Tuba Skinny @ De Beauvoir Jazz Festival, London - July 12

Shaye Cohn (cornet); Barnabus Jones (trombone); Craig Flory (clarinet); Gregory Sherman (guitar, vocals); Quentin Bardi (banjo); Todd Burdick (tuba); Robin Rapuzzi (washboard)

When Tuba Skinny proposed touring the UK, the level of interest was off the scale. Tens, possibly hundreds, of promoters/venues got in touch with the band. All the way from New Orleans, finally, finally,Tuba Skinny were about to touchdown on UK soil. 

Swing City Brighton got in there first - well done to them. Then, less than twenty four hours later, on a baking hot afternoon, De Beauvoir Town Jazz Festival welcomed the Crescent City superstars to London. East and South East Asian Community Centre (formerly the 'Public Washing Baths' on Englefield Road), placed an order for some Crescent City weather and, sure enough, it delivered (30+ degrees, hot and humid). ESEA (East and South East Asian Community Centre) erected a gazebo which offered relief from a scorching sun, for the band, that is. For all but a handful, the punters were out in the open, as if on an unforgiving parade ground.   

                    

Tuba Skinny ambled on stage to a heroes' welcome. Finally, finally. Loose Like That (as recorded by the Mississippi Sheiks) opened the show, Greg Sherman (guitar) taking the first of several vocals. We (the audience) knew it, Tuba Skinny knew it, this was going to be an 'I was there' occasion.Tiny Parham's Stompin' on Down, Willie the Lion's Harlem Joys, Jimmie Noone's El Rado Scuffle, Tuba Skinny could do no wrong. All-seated, save Todd Burdick (tuba) and the affable Robin Rapuzzi (washboard), the band couldn't have been more laid back - it's part of their charm. As if on Frenchman Street, Tuba Skinny played whatever took their fancy. If you can believe it, no set list. 

Jabbo Smith's Ready Hokum (a recent addition to the pad) featured cornetist Shaye Cohn, Frankie 'Half-Pint' Jaxon's Some Sweet Day heard more from Greg Sherman, Clarence Williams' Them There Got Me, Johnny St Cyr's Messin' Around, the (non-existent) set list went down a treat. 

The seven piece ensemble, the various soloists, whatever Tuba Skinny played the audience roared, then roared some more. If washboard is your thing, Robin Rapuzzi is your man, Todd Burdick, the tuba in Tuba Skinny, held it down, the brass and reeds - Shaye Cohn, Barnabus Jones (trombone), Craig Flory (clarinet) - shared the soloist's spotlight, the depping Quentin Bardi (banjo), what an outfit! 

Bennie Moten's Harmony Blues, Kansas City Stomp (Jelly Roll Morton), The Big Boat (Washboard Sam), more Jelly Roll (Cannon Ball Blues), Tuba Skinny, London, July 12, a memorable occasion, etched in stone. A night's rest and they - Tuba Skinny - would be at it again, this time on Frith Street. Russell