Tenement Jazz Band @ Prohibition Bar - Sept. 8

(© Russell)

Charles Dearness (trumpet); Stephen Feast (clarinet, tenor sax); Paddy Darley (trombone); John Youngs (banjo, vocals); Rory Clark (sousaphone)

Prohibition Bar is something of a second home to the Edinburgh-based Tenement Jazz Band. Whenever the quintet ventures south of the border, Pink Lane is frequently a stopping-off point. This evening the band's visit coincided with what was perhaps the hottest day of the year. Window and doors open, beer flowing as if prohibition was about to come into effect, it was a heady atmosphere. 

The upstairs room resembled a mini dance hall, tables and chairs skirting an expanse of floor set aside for the anticipated arrival of a bevvy of Prohibition-era swing dancers. As classic jazz-era enthusiasts bagged the best seats, the dancers took to the floor. Other than frequent visits to the bar, the listeners sat and listened and the dancers danced across not one, not two, but three sets. It was going to be a late one.

Dusty Rag, At a Georgia Camp Meeting, Copenhagen, the Tenements were in fine form, superb ensemble playing, excellent solos across the band, the whole thing presented with casual aplomb. MC John Youngs did the talking and the singing, not to mention anchoring the rhythm on banjo, in cahoots with the impressive Rory Clark (sousaphone) towering over his all-seated bandmates. Bogalusa Strut with its irresistible invitation to sing along: Hey! What's the matter now? Hey! What's the matter now? Hey! What's the matter now? You better run home and tell your Mama, we were singing along as the terpsichoreans did their thing. 

Second set...Bill Bailey, Meat on the Table, a yearning Chocolate Avenue, Big Chief Battle Axe (Paddy Darley soloing), it's little wonder the Tenements were voted 'Best Band' at the 2022 Scottish Jazz Awards (see photo). 

Third set, it was getting late but no one was going anywhere, there was more listening, more drinking and more dancing to be done. The Tenements continue to hone their concert performance by gigging here, there and everywhere (Edinburgh Fringe appearances, jazz club engagements the length and breadth of the British Isles, European jazz festivals) and, if you believe them, Prohibition Bar is a favourite venue. Barataria, Kansas City Stomp, ragtime-era Kinklets, all delivered with panache and verve. Look at the time, it's approaching Cinderella time! Carriages waiting, the Tenements obliged with an encore. They'll be back, that's for sure and, when they do return, don't miss them. Russell