Durham Alumni Big Band & more @ Darlington Market Square - Aug. 22

Durham Alumni Big Band: Shaune Eland (MD), Ian Robinson, Jonny Dunn, Kevin Eland, Andrew Meadowcroft (trumpets); Andrew Kirtley, Terry O'Hern, Alastair White, Paul Gilson (trombones); Dan Johnson (tenor sax); Jo ? (tenor sax); Steve McGarvie (alto sax, soprano sax); Kirsty Dunn (alto sax); Danielle Drew (baritone sax); Paul Donnelly (guitar); Dave Archbold (piano); Amy Baker (bass); Stephen Fletcher (drums)

The clouds parted, the sun shone, just what Dr Jazz ordered. In a rare outing for the award-winning Durham Alumni Big Band, MD Shaune Eland fielded a near full strength line-up at Darlington Market Square. Tables and chairs set out for the punters (lots of 'em - tables, chairs and punters), beers, coffees, teas and nibbles a-plenty, the scene was set fair.

I Got Plenty O' Nuttin' (from Gershwin's stately Porgy and Bess), Bernie's Tune (from the pad of the late Al Wood), a distinctive arrangement of Sophisticated Lady (Steve McGarvie, alto sax, soloing), we were treated to a rather eclectic set list.

The Alumni boasts many fine soloists - McGarvie, tenor saxophonist Dan Johnson, trumpeter Jonny Dunn, guitarist Paul Donnelly, to name but four this afternoon - and rock solid sections. The eclecticism continued - Labelle's Lady Marmalade (they were up boogieing), Just Friends, Impressions (Dan Johnson playing Trane his way), then, somewhat bizarrely, the anthemic Thomas the Tank Engine theme!    

Durham Alumni All Stars: Jonny Dunn (trumpet); Dan Johnson (tenor sax), Steve McGarvie (alto sax); Paul Donnelly (guitar); Dave Archbold (piano); Amy Baker (bass); Stephen Fletcher (drums) 

Earlier, an Alumni 'all stars' combo opened proceedings with an entertaining, accessible set. Jonny Dunn (trumpet), Steve McGarvie (alto sax) and Dan Johnson (tenor sax) forming an impressive frontline, backed by the Alumni's excellent rhythm section - Paul Donnelly, Dave Archbold, Amy Baker and Stephen Fletcher. Have You Met Miss Jones? to Blue Bossa (Dan Johnson featured), Mercy, Mercy, Mercy and Oleo, all appreciated by the sun-drenched crowd. 

Swing Manouche: Mick Shoulder (guitar); Dave Smith (guitar); Steve McGarvie (clarinet); Paul Grainger (double bass) 

As the Alumni vacated the stage, Mick Shoulder's Swing Manouche were preparing to play a closing set. Checking one's phone (as one does, periodically), train services were all over the place. Thanks to a trespasser on the line, services were experiencing delays and cancellations. What to do? Listening to Mick and the boys - Steve McGarvie, Dave Smith and Paul Grainger - playing their first few numbers, any Djangologists in the vicinity would be more than happy with what they were hearing. 

Trains disrupted (no planes, no automobiles), it was time to head up to the railway station. Russell