Harlem Hot Stompers

“Jazz On A Sunday” rode off from the flying horse knowing that a build-up in audience would be necessary to sustain the challenge of the move to Castleton Sports Centre, and the send off by the Harlem Hot Stompers should have given the impetus needed to all those who have enjoyed a fine performance by talented musicians.

Off to a fast start with “Too Busy” in which the two deps Roger Browne on piano and Moe Green on drums played integral duo, the mood slowed right down with the 1890 pre-ragtime smoky mokes featuring the brass bass of Dave Parr.

Bill Smith on trumpet and vocal led “Angry” before John Ronan’s trombone featured strongly in “Savoy Blues”, and leader Tony Faulks’ sax powered the way with “Bogalusa Strutt”.

Beiderbecke’s “Davenport Blues” highlighted the talents of Smith’s muted trumpet and Jim McCann’s guitar, whilst a hell for leather “Oriental Man” perhaps paid homage to our Olympic heros.

A fiery re start with “I’m Going Away” slowed to the early decadent “Storyville Blues” of New Orleans, muted tones with piano and brass bass prominent.

Faulks vocalised with “My Gal Sal” with the background stick on stick drumming of green, who with Parr’s double bass backed a superb Browne Gershwin medley on piano. Smiths vocal on the strange “Beedle-um-bum” led back to the Orient with a powerful rendition of “China Boy” which included McCann’s banjo solo, piano and drums.

The Harlem boys always provide great value and an eight number final set had the harmonica of Smith to the fore in “Flow Gently, Sweet Afton”.

Faulk’s vocal of “Goin’ Home” took an early slot, whilst the unusual “It’s Shuttling Time” which had been part of the Benny Hill T.V show, used the front line to great effect.

Ellington’s “Saturday Night Function” brought out the trombone and guitar nuances of Ronan and McCann, Smith then adopting a rock’n’roll mode with the 60’s hit “My Babe”.

Faulks’ vocal had the band in full flow with the popular “Hello Central, Give Me Doctor Jazz” followed by Green’s lengthy drum solo in “Shim Sham Wobble” – drumtastic!

It was left to Faulks to wish Jazz On A Sunday a prosperous future playing out with the old “Bye And Bye”.

Harlem Hot Stompers
Castleton Sports Centre
Sunday 24 August 2008