Gator Dogs Brass Band @ The Spice of Life, London - Jan 15

Louise Balkwill (guitar, vocals); Mike Henry (trumpet); Graham Hughes (trombone, vocals); Tom Briers (sousaphone); Richard Pite (drums)

Arriving at Cambridge Circus before noon, the Spice of Life was already busy, begging the question: What time do they open the doors? Coffees, teas and pints on tables, coats on seats (the latter a familiar practice deployed by 'regulars' at jazz haunts throughout the land), a seat over on the far side of the room appeared to the best/only option.  

Originally billed as the George Simmonds - Louise Balkwill Quintet, the absence of co-leader Simmonds necessitated a shuffling of the pack. Step forward/get out of bed...trombonist Graham Hughes. At half past the hour MC Richard Pite introduced the afternoon's entertainment, the snappily-named Gator Dogs Brass Band.

Gator-in-Chief Louis Balkwill sat out front, guitar nestling in her lap. To her left, the depping Hughes (a fixture at the annual Classic Jazz Party up on North Tyneside), to her right, trumpeter 'Magic' Mike Henry. This afternoon's rhythm section settled in behind - Tom Briers wrestling with the plumbing (sousaphone) and genial MC Mr R Pite (another Classic Jazz Party favourite) shuffling (New Orleans-style) and swinging at the right time and in all the right places.

The Gators' set list was nothing if not varied: standards (some hoary), gospel, blues, second line shuffles (Pite impressive), each and every number, bar a couple, featuring Balkwill's vocals - bluesy, raucous, engaging, wry. 

I Ain't Gonna Give Give Nobody None' This Jelly Roll came with an 'adult content' warning. All good fun, courtesy of the 'innocent' Ms Balkwill. Jesus on the Mainline restored some much-needed righteousness...not! 

Guest Graham Hughes sang 'I wan't a pretty girl...' (I Want a Little Girl?), On the Sunny Side of the Street had 'em nodding if not rocking in their seats, all afternoon Balkwill's vocal range quite something, trumpeter Henry and Hughes appreciating one another's top class brass contributions. Tom Briers (a new name to BSH) worked like a dog (a Gator Dog), Pite nudging and cajoling the Gator outfit every step of the way. 

Mondays at the Spice of Life, 12:30pm, cash at the door. It doesn't matter who Mr P has booked to appear at the Moor Street basement venue, it's well worth a tenner, every time.

First set: When You're Smiling; Pennies from Heaven; Over in the Glory Land; Stardust; Whem My Dreamboat Comes Home*; I Ain't Gonna Give Nobody None' This Jelly Roll; You Are My Sunshine.

Second set: I'll Fly Away; Jesus on the Mainline (etc, a Balkwill 'gospel mashup) ; Let it Shine; Glory, Glory Hallelujah; Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen; I Want a Little Girl*; On the Sunny Side of the Street; I Keep Splashing Cider in My Eye**; Bye Bye Blackbird; Basin Street Blues*;  Second Line (a Balkwill 'New Orleans mega mix'); Basin Street Blues*

All vocals Louise Balkwill except * Graham Hughes.

** Not a song title, rather a quick-witted observation, shared with band and audience, as Ms Balkwill kept on splashing her beverage in her eye!