Jelly Babies – Jazz on a Sunday

Photo: Valerie Bracken

Jelly Babies – Jazz on a Sunday

5 More Image(s) In Gallery

Jazz on a Sunday moved into Europe with the visit of Sweden’s Jelly Babies Jazz Band, a nine piece ensemble entertaining with numbers in the New Orleans genre.

Neatly attired in yellow and red waistcoats, the band led by clarinettist Lars Grumberger featured many vocals by their specialist vocalist Per-Arne Lindholm.

A first set of nine offerings found Lindholm contrasting with “When You’re Smiling”, the opening number and the somewhat faster “Running Wild” with the integral piano of Ulf Lindberg, the banjo of Boa Carlman, the trombone of Kaj Siefvert and the magnificent soprano sax interpretations of Ulf Dreber.

“Blues My Naughty Sweetie gave to me” introduced Martin Ljungberg on skiffleboard and vocal as he gradually moved into orbit.

The sweet clarinet of Grunberger with melodic trombone backed Lindholm’s vocal of “I’m Confessin’ That I Love You” whilst “Indiana” featured the authoritative trumpet of the veteran Jan Trygve”.

New to me “Georgia Cabin” with lead soprano sax, trumpet and an interlude for piano amongst the gentle vocal sounds of Lindholm. “All of Me” with Ljungberg in full flow and front line accompaniment and the interval beckoned with the beautiful Bechet number “Dans la Rue D’Antibes” with the dreamy tones of Dreber’s soprano sax.

“Happy Birthday” set the gig back in motion, with Trygve’s vocal and trumpet directing “Dr Jazz” with a break for skiffleboard and the front line at full power.

“Ain’t Misbehavin’” brought Lindholm back toteh mike and a trombone solo “Emhaline” from Siefvert found the rhythm being fuelled by Ljungberg’s brushes on skiffleboard.

Onto the march “Washington and Lee Swing” with the band in full sway, slowing down to powerful trumpet and gentle clarinet as Lindholm pleaded “I want a little girl”.

Ljungberg, looking decidedly not like Sophie Tucker, went skiffleboarding with decibelised tonsils with “Some of these Days” also duetting with double bass man Hans Nyman as the bar welcomed the end of the second set.

Off again with “Sweet Georgia Brown” and the first of three Lindholm vocals with Dreber’s soprano sax interspersed with Nyman’s double bass solo, followed by another unheard number “Sound Bonnet Blue and Yellow Straw Hat”, and often heard “I’ve Found a new Baby” with duet for double bass and skiffleboard and front line finish.

“Making Whoopee” gave a first vocal for Dreber with trombone piece and Lindberg’s piano with the rhythm boys and it was Lindberg combining with Carlman’s guitar in a nice arrangement of “Somebody Loves Me”.

“Sweet Sue” had Lindholm again to the fore followed by his interpretation of “Rosetta” with powered trumpet and a neat duo for Grunberger’s clarinet and Siefvert’s trombone.

The band was playing out with “I’ll See You in my Dreams” but an encore request brought a rousing exit with the band on fire with “When the Saints”.