Davide Vincenzi (alto sax, clarinet); Glauco Benedetti (slide & valve trombones); Federico Zaltron (violin); Michele Bertoldi (guitar, banjo, vocals); Ryan Baer (banjo, guitar, vocals); Martino De Franceschi (double bass)
Weekend engineering works on the East Coast mainline threatened to derail plans to get to Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club. The bus replacement service was an option, however, cadging a lift from a well known musician held greater appeal. And off we went, four in a car, heading to St Augustine's Parish Centre.
Turning into Larchfield Street, through the gates of St Augustine's, the car park was busy, very busy. Admission paid, a sheaf of raffle tickets, a drink and a sarnie, things were brewing nicely. We were there to hear the much vaunted Hot Teapots. Our Italian friends were ready to take to the stage to play to a full house.
Michele Bertoldi and the band's American friend Ryan Baer (of Frog and Henry fame) would share the vocals, Bertoldi playing guitar, Baer, banjo (later in the afternoon our Italian-American duo would swap instruments). Across the course of two sets the Hot Teapots would play something like thirty numbers. Commendably/daringly, the Hot Teapots performed entirely acoustically - no amps, no mics, nothing. St Augustine's is a large space, those sitting towards the back of the room would need to cock an ear and listen, really listen.
The horns, Davide Vincenzi (alto sax, clarinet) and Glauco Benedetti (slide and valve trombone) formed a mini orchestra, supplemented by Federico Zaltron's sublime violin playing. The strings of Bertoldi, Baer and bassist Martino de Franceschi complemented the horns, the two 'sections' effortlessly dovetailing to produce a consistently brilliant ensemble sound.
From early highlights Harlem Rhythm Dance (Benedetti playing slide) to Who's Sorry Now? (Baer singing) to Wabash Blues (Bertoldi taking the vocal) to second set winners Shanghai Shuffle to a hotter than hot That's a Plenty to Michigander Blues (Bertoldi and Baer swapping guitar and banjo), the Hot Teapots were constantly at the boil. As they said their farewells, the Hot Teapots won a standing ovation. Russell
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