New Century Ragtime Orchestra @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle - March 21

New Century Ragtime Orchestra: Alistair Lord (trumpet, cornet); Dave Hignett (trumpet, cornet); Neville Hartley (trombone); Jim McBriarty (reeds, vocals); Alan Marshall (reeds); Gavin Lee (reeds); Martin Litton (piano); Ed Cross (violin); Keith Stephen (guitar, banjo); Phil Rutherford (tuba); Nick Ward (drums); Caroline Irwin (vocals)

The New Century Ragtime Orchestra marked its twenty fifth anniversary with a return visit to Gosforth Civic Theatre.* Cabaret table layout, the NCRO attracted a sizeable crowd, there to listen to two one hour sets of ragtime numbers and more. 

The first of several surprises occurred right at the beginning of the evening. The twelve piece NCRO was shorn of several members. Eight, yes, eight musicians ambled onto stage. What was going on? Très Moutarde (Too Much Mustard) opened the show with eight musicians on the bandstand. In the absence of the NCRO's vacationing Steve Andrews, Caroline Irwin and Jim McBriarty would share MC duties and it was Ms Irwin who explained all: the band's very first public performance comprised eight musicians. Yes, it was a surprising and most entertaining opening! As the applause died down, the eight were joined from the wings by the remaining members of the orchestra, making it the more familiar round dozen.  

I'm Through with Love  sang Irwin, a winning number in the NCRO's pad. As and when the occasion demands, the NCRO is augmented by one or two guest musicians. This was one such occasion and old friends of the band, virtuoso pianist Martin Litton and period percussion master Nick Ward, joined the party. The ever-elegant Litton had the stage to himself to play some Irving Berlin - the little-performed Soft Lights and Sweet Music a highlight. The Sheik of Araby (see photo) dropped by to sing...well, you've guessed it. And who played the part of the Sheik? That would be telling...                

Steve L. Roberts' Wha-Cha-Call-'Em Blues, as recorded by Fletcher Henderson, scored heavily, as did Clarence Williams' I'm Busy and You Can't Come In. Dusted off charts and new charts had the effect of revitalising the NCRO, twenty five years on from the band's first gig. 

Second set, Jim McBriarty sang My Baby Knows How (much tittering at a front row table), Martin Litton held court once more - two numbers, Bix B's In the Dark and Fats Waller's Zonky. Truly a master at work. Twenty five years (or thereabouts) of the New Century Ragtime Orchestra, revived charts, new numbers, thoughtful presentation, not to mention excellent musicianship (special mention of Dave Hignett, trumpet and cornet, and, the man who has been there from day one, Neville Hartley, trombone), it had been a splendid evening. Here's to the next quarter century.  

* Covid years resulted in something of a hiatus. The NCRO first performance was last century (late 20th century), c 1997-98. Russell