WirrOrleans Jazz Band - Jazz on Sunday

WirrOrleans Jazz Band

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With their trumpeter in absentia the WirrOrleans brought in Tony Smith, the leader of The Yorkshire Stompers, which resulted in some lack of cohesion, as much discussion was required between numbers, and whilst the expertise of the musicians could not be doubted, the flow of the performance was ‘affected’.

However, c’est la vie, and there were lots of good things to enjoy! Marching in with ‘Washington and Lee Swing’, ‘South’ slowed down the music for trombonist Andrew McKenzie to vocalise with ‘Chinatown’.

A superb version of ‘Tishamingo Blues’ featured mini-solos from Tony Smith’s trumpet, Dave Dixon’s clarinet, Mike McLaughlin’s piano and McKenzie’s muted trombone, covered in a cloth, which I assumed was not a protection against swine flu!

Alto sax and ragtime piano drove “that dah dah strain” leading to the vocal and soprano sax of Dixon’s arrangement of ‘Basin Street Blues’. Swinging versions of ‘I Got Rhythm’ and ‘Hindustan’ completed the first set.

Dixon’s clarinet got the show back on the road with ‘Algiers Stomp’ and then added a vocal to ‘Sweet Georgia’, with trombone nuances and a mini solo spot for Bert Schroeder’s banjo!

A plaintive arrangement of ‘Tin Roof Blues’ allowed some slow boogie piano to intersperse front line zeal. McKenzie’s trombone solo of ‘Avalon’ with integral rhythm accompaniment gave way to an all round performance of the popular ‘High Society’ with everyone in full flow.

Drummer and leader John Blackman brought his tonsils into plan with Sunday favourite ‘Lily of the Valley’, and a gentle arrangement of Ellington’s’ ‘Creole Love Call’ featuring Smith’s muted trumpet, trombone and soprano sax with Dixon’s long held note heading the second refreshment call.

Having played birthday greetings to Jazz on a Sunday’s Alan Walker. The band went straight into ‘Exactly like You’ followed by the contrasting ‘Memphis Blues’ strong trumpet and trombone for McLaughlin’s tinkling piano.

McKenzie eased his vocal and trombone through ‘Pennies from Heaven’ with the blending of Blackman’s brush drumming, Charlie Walkom on double bass and Schroeder’s banjo.

Frontline Frenzy powered a long ‘Musk Rat Ramble’ and Dixon’s clarinet led ‘Wolverine Blues’ as the band brought proceedings to a close.

Next gig is Sunday 9 August when the Tame Valley Stompers make a welcome return to Castleton.