Reporter: Tony Sheldon
Date online: 12/06/2008

A visit from Jim Wilkes is always pure entertainment and the Christmas gig's second set of seasonal songs dressed in "Bespoke Savile Row Made to Measure Santa Clothes" is always a sight to see. As usual, a full house turned out to watch their performance which veers from 'the sublime to the meticulous' – Well; I think that's the word.

The evening began with 'Weary Blues' and other blues numbers such as 'Wolverine' and 'Buddy Bolden' all played with their usual panache.

The deadpan face of Jeff Kitson with bass guitar did not disappoint with 'Just a Gigolo' and 'Let's Face the Music and Dance', whilst a two stone lighter Terry Arnold put down his trombone to sing his party piece 'Me and Jane in a Plane'.

Wilkes leading from the front with trumpet persuaded the fans to join in his vocal of 'Miss Otis Regrets' whilst the wizard of the clarinet Paul Broomhead vocalised with 'Ice Cream'. Well, it was quite hot in there!

After the Santas' sing-a-long the final set brought ten numbers of great variety. Banjo and guitarist Brian Herberg sang his Dean Martin version of 'Little Ole Wine Drinker Me', Kitson’s soft tones managed to get through 'One Sweet Letter from You' and 'I Don’t Want to Set the World on Fire' despite serious intimidation. Arnold went 'Back Home in Indiana', Wilkes asked 'If I could be with you One Hour Tonight' – cheeky! Whilst the bass guitar backed Broomhead’s clarinet and vocal admitting 'Blues my Naughty Sweetie gave to me'.

My particular highlight was a superb version of Ellington's 'Mood Indigo' with Broomhead’s melancholy Sax leading the way. The integral drumming of Howard Maud was really let loose with 'I've got Rhythm', the audience was persuaded onto the dance floor to join in 'New York New York' and Wilkes led the outro with 'A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening' as the family festivities began.

Jim Wilkes Stomping Santas
Sunday 18 December 2005