Bill Smith - cornet
Brian Sam Ellis - trombone
Johnny Rogers - reeds
Brian Mellor - banjo
Tony Pollitt - bass
John Meehan - drums
We welcomed a very smartly dressed band with bright colourful ties to Pershore Club for this month’s session. Savannah Jazz Band is one of the most popular bands in the UK and they started off with Canal Street Blues and Apex Blues to get us in the mood. They then got into gear and upped the tempo for Girls Go Crazy with a vocal by Bill Smith and some great driving drumming from leader John Meehan. What a start. An exciting fast tempo Ole Miss Rag was followed by a sultry Precious Lord with a beautiful clarinet solo by Johnny Rogers, excellent trombone solo by Brian Sam Ellis and a banjo and cornet duo which sounded lovely together. The band remembered Ian Wheeler an ex Barber band member who has sadly passed away and their exciting musical experiences before playing Deed I Do. This featured a vocal and beautiful clarinet solo from Johnny Rogers. Black Cat on the Fence was next and the band pre-empted a request for this number, as it is one that is always asked for.
It was again beautifully played with some lovely melody exchanges between cornet and reeds. We were spoilt next with a version of My Babe with real bluesy saxophone playing from Johnny and harmonica playing and vocals from Bill. This number was written for a great American blues harmonica player called Little Walter who had a hit with My Babe in 1955. He died following injuries after being involved in a fight. Bringing us to the end of the first session John let us know that the CD’s were for sale but the gig lists were free. Yes they come from Yorkshire! This set had been full of great music, humour and lots of interesting information.
Way Down upon the Swanee River a happy clappy bluesy number started the second set off as it meant to continue. Perdido Street Blues followed this with a clarinet intro and some lovely grooves on clarinet and trombone. A haunting sound expertly played. Another history lesson from John told us about the Gettysburg Battle one of the most famous and important which took place 1-3 July and hence Independence Day. This introduced The Gettysburg March with lovely harmonies throughout, driving bass coming through and the drummer boy marching along with his drum beat. The band reduced to a quartet of bass, drums, banjo and cornet for the next number, which was a Sophie Tucker signature tune Some of These Days. The vocals were from Bill and there was a lovely drumming intro to change tempo half way through.
A very tight rhythm section – no comment! Back to full band for Just a Little While to Stay Here followed by a Duke Ellington number Creole Love Call. Bill said they did this in digital and stereo and we witnessed what he meant. Bill left the stage to play at the side away from the band with lovely “calling” on the cornet. We were treated to beautifully muted trombone backed by Tony’s bass, very sympathetically played. Bill returned to the stage at the end continuing his cornet replies and a very polished ending. Very well played and as they said taste and culture. I agree and for me this was the best number of the session. Climax Rag was a number with great gusto, lovely solos and fantastic bass coming through with an excellent ending. Johnny with a clarinet feature played a lovely version of Lady Be Good a George Gerswin number with banjo solo from Brian and bass and drums. Having had no drum feature the last number was I Want to be Happy where John the “Whirling Durbisher” with all limbs taking part could let go with a great drumming intro – there was no stopping him. What a treat and a lovely number to finish a fantastic session. Going Home was played while the boys in the band were announced and the band signed off. We had experienced a wonderful night of great musical talent, a band with a sense of humour and rapport with the audience and we were all more knowledgeable for this experience in many ways. Thanks guys and we hope to see you back in Pershore again.
Maggie Smith
