Classic Swing’s Christmas Party @ Cullercoats Crescent Club - Dec.19

Jim McBriarty  (alto sax, soprano sax, clarinet, vocals); Alan Marshall (tenor sax, clarinet); Neville Hartley (trombone, vocals); Jeremy McMurray (keyboards, raffle compere); Alan Rudd (double bass); Ian Stocks (drums); Olive Rudd (vocals).

The room was packed…30 minutes before the band started there was not a seat to be had. The regulars knew that Classic Swing’s Christmas party was not one to miss and they were out in force, Christmas hats and jumpers galore. Friends were hugged, gossip was exchanged and drinks were bought.Then we were off!

As always the first set opened with their signature tune Classic Swing, written especially  for the band by Tommy Moran. The regular Friday crowd are generally too long in the tooth to ‘go wild’  but feet started tapping, hands started clapping and shoulders started moving. We knew we were in for a good afternoon and that the band were there for a fun time too.

Neville Hartley sang Rodgers and Hart's beautiful song Where or When, Olive followed with the first Christmas song of the set Winter Wonderland and then they got together for a voice and trombone piece which they fittingly called Trombone Neville but I think its proper name is Trombone Cholly. Other classics followed with Olive, Jim McBriarty and Neville sharing vocal duties while the front line blew their hearts out and the rhythm section in the engine room made sure there was no slacking.

Then it was interval time and the raffle which saw every ticket holder receive a gift. The table of prizes had to be seen to be believed!  As well as being a keyboard player of some note, Jeremy McMurray made a fine master of ceremonies calling out the winning numbers and should  he ever want a change of career, comedy could well be a possibility.

If the first set showed the prowess of this well established band, the second set had the room alight. Olive started the ball rolling with Rocking Around The Christmas Tree then the band upped the ante with Take the A Train and a rousing version of Strike up The Band sung by Jim McBriarty.

It wouldn’t be Christmas without a couple of gentle songs so we had The Christmas Song (chestnuts roasting on open fires) and Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas which had the whole room silenced. Then it was time for hugs and goodbyes until 2026.

No music next Friday, Boxing Day,  but back on January 2nd to start another year of what it says on the tin ..Classic Swing. Sylvia T