Maureen Hall (vocals); Gavin Lee (clarinet, alto sax); Gordon Solomon (trombone); Alf Langthorne (keyboards); John Robinson (bass guitar); Scott Adair (drums, vocals)
A first visit to St Andrew's URC Church in something like eleven years for Maureen Hall's Rendezvous Jazz. Where has the time gone? In its 25th anniversary year (where has the time gone?), the band's return to the well-appointed church in leafy, sleepy Monkseaton attracted a large crowd there to listen to the band and, for some, to participate in a traditional brolly parade.
Is it True What They Say About Dixie? sang Maureen. Our bandleader has sung the song many times over the years, clearly it's a favourite number. Twelfth Street Rag hit the spot, Messrs Lee and Solomon nicely warmed up. A Hundred Years From Today, (steady, medium tempo), Careless Love (ditto), then onto the first of the evening's two 'second line' brolly parades: brightly coloured, twirling, some adorned with battery-powered lights. It was as if we in New Orleans!
Drummer Scott Adair sang one or two, including Alexander's Ragtime Band, allowing Maureen to take a well-earned breather. Swing That Music swung, clarinet ace Gavin Lee swinging and wailing! Bourbon Street Parade (the brollies twirling once more) featured trombonist Gordon Solomon in fine form. Great stuff! Dr Jazz just had to be in the set and it was (another M. Hall favourite), veteran pianist Alf Langthorne knew all the chords, a dependable presence throughout the evening. Bassist John Robinson, seated to one side, opted to play electric rather than double bass with the same result - ie cast iron rhythmic support.
A highlight among highlights...Savoy Blues featuring Gordon Solomon, this was as good as it gets. Maureen and 'the boys' went out on When the Saints go Marching in. So, that's 25 years done and dusted, here's to the next 25! Russell
1 comment :
It was Gordon’s birthday too - and the birthday boy was playing classy, tasty stuff on his brand new Yamaha trombone! What a sweet sound!
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