NOW YOU HAS JAZZ!
In the words of Bing Crosby and Louis Armstrong you can ‘Take a spot, cool and hot and now you has…jazz, jazz, jazz!’ I was reminded of that defining duet sung during the 1956 hit musical ‘High Society’ after having recently had the pleasure of seeing two swinging bands performing in quick succession at different venues.
Whenever earnest students ask ‘What IS jazz, exactly?’ rather than launch into a detailed explanation, I’d sooner accompany them to a Hollywood-movie style dimly lit night club where cigarette smoke fills the air, saucy waitresses serve bootleg gin and drummers beat out crazy rhythms, eyes rolling in ecstasy, before cops burst in to arrest everyone in sight.
Well it wasn’t quite like that when I accompanied friends to Spike’s Place, not on Basin Street, New Orleans but way down yonder in Beckenham, Kent (October 24th). The cool cats who took the stand were husband and wife team Dave and Alice Black backed by a splendid trio. Together they delighted attentive patrons who raised glasses of legal liquor in cheery salute as the band played cool and hot all night long.
SWINGING WITH DAVE & ALICE
The evening was promoted by the indefatigable Susan May-Robinson, who has been supporting jazz for many years and runs several other venues in the memory of her late husband, American tenor sax player Spike Robinson. I say ‘indefatigable’ because tonight Susan had to rush next door to an adjacent hall at Club Langley where a huge crowd of mourners were holding a post funeral party and playing loud live disco music.
She had to plead with them to turn down the volume, as it was penetrating the walls and disturbing the concentration of OUR musicians. Once a satisfactory audio truce was established, we could enjoy the sound of leader Dave Black on an array of instruments, including flute, clarinet and saxophones, working closely with Alice Black, who sang beautifully an array of super hit songs.
Alice is blessed with an attractive voice perfectly suited to such numbers as ‘Lullaby Of Birdland’ and ‘Why Don’t You Do Right’ the latter a 1942 hit for Peggy Lee, one of Alice’s favourite artists. As Peggy was teamed with Benny Goodman on the record, it was entirely appropriate that Dave Black should accompany Alice on clarinet.
Dave’s command of wind instruments proved impressive throughout the evening. But not only did Alice and Dave ‘do right’ so did the righteous John Pearce (piano), Andy Cleyndert (double bass) and Dave Pack on drums.
They swung together as a balanced unit, whether tackling bop, funk, blues or bossa nova throughout two pleasing sets. Flute must be one of the most challenging of instruments to play, whether in a jazz or classical context. Blow too hard and you get squeaks! But flautist Dave blew with consummate skill on a rousing Latin styled ‘Stay With Me.’
It was back to the sax for an urgent, ‘Sweet Georgie Brown’ and sly ‘’Lady Is A Tramp’ and Alice was in her element on another Peggy Lee hit, a fervent ‘Fever’ that nicely heated up the audience. Any overly feverish club patrons could cool down when Alice took a break while the quartet embraced ‘When I Fall In Love’ and we could enjoy the nuances of John Pearce’s sophisticated piano playing. Praise was also due to Andy Cleyndert for his nimble bass work while drummer Dave was spot on, delivering snare drum press rolls, brisk brushes and the driving sticks that kicked off ‘Caravan’ in the second set.
Between numbers, Alice chatted amiably, engaging with her audience and singing rather than bawling the blues. There were many musical highlights during the show, but one of the highest must have been the magnificent tenor sax solo from Dave during ‘The Shadow Of Your Smile.’ So, that’s jazz!
THIS ONE’S FOR BASIE
The Mick Collins’ Legacy Jazz Orchestra
If there is one sound in the entire world guaranteed to lift the spirits and fly us sky high, it’s not just an Airbus taking off at Gatwick, but the Mick Collins’ Legacy Jazz Orchestra launching into a rousing performance of Count Basie’s flag-waving ‘Fantail.’
So it was a treat to hear 16 men swinging one more time at their regular monthly Monday date at Sundridge Park Working Men’s Club. (November 4th 2024). The band is guaranteed to excite whenever they play, but on this occasion they excelled themselves. First class service came with great arrangements, sizzling section work and high altitude solos throughout our night flight.
We took off with a turbulent Woody Herman number ‘That’s Where It Is’ arranged by Nat Pierce, followed by ‘Jackie’s Mood’ with fast and melodic solos from trumpeter Aureliano Zufolo and trombonist/conductor Bill Todd. ‘I’ve Got You Under My Skin’ was launched with a mighty press roll from drummer Denis Smith whose solid beat supported the brass and saxes as they navigated difficult ensemble passages interwoven with powerful trumpet choruses from Harry Evans.
Owen Wales also supercharged the sound of the orchestra with his mellifluous bass trombone as the band launched into ‘The King’s Arms’. A sparkling arrangement by Alan Wakeman, Rick’s tenor sax playing cousin, it was delivered at a furious tempo.
ROCK GOSPEL
‘Keep Left For the Gospel Hall’ a rock gospel number driven by Mr. Smith had the kind of beat that inspired great solos from guest trumpeter Sid Gauld and Tim Sanders on tenor sax. Meanwhile the orchestra excelled on ‘Little Pixie 2’ (Thad Jones) with such difficult staccato ensemble parts, you have to wonder – how do they do it? The answer my friends is blowing in the wind instruments, with more outstanding solos this time from Joe Pickering (alto sax), Bob McKay guesting on baritone sax and Tim Pharoah on double bass.
Another Thad Jones piece ‘A Child Is Born’ was ‘A lot less frantic’ advised M.C. Paul Taylor as he and Bill tastefully muted their trombones. But the last number before the break was a real swinger, the aforementioned ‘Fantail’ Neal Hefti’s exciting arrangement from ‘The Atomic Mr. Basie’ album.
Suitably refreshed at the bar, we convened for the final flight with another Thad Jones ditty ‘Don’t Get Sassy’ featuring nimble piano from Stephen Davies, a solid backbeat from Denis and more blazing trumpet from Sid Gauld. Paul Taylor soloed on the ¾ number ‘Pink Honey’ and the audience cheered the Mingus classic ‘Better Get It In Your Soul’ (or is that ‘Git It’?). We were intrigued by ‘Any Second Now’ an original composition by Steve the piano man and ‘The Industrial Strength Stomp’ (Bob Florence) that presaged the grand finale with ‘Every Little Beat Helps’ another Basie classic to ensure a happy landing. You may unfasten your seat belts. CHRIS WELCH