Strictly Smokin' Big Band @ Cobalt, Newcastle - June 18

A new venue for the SSBB in this, the band's twentieth anniversary year.* The word 'industrial' springs to mind when describing Cobalt. Tucked away behind the Biscuit Factory in the upper reaches of the Ouseburn Valley, Cobalt Studios is a rabbit warren of performance space, artist studios, a corridor art gallery,
bar and more. Rows of sturdy plastic chairs set out on a concrete floor, all seats were sold out in advance, similarly standing room was at a premium. 

Befitting of the industrial setting, bandleader Michael Lamb's troops were in civvies (jeans, trainers), making for a relaxed performance. A confined space hasn't previously deterred the SSBB and somehow three sections (trumpets, 'bones and rhythm) managed to squeeze onto a raised stage, the reeds (standing all night long) and vocalist Alice Grace occupying the concrete flooring. The advertised two sets turned into three, each one of half hour duration.

From Old Stuff through to St Louis Blues, the Strictly Smokin' played a blinder. In the reeds, Messrs Robinson and Summers produced a couple of smokin' solos (Summers wielding his curved soprano), likewise Teessider Dave Kerridge, but it was tenor saxophonist Jamie Toms who took the honours with a series of outstanding, fully-formed solos.** The Main Man, Michael Lamb, blew some great trumpet (and flugelhorn), backed up by the SSBB's ace trumpet section. All sections (brass and reeds) excelled on Gordon Goodwin's Hunting Wabbits (precision playing, dynamics) and dep pianist James Peacock impressed big time. And then there was Alice. That's Alice Grace, fabulous vocals - Almost Like Being in Love, Something's Gotta Give; Evenin'; Late, Late Show, Clap Yo' Hands and Polly Gibbons' Midnight Prayer. 

Converted industrial warehouse or swanky dinner dance venue, there's only one band, that's the Strictly Smokin' Big Band.                          

* To help celebrate the milestone, Dave O'Higgins will be the Strictly Smokin' Big Band's special guest at Hoochie Coochie on Sunday 23 October. BOOK HERE.

** Jamie Toms is the star attraction tomorrow night (Monday) working with the Mick Shoulder Trio on a Blaydon Jazz Club gig at the Black Bull - Russell    

 

Set list: Old Stuff; Whisper Not; Interloper; Almost Like Being in Love; You Snooze, You Lose (1st set); Hunting Wabbits; Something's Gotta Give; Squatty Roo; Remembering; Evenin' (2nd set): Late, Late Show; Clap Yo' Hands; Mr Funk; Midnight Prayer; St Louis Blues (3rd set).

     

Strictly Smokin' Big Band: Michael Lamb (MD), Pete Tanton, Gordon Marshall, Dick Stacey (trumpets); Jamie Toms, Dave Kerridge, Keith Robinson, Steve Summers, Sue Ferris (reeds); Mark Ferris, Keiran Parnaby, Chris Gray, John Flood (trombones); Pawel Jedrzejewski (guitar); James Peacock (piano, keyboards); Michael Whent (bass guitar); Guy Swinton (drums); Alice Grace (vocals)