(© The Exchange) |
King Bees pulled out at the eleventh hour so in stepped the House of the Black Gardenia who themselves had to shuffle the pack with Hardy and McBriarty occupying the trumpet and sax chairs. Rana, after apologising for King Bees' absence, announced that they did have in actual fact two members of KB in the band. Littlefield we knew was one but who was the other. By a process of elimination, I presume that either Rush or Haigh weren't there. Help please.*
The evening began with a taster session by Swing Tyne for wannabe swing dancers and I was impressed at how quickly most of them picked it up - I should have taken part myself!
(© The Exchange) |
The band stuck to their tried and tested formula
with vocals from Rana and Littlefield and 'hot' solos from the horns. On Viper
Mad McBriarty's fine clarinet solo laid down the benchmark and it was
as high I would expect given the tune's title. Trumpet and trombone were up to
the mark as they inevitably always are.
After Double Rations Littlefield sang I Can't Take it no Longer adding some bluesy guitar for good measure. Sorry You're Gone had Rana on washboard and a solid sousa solo from Hopper.
(© The Exchange) |
Before that there were several blues/soul bands with the most impressive one being The Commandments who were well committed to the idiom.
The Festival concludes this afternoon with Ruth Lambert & Martin Craggs (1:30); Abbie Finn Trio (3:00); Wild Women of Wylam (4:30); 4B (5:30); Jazz Jam (6:30).
The above times are flexible so get there well in advance! Lance
*The smart money is on it being Giles Holt on drums in place of Haigh.
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