Sunday morning, bright and early. Following a workshop for a group of young musicians, the second day of competitive big band action began at eleven o'clock. Schools from across the region and one or two from further afield would battle it out to be crowned best band at the 2023 edition of the Great North Big Band Jazz Festival. Later in the day it would be the turn of the youth ensembles.
Yarm School Big Band (MD, Chris Hibbard). Yarm School, not too far south of Chester-le-Street, made a welcome return to the GNBBJF with Chris Hibbard putting his young charges through their paces. No fewer than five pieces formed Yarm's programme, opening with Bobby Timmons' Moanin' and closing with the old warhorse Bei Mir Bist Du Schon, the band's bass player made a good impression (notes read: Good bass player). Vocalist Elise Wilcock sang a couple of numbers which went down well with the Park View audience. What would the adjudicators think?
All the way from Telford, Haberdashers' Abraham Darby Jazz Band (MD, Tom Gledhill) returned to defend last year's 'Best Band' winning appearance. The Shropshire outfit, led by 'Mr' Tom Gledhill, opened with something of a surprise selection - Lennon and McCartney's I Saw Her Standing There (arr. Dave Wolpe). Trumpeter Ed Follos scored points on Bill Liston's Another Look at the Diminished Chord and the band signed off with Kris Berg's Feather Report. A stout effort, would it be enough to see the band make a successful title defence?
A first appearance at Chester-le-Street by Ponteland High School Big Band (MD, Philip Rosier) suggests music education in that part of the world (a couple of miles west of Newcastle International Airport) is on the up. Four numbers, opening with Joe Zawinul's Birdland and closing with Gordon Goodwin's ever popular Jazz Police, the ensemble did Ponteland High School proud. Would the adjudicators be inclined to make an award?
Last, but by no means least, the band from Harrogate, St Aidan's Swing Band (MD, Vicki Elliott) would conclude the morning's session. Previous winners at the GNBBJF, Vicki Elliott's swinging band (see photo) produced an excellent performance. It Don't Mean a Thing (if it ain't got that swing), Splanky (good ensemble work), My Funny Valentine as arranged by Sammy Nestico, St Aidan's certainly put themselves in the frame. Carnival Kerfuffle closed the set. The winning band? The adjudicators were about to make the all important decision.
Following a short intermission the presentation party assembled on stage and festival director Bill Watson read out the results as follows:
Adjudicators' award: Bass player (Yarm School Big Band)
Adjudicators' award: Lauren Campbell, vocal (Ponteland High School Big Band)
Adjudicators' award: Elise Wilcock, vocalist (Yarm School Big Band)
Best Programme: St Aidan's Swing Band
Best Section: Brass section (trumpets & trombones), St Aidan's Swing Band
Best Soloist: Ed Follos, trumpet (St Aidan's Swing Band)
Best Band: Haberdashers' Abraham Darby Jazz Band
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