Darlington Big Band @ Opus 4 Jazz Club - Dec. 15

Darlington Big Band: Richie Emmerson (MD, tenor sax); Barbara Fagan (tenor sax); Alan Thompson (alto sax, flute); Andy Devine (alto sax); Norman Scriven (baritone sax); Kevin Eland, Bill Watson, Alan Catherall, Peter Chester (trumpets); Terry O'Hern, Dave Brocklesby, Alastair White, Peter Chester; Edd Maughan (guitar); Dave Archibold (keyboards); Karen McLeave (bass guitar); Stephen Fletcher (drums)

The Darlington Big Band's weekly rehearsal sessions are punctuated with an occasional concert presentation. This evening Richie Emmerson's outfit made its way to the Traveller's Rest in Cockerton to play two sets of classic big band charts to an appreciative Opus 4 Jazz Club audience.

Think Basie, Nelson, Nestico, Rich et al, that's what the Darlington Big Band is all about - straight ahead, swinging big band jazz. Opening with a Sammy Nestico arrangement of Sweet Georgia Brown set the tone for the evening. Oliver Nelson's Full Nelson (MD Richie Emmerson, trumpeter Bill Watson and Dave Archbold featured), Scott's Place (Sammy Nestico's tip-of-the hat to Ronnie Scott's), Four, it  was one big band chart after another to die for. Oliver Nelson's Stolen Moments hit the jackpot; Alan Thompson's alto solo, an ace trumpet section led by Kevin Eland, the immaculate bass playing of Karen McLeave, the award-winning drummer Stephen Fletcher, indeed the entire orchestra.

Interval, another pint of the Ossett Yorkshire Blonde, raffle tickets binned, a chat - hello Noel, Peter, Ray...

Second set, another winning opener in the form of Benny Golson's Whisper Not. Guitarist Edd Maughan and Dave Archbold (keys) hit the heights on Chick Corea's ever-popular Spain, the trumpet section fired on I'm Beginning to See the Light, Stompin' at the Savoy (in memory of Terry Coates, for many years a mainstay here at Opus 4), Nestico's arrangement of It's a Wonderful World (a feature for Bill Watson), some Buddy Rich, more Stan Kenton, the Darlington Big Band signed off in style for the year here at Opus 4 jazz Club. Russell