Pete Rudeforth Trumpet/Flugel
Richard Exall Reeds
Amy Roberts Reeds
Bob Hunt Trombone
Tom Kincaid Piano
Jim Swinnerton Double Bass
Graham Smith Drums
A good crowd assembled to hear a band that had performed at the club in 2011 and as expected we had an amazing evening of music and a great variety of tunes. The session started off with Weary Blues with Amy on flute and a great bass solo from Jim. This was followed by Sweet Lorraine, that Amy dedicated to her Nan and solos in this tune were from Pete on trumpet and Tom on piano.
A lovely version of Crazy ‘Bout My Baby written by Fats Waller was the first number with a vocal from Richard and this was followed by S’Wonderful at a cracking pace with fabulous trumpet from Pete, clarinet of Richard and trombone solo from Bob. We also heard 4 bar breaks with piano and drums from Tom and Graham. We were treated to a beautiful feature next with Pete playing Stardust, a favourite tune for many. The Sheik of Araby with drum intro had a vocal from Pete and Amy switching to clarinet – a solo with trombone and bass together sounded great and this was followed with the Chris Barber version of Chimes Blues, the 1954 number which was best associated with the late Pat Halcox. Beautiful “chimes” from the front line – one of the best versions I have heard. Another standard Ice Cream followed with Amy playing her flute and everyone taking part - probably another CB version and this brought the first set to a close.
Lady Be Good got the second half off to a good start then Mona Lisa with a vocal from Richard, and then slowing things down again with Creole Love Call – two clarinets with Pete’s echo on trumpet – excellent. After the slower paced number came Pete’s show piece – a superb version of Running Wild which had a vocal from Pete, Amy’s brilliant sax playing, Tom’s lightening fingers on the piano and a bass solo from our favourite bass player Jim with Graham keeping pace on the drums. Pete’s solo in this was mind blowing and so good – definitely a showpiece. After the showy number came the tune In A Sentimental Mood featuring Richard on tenor sax backed by the rhythm section then brightening things up again with Sunny Side of The Street and Pete on flugel and finishing the number with a rousing ending. The next tune Amy told us was the first one that she had learned, encouraged by the late Dick Chapman (ex Antique Six reed player) and she played beautiful clarinet on this number just as we know she does. Time had slipped away while we had been enthralled by the wonderful music and the last number of the evening was Sweet Georgia Brown the popular standard written in 1925 and the first song to have a sax solo. A great rousing ending brought the evening to a close. It doesn’t come much better than that!
Richard will be back with some of the CB personnel with his band Shooting Stars in March 2014. A date for your diaries already!
Maggie Smith
