The Chicago Teddy Bears

Reporter: Tony Sheldon
Date online: 12 June 2008

The Chicago Teddy Bears always guarantee an entertaining evening and this latest visit was no exception! A loud crowd tapped their toes to professional renditions covering the whole gamut of Jazz. Led by trumpeter Kenny Doran who opened the gig with his own nuances in "Coney Island" along with his vocal on "Careless Love".

Clarinetist Dave Mutt gave a superb treatment of "St Phillip Street Breakdown" and was prominent in melody blending with the trombone play of quiet man Tony Dunleavy.

Rags, Blues and Standards were the order of the day with Brian Singleton's drums leading "Sing, Sing, Sing" and Nev Goodwin's piano given the floor with "China Boy".

Tony Ormesher's banjo fused the rhythm section in accompanying the strong front line in "Musk Rat Ramble", "Breeze", "Nedwing" and the band played many requests – "Closer Walk With Thee", "Dapper Dan", "Tiger Rag", "Chimes Blues" and a rousing finale with "With The Saints" and "Get Out Of Here And Go On Home". Just Brill!

The Chicago Teddy Bears
Sunday 4 December 2005