Kelvin Christiane Big Band - The Cabbage Patch

Ian Smith - trumpet

We were pressed in tighter than a sardine sandwich last week (02/02/2015) at the Cabbage Patch Pub to launch the first Big Band night at Twickenham Jazz Club's new home. Not only was it rammed full of keen audience members but a 16 strong Big Band to boot.



Bob McKay -
Saxes

With its warm and welcoming ambience I think the word 'cosy' might be an understatement to describe this night but don't think this was pipe and slippers fare in the Patchworks bar. The heat comes from those manly perspiring musos and the red hot tunes fired relentlessly into eager jazz lovers.



Noel Joyce - drums

If you have never been before, then a Big Band night comes with a heavy recommendation, if not for the music then for the interaction and dynamism of the band. Four banks of musicians line up before you. Piano, bass and drums are relegated to the back, carolled behind the standing trumpeters who teeter above them. In front of the trumpets sat four trombones and the those in the vanguard were the saxophones.

Chris Lowe - Trombone

Benny Golson's 'Whisper Not' was certainly an understatement as the front row of the audience felt the full blast of the saxophones, who sat just inches away. The equally apt 'Nutville' (Horace Silver) was next and if you hadn't already guessed it there is a dark and infectious humour that rolls around a Big Band. Kelvin Christiane's band is no exception, and where there is humour they'll be a few headcases too. Against the grain was Chris Lowe who is composure and elegance personified. His trombone solo was as neat and debonair as his attire.



Nick Mills - Trombone

It was the Christiane penned 'Spring Lullaby' next, if you were expecting to be rocked asleep then hold onto your gunnels because night time in Kelvin Christiane's mind is both dark and turbulent. Nick Mills (trombone), Pete Hurt (sax) and KC himself all featured. Despite the tune appearing on Christiane's Parisian Summer album this feels and smells strongly of mid-century USA. The Continental Op chewing gum, a long night, perhaps a killer in the shadows but most certainly there's a deliberate and powerful punch to conclude this pulp fiction yarn.

Damian Cook -
Soprano

Damian Cook (soprano saxophone) and Pete Hurt (flute) featured proudly on the Stevie Wonder tune 'You've got it bad girl' before we indulged ourselves in another Twickenham Jazz Club favourite, 'Joy Spring'. It was here that I spied one of a series of new faces to me. Pianist Jim Treweek started this Clifford Brown tune with fluidity and dexterity, one might even say playful.



Jim Treweek - piano

Jim Treweek shone again on 'Toothless Grin' (John LaBarbera), his pearly whites radiated from the rear of the Cabbage Patch stage. This was an on-your-toes performance, started by Bob McKay on flute, which then pulsed into a rolling mass, happily careering under its own momentum. The Kelvin Christiane Big Band were a carnival float cascading down a San Francisco descent, and we were more than happy to hitch a lift.

Jonathan Lewis - Trumpet

The second set was opened by hostess Lesley Christiane with Gershwin's ''S Wonderful' and Bart Horward's 'Fly me to the moon'. It was a time to sit back and take in the full impact of the Big Band that rose up behind Madame Christiane. Ian Smith with his 'Milk Tray Man' turtleneck and Charles Dance visage caught the discerning eye.

Stuart Brooks - Trumpet

It is often the trumpeters who end up in my sketchbook, two with contrasting styles are Stuart Brooks whose trumpet projects out to the audience at right angles to the stage, while Jonathan Lewis' has a severe case of Brewers Droop. Do not doubt his virility though, he has enough punch in that trumpet to take you to heaven and back. Matt Yardley amply completed the quartet with equal force and power.

Richard Sadler
Bass

The penultimate tune of the night was Buddy Rich's Groovin' Hard, it strutted and skipped straight into it's stride like a Man-about-town. It was dapper. It had a purpose, a mission, a raison d'etre even, but lets not sound too pretentious. The man about Twickenham is of course local bassist Richard Sadler, who has, with one slice of his razor relinquished his Lord Lucan looks in favour of a clean cut approach.



Martin Nickless
Sax & Clarinet

It is a failing of mine to be too light hearted with the talents of these accomplished musicians but sometimes they add the grist to the mill themselves. Tonight though the Kelvin Christiane's Big Band were the essence of focussed zeal, Brotherhood and togetherness. There was not a breath of hot air in their final tune "Wind Machine". It was as punchy as anything rumbling off the Siberian steppes. Which prepared everyone nicely for their walk home.
 
AL.

Chris Gower - Trombone

Dave Eaglestone - Trombone

Matt Yardley - trumpet

Pete Hurt - flute & sax



Stuart Green
Cabbage Patch landlord
and sound engineer.



Dan Redding's Bandeokee 2014

Dan Redding - Power of Love

UNESCO's International Jazz Day is but an anti-climax in comparison with the annual event of Bandeokee in Kingston that I had the pleasure of attending earlier this month. It is the night when some of the finest musicians in the country emerge from the shadow of their talent, leaving their instruments at home and instead pick up a microphone and sing for their supper. It is an act of bravery, for not only are they exposing themselves in front of their contemporaries and peers but also sharing the stage with non-musicians who often outshine them in both style and purity of voice.

Bob McKay -
In the air tonight

The collective gleam of sweat that greeted me as I walked into The Cricketers pub on Good Friday (18/04/2014) was almost blinding, as musicians and non-musos alike awaited their turn to be called on stage. It is testament to the personality of guitarist Dan Redding that the room was filled with so many people willing to humiliate themselves, for this night was originally a birthday party but now has grown into a behemoth that will one day outstrip Glastonbury in its cult worship.

Chris Nickolls -
Born in the USA

The first tune is reserved for Redding himself for he knows that the earlier you get the monkey off your back and sing your song, then the quicker you can relax and enjoy yourself. He performed 'Power of Love' and in keeping with the mid eighties period had bouffed his hair to BIG proportions.



Marc Le Guerrannic

Not only do we, the audience, enjoy the spectacle but it seems the band does too, with a core of Paul Jordanous (Keys), Holley Gray (Bass), Marc Le Guerrannic (guitar) and Cem Andre (drums) who gently giggled away in the background. As well as being a terrific night of entertainment it is also a night of speed sketching on my part, with only one tune per performer you have to throw yourself into your work. Hence I have not drawn everyone, and apologies to those I have missed.

Leo Appleyard -
My Everything

After our host, came Bob McKay who is no stranger to the big stage, I remember settling down to watch a heady session of Songs of Praise one Sunday only to be confronted by Mr McKay and his piccolo in full flow. This night he sung Phil Collins' 'In the air tonight' in the style of Leonard Cohen and he was impressive with his soft sensitive drawl. The bar had been raised high.



David Horden -
Easy like Sunday morning

Chris Nickolls didn't knock the bar from it's teetering height either, and the normally shy drummer of Shez Raja fame puffed out his chest and gave it his all. I think he has the right idea, if in doubt belt it out, and he sang his lyrics as though he were Springsteen himself in a stadium rather than the more modest Cricketers.

Jonathan Bird -
It's raining men

Despite Leo Appleyard's lambasting at last year's Bandeokee gig he came back for more, foolish or courageous you have to admire the man. With those boyish good looks and heartbreaker eyes you would have thought he had the voice of an angel. Unfortunately Appleyard does not have all of God's gifts bestowed upon him, although his rendition of Barry White's 'My Everything' hinted that his prowess in the bedroom shouldn't be underestimated.

Bill Mudge - Keys

Now here is where I missed a sketch. The next performer was Steve Gilbertson who couldn't keep still longer than a second and ended up spread-eagled on top of Cem Andre's drum kit by the end of 'Dancing on the ceiling' where he was less Lionel Ritchie and more Roger Daltrey in his destructiveness. I did capture yoga champion and trombone supremo David Horden who continued the Ritchie vibe with 'Easy like Sunday morning'. I suspect that the way Horden was bolstering himself with Dutch courage that Sunday morning would have been the moment he cast off his Good Friday hangover.

Piers Green -
Baker Street

Paul Jordanous gave his Big Band leader Jonathan Bird his very best on the camp anthem 'It's raining men'. Bird's performance was one of contradictions, he played his trump card, a handsome face like a young Marlon Brando but it wasn't quite enough to convince even his most ardent groupies. Similar to his legendary jokes there was a squirm factor in his performance just like watching David Cameron dance the Macarena.

Sam Leak -
Purple Rain

Piers Green galvanised a team effort around him for Gerry Rafferty's 'Baker Street' with Bill Mudge (Keys), a superb contribution from Le Guerrannic (Guitar) and a scintillating Bob McKay (Sax). The finger in the ear like David Coleman displayed how seriously he was taking his singing. Next was Lynsy with 'Don't you want me baby' which was theatrical so say the least, I assume that she is a thespian of some repute

Chris Southwell
Bitter Sweet Symphony

The second set was stolen by last year's hero Sam Leak, who downed a quick shot before taking to the stage. His 'Purple Rain' was both comparable to Prince himself in voice but also in curly dark looks and a swarthiness that could blunt a razor within 50 paces. A jealous voice in the crowd called out for a Stewards Enquiry. He was that good!

Tony Heiberg -
Norwegian Wood

A fine 'Bitter Sweet Symphony' from Chris Southwell could have left a pregnant pause after Leak proceeded him with such quality. To Southwell's credit he didn't let that phase him.

Kingston royalty was in the house with the arrival of Tony Heiberg on the dais and he inadvertently galvanised the crowd with his 'Norwegian Wood'. After the first verse his singing dropped away in preference to his beloved guitar and the sizeable crowd took up the reins.




Kate Reid & Gregor Ross -
Parklife

Despite the next tune being authentic mockney in delivery I assumed we had stumbled upon the set of 'Made in Chelsea' with two such beautiful people before us. Gregor Ross with bottle of beer in hand commanded the stage with his textured voice while Kate Reid gave us the thrust of Blur's Parklife, definitely more Park Lane than Skid Row.

Michael Kew -
Easy Lover

I recognised one of last year performers with his shock of blonde hair and sailor suit stripes, Michael Kew cut quite a figure, musically he hit the highest of notes amongst the his fellow male voices. It is with regret that I didn't capture his fellow 'Easy Lover' Tom Woerndal as they would have made quite a couple. Although Woerndal, with his arran sweater looked like he had just come of the set of a Scandinavian Murder drama so perhaps it is better I kept my pen sheathed.



Jenna -
Blurred Lines

The night hit an upward curve at this point (or maybe the amount of alcohol had dulled the senses) and Matthew Cox steered the safe route through Kenny Loggin's 'Danger Zone' before a duet between Sam Gusson and Jenna brought the crowd to the peak of excitement. Jenna it seems is much like Cher, Lulu and Beyoncé in only needing one name to advertise her wares.

Jonathan Lewis -
Delilah

It seems Sam Leak had less than an hour to bask in his Number One status before it was cruelly snatched away from him in an audacious and powerful counter attack by Jonathan Lewis. His performance was so theatrical that it felt like we were watching a scene from Carmen rather than a Tom Jones pastiche of 'Delilah'. Yet Lewis is no imitation or parody, here is a man who has shorn his locks but unlike Samson shows no lack of strength or virility because of his shiny pate.

George Bone -
Use Me

Before I lost all ability to hold a pen and quite possibly the dexterity to get myself to the toilet without my wife's help later in the night I danced a little jig to George Bone and Bill Withers' 'Use Me'.

Matthew Cox -
Danger Zone

Another fantastic night was topped off by Helen Mayson with Skee Lo's 'I wish'. It wouldn't be too much to ask the genie next time I rub his lamp if we could have another Bandeokee next year. For my other two wishes I will ask for a 'Rhythm Stick' to help me perform a passable Ian Dury and the courage for me to step up on stage like the other brave singers.

AL.

Helen Mayson -
I Wish

Sam Gusson -
Blurred Lines

The dark side of Kelvin Christiane

Kelvin Christiane - Saxophone

Why would an artist choose to sit in front of 16 burly musicians and attempt to capture them all on paper in just two hours. Some might say I was destined to fail last Tuesday (10/09/2013) and they were right. It was the opening of Twickenham Jazz Club's Autumn/Winter season and the 16 specimens of manhood that presented themselves for roll call did so under the gaze of sergeant major Kelvin Christiane. Of course what brought me to attempt such a challenge of immortalising all these loyal jazz soldiers was the feel good factor of the Big Band.

Graham Russell - Trumpet

When faced with such a united front the best plan is to pick off a few well known faces and get them into your sketchbook. Although they looked sternly at me like Mussolini's Squadristi in their Blackshirts I knew that there were a few jokers in the pack. Chief among them being the irrepressible Graham Russell, who gently wafted his quips through the trumpet line like a naughty pupil with a stash of stink bombs.

Richard Sadler - Bass

Just behind Russell was bassist Richard Sadler, another stalwart of Christiane's ensembles, deep in thought, eyes barely rising above the trumpet trenches above him. Nowadays he sports a look somewhere between a young Lord Kitchener and the Village People's biker. I have to say he plays bass vastly better than both.



Graeme Taylor - Keys

The rearguard of Big Bands are often neglected so it was a pleasure to outflank them and spy a jocular Graeme Taylor on keys. He must be a good stick, for here is a man who is a leader in his own right. On this night demoted to water carrier for the saxophones at the front but usually he is the General of the Hot Waffle Big Band, a scorching funk ensemble, terrorising the Watford area.

Noel Joyce - Drums

To complete the back line was Noel Joyce. Hot from recording the latest Kelvin Christiane Album, The Arrival, along with Nigel Price and Larry Bartley. It is a CD of two halves, with the tunes split between Christiane's flute and baritone saxophone. I had been happily pressed-ganged into action for the artwork. You'll be able to buy it very soon from his website. LINK HERE



Jonathan Lewis - Trumpet

Although we started with Sammy Nestico's sweeping 'Switch in Time', it was a mere warm up for an excellent Christiane tune 'Spring Lullaby' from his Parisian Summer album. Jonathan Lewis (trumpet) was especially evocative by extracting the darkest themes from what is a particularly menacing lullaby. One eye swivelled toward us while the other shut, unnerving us even more. Max Macson, who recently appeared in Danny Boyle's 'Trance' and knows a thing or two about film scores, lent over and commented on its brooding nature, "Just like Leonard Bernstein's West Side Story".



Paul Jordanous - Trumpet

We were of course treated to Big Band staples that roused our cockles, none played better than by the late arriving Mr Paul Jordanous. The man is so busy, he may have well just hopped off a plane from the continent where he is in demand. It was back in London where I've heard the most glowing report of his skills at an Association of British Calypsonians concert recently from Rich Rainlore who just said "Spectacular". He lived up to expectations on Benny Golson's 'Whisper Not'.

Damian Cook - Alto Sax

'Thumbs' gave me a first glimpse of alto saxophonist Damian Cook. The lighting at the Bloomsbury can be problematic for the big band, after all it would be hard to train 16 spotlights on the performers. So Cook was deep in shadow and this cast a deep and thoughtful shadow on his demeanour. He may well be the most delicate of flowers but here he looked as though he had walked straight out of a Scandinavian murder drama, resplendent with an Arctic Circle beard.



Nick Mills - Trombone

Then came another Christiane composition, 'Thrills'. Strange in that it juxtaposed itself against all the togetherness of previous swinging tunes. Appealing because of its moments of discord and mature after the lightness of the tune preceding it, 'Joy Spring'.
Nick Mills solo epitomised the sentiment, slowly working toward unison then breaking the underlying themes apart. Thrills it was, as Mills became redder and redder as he took centre stage and we all wondered if he was going to blow the inner gasket in his impressive chest.

Chris Lowe - Trombone

'Groove Merchant' proved the perfect foil for Chris Lowe on trombone. Usually he wields his trombone as though he were a dueller seeking satisfaction from a rival suitor, but here was a more earthy and rich solo. Distinguished of course, but with Stuart Brooks they were like two gutsy Flappers dancing on the their big band table. Brazen and stylish.

Lesley Christiane

Lesley Christiane catapulted our post break blues away and despite being a little down hearted at the start of the evening, brought us her razzmatazz in the form of 'Taking a chance on love' and 'Orange coloured sky'. Once again she proved she is the doyenne of The Bloomsbury's Jazz scene.



Dave Eaglestone - Trombone

Before signing off let me mention the double barrels of Dave Eaglestone on trombone and Duncan Lamont Junior on Baritone saxophone.
Eaglestone rarely takes his turn in the limelight yet is undoubtedly the 'engine' of the band. Lamont was smooth, if that isn't an insult nowadays, on 'Superbone meets the bad man'.

Pete Hurt - Tenor Saxophone

Finally, Pete Hurt gave us his arrangement of 'Star Eyes'. Hurt is the epitome of substance over style, his playing style reminds one of the way Geoffrey Boycott converses, out of the side of the mouth and with a no nonsense approach.

It was great to be back in the company of the Twickenham Jazz Club crowd, warm in its embrace as the Autumnal nights draw in. The dark tinged lullaby of Kelvin Christiane's self-penned tunes brought us the thrill of September with its steamy breath and sweet orange decay. The Big Band's music though defies this yearly disintegration, capturing the audience in its fairytale spell, and bestowing upon us the ability to reverse the ageing process. If I keep going to their monthly nights I'm hoping I will be rejuvenated in the time for the Christmas party season.

AL.



Stuart Brooks - Trumpet

Chris Gower - Trombone

Duncan Lamont Junior -
Baritone Saxophone