With MIKE BARRY’S UPTOWN GANG at Farnborough Jazz Club on Friday, 28th November 2014, we had another happy evening. I said last week, they are a very entertaining and relaxed band, with such lovely choices of music to set the dancers going. They didn’t let us down. They looked good, they were so professional and again everyone had smiles of enjoyment on their ‘boat races’.
MIKE BARRY’S UPTOWN GANG seen here at Farnborough Jazz Club, Kent, UK on 28th November 2014. MIKE BARRY (leader, trumpeter, vocals), BRIAN WHITE (clarinet), ‘WHISPERING’ MICK HOLT (trombone& vocals), TREFOR WILLIAMS (d.bass), JOHN STUART (banjo) and GRAHAM COLLICOTT (drums). Photo by Mike Witt
MIKE BARRY (leader, trumpeter & vocals) had booked BRIAN WHITE on clarinet, ‘WHISPERING’ MICK HOLT on trombone & vocals, TREFOR WILLIAMS on bass, JOHN STUART on banjo and GRAHAM COLLICOTT on drums. A lovely line-up. They began the evening with ‘River, Stay ‘Way From My Door’ and was sung by Mike, a number recorded by Frank Sinatra, which I loved. Oh yes Mike, don’t worry, I loved you singing it too, ha. They carried on with a foxtrot number ‘I’ve Found A New Baby’, with all of them performing fabulous solos.
MIKE BARRY (trumpeter & vocalist) with his Mike Barry’s Uptown Gang seen here at Farnborough Jazz Club, Kent, UK on 28th November 2014. Photo by Mike Witt.
TREFOR WILLIAMS (d,bass) with MIKE BARRY’S UPTOWN GANG seen here at Farnborough Jazz Club, Kent, UK on 28th November 2014. Photo by Mike Witt.
JOHN STUART (banjo) with MIKE BARRY’S UPTOWN GANG at Farnborough Jazz Club, Kent, UK on 28th November 2014. Photo by Mike Witt.
GRAHAM COLLICOTT (drums) with MIKE BARRY’S UPTOWN GANG seen here at Farnborough Jazz Club, Kent, UK on 28th November 2014. Photo by Mike Witt.
Next came ‘Panama Rag’ famously recorded by the three ‘Bs’ – Barber, Ball and Bilk. This was followed on with ‘Whispering’ Mike who sang, ‘It’s Only A Paper Moon’ (both Ella and Nat had hits with it). Then Brian, who also has a super jazz voice, sang ‘Buddy Bolden’s Blues (Funky Butt)’ (remember Hugh Laurie sang it?). After a break, they played a lovely fun number called ‘The Yama Yama Man’. I could be wrong, but I don’t recall it being played here before, (I wonder if it influenced the writing of ‘The Yawning Man’ from Tom Thumb? I must show my granddaughter that one). Anyway, it was a Broadway number from a Show ‘The Three Twins’ (an odd title). Again, another number I don’t think has been played for us before, being a Sidney Bechet hit number ‘Blues in Thirds (Caution Blues)’. I loved it. Of course I just love to hear ‘Whispering’ Mike sing and act the Bing Crosby hit song ‘Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams’, what a star. He then harmonized with Mike, to ‘Down By the Riverside (Study War No More)’, which ended another truly enjoyable evening and can tell you one for your diaries, they will be back on 13th February 2015.
Cheers as always, Diane and Keith.