Back to Big Bang and back to the Royal Northern College of Music's theatre - an intimate space that comes alive with grandness - with their special guest and renowned trumpeteer, Nathan Bray.
Beginning with the brassy ‘Willow Weep For Me’, featuring the first of many cameo parts from Tasuku (Taz) Noguchi on tenor saxophone. Then we heard the wonderful talents of pianist Drew Casey on grand piano as he provided the introduction to ‘Country Road’, also featuring the first of a few solos from trombonist George Hardwick. This had the form of a film soundtrack and could have easily been a track from the musical Fame. A piece by Maynard Ferguson, this 70s track set the tone of dynamics and the high level of talent, regularly referred to by the band leader.
Then came a duet of ‘Memories Of You’ (known from the Ted Heath band) with Bray, from fellow trumpet player Cameron Lockett, before the classic jazz piece, ‘Georgia On My Mind’ - a version by the band of The Tonight Show lead by Harry James.
A Latin beat with a Cuban feel followed in ‘Mira Mira’ - which Bray transcribed from a video on YouTube by the Blue Whisp Big Band, but found to be an 80s score from Maynard Ferguson - with a drum solo from Joshua Savage, before Stan Tracy’s ‘Feather, Fin and Limb’. Sadly this didn’t have as much impact as it could have due to the lack of microphones, which was a shame for the solos from the likes of trumpeter Will Dakin and bass saxophonist Rebecca Corbett. Bringing us to the interval was The Carpenters’ ‘We’ve Only Just Begun’ - which Derek Watkins played in the Nelson’s Column band, founded in a pub - bringing the first half focusing on a tribute to trumpeters to a close.
The second half was more around the music of Nathan Bray himself, following the journey of Newark - the Lincolnshire town he is from - and the suite which he wrote, commissioned by the council, after establishing a jazz festival in the town which included 60 gigs over 3 days. The first of six pieces was ‘Blow, John Blow’ which comes as a 17th century style composition, featuring Taz on clarinet and tenor sax. Second was ‘Passing By’, a piece around the Trent river. Then a representation of the busy A1, built by the Romans, in ‘Ermine Street’ which it was originally named. One thousand years ago a lady from Newark married a man who sadly passed on, then she married another from Coventry who also died before she was admitted to a care home to leave to higher service herself. Her name, Lady Godiva or ‘Godgifu’. Penultimately, a comedy piece came in the style of Ellington (with influence from Echoes of Ellington band leader Pete Long, who we saw last time) around the character of King Charles - a dark vibe with a camp overtone - who was beheaded, and 1600s Civil War which involved the town. This included the talents of George and Drew on trombone and piano, respectively.
Finally, “The Fun Side Of Newark” and “A Key To The North”, portrayed the bustling market and busyness of the town.
The whole concert was a pleasure to attend, on a cold night and was enhanced by the lighting effects and air of relaxed sophistication.
Reviewer - John Kristof
on - 2/2/19
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