This guest band led by the well known trumpeter Kevin Eland gave a large and enthusiastic audience an evening of diverse and exciting jazz, including several new arrangements by Dave Archbold.
A fine start was made with a swinging Clifford Brown number - Blues Walk. The full band intro was followed by solos all round clearly showing that we were in for a great night from these talented musicians. Jan then stepped up to show her lovely singing voice with the Buck Clayton version of All the Cats Join In.
The popular number 88 Basie Street with nice piano intro from Dave was followed by Jan singing the Nina Simone version of My Baby Just Cares For Me.
Miles Davis' Bluff Point 58 was beautifully played by Kevin on flugelhorn with a soulful guitar solo from Edd and nice tenor sax from Donna.
An up tempo version of A Foggy Day was, in complete contrast, followed by Jan singing a Norah Jones' ballad Don't Know Why.
After the band played the Miles Davis number Boplicity, Jan sang the lively Eso Beso apparently first recorded by Paul Anka, nice guitar work from Edd, clarinet from Donna and great backing from the rhythm section ensured an exciting tune.
The beautiful Lucio Dalla's Caruso was then played very effectively by a trio consisting of Kevin on muted trumpet, Dave keys and John bass.
The band then reformed along with Jan to finish the first set by performing the Ray Charles number Hallelujah I Just Love Him So.
The second set was started with a great driving Mo Better Blues taken from the musical comedy, with excellent tenor sax, guitar, trumpet, and piano solos from Donna, Edd, Kevin and Dave respectively.
Jan then sang a nice version of Dusty Springfield's The Look Of Love a Latin number that included a moving solo from Donna on flute.
The funky Slide was played with a fine bass solo from John, before the band performed the George Benson influenced This Masquerade with a fine vocal from Jan.
Curious George from the film of the same name gave Alex the chance to show his fine drumming skills.
The up tempo vocal version of Yeh, Yeh made famous by Geogie Fame was well sung by Jan before she announced the last number a most interesting jazz version of Stealers Wheel's Stuck In The Middle With You. However, an encore was demanded from the audience which was duly provided with the classic Route 66 giving the opportunity for solos all round.
A both excellent and interesting night of jazz from this group of talented and enthusiastic musicians playing to a large and well informed audience.
Thanks as usual go to the staff of Dorman's Club for their help with the jazz night.
Ron Hampton
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