We had a wonderful time performing again at the Newcastle Fringe Festival this year. Our show this year had some added flair, with extra opportunities for solos, jokes, and audience participation!
Review
A Newcastle Fringe event, a late Friday evening gig, doors open to the elements, there was every chance the Bold Big Band would be heard loud and clear across the Tyne to Gateshead and beyond. As we were on the premises of the Northern Alchemy Brewery the pick had to be In Orbit (4.5%), described as a ‘classic winter session stout’.
Magic Flea opened the show in typical barnstorming Bold Big Band fashion. Backrow Politics maintained the momentum, the ace trumpet section attempting to blow the roof off the place. From Sammy Nestico and Gordon Goodwin to Hank Levy’s arrangement for the Kenton band of Time for a Change, if you’re at a BBB gig this is what you get, a full on big band sound.
The Simpsons (arr. Les Hooper) featured a rare baritone sax solo from the man himself, MD Brian Wicks, Benny Golson’s Whisper Not (arr. Michael Abene) featured the tenors Crissi Booth and Lucy McCartan, Tom Kubis’ quirky arrangement of Alexander’s Ragtime Band trained the spotlight on the soon-to-depart Ben Davies (guitar). Bass trombone man Conor Polley stepped out of the section to sing a couple – Cry Me a River (bold delivery, Bold Big Band delivery!) and, to much whooping and hollering, That’s Life.
The BBB’s scheduled one hour set extended to the best part of an hour and a half, hey, they were having fun! MD Wicks name-checked the band, taking care to note the imminent departure of three members of the band – James Bateman (trumpet) is off to Canada, drummer Dan Arenstein is heading to Australia and the aforementioned Ben Davies has landed a cruise ship job. Time for one more (a deserved encore), a rip-roaring take on The Incredibles
Pieces
Magic Flea
Backrow Politics
Time for a Change
Full House
The Simpsons
Whisper Not
Night in Tunisia
Alexander’s Big Time Band
Cry Me a River (v)
That’s Life (v)
Mr Brightside (v)
Lineup
Vocals: Conor Polley
Saxes: Jacob Lightfoot, Max Storey, Crissi Booth, Lucy McCartan, Brian Wicks
Trumpets: Billy Bradshaw, Sam Armstrong, James Bateman, Andrew Marshall
Trombones: Alex Utting, Bertie Marks, Ciaran Skipper, Conor Polley
Guitar: Ben Davies
Keys: Marcus Dawe
Bass: Ifede Osiyemi
Drums: Dan Arenstein