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

In my opinion, a good reeds musician can make or break a jazz band and the acquisition of Cardiff’s John Scantlebury has added the finishing touches to a band which I have never heard play such a superb evening of jazz expertise! His clarinet was used to great effect slowly crafting “Tin Roof Blues” driving hard with leader Barry Grummet’s piano in “Running Wild” and as we lent our ears to the solo sounds of “St Jude’s Hymn” and “St Philip Street Breakdown” smoothly backed by strong piano and gentle rhythm section, and we were treated to some super sax in “Waltz of the Bells” accompanied by Tony Peatmans banjo.

Leading the front line on cornet, Swansea’s powerful Gwyn Lewis’ gravely vocals were better than ever and listening to “My Little Girl”, “Love Songs of the Nile”, “Just a Closer Walk With Thee”, “Last Night On The Back Porch (Black Porsche)”, “My Blue Heaven” and “Breeze” brought many native black aficionados to mind! Lewis accompanied himself with various muted nuances, none better than in “Way Down Upon The Swanee River”.

The comical expressions of trombonist Alan Birkinhead belies his musical qualities as he led the way with “Savoy Blues” the beautiful “Darkness On The Delta” with Lewis’ vocal and soft cornet and clarinet, and also singing “Tishamingo Blues” bringing the flugel horn of Lewis into play.

Always blending the music, Grummet’s piano took front stage with “Millenburg Joys” and “Down In Honky Tonk Town” whilst drummer Dion Cochrane took the 'mike' to vocalise with “Girl Of My Dreams” plus sax interludes and “When I Grow To Old To Dream” with the rhythmic bass of Harry Slater and Peatman’s banjo, blending quietly in the background.

And as all good things have to end, we were played out with a rousing finish of “Ice Cream” with Lewis’ vocal et al. And the musicians trekked home to Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Herefordshire and South Wales! Must take some arranging but it sure was worth it.

New Orleans Heat
The Broadfield Hotel
Sunday 15 January 2006