The prospect of the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra playing Duke Ellington persuaded your correspondent to make the journey north of the border. Fortunately, it proved remarkably mild for the time of year, prompting a leisurely stroll through Glasgow city centre. A first visit for BSH to Glasgow's Royal Concert Hall on Killermont Street, first impressions were favourable. Designed by Leslie Martin (the architect designed London's Royal Festival Hall), the building is more than a match for the best of Gateshead's Glasshouse (formerly Sage Gateshead) and Sunderland's Fire Station.
In his programme notes, Tommy Smith observed: Duke Ellington has been an inspiration to musicians and composers across the musical spectrum for almost 100 years. Ellington would be the focus of the SNJO's programme and Tommy Smith's junior ensemble, the Tommy Smith Youth Jazz Orchestra.
The star-studded SNJO boasts a remarkably stable line-up with many of the chairs being occupied by the same musicians for several years. First rate soloists in all its sections, for the most part, the evening was one of superb ensemble playing. From time to time, selected musicians - including Konrad Wisniewski (tenor sax) and the diminutive and hugely impressive Helena Kay (alto sax) - stepped out of the ranks to play all-too-short solos, quickly resuming their seats. The rhythm section - Peter Johnstone, Calum Gourlay and Alyn Cosker - purred like the well-oiled machine it is, pianist Johnstone particularly outstanding.
The SNJO's special guest, Lucy-Anne Daniels (last heard by BSH in 2022 with NYJO at Sunderland's Fire Station), proved to be a revelation. We knew Daniels was good, but, wow! Presence, poise, power, range, the complete package, Imagine My Frustration a highlight amongst highlights. Lucy-Anne Daniels, the SNJO and, of course, Edward Kennedy Ellington, a winning combination.
Set list: Black and Tan Fantasy; In the Hall of the Mountain King; Le Sucrier Velours; Daybreak Express; Purple Gazelle; Passion Flower; Imagine My Frustration; Let's Do It; Sophisticated Lady; If You Could See Me Now; Cotton Tail; Brasilliance.
Tommy Smith Youth Jazz Orchestra
Tommy Smith (MD); Laura Oghabon (vocals); Rosalind Orrs, Arda Daltaban, Gerard O'Neil, Zoe Downs, Jess Koffie, James Steele (reeds); Leo Brychta, Eva Young, Gavin Led, Liam O'Neill, Alex Kelly (trumpets); Aaron Singh, Marcellus Boyle, Owen Pickering (trombones); Simon Mercieca (piano), Sam Cleary (piano), William Ewins (double bass), Ashwari Panesar (double bass); Timmy Allen, Garry Simpson, Finlay Mackenzie (drums); Rebecca Gibson (rhythm section); Celio Matta (rhythm section)
Earlier, the Tommy Smith Youth Jazz Orchestra opened the evening with its own Duke Ellington programme. Countless musicians have passed through its ranks, some of them becoming established on the Scottish jazz scene and beyond. Smith commented: It's wonderful to witness young players finding their way into playing jazz through Ellington as generations before have done. As Take the 'A' Train filtered across the auditorium it wasn't lost on your reviewer that T. Smith stood to one side, almost in the wings. Were members of TSYJO thinking: Where's the boss? Not a bit of it. A couple of numbers in, Smith informed the full house that he prefers to let the young musicians 'work it out for themselves'. And work it out they did. Note the names - some of them will become of the household variety.
Set list: Take the 'A' Train; Satin Doll; I Ain't Got Nothing But the Blues; It Don't Mean a Thing; Carnegie Blues; Sonnet to Hank Cinq; A Flower is a Lovesome Thing: Caravan, Day Dream; Nutcracker Suite; In a Mellow Tone.
* Owen Pickering performed in both senior and junior ensembles.
** Tommy Smith Youth Jazz Orchestra trombonist Aaron Singh sat-in on the final three or four numbers of the SNJO's set. Russell
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