Magnus Pickering (cornet, vocals); Joe Pickering (reeds); Daniel Pickering (trombone); Harrison Dolphin (guitar); Paul Grainger (double bass); Robbie Ellison (drums)
Earlier in the day the Windy City Weatherbirds made their north of England debut at a sold out lunchtime concert at the Lit & Phil in Newcastle. This evening the London based six piece band ventured up the Tyne Valley to play a second engagement of a three-date 'up north' tour. The Vault in Hexham, an ancient cellar venue on Hallgate, attracted a select audience keen to listen to some Dixieland jazz from the best part of a century ago.
The three frontline horns - Magnus (cornet), Joe (reeds) and Daniel (trombone) just happen to be brothers, that's the Pickering brothers. Harrison Dolphin plays guitar, Robbie Ellison plays drums and, all the way from Tyneside, short notice dep bassist, the one-and-only Paul Grainger.
Mine Host, Ben, offers table service here in Hexham, essentially out of necessity as the place can be too crowded to facilitate a lengthy queue at the bar. Close proximity to others encourages conversation and this evening our table of four chatted amiably before and after the first set.
I Wish I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate opened the show and, judging by the reaction, the 'select' liked it! If I Had You, At the Jazz Band Ball, as earlier in the day in Newcastle, the Windy City Weatherbirds dipped in to the 'classic jazz' era songbook, each and every one a winner. Hoagy's New Orleans, the musicians occupying every square centimetre of the stage, clearly enjoying themselves, signed off on their first set with a rousing Darktown Strutters' Ball.
Band leader Magnus leads from the front, bold cornet playing allied to heart-felt, engaging vocals, the Weatherbirds kicked-off their second set with a rousing Riverboat Shuffle. Victor Young's Sweet Sue - Just You (lyrics WJ Harris) featured more of Magnus the singer and a knockout tenor solo from brother Joe. Fleet-of-finger cornet work on 'S Wonderful gave an indication as to why Magnus is in demand on the London jazz scene - great stuff! Some like it hot, they were in luck with a scorching That's A-Plenty generating sustained applause.
The Windy City Weatherbirds made a big impression here in the Northumberland market town, what's more, the band loved the place. There is every chance of a return visit in the not-too-distant future. The Vault is one of Hexham's little-known cultural gems. Check it out. Russell
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