Toe-tapping night of classic swing
ABY it’s cold outside!’ But inside the temperature rose as the Sundown Swing Band and Marsh Ladies Choir took us through a toe-tappin’ concert, billed as ‘Swing Into Spring’.
Jazz-inspired, the music included wellknown showstoppers, popular power ballads and delightful folk-songs.
Winter melted into spring as we heard finger-clicking classics, introduced by witty compère and musical director of Sundown Swing, Neil Jowett.
Frisky dialogue between brass, saxophones and flute, and water-tight ensemble playing set the scene in 1940s Big Band hit In The Mood (Garland).
This versatile 15-piece band toned it down in slower numbers. Tuxedo Junction (Miller) featured some sultry and high-altitude trumpet impros. Everything had to be co-ordinated so percussion instruments roared as the big guns on the screen were firing. It was all executed perfectly, and that was clearly no fluke; it was just one example of how exceptionally talented these young musicians are. The strings played with such feeling that you had little trouble sharing the raw emotion of the troops who were enduring such misery on the front line just over 100 years ago, and the brass section joined in with the necessary punch required for such an occasion. To add to the pressure of performing the perfect score, the composer was in the town hall herself. The broad smile on her face at the end of the performance spoke volumes. “They were brilliant,” said a delighted Laura, whose Somme orchestral score was premiered at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in 2006 and performed by the Philharmonia Orchestra. “It’s not an easy piece to play, but they did themselves and me proud. It was such a pleasure to be able to hear them for myself.” There’s not much to say after that. Artists: Performance: Venue: Review: Rating:
Latin-American rhythms infused Sway (Ruiz) and In Broadway (Mann) sparkled with syncopations driven by a spot-on rhythm section.
Luscious, melting tones from singer Diane Amer thawed out any remaining chill along with side-kick Robert Gee’s velvety vocals in Baby it’s cold outside (Loesser).
Gutsy crowd-pleaser New York New York (Ebb) got us clapping along as the Marsh Ladies Choir gamely entertained us with some spontaneous leg kicks! We clapped along.
This choir mirrored the band’s eclectic musical mix under Ian Abbott’s expert direction.
Accomplished pianist Kim Kaye provided exemplary accompaniment.
Sparky theatrical numbers such as Another Op’nin Another Show (Cole Porter) glowed with the hallmarks of quality choral singing. Ensemble was faultless, diction was excellent and the voices blended seamlessly together creating a balanced and pleasing sound.
With all eyes ever on Ian, the choir met the demands of difficult arrangement Fly Me To The Moon (Howard) challenging not least as the accompaniment was rhythmically at odds with the voices. Well done ladies.
The Lake Isle of Innisfree (Daley) was a surprise winner, eliciting premature applause during its hushed conclusion.
At its peak the choir’s full-throttled unison sound bowled us over. Wave-like rhythms permeated The Seal Lullaby (Whitacre) and with some super-controlled quiet singing the sleepy feel of this song was perfectly captured.
A beautiful tone was heard in both the close harmonies of May It Be (Bhraonain) and in You Raise Me Up (Graham), which was a slowburner with a passionate finish.
Fun-filled joint performances brought the house down. Cheeky choreography coloured the sassy Diamonds are a girl’s best friend (Robin). All That Jazz (Ebb) was a fire-cracking finale.
Funds were raised for Calderdale and Kirklees Women’s Centre and Invisible Traffik, the chosen charities of concert organisers, The Soroptimist International of Huddersfield.
See the band again on April 1 (7.30pm) at Marsden Mechanic’s and the choir on April 22 (7pm) at Hope Bank Works. You won’t be disappointed.