Pete Rudeforth (tpt/flgl)
Richard Exall (rds)
Amy Roberts (rds)
Bob Hunt (tbn)
Tom Kincaid (pno)
Jim Swinnerton (bs)
Graham Smith (dms)
We expected an incredible evening because of the line up and that is exactly what we got. We were so pleased that the guys from The Big Chris Barber Band were prepared to give up their time to come to Pershore to play for us. Big thanks to Amy for the help with putting it all together. The session kicked off with Hindustan a good fast opening number with solos and 4’s being taken and was followed by Sugar a number with lovely sultry trombone from Bob and again some beautiful solos. The pace picked up next with Clarinet Marmalade followed by But Beautiful with a fantastic duo by Pete and Richard backed by piano, bass and drums. Simply Blues with Bob featured on trombone and a lovely piano solo from Tom backed by Graham and Jim and this number had a great finish. Richard asked for requests and Bob’s suggestion of After You’ve Gone was chosen. This had beautiful trumpet playing and solos from the front line and had the usual slow ending. Shine with a drum intro and piano and rhythm solo took us into the break. A wonderful first set.
Crazy ‘Bout My Baby with a first vocal from Richard and Amy solo got us into the 2nd set followed by Pete’s suggestion of Creole Love Call. This number started with two clarinets joined by trombone backed by the rhythm section and finally joined by Pete with a lovely trumpet solo. During Tom’s piano solo the room was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop. For me the best number of the night and it earned the applause given when the tune finished. We had a special treat (?) when Bob sang in River Boat Shuffle as this apparently is a rare occasion and he stood for his applause at the end. Unfortunately Bob had to sit for most of the performance due to a knee injury! Amy featured next with her beautiful playing of You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans backed by the rhythm boys. She received rapturous applause at the end. Well deserved. Some Of These Days a lovely up-tempo number had beautiful harmonising from the front line and Pete reaching very high notes on trumpet with Tom, Jim and Graham stomping in the background. Another treat was in store –
Pete did a feature on flugelhorn - a beautifully played and accompanied
version of Summertime that had an intricate ending. Take the A Train a full blown band number with Richard on tenor sax surging along, Pete with muted trumpet, Amy giving it some wellie like we know she can backed by the others and harmonising by the front line behind her and a great rousing finish. Whow! Richard introduced us to the band again before their final number was played. This was Bei Mir Bis Du Schon
with again solos from everyone –Richard’s haunting clarinet solo, great speedy piano from Tom, rousing trumpet from Pete and I am sure I detected the start of Big Noise in Jim’s bass solo. This number never complete without the drum solo, which was great from Graham.
Richard mentioned that this should be a session to repeat and we will certainly look to do this. A truly wonderful evening all for the price of £7.00 each!!!
Maggie Smith
