SWINGING ON A HOT SUMMER’S NIGHT
The Mick Collins Legacy Orchestra
It was a honey of a night when the most swinging band in town returned for another EXCITING session at their regular venue Sundridge Park Club in South London. (August 3rd 2026). We emphasise ‘exciting’ because the choice of tunes featured an array of dynamic arrangements by Ralph Burns, Thad Jones, Horace Silver and Frank Foster.
They were all designed to set toes tapping, fists pounding and ears waggling which explains why the barmaids may have regarded their regular customers with some bewilderment. Nevertheless, the lager still flowed as the trumpets and trombones blared and saxes wailed through another box of delights that included one of my all-time favourite big band hits.
More of that in a mo’. First they opened up with ‘Big Dipper’ a composition aired by the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra at the Village Vanguard some 42 years ago. (You want facts? I got’em). Conductor and trombonist Bill Todd shared solo duties with Adam McCullock on alto sax during this lively dip.
BUT then came ‘Apple Honey’ the Ralph Burns arrangement recorded by the Woody Herman orchestra in 1945. I still have my Parlophone 78 rpm gramophone record of this thundering performance. It’s on the B side of a treasured disc that has ‘North West Passage’ on the A side.
When I bought it for a few shillings second-hand in 1957 I gave it Ten Out Of Ten in my Record Collection log that was actually an LCC school exercise book intended for maths homework. I played ‘Apple Honey’ endlessly for years and it remains a favourite. So I was thrilled when M.C. Bill Todd counted in the tune and the Legacy Orchestra played it with such vigour and verve.
On the original recording the solo honours went to Flip Phillips (tenor sax), Bill Harris (trombone) and Pete Candoli (trumpet) hurtling through the ‘head arrangement’ devised by Ralph Burns and Neil Hefti and driven by Chubby Jackson (bass) and Dave Tough (drums).
Our boys included Tim Sanders who took the keynote tenor sax solo driven by Will Miller (guesting on double bass) and Denis Smith swinging a la Dave Tough on drums. (Hint. It would great to hear the MCLO explore ‘North West Passage,’ ‘Blowin’ Up A Storm’ and ‘The Good Earth’ one Wintry night, mayhap?).
BIG SWING FACE
Meanwhile, there was much more to come during two sets of well balanced material with more challenging, less familiar items betwixt the swing hits. For example an interesting piece ‘Eventually Yours’ by Ken Wheeler showcasing Paul Taylor on trombone was followed by a lively ‘Big Swing Face’ a Buddy Rich band favourite with Harry Evans taking the lead trumpet solo.
A highly original composition ‘Long Day Over’ by Tim Sanders saw his tenor sax dancing against an attractive West Indian rhythm while Will Edwards joined in on trombone and Aureliano Zufolo took his first riveting trumpet solo of the night. (He wasn’t using rivets, just pistons).
There followed the shuffle beat of Sammy Nestico’s ‘The Plunger’ with band’s merry MC Paul Taylor on muted trombone. ‘Return Journey’ by Thad Jones featured effective bass lines from Mr. Miller and the first set concluded with a terrific ‘Opus De Funk’ (Horace Silver) with Silvery piano supplied by Stephen Davies and more funky solos from Tim Sanders (tenor), and Warren Corns and Adam McCulloch (altos).
IN A MELLOW TONE
The Legacy men returned suitably refreshed for ‘In A Mellow Tone’ a Duke Ellington classic long associated with Count Basie and his soft and loud version designed to cause audience members to jump out of their seats at any breakfast dance and barbecue. The Duke himself was honoured with an unexpectedly funky composition ‘Blue Pepper’ from his ‘Far East Suite’ that gave drummer Denis a chance to rock out.
Next came ‘Laura’ dedicated to a girl behind the bar, also called Laura, only for compere Paul to be advised she wasn’t there this month! Definitely on duty was Aureliano Zufolo who offered his most outstanding trumpet solo of the night during ‘Central Park North’ greeted with cheers, that were also accorded to Bill Todd, Adam McCulloch and Andrew Lidell (tenor) whenever they too hit the spot. And who got the final accolade? Mr. Smith for his driving drums on ‘Magic Flea’ that best of all grande finales. CHRIS WELCH