Reviews
PLAY IT COOL, YET ONE MORE TIME
Alastair Noakes on Tuesday Night Live November 2024
I’m not alone am I, in thinking that Christmas seems to come earlier every year? The cold snap, an early dusting of snow, the adverts on the telly….
Well on Tuesday night it really did come early for the 100 or so present who were lucky enough to be at Tuesday Night Live at Heswall Hall. For what can be better than to spend time with friends embraced in a blanket of rich tones, and rhythms from a fully blown professional Jazz Orchestra.
The beauty of Out of the Blue Jazz Orchestra is that they give you something different every month. Last Tuesday we were totally spoilt. Like kids on Christmas morning, we were treated to not only one fabulous professional percussionist, but two. Charlie Ashby (who’s performed with the true greats of the pop world) brought along his equally talented friend Brian Hargreaves and they accompanied and jammed like whirlwinds. The end result was uncanny; for as the evening progressed, their expertise, their infectious vibes swept so quickly through the room, that the audiences instantly felt it, showed it and responded in kind. Indeed, they gave back in spades. Like osmosis, through their smiles and mutual appreciation, like the spread of the latest tik tok sensation, the evening took off. Subconsciously, the warmth exuded on stage had travelled from player to player, from audience member to audience member, even to the very ticket collectors at the back, as they too joined in, in dance and applause like I’ve never seen before. If someone were to have offered me a ticket to Lapland that night, you know what, I’d have declined, for the drug that is this music is the coolest on the block. Say nothing to the authorities but I suspect the band are clear users, the audience are hooked and I’m a jazz junky too.
Back in November Becky, the band’s charismatic leader tried something quite different. It is her prerogative after all. She conducted an improvised Q and A session on stage with her two guest professional percussionists. It brought a touch of fun, many unexpected laughs from all around and was intermixed with Becky’s own crazy musical stories from her past. If variety is the spice of life, well play on….. and the band did, in style. We had easy rhythm to start, latin up next, then finally, upbeat funk to finish – all in all, something for everyone.
Now if you think this style of Jazz is more for old foggies like me, then think again. Impressively and breaking the mould to some extent its attracting even younger and more talented players. Out of the Blue Jazz Orchestra have their own rising stars. Jacob Arrowsmith is in his early twenties, yet he plays the full range of saxophones plus clarinet thrown in, and he plays each in a style which is one moment seductive melancholy, the next scatty, up- tempo funk. The skill is, that he does it with ease and without hint of any wild brashness. Remember Jacob Arrowsmith – he’s one for the future.
Next up we have - on bass Joe Leedale, a cool guy who can riff and pluck like no other. On acoustic there’s Andrew Millar who jams – and reaches heights of melodic sophistication which seems barely possible. Throw them all into the melting pot of rich timing and harmonic phrasing from a full blown band in perfect synch and you have the ideal Jazz Orchestra.
Oh I’m in danger of forgetting Joan, the band’s regular female singer who’s timing and tone are so richly seductive that she’s become a true favourite with all the many regulars, the groupies who are growing by the month.
So, if you’re wondering what to get your loved one this Christmas….. if you’re out of ideas and want an experience like no other, then why not try Out of the Blue Jazz Orchestra this festive season. They next perform – Tuesday 17th December, 7pm at Heswall Hall. Go on, become a jazz junky like me but be warned its dangerously fun and seriously addictive.
OUT OF THE BLUE JAZZ ORCHESTRA PROVE IT ONCE AGAIN
Alastair Noakes on Matt Ford, Heswall Hall October 2024
It is certainly quite conceivable that a group of talented musicians, both young and old can compel an audience to turn out on a dark autumn evening to listen to their sweet melodic tones. It happens on a daily basis all around the world, every night of the year, but what is unusual, is that so many come on a regular basis every month, to listen to a style of music which is, lets face it, not so on trend any more.
We’re not talking Taylor Swift playing to sell out audiences in giant venues in the big smoke, nor garage, hip hop or rap in night clubs compared by cool DJ’s. We are talking rhythmic big band jazz and blues in small town Heswall. This is ‘no rapping’ happening, but infectious toe tapping musical swing that has hooked growing audiences for over 5 years now. In doing so, The Out of the Blue Jazz Orchestra led by their infectious band leader Becky Bell Thomas have attracted some of the world’s top musicians.
Matt Ford has entertained thousands in his sell out performances around the globe and he’s now topped the bill at the Royal Albert Hall at their annual music fest – The Proms on 4 separate occasions. Yet in October 2024 he chose to sing with Wirral’s leading up and coming big band. What’s more he was so impressed he’ll be back to entertain us again next year.
Similarly, Alan Barnes has dazzled bigger and bolder audiences with his exceptional skills on clarinet and saxophone for many, many years, but like Matt he too chose to be backed by Wirral’s own big band. Next month on 26th Nov we have Charlie Ashby one of the country’s leading percussionists who will be showing off the wealth of rhythm and sounds he can produce from his vast collection of instruments the origins of which will completely baffle the mind. If you are able to name each and every one you will be deemed a true instrument aficionado. Why do the audiences keep coming? Because Out of the Blue Jazz Orchestra are good. Indeed they are very good and the message is getting out there.
Over the next calendar year we will see many more expert soloists who will share the stage with Out of the Blue Jazz Orchestra. Expectation is building. Put those dates in your diary – remember the last Tuesday in every month at Heswall Hall. Tickets for next month – Tues 26th Nov are selling out fast. Book your seat through www.heswallhall.co.uk now. Don’t miss out.