Jon Scully (trumpet, vocals); Alex Fisher (alto sax, mezzo soprano sax); Harry Orme (guitar, vocals); Tom Harris (piano); Sam Jackson (double bass); John Arnesen (drums)
Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club hosted a return visit by the popular Leeds based outfit the Big Easy. Since its formation some ten years ago the six piece band has undergone several changes in personnel. Jon Scully (trumpet and vocals) continues to lead from the front, sharing vocal duties with guitarist Harry Orme, pianist Tom Harris made his debut with the Big Easy a little more than twelve hours earlier at a late-finishing gig over in Manchester at Matt and Phred's, and on this Saturday lunchtime engagement he was guided through the charts by Orme, bassist Sam Jackson and drummer John Arnesen.
St Augustine's, first Saturday in the month, DNOJC can count on a loyal following and, sure, enough, by the 12:30pm down beat St Augustine's Parish Centre was as busy as ever. John Lee Hooker's This is Hip opened the show, signalling that this afternoon's concert would, likely as not, be something other than a strict New Orleans session. Just One of Those Things, St Louis Blues, Shine On Harvest Moon, Oh, Lady be Good, the set list was more GASbook to early bop (alto saxophonist Alex Fisher the 'dirty bopper'!).
Each and every number featured the vocals of either Scully or Orme, extended instrumental workouts were few and far between. That said, each member of the band had several spotlight solos, the musicianship of the highest order, it's little wonder these guys are busy on the Leeds jazz scene and beyond. Bye Bye Blackbird was taken at a lick, Orme challenging his band mates to keep up! They did.
Spencer Williams' Georgia Grind will be on the Big Easy's forthcoming CD release, as will Sweet Georgia Brown (an interesting arrangement featuring John Arnesen). As the afternoon's entertainment approached its end, Bourbon Street Parade returned band and audience to New Orleans. Unsurprisingly, this elicited the loudest, prolonged applause of the day. Mary Lou Williams' Satchel Mouth Baby closed the show with its Big Easy/New Orleans to bebopping unison horns. An excellent set, if not strictly New Orleans. Russell
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