Ella & Ellington. The SSBB's tour continues, this evening's concert a return visit to Beaumont Street, Hexham. The A-Team reported for duty, the stalls all but full, Michael Lamb's superb big band is on a roll. Evocative images of Ella, Duke et al projected onto a backcloth, the scene was set.
Lounge suits across the sections, a sequined Alice Grace out front, the Strictly Smokin' do it in style. Opening with Something's Gotta Give, the sound balance just right, vocalist AG heard loud and clear. Quite some start! More a potted history than a chronological sweep down the decades, Ella F, Edward K and their various collaborators - Billy Strayhorn, Chick Webb, Norman Granz, Nelson Riddle, Frank De Vol, Marty Paich et al - would receive name checks throughout the evening.
A-Tisket, A Tasket had to be in there and it was, East St Louis Toodle-Oo, Caravan, John Flood's shuddering bass trombone anchoring Such Sweet Thunder, this was one of the very best present day big bands in full swing. AG sang I Ain't Got Nothing but the Blues and Lullaby of Broadway (excellent), a Wycliffe Gordon arrangement of Mood Indigo put the 'bones through their paces (A+) and a first half highlight, Keith Robinson's alto sax feature on Isfahan (exceptionally good).
The interval. Allendale Brewery's Golden Plover was calling. First in the queue, a table secured, it was time to chill out. Surveying the scene, Tynedale's big band fans were out in force, many of them rarely, if ever, seen down stream in Newcastle.
Second set. An instrumental to resume affairs, Skin Deep, no less. As Alice G sang Nelson Riddle's arrangement of I'm Gonna Go Fishin' something was amiss. Bandleader Michael Lamb was nowhere to be seen. Trumpet section buddy Pete Tanton picked up the narrator's baton, strange...
Take the 'A' Train, a terrific AG vocal on Time After Time, then in a matter of fact style, the SSBB's star vocalist announced Michael Lamb had taken ill.* In true showbiz style, the show went on. Perdido with Graham Don's transcription of its boogie-woogie piano intro, thoughts were, understandably, wandering. And then, without fanfare, MD Lamb returned to the stage, assuming his place in the section. Hmmm...
Thoughts continued to wander. AG refocussed, singing Imagine My Frustration (top class stuff). An encore won, Alice, Michael (!) and the SSBB went out all guns blazing on Let's Do It (Let's Fall in Love).
* On leaving Queen's Hall your correspondent asked about Michael. Good news, the SSBB's MD was fine.
The Strictly Smokin' Big Band's Ella & Ellington show turns up next in Alnwick. Friday 21 June, Alnwick Playhouse. Seats are at a premium, book now at: www.alnwickplayhouse.co.uk. Russell
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