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| © Richard Morris |
This concert took place on a paddle steamer cruising up and down the River Thames on the aptly named “The New Orleans” departing from Henley at 3.00pm on the most glorious autumn day with temperatures in the mid 20s. The boat was provided by Hobbs of Henley who have 150 years experience of offering boat hire and public/private cruising on the Thames.
The musicians involved need little introduction although I had not seen Harry Evans live before. Adrian is simply one of the world’s best jazz clarinet players. Enrico Tomasso is a renowned jazz trumpet, flugelhorn and cornet player. He is widely celebrated as one of the UK’s premier brass players and has won awards as best trumpeter multiple times.
Alexander “Honey” Boulton specialises in swing and bebop guitar, as well as jazz banjo. Originally from New Zealand, Honey is now based in London although he tours world wide often in a trio with Adrian and Alex Gilson. As Adrian confirmed he is one of the busiest jazz musicians around sometimes doing eleven gigs in one week! Honey has his first gig at Ronnie Scott’s as a bandleader on December 1st.
Harry is the
leader of jazz and swing outfit Harry Evans and his Flying Squirrels and is a
regular member or collaborator with various groups including the Cable Street Rag Band. Harry
is also a music arranger and swing dancer although he did not show us his moves
on this cruise. An awesome quartet. I had high expectations for this concert
and I was not disappointed.
Due to the
fabulous weather the musicians and audience were on the top deck and were
treated to amazing views of the Thames on this two hour cruise. It was quite
simply a magical afternoon which none present will ever forget. The set list
below shows the classic New Orleans tunes that were played. Adrian treated us
to his vocals on several songs including the highly appropriate Up a Lazy
River and Sweet Sue. Honey’s vocal chords were showcased on Careless
Love. Enrico also treated us to his vocals. What a talented bunch of
musicians.
This was the
second day of the first three day Henley Jazz Festival. The primary organisers
are Rebecca Poole and Denny Ilett. On the first evening I was treated to a
concert by the great Joe Webb and his trio in which he played his tune James
P dedicated to the great James P Johnson. On the cruise the band played Old
Fashioned Love composed by Johnson. Many of the tunes were familar to those
on the cruise and my favourites were St Louis Blues and Rosetta on
which Honey played a beautiful solo on guitar. The clarinet and trumpet playing
was world class with frequent opportunities for solos which they made seem
effortless. The concert concluded with an epic version of When the Saints go
Marching in.
Honestly I
cannot think of a better way to spend an afternoon. Richard Morris
Set list : Way Down
Yonder in New Orleans; That’s a Plenty; Up a Lazy River; Sweet Sue; Jazz Me
Blues; Careless Love; China Boy; I Wish I Could Shimmy Like my Sister Kate; St
Louis Blues; Old Fashioned Love; Rosetta; When the Saints go Marching In
Hobbs of
Henley: website: https:www.hobbsofhenley.com Tel: 01491 572035
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