn't about to miss an open goal replying: It's nice to be back here in Newton Aycliffe! And so the hilarity began, as did the music. Strictly ragtime? No, the set list ranged from ragtime to the dangerously modern swing era! Numbers by, or associated with, Duke Ellington, Fletcher Henderson, Benny Moten, Ozzie Nelson, Luis Russell, Clarence Williams and others were heard during two entertaining sets. Henderson recorded What-Cha-Call 'Em Blues in 1925, the NCRO's take on the number set the standard for the afternoon.
A Keith Nichols' transcription of Ellington's Black Beauty heard from Dave Hignett (trumpet), Neville Hartley (trombone), Ian Wynne (piano) and Andrews playing clarinet. MC Andrews informed the audience that the ever-elegant Hartley would play Tommy Dorsey's hot solo on I'm Dancing with Tears in My Eyes with the band's 'boy crooner', Mr Jimmy McBriarty, crooning. Much well-deserved applause followed. Wynne, one of the younger members of the orchestra, delighted the full house with a sparkling Maple Leaf Rag. Long-serving NCRO band member Keith Stephen counted 'em in all afternoon and was heard to great effect on guitar on the much-loved Panama.
Second set, more Fletcher Henderson (Variety Stomp), Clarence Williams' Mountain City Blues highlighting classic jazz era percussionist Nick Ward's immaculate musicianship, Dave Hignett rising to the challenge playing Ain't Misbehavin'
, Cliff Jackson's The Terror featuring pianist Wynne (Andrews jokily asking him if he wished to be excused!) and a storming take on Ozzie Nelson's Swamp Fire (Hignett plungering, Andrews showing what he can do blowing some great hot tenor sax), and before we knew it, it was almost time to go.
, Cliff Jackson's The Terror featuring pianist Wynne (Andrews jokily asking him if he wished to be excused!) and a storming take on Ozzie Nelson's Swamp Fire (Hignett plungering, Andrews showing what he can do blowing some great hot tenor sax), and before we knew it, it was almost time to go.
Throughout the afternoon the ensemble played as if it hadn't been in enforced hibernation, new boy Josh Bentham (Durham Alumni Big Band, Musicians Unlimited) slotting into the reeds very nicely, and all the way from Edinburgh, leader of the Edinburgh Light Orchestra, Lawrence Dunn reading the violin parts with consummate ease. Next month's Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club session (Saturday 7 May) sees the return of the great American pianist Jeff Barnhart and his Mr Men. Russell
Steve Andrews (MC, tenor sax, clarinet, vocals), Jimmy McBriarty (alto sax, clarinet, vocals), Josh Bentham (alto sax, soprano sax, clarinet), Alan Marshall (tenor sax, clarinet); Dave Hignett (trumpet), Alistair Lord (trumpet, cornet); Neville Hartley (trombone); Lawrence Dunn (violin); Keith Stephen (guitar, banjo); Ian Wynne (piano); Phil Rutherford (tuba); Nick Ward (drums)
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