The Darlington Big Band @ Dorman’s Jazz Club, Middlesbrough - April 6

Bill Watson, Kevin Eland, Colin Miller, Alan Catherall (trumpets); Keith Jeffries, Neville Hartley, Dave Brocklesby, Alistair Wood (trombones); Richie Emmerson (MD), Ray Dales, Alan Thompson, Barbara Fagan, Norman Scriven. (saxes); Dave Archbold (keys) Karen McCleave (bass) Ed Maughan (guitar); Paul Smith (drums).

The band, led by saxophonist Richie Emmerson, consisted of 17 first class musicians many of them familiar faces at the Tees Hot Club.

Living up to the expectations of the audience they presented a night of varied and professionally arranged big band compositions which made for a highly successful evening.

For Kenton fans the band started with the Lennie Niehaus’ arrangement of On The Street Where You Live - clearly showing their class.

Frenesi  was followed by a Sammy Nestico  arrangement of  Lonely Street featuring Ray Dales who, at 86, is still playing fine alto sax. This Could be the Start of Something Big included nice solos from Bill Watson (trumpet) Dave Archbold (keys) and excellent drumming from Paul Smith.

Jimmy Van Heusen's Here's That Rainy Day featured Kevin Eland (trumpet) and Henry Mancini's Charade included sax solos from Richie Emmerson (tenor) and Alan Thompson (alto). Speak Low with a nice guitar solo from Ed Maughan was followed with I Got Plenty O’ Nuttin’ from Porgy and Bess played hip hop style.

The first set ended with an up tempo version of The Heat is on with excellent sax from Richie and fine ensemble work from the four trumpets.

No introduction was required for the start of the second set, a swinging Take the A Train with great backing from Karen McCleave (bass) Paul Smith (drums), Dave Archbold (keys) and a fine trombone solo from Dave Brocklesby. A nice contrast to A Train was Benny Golson's Whisper Not followed by  Kenton's King Fish.

Bill Watson featured on flugel with the beautiful ballad Monday's Child. Count Basie's up tempo Flight of the Foo Birds had the band really swinging. Louis Bellson's Brush Taps with a skilful drum intro from Paul was followed by a Sammy Nestico arrangement of  Day In Day Out.

Gordon Goodwin's theme tune from Beauty and the Beast was supposedly the final number but with the night going so well a swinging Love For Sale was played as an encore finally bringing the night to a close.

The first big band guest night of the year was a great success thanks to the professionalism of the band members and leader saxophonist/raconteur Richie Emmerson.

Thanks to Dorman’s for the extra bar staff and general support. Ron Hampton