Durham Alumni Big Band @ Number One Bar, Darlington - April 26

Durham Alumni Big Band: Shaune Eland (MD), Ian Robinson, Kevin Eland, Andrew Meadowcroft (trumpets); Alistair White, Terry O'Hern, Andrew Kirtley, Paul Gilson (trombones); Dan Johnson (alto sax), Steve McGarvie (alto sax); Richie Emmerson (tenor sax);  Barbara Fagan (tenor sax); Danielle Drew (baritone sax); Paul Donnelly (guitar); Dave Archbold (keyboards); Mick Shoulder (bass guitar, double bass); Stephen Fletcher (drums)

It had been quite a while since we last heard the Durham Alumni Big Band (October 2023, with guests Quentin Collins and Matt Roberts at Northgate United Reformed Church, Darlington). This sunny Saturday afternoon, standing on the corner of Skinnergate and Coniscliffe Road, the DABB shoehorned itself into Number One Bar. Good news! And Good News it was as the Alumni opened with Bob Mintzer's chart (as played by the Buddy Rich Band). 

The split level establishment in Darlington town centre doesn't offer the best sight lines, but hey, it's a gig. And what a good turn out, not least because it was an early (noon) start. Coffees, teas, beers, folk made themselves at home, they were there to listen to a top class big band being put through its paces by MD Shaune Eland. 

Steely Dan's Aja, Chuck Mangione's Legend of the One-Eyed Sailor, the latter featuring Ian Robinson's flugelhorn solo and Steve McGarvie's assured soprano sax solo, typical fare from County Durham's leading big band. The Alumni's charts are of a kind - 60s'/70s' compositions, long since staples of the big band repertoire. The Alumni boasts soloists in all sections - Richie Emmerson, Dan Johnson and Steve McGarvie (reeds), Andrew Meadowcroft and Ian Robinson (trumpets), Terry O'Hern and Andrew Kirtley ('bones) and the ace rhythm section (soloists all) - Paul Donnelly, Dave Archbold and Mick Shoulder, underpinned by the award-winning Stephen Fletcher.  

Trombonist Terry O'Hern's solo feature on Emily held the audience rapt, the trumpet section's flugelhorns in support. From Johnny Mandel to Don Ellis' Final Analysis. Was that a collective groan from the ensemble?! MD Eland warned the audience - and the band - that 'it might not go well'! They/we needn't have worried. In the 'final analysis', it went very well. The audience showed its appreciation. 

Dan Johnson featured on Wayne Shorter's El Gaucho (some twelve hours earlier Johnson was on stage at Gateshead's Glasshouse with Paul Skerritt), Ghostbusters served as the set's sing-along, if not dance-along, number, A Weaver of Dreams (pianist Dave Archbold, Dan Johnson and Ian Robinson's flugelhorn the features), Dave O'Higgins' New Orleans, the Alumni and the audience were enjoying themselves. The one set concert of some 75 minutes came to a close, rather aptly, with Closing Time.        

The DABB is a top class outfit, keep an eye on BSH for news of forthcoming gigs. Russell   

Set list: Good News; Aja; Alter Ego; Legend of the One-Eyed Sailor; Emily; The Road to Rack and Ruin; Final Analysis; El Gaucho; Ghostbusters; A Weaver of Dreams; ?; New Orleans; Closing Time.