| RAE BROTHERS NEW ORLEANS JAZZ
BAND
Few local jazzmen so exemplify the Geordie spirit as the Rae brothers, Dave (banjo) and Mac (clarinet, sax, trumpet, drums and homespun philosophy). However, you are just as likely to encounter them floating down a river in France, propping up a bar in Copenhagen or relaxing in the sun on some Mediterranean isle as you are to find them in the pubs and clubs of Tyneside. Such is the appeal of this six-piece band, formed to play in the true New Orleans ensemble style, that they have conquered jazz audiences all across Europe, and even impressed the world-weary sophisticates of London and the south-east (including triumphant appearances at the legendary 100 Club). The secret of their success lies in the sincerity and apparent simplicity of their approach to the music of New Orleans, with a relaxed beat and emphasis on ensemble work that follow in the footsteps of such heroes as George Lewis and Bunk Johnson. |
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| RED HOT REEDWARMERS
One of the big hits of Whitley Bay in 2007, this talented young European
band has members from France, Switzerland and Germany. The Reedwarmers
employ the two-reed front line of the Jimmie Noone Apex Club Orchestra
and play much of Noone’s repertoire. The main protagonists are
Aurélie Tropez (first seen here in 2005 with the Steamboat Band)
and Stéphane Gillot (who we first met with the Jazz Daniels
Jazz Puddleurs in 2003). Between them, these two protégés
of legendary French clarinettist Jean-François Bonnel muster
six different reed instruments, making possible a wide variety of tone
colours: they also specialise in tightly-arranged passages executed
with breathtaking speed and accuracy. With a rhythm section boasting
the dynamic piano playing of Martin Seck (of Hot Antic fame), the band
succeeds brilliantly in bringing to life the ambience of 1920’s
Chicago South Side. With young lions like this, there’s hope
for the music yet! |
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RIVER CITY JAZZMEN
The River City Jazzmen were founded in 1955 and quickly became one of the leading bands in the North East. The present-day band still has a wide following: it has backed many visiting musicians, and has toured Britain and abroad with the likes of Wild Bill Davidson, Doc Cheatham, Digby Fairweather, Roy Williams and many others. Perhaps their finest hour was when the River City won the prestigious Breda International Jazz Competition in Holland in 1984, competing against 120 bands from as far afield as America and Australia. Nowadays the band, under the leadership of trombonist Gordon Solomon (the man who gave Sting his nickname when he was playing bass with the Phoenix Jazzmen) try to include various styles of jazz in a performance – while the basic repertoire and style is traditional, a typical concert may also contain compositions by Johnny Hodges and Duke Ellington alongside the New Orleans numbers. Our photo shows the 1982 band at Breda. |
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| SJÖSTRÖM’S TAP ROOM GANG Adrian Rollini was the man who liberated the bass sax from its purely rhythmic role and made a bunch of fine recordings with Bix, Joe Venuti, Eddie Lang and other famous jazzmen. In 1935 Rollini opened up in the Tap Room of the Hotel President in New York, recording as “Adrian’s Tap Room Gang”. Sweden’s Frans Sjöström worships Rollini (as can be clearly perceived from his playing) and here he leads a session of hot jazz as it may have been played in the Tap Room. The band includes Andy Woon on trumpet, plus iconic reedman Norman Field, violinist Mike Piggott, Maoro Porro on piano, Spats Langham on guitar and Debbie Arthurs on drums. Astute readers may realise that this is the same line-up as Debbie’s Sweet Rhythm, but the repertoire will be different and, what the heck, it makes it look like we have more bands than we really do….. |
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