In its 22nd year, the Great North Big Band Jazz Festival returned
once again to Park View Community Centre in Chester-le-Street. As is tradition,
the opening Friday evening concert featured Teesside's Musicians
Unlimited. Many of the region's big band fans were in attendance - this is
the event they don't ever miss!
GNBBJF director Bill Watson introduced the band (Bill also plays in the band's trumpet section!) and the action got underway with a sparkling take on I'm Beginning to See the Light (Dan Johnson taking the first of several impressive alto sax solos). Neal Hefti's arrangement of Satin Doll went down well (any Hefti arrangement does!) and later in the evening we heard the band playing the late Dave Connolly's arrangement of Georgia, featuring the terrific vocals of Paul Skerritt.
Musicians Unlimited's other vocalist, Jan Spencelayh, sang her share. The Very Thought of You, Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps and This Masquerade but three highlights*. Jan and Paul's vocals aside, the band blew on some great numbers, including Emancipation Blues (Dan Johnson and Bill Watson soloing), Lullaby of Broadway and MU's party piece, Oye Como Va, featuring the brilliant Sue Ferris (flute). Special mention of Tom Hill. An asset to any trumpet section, time and again Tom nailed the silly stratospheric stuff with nonchalant ease.
Mick Donnelly's long-established
big band is a fixture in the Deep South (ie Teesside). Musicians Unlimited can
be heard last Sunday in the month at Jackson's Wharf, Hartlepool (1:00pm), free
admission.
* Catch Jan singing with the New '58 Jazz Collective on Sunday (March 9) at Jackson's Wharf, Hartlepool (1:00pm). Russell
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