Two big bands for the price of
one! A night of fine big band music, which as MC Django promised us,
would demonstrate the great range that big band music encompasses. There was a
family connection too, as brothers Sean and Kevin Eland were the respective musical
directors.
First up were DABB who started with Summertime, which, on a cold wet night, warmed us all up. They ran through a varied set with particular highlights being a punchy arrangement of Sunny, and Steampunk, written by ex band director Matt Roberts, featuring a great steam train style rhythm and Sean Eland on wooden train whistle! Particular praise for the late stand-in bassist, whose name I didn't get, but did a fine job.
After a short interval whilst the bands swapped around it was SBB’s turn.
The set was a combination of instrumentals, and songs sung by Bridget Metcalfe. Highlights were Seventh Samba, a Bridget Metcalfe composition, nicely arranged by keyboardist Dave Archbold, and Come Rain or Come Shine, which switched seamlessly between a blues ballad and big band swing. Bridget is an accomplished performer, fully living all the lyrics, from ballads to pacy Latin numbers, and the band complemented this really well. The band were really tight, with Kevn Eland counting in and Josh Bentham conducting the endings.
A very entertaining night. Apologies for lack of names, but they were introduced by first name only. As Django told us, big band musicians can be quite promiscuous, so mentions for three people who played in both bands. Dave Archbold, local guitarist Paul Donnelly and trumpeter Kevin Eland. Ian Hodgson
DABB: Summertime; Aja (Steely Dan); Sunny; All Of Me; Opening Time (a NYJO song); Just Friends; Weaver Of Dreams; Steampunk (I may have missed a couple of songs).
SBB: Domino; Aqua De Berber; Good Morning Heartache; Birks' Works; It Had Better Be Tonight (written by Henry Mancini for the Pink Panther film); Girl Talk; Jordu, Li'l Darlin'; Seventh Samba; Pennies From Heaven (sung with gusto by drummer Alex Cromarty); Come Rain or Come Shine; That's All.
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