The 19 piece band, formed less than a year ago with Kevin Eland as MD, were making their second
appearance at Dorman’s and are now firmly established and acknowledged as a
first class big band.
Opening the night with their signature tune, Louis Ferras's composition Domino, the
full big band sound and a fine tenor sax solo from Donna Hewitt, started the
night in great style. A more relaxed Nice 'n' Easy with lovely trumpet from Kevin Eland was then followed by Bridget Metcalfe taking centre
stage to show what a class singer she is with a fast swinging version of Lerner
and Lowe's Almost Like Being in Love. In complete contrast Bridget
then sang I Can't Get Started and Mark Toomey showed his alto
sax skills with his solo and his subtle finish.
Catch as Catch Can with nice keyboard work from Dave Archbold, a
soulful rendition of Easy Street included a fine trombone solo from Dave Brock before Bridget was called on again to sing a
great version of The Lady Is A Tramp and Fly me to the Moon.
Big band compositions of On Green Dolphin Street and Autumn
Leaves were well played, followed by Bridget singing Neal Hefti's
lovely ballad Girl Talk giving Paul Donnelly the chance to
play a tasty guitar solo. Another vocal from Bridget - Just One of Those Things - brought the
first set to a close.
Orilla Del Mar with the Latin rhythm being set by Darren Moore on congas,
Chris Murphy on drums and John Daniels on bass started the second set, followed
by When You're Smiling that included solos from Paul, Donna and Dave.
Two more vocal numbers from Bridget, Witchcraft and Good Morning Heartache then Out of Nowhere with nice sax work from both Donna and Mark.
More vocals from Bridget included They Can't Take That Away From
Me, Girl from Ipanema and Cole Porter's Night and Day.
In an exciting big band style the Miles Davis composition Four was
well played with fine tenor sax from Donna and appropriately enough trumpet
from Kevin Eland.
Bridget was then meant to bring the night to a close with From This
Moment On but an encore was demanded and was duly
provided with Alan Brandt's well named That's All.
An excellent night of big band music enjoyed by the audience with Kevin as
MD, Django as MC and raconteur but most of all the enthusiasm and skills
of the 18 musicians and of course Bridget's great vocals.
Thanks as usual go to the staff of Dorman’s Club for their ongoing help and support in running the jazz club nights. Ron Hampton
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