The Fire Station first hosted the Pasadena Roof Orchestra in April 2023. Less than two years on, the vintage jazz ensemble - vintage charts, and of a certain vintage, some 56 years and more the band continues to tour home and abroad - made a midwinter return visit to Wearside. As the house lights dimmed, the auditorium appeared to be more than three quarters full.
South Rampart Street Parade stomped-off. Terrific. MC and band singer Duncan Galloway emerged from the wings to sing Undecided. Over the course of two sets, Galloway introduced the numbers, cracked jokes (the same jokes as last time!) and - good for him - spoke warmly about the Fire Station and its staff. We're in the Money, from the 1933 film Gold Diggers of 1933, Cole Porter's You're the Top, all tried and tested material, the ensemble on top of it all.
MC Galloway kept the show moving along, singing Goodnight Sweetheart, followed by Lullaby of Broadway. The PRO's signature song, Home in Pasadena, would close the show, but not before a foot-tapping Happy Feet. The Pasadena Roof Orchestra is something of an institution and there's every reason to think the band will continue long into the future, not least with an injection of new blood. Trombone ace Rory Ingham has been with the orchestra for a year or two and here at the Fire Station we heard the latest recruit, Guildhall student, pianist Cody Moss, playing as if he had been working with the ensemble since way back when. Make a note of the name. The PRO will return to the north east, that's for sure. Next time, go see 'em. Russell
No comments :
Post a Comment