Chicago Teddy Bears - Jazz on a Sunday

John Hallam, Chicago Teddy Bears

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The Warrington based jazz band, Chicago Teddy Bears Society have been entertaining for many years and their annual visit always draws an enthusiastic crowd. Led by trumpeter Kenny Doran, one of the originals, the band played a selection of classic jazz and popular numbers.

The vocals are shared by Doran and drummer Brian Singleton and in the absence of bass player Rae Owens, the Merseysippi’s Derek Vaux took his place.

A first set of contrast with “Perdido Street Blues”, Duke Ellington’s “Mood Indigo” and “Watermelon Man” brought out the best in reedsman John Hallam as he switched from clarinet to powerful sax.

Chris Barber’s “It’s Tight Like That” got the second set running, a fine arrangement of “Chimes Blues” gave way to Tony Ormesher’s banjo solo “On a Coney Island Washboard”.

Doran’s powerful trumpet and vocal drove “Tishamingo Blues” and a quieter end to set two produced a fine trombone solo from Frank Slater with “Tea for Two” and Neville Goodwin’s prominent piano in “Alice Blue Gown”.

Suitably refreshed the pace increased with the favourite “Hiawatha Rag” and a modern arrangement of “Swing 42” with neat interplay between Hallam’s sax and Ormesher’s guitar.

“St Louis Blues” had the place jumping and the band played out with the appropriate “Get out of Here and go on Home”.

4 March 2012