All who know me well, know that I just LOVE jazz music...any kind of jazz, old and modern.
Recently an email blast informed me that the Sherborne Swing band, based in the UK was going to be performing in Barbados. I knew I just could not miss this opportunity.
The sunset jazz concert was at The Frank Collymore Hall, a theatre for the cultural arts, located at our Central Bank of Barbados.
Frank Collymore Hall
Plaque outside the Frank Collymore Hall
(From the brochure) "The Sherborne School Swing band is a 22 piece big band of the Duke Ellington/Count Basie tradition, and has an enviable reputation both locally and further afield. Based in the UK, membership of the band is by audition: places are highly sought and the competition is strong. The band performs all over the UK."
The band is from The Sherborne School in Dorset, England, and is made up of 15-18 year olds.
It includes two great vocalists.
Sorry we were not allowed to take any photos during the performance, but it was a fantastic treat for me.
Those young guys could make those instruments sing. Imagine a stage with 22 lads with shiny big band instruments, (trumpets, trombones, saxophones, drums), playing for their lives, tapping their feet in a lively percussion, led by their Director, Mr. James Henderson, a jazz enthusiast with comedic flair.
Their repertoire is extensive, and included the music of Charlie Parker, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller, Frank Sinatra, Michael Bublé among others.
I was thrilled at the performance of these talented youngsters performing well-known rat pack tunes with such great style. They performed such great hits as,"Yardbird Suite", "Salt Peanuts", "Fly me to the Moon", "At Last", "Just in Time", "Beyond the Sea", "Sing Sing Sing" ,"New York New York", and "Feeling Good" which is now more popular because of the Weight Watcher's ad with Jennifer Hudson, and many more favourites (25 sweet tunes in all!!)
After a rousing performance, a standing ovation ensued and shouts of "Encore!" filled the hall. They obliged and returned with another rendition of "Pennsylvania 65000."
What an enjoyable evening. Outrageously Brilliant!!!!
It sounds like a great foot-tapping night out. Oddly much as I love jazz and swing I very rarely listen to it. For me it's music to be appreciated in concert live even though I have a lot on CD and computer.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you had a good time.
PS You wouldn't like to consider disconnecting the word verification would you? It can be a real pain. I've never had it on my blogs and I don't have any problems.
I am a newbie, had no idea it was on..I'll figure out how to turn it off.
DeleteOkay, I think it's taken care of now...let me know, and thanks for the tip.
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