Durham University Big Band @ Pizza Express, Soho, London - Jan. 24

Tom Hardy (MD, trumpet, flugelhorn); Freya Lockeretz, Oliver Tranter,  Andrew Yu, Will Stevenson, Beth Cooley (reeds); Sam Armstrong, Leo Vernaglione, Sammy Cormack-Repath, Euan O’Connell (trumpet); Lillian Sparks, Owen Romhany, Chris Goede (trombone), Robert Halliday (bass trombone, sousaphone); Tom Paterson (piano); Izzy Willis (bass); Ed Jobburn (drums); Francesca Fitton (vocals)

For two decades and more Durham University Big Band has made an annual pilgrimage to play a prestigious concert in the capital city. On its way to/from London, the plan was for DUBB, as the band is known, to link up with two other universities to take part in a couple of big band sessions either side of the capital date. First, a 'Varsity jazz-off' with Oxford University Jazz Orchestra, followed by a similar shindig with Imperial College London Big Band.

However, DUBB's primary reason for heading down to London was to fulfill a sold out lunchtime engagement at Dean Street's Pizza Express. As ever, the streets were buzzing with locals and tourists alike sampling some of Soho's many delights. Shop 'til you're fit to drop, drink 'til you're flagging or...take in a gig. Long before the one o'clock down beat, the place was busy. Pizza the size of a dustbin lid, a drink to wash it down, we were ready and waiting for the arrival of the Durham University Big Band.

The first set opened with a pronounced spiritual feel to it. In due course, MD Tom Hardy would talk about a strand of 1950s/60s' American Civil Rights issues which would be central to much of DUBB's performance. Conducting the band with boundless enthusiasm, Hardy (a final year Physics student) energised his bandmates, many of whom would contribute fine solos during the afternoon. Conducting an ensemble of this size is one thing, driving it along is another thing altogether and, in this regard, drummer Ed Jobburn produced a powerhouse display. 

The trumpet section, including Mathematics student Sam Armstrong (of Tyne Valley Big Band fame), nailed it time and again, the 'bones, with band President Lillian Sparks in its ranks alongside bass trombonist Ron Halliday doubling on sousaphone, did the business, and down front in the reeds, tenor saxophonist Andrew Yu impressed. 

Pianist Tom Paterson's lengthy introduction to Somewhere introduced DUBB vocalist Francesca Fitton. From Bernstein and Sondheim to Tom Hardy's Renny Street referencing a Durham City student flatshare, to Charles Mingus' riotous Fables of Faubus, to an unexpected closing number, from Carousel, Rodgers and Hammerstein's You'll Never Walk Alone, it was an eclectic set list, that's for sure. And the Dean Street full house liked it, that's for sure. Russell