Last Thursday, the college Jazz Band took to the stage at Clair Hall in Haywards Heath to perform for the University of Third Age.
Kicking off the concert was the powerful A Train, featuring a solo from Toby on the alto saxophone, after which there was a lovely buzz amongst the audience. Bubbert’s Groove followed with Lio on trumpet taking the spotlight with his highly skilled solo. Next was an arrangement of Miles Davis’ So What, featuring some fast-paced, skillfully performed passage-work from the tenor saxophones, and improvisations from Lio on the trumpet and James on tenor, giving the performance style and personality. Matthew G’s solo performance of Ladybird on the piano provided a brief, refreshing twist. Chris, a baritone player by trade, also took to the stage with a performance of the appropriately named Stormy on alto saxophone. Basin Street Blues followed with a highly impressive solo from Toby on alto, and then On Broadway with its powerful crescendos and varied layering of instruments. James and Toby show-cased their talents in a number of solos. Sesame Street’s famous theme tune was a lively, characterful choice, and Matthew S’s walking bassline brought depth and pace to the performance.
Saxes with Attitude provided an energy-filled end to the first half of the concert, when Jamie showcased his sharp drum kit skills. By this stage, our trumpeting trio were grooving along to the melodic saxophone playing at the back. “Absolutely brilliant” one member of the audience commented.
After a long break whilst the audience stocked up on cake, Georgia wowed the audience with her vocal performance of Straighten up and Fly Right. The jazz band classics Autumn Leaves and Girl from Ipanema came next, providing sultry and bossa nova styles respectively. After Sunday Afternoon, Satin Doll concluded the performance with a final solo from Matthew G.
