The Funky Butt Hall N’Awlins Jazz Band

The Funky Butt Hall N’Awlins Jazz Band with special guest Noel Broadgate on piano

Back at the New Town National Club in Castleton on 21 August, for a second Jazz On A Sunday appearance, were The Funky Butt Hall N'Awlins Jazz Band.

Led by internationally acclaimed bassist Annie Hawkins they had Peter Wright on cornet, Frank Brooker on reeds, Jeff Milner on trombone, their especially welcome special guest Noel Broadgate on piano, Bob Rowbotham on banjo and Barry Wood on drums.

As the name implied 'funky' it might have been 'but 'all Noo Awlins' it certainly was. The first set raced by – 'brassy, broad and aggressively dramatic', 'Should I Reveal?', 'Carry Me BackTo Old Virginny'' the pace slackening for 'Sweet Fields', picking up for 'The Eyes Of Texas Are Upon You', lamenting 'All The Wrong You Done To Me' and ending, somewhat perversely, with 'I Want To Be Happy'.

Pause for sale of raffle tickets, then a more measured, possibly reflective, second set selection followed. There was 'Weary Blues' (outstanding), Brooker on song with 'One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer', 'Martha' (aka 'Maizie') a tune associated with Woody Allen (yes, THAT Woody Allen) and his Dixieland Jazz Band; Brooker again with 'When I Come To The End Of My Journey', the irresistible foot-tapper 'One Sweet Letter From You' and lastly the exhortation 'Wait Till The Sun Shines Nellie'

Set Three brought vocals - Louisiana' ('aye-eigh' not 'ee-anna' mind!) and 'Any Time You're Feeling Lonely' from Brooker; there was an ensemble rendition of 'Swanee River', the perenially popular 'Tishamingo' Blues, trombonist Milner 'On A Coconut Island' and lastly in recognition of the assorted parts of Lancashire, Yorkshire (West) and Yorkshire (North) to which Funky Butt Hall were soon to disperse 'There's A Long Long Trail A' Winding'. Hopefully a trail that will wind back to Jazz On A Sunday - and very soon.