There may be nostalgia in the air, and the die hard fans wouldn't want it any other way, but there's also a contemporary presence in the music that Glenn would most surely have approved of.
Under McVay's leadership the band and the singers cover many aspects of the original band's output. The civilian band that recorded such million sellers as Chattanooga Choo Choo, String of Pearls, In the Mood and American Patrol. The Army/Air Force band that included Johnny Desmond, Peanuts Hucko, Ray McKinley and Mel Powell who led the Uptown Hall Gang, the band within a band that came to prominence in the wake of Miller's disappearance, and of course the Moonlight Serenaders, the vocal group styled on the Modernaires and named after the band's famous signature tune.
The probable line-up for the concert is: Ray McVay (M.D.); Dave Ford, John Hinch, Alan Berlyn*, Danny Hammerton* (trumpets); Dale Gibson Jr., Ray Wordsworth, Keith Hutton (trombones); Bob Maslin (bass trombone); Andy Potts, Simon Meredith (alto sax); Martin Dunsdon, Daniel Faulkner (tenor sax); Loren Hignell (baritone sax); Bunny Thompson (piano); Paul Scott (bass); Bob Cleall (drums); Mark Porter, Catherine Sykes (vocals).
*Berlyn and Hammerton join Porter and Sykes to form the Moonlight Serenaders. Lance
1 comment :
Ah - the Uptown Hall Gang! Back in December 2022 we went to see Martin Litton's Uptown Hall Gang at the Spice of Life in London. A great gig it was too, top class musicians playing in that relaxed swinging style, typical of the original line up.
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