As I made my way from the metro station to the club I had to pause for a chuckle when I noted the name of a barber shop - Van Gogh! Not, surprisingly, there wasn't a queue even though it's a great name.
In the club the audience were all ears as Classic Swing kicked off with Tommy Moran's eponymous opener. Tommy is still not active but his arrangements ensure that his spirit is deeply imbued.
The band gets a fine mainstream sound with first-timer Josh Bentham (pictured above) getting a good sound on tenor.
Jimmy McBriarty blew alto but took most of his solos on clarinet. This gave the band a sound not unlike some of the Benny Goodmen Sextet sessions which isn't a bad thing at all. When he played alto the mood switched to one of those Ellington/Hodges small group sessions which wasn't bad either.
Neville Hartley rounded out the frontline, his solos proving he is one of the most underrated slush-pumpers in the area. Both he and Jimmy also sang.
Of course, without the foot-stomping Jeremy, the reluctant hero Alan and the driving Ian it wouldn't have meant a thing as it wouldn't have had that swing - doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah.
If your tastes in jazz run to that era where jazz swung, people danced and didn't have to have the music explained to them then this is the band for you. Lance
Classic Swing; Strike up the Band; Swing That Music; Sentimental Journey; Tangerine; I've Got a Feeling I'm Falling; Trombone Cholly; Beautiful Love;Satin Doll; I Double Dare You; Things Ain't What They Used to be; I Believe in Miracles; The Best Things in Life Are Free.
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