Swinging at the Cotton Club

Swinging at the Cotton Club

The Lowry, 15 June 2012

This was an assured, immensely entertaining show, full of undulating song and fantastic dance.

Most songs were jazz standards, with a few blues and show-tunes added to the mix.  Some dances were lindy hop, others tap, and even the Charleston got a look in.  Not a Sambola in sight, though.  That dance craze has not yet caught on or been reprised, despite its recommendation by the blonde one (Greta Gerwig) in Damsels in Distress.

It was wonderful, and wholly unexpected, to see that Amy Roberts was one of the members of the Harry Strutters’ Hot Rhythm Orchestra.  Just 18 months ago she was playing in the RNCM Big Band, where she gave Pete Long a run for his money on the clarinet.  Now she’s playing professionally and is well on her way to making a mark.

RNCM Big Band with Pete Long

RNCM Big Band with Pete Long
Royal Northern College of Music, 15 December 2010

Whoever would have conceived that the delicate clarinet could have given rise to such terrific music?

In this show Pete Long considered the role of the clarinet in jazz, from its early adoption, right through the swing era, and on up to modern times.  There were a slue of fine performances of grand works by the likes of Fats Waller, Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw and Thad Jones.  And above all, Duke Ellington: for one of Long’s attractive qualities is that he cannot disguise his enthusiasms and passions.  Ellington is the pinnacle for Long, as he was too for Boris Vian.  Truly, there was an abundance and an indulgence of musical riches; it was like being locked overnight in a sweet shop.

As host and compere, Long was top-notch: convivial and humorous, generous towards the band (and towards the wonderful Amy Roberts in particular, a young clarinet player to watch out for in the near future), enthusiastic and erudite.  He played a mean clarinet, an’ all.  Even though ‘mean clarinet’ as an epithet probably qualifies as an oxymoron.  Discuss…

This was an evening of vivacious, energising music and most of us learnt something too.  All in all, it was splendid entertainment; what more could you ask for?  Well, free chocolate would be nice.