Sunday Night @ the Globe: The House of the Black Gardenia - May 1

Elise Rana (vocals, washboard); Pete Tanton (trumpet); David Gray (trombone); Keith Robinson (tenor sax, soprano sax, clarinet); Katja Roberts (violin); Elliott Rush (piano); Michael Littlefield (guitar, banjo, vocals); Neil Hopper (bass, sousaphone); Kit Haigh (drums).

For the second evening in a row the Globe was crowded. Two different bands from opposite ends of the jazz universe entertained, and I use the word advisedly, highly appreciative audiences.

Vocals by Rana and Littlefield and explosive solos from the horns helped create a speakeasy atmosphere enhanced by the swing dancers who were lindy hopping and reacting in motion to the sounds and rhythms coming from the nine piece band on stage.

Band, dancers and non-dancers were having such a ball that not even an unexpected  volume surge could disrupt the ambiance.

The repertoire was a mix of the familiar - to the band's travelling army - and the not so familiar to the as yet uninitiated.

Always a fun night and a whole lot of jazz 'n' blues. Catch them when you can - Lance

The Mooche; Ghosts; One in a Million; You Rascal You; Handy Man Blues; Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho; Why Have Just One Man?; Let's Dance Awhile; The Glass Queen; Baby Don't You Tear my Clothes; I Can Take it no Longer; Ice Cream For Breakfast; Ain't it Hard?; Viper Mad; Russian Caravan; Tin Roof Blues; Evenin'