MARTYN BROTHER (singular) played here at FARNBOROUGH JAZZ CLUB on Friday, 15th April 2016.  Brother, Emile is back in New Orleans visiting their Dad (Barry Martyn) again. BEN, who plays double bass and sings, had booked for us FINLAY MILNE on trumpet (new to the club, I think), GEORGE SIMMONDS on trombone,  IAN BEETLESTONE on piano, JOHN ‘flashback radio’ RUSCOE on guitar and DOMINIQUE COLES on drums.  I told you with this young band, you can expect some exciting and energetic jazz, how right I was.  They play plenty of wonderful New Orleans jazz, after all, these brothers lived there, were brought up on it, but Ben, I’m so cross with you, because you have given me a hell of a job, trying to decide what numbers to mention and what to leave out as they were all good.

 

‘Help Me Make It Through The Night’ is a beautiful song of Kris Kristofferson’s, sung by Ben and although not exactly jazz, was so good, it was definitely worth a mention, one to be entertained with.  Ben certainly has one hell of a voice and everyone loved it.  My next one is ‘Summertime’ (from Porgy & Bess), played with a difference.  They gave it a cha-cha-chá tempo.  Steve and I made an attempt to dance it.  We both knew how to, though a bit rusty, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.  The next one to follow, they have played before, but this time, sung by Finlay (another great jazzy voice), namely ‘Shake That Thing’.  Of course they again as before, enticed everyone onto the dance floor.

The following number, joined by George, was a feature of Ian’s on piano.  Such a lovely number, played and sung with such sensitivity, the tune ‘Miss Otis Regrets’.  I have always loved Ella’s rendition.  Fabulous Ian.  Their next choice was sung by George, ‘The Sheik From Araby’ a Preservation Hall Jazz Band number.  It was the one we did our line-dance to. Not quite like the original dancers – ha.  Another ‘must’ to include is ‘St. Louis Blues’, certainly a Louis Armstrong favourite and again sung by Finlay, in the same style – just brilliant.  Oh, also Finlay is just one super trumpeter – I wrote it by practically every number!!!!!

 

A friend of the band, Norman Grodentz (clarinet) joined them for a couple of numbers, one of them being ‘Isle of Capri’.  This one has been recorded by so many stars in the past, one such, being Kenny Ball and his Jazz Band.  Ben’s Band were marvellous.  Finlay sang again, the tune was ‘Wont You Come Home Bill Bailey’, yep, another fantastic number (terrific guitar John) – great jazz.

The next number, backed by Ian on piano, was a feature for George.  Such an amazing young man – only 25yrs old, but showing a maturity beyond his years.  He sang ‘I Got It Bad and That Aint Good’, with such feeling.  I do hope it wasn’t from personal experience and only talent.  Such feeling in his trombone playing too, well done George, you are a star.  You should record this one Ben, this one and Ian’s too.  They wound the evening up with ‘I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream’, giving their all, each one performing solos superbly (great drums Dom) and just the right number to finish on leaving, everyone feeling happy.

Sorry some of you regulars missed it.  Laurie is back next week, so pleasedon’t miss that one.

Live’ jazz for your enjoyment.

Diane and Keith

‘Bill Bailey’ – Hughie Cannon (1902)

‘Help Me Make It Through The Night’ – Kris Kristofferson (1969)

‘I Got It Bad and That Ain’t Good’ – (m) Duke Ellington, (l) Paul Francis Webster (1941)

‘I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream’ – Howard Johnson, Billy Moll & Robert King (1927)

‘Isle of Capri’ – (m) Wilhelm Grosz (aka Hugh Williams), (l) by Jimmy Kennedy (1934)

‘Miss Otis Regrets’ – Cole Porter (1934)

‘Saint Louis Blues’ – W.C. Hanley (1914)

‘Shake That Thing’- ‘Papa’ Charlie Jackson (1925) (Kid Ory’s Creole Jazz Band)

‘Summertime’ – (m) George Gershwin, (l) DuBose Heyward (1933/34)

‘The Sheik of Araby’ – (m) Ted Snyder, (l) Harry B. Smith & Francis Wheeler (1921)