Alan Barnes, Richard Exall, Michael McQuaid (reeds); Mike Henry, Pete Rudeforth, Rico Tomasso (trumpets); Alistair Allan (trombone, vocals); Gordon Campbell (trombone); Dean Stockdale (piano); Tom 'Spats' Langham (banjo, guitar, vocals); Malcolm Sked (string bass, sousaphone); Richard Pite (drums)
The late Keith Nichols' legacy lives on. A couple of years ago, trombonist Alistair Allan set about reviving the Midnite Follies Orchestra. Putting together an ace line-up, the twelve piece ensemble can be heard on occasion, whether in London (recently at the Spice of Life) or here in the 'far north', ie Darlington.
This afternoon's Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club promotion attracted a large turnout, little wonder considering the calibre of musician on show. Essentially an Ellington programme, to the strains of C Jam Blues, one by one, members of the ensemble strolled onto the stage. Their ever-increasing number upped the decibel count, we were in the Cotton Club, Harlem, NYC. From here on in, the Midnite Follies could do no wrong.
The mischievous Keith Nichols was fond of introducing uptempo numbers as 'tempo de tear-arse'. Well, on more than a few such numbers, it was, to coin another phrase, 'eyeballs out'. Wow! These guys can play, that's for sure. Cotton Club Stomp, Tiger Rag, Ease on Down and Hot and Bothered could be filed under 'tempo de you-know-what'. Hot? You bet!
Essentially Ellington, the likes of Luis Russell did get a look in, Alistair Allan as Fred Astaire (sans dancing) sang No Strings (I'm Fancy Free), Spats Langham as Bing crooned One More Time and Rico Tomasso tipped his hat to Louis Armstrong singing Thanks a Million.
Time and again the MFO's many soloists hit the bullseye, the ensemble work a treat and, special mention of depping pianist, Darlington's Dean Stockdale, reading the charts as he went. Marvellous.
The Midnite Follies Orchestra is an occasional happening. As and when you hear about a forthcoming gig, make the effort to get along, you won't be disappointed. Russell
Set list: C Jam Blues; Jungle Nights in Harlem; Cotton Club Stomp; Let's Do It; Mahogany Hall Stomp; Black and Tan Fantasy; Double Check Stomp; Doing the Frog; No Strings (I'm Fancy Free); Potato Head Blues; Black Beauty; One More Time; Kinda Dukish; Rockin' in Rhythm; Tiger Rag; Sweet Dreams of Love; Ease on Down; East St Louis Toodle-Oo; Panama; Thanks a Million; Concerto for Cootie; Old Man Blues; Mood Indigo; Hot and Bothered; Truckin'; It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)
No comments :
Post a Comment