Kevin Eland (trumpet/flugel); Donna Hewitt (tenor sax/clarinet); Django Zazou (trombone/vocals); Dave Archbold (keys); Ron Smith (bass); Mark Hawkins (drums); Kate Carter (guest vocalist).
It is always a pleasure to welcome this band to fill the monthly guest slot at Dorman's. Under Kevin's leadership the group has become a well recognised and popular jazz ensemble with the ability to always please a discerning audience.
Starting the first set with Frank Foster's Shiney Stockings Kevin gave a nice intro on flugel before switching to trumpet. Kate then joined the band to sing the popular Mean to me with a fine trumpet solo from Kevin, sax from Donna, piano from Dave and excellent backing from Ron on bass and Mark on drums, setting the style for the evening and showing how well they all played together.
The mood was then changed with the fast rhythmic Bud Powell's Bouncing With Bud. After All the Cats Join in (Kate vocal), Black Orpheus and All of Me (Kate vocal) Cedar Walton's Bolivia gave Ron and Mark the chance to shine with the Afro Cuban style rhythm allowing excellent brass and piano solos.
Cute followed well sung by Kate then, after Horace Silver's Filthy McNasty, Django sang Fly me to the Moon.
The cool, laid back, Miles Davis number Boplicity brought the first set to a close.
The swinging Ray Charles Hallelujah I Love Him So sung with passion by Kate started the second set followed by Mo Better Blues, Do Nothing Till You Hear From me (Kate vocal) and fine tenor playing from Donna.
A lively Men Behaving Badly, composed by Alan Lisk for the tv series of the same name, brought a few enjoyable memories back.
What a Difference a Day Made beautifully played and sung by Kate had a nice big band sound to it. After Neal Hefti's Li'l Darlin', Kate and Django performed a vocal duet on Lady is a Tramp featuring Donna on clarinet and great trumpet and piano work from Kevin and Dave.
After Clifford Brown's Sandu, the night was brought to a close with Kate singing an up tempo version of Moondance with Donna on clarinet and a great swinging full band sound finishing with a fine bass flourish from Ron.
Another successful guest band night and I feel sure the musicians enjoyed their performance as much as the audience certainly did.
Thanks as usual go to the staff of Dorman's Club for their help and support in running the night Ron Hampton
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