Friday 30th August 2024 - Project Swing Big Band
A packed house was left in no doubt that the future of jazz in the Northern Rivers is in good hands, as leader and conductor Andrew Montfroy fronted the seventeen piece ensemble that call themselves the ‘Project Swing Big Band’. They formed some years ago when Andrew realised that many talented musicians leave school with no obvious outlet for the interests they’ve begun to develop, and his foresight and dedication was our reward, with two hours of tightly performed big band standards that had the dancers on their feet from their very first offering, and kept them there for the entire evening.
The authentic sound was a nostalgic warm bath, with stand-out numbers such as ‘Blue Skies’, ‘If not for you’, ‘Summer Wind”, ‘You know how I feel’ and ‘They can’t take that away from me’. Kudos to everyone responsible for putting on such an uplifting evening’s entertainment, and power to the dedicated young musos who made it possible.
The authentic sound was a nostalgic warm bath, with stand-out numbers such as ‘Blue Skies’, ‘If not for you’, ‘Summer Wind”, ‘You know how I feel’ and ‘They can’t take that away from me’. Kudos to everyone responsible for putting on such an uplifting evening’s entertainment, and power to the dedicated young musos who made it possible.
Friday 26th July 2024 - Mojo Webb Band
No review this month unfortunately!
Friday 28th June 2024 - The Clarence Jazzmen
The cold night outside had kept the crowd numbers down, but a moderately sized audience welcomed the return visit, after a gap of some seven years, of the talented five piece that together make up ‘The Clarence Jazzmen’, who still retain their original name out of respect for their roots, even though they may currently be found living in Lismore.
The jazz standards were there in abundance, including ageless offerings that included ‘Basin Street Blues,’ ‘Petit Fleur’ and ‘Sweet Georgia Brown’. In addition we were treated to such ‘sing-along’ favourites as ‘Pennies from Heaven’, ‘It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing’, After you’re gone’ and ‘I’m gonna sit right down and write myself a letter.’ Then there were the special surprises, such as a bluesy version of ‘Midnight Special’, and, by special request from the Committee, a heavily Latin flavoured ‘Caravan.’
All in all, a night to please everyone, whatever their jazz preferences, and enough glowing music to warm the cockles as we ventured back out into the cold.
The jazz standards were there in abundance, including ageless offerings that included ‘Basin Street Blues,’ ‘Petit Fleur’ and ‘Sweet Georgia Brown’. In addition we were treated to such ‘sing-along’ favourites as ‘Pennies from Heaven’, ‘It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing’, After you’re gone’ and ‘I’m gonna sit right down and write myself a letter.’ Then there were the special surprises, such as a bluesy version of ‘Midnight Special’, and, by special request from the Committee, a heavily Latin flavoured ‘Caravan.’
All in all, a night to please everyone, whatever their jazz preferences, and enough glowing music to warm the cockles as we ventured back out into the cold.
Friday 31st May 2024 - Trombone Kellie Gang
It was literally standing room only as a more than packed house played host to two of the most exciting acts that the Club has ever staged.
Up first were the ‘Whopping Big Band’, an enthusiastic line up of some twenty musos, both young and young at heart, who had the huge audience entranced by their tight and well rehearsed trip through the big band standards. Little wonder that compere ‘Scrubby Pete’ described them as ‘The future of local music’. They were obliged to do an encore to deafening applause, and the smiles on their triumphant faces said it all.
Definitely a hard act to follow, but when Scrubby morphed from compere into ‘Sliderman’ and led ‘The Trombone Kellie Gang’ on stage, they more than rose to the challenge as they proved yet again why the Club keeps bringing them back. Two action- packed hours of blues, rock and roll, jazz and gospel, delivered with an enthusiasm that belied any possibility of exhaustion. It was almost impossible to believe that Kellie herself was celebrating a birthday that night – and one with a 5 in front of it.
Up first were the ‘Whopping Big Band’, an enthusiastic line up of some twenty musos, both young and young at heart, who had the huge audience entranced by their tight and well rehearsed trip through the big band standards. Little wonder that compere ‘Scrubby Pete’ described them as ‘The future of local music’. They were obliged to do an encore to deafening applause, and the smiles on their triumphant faces said it all.
Definitely a hard act to follow, but when Scrubby morphed from compere into ‘Sliderman’ and led ‘The Trombone Kellie Gang’ on stage, they more than rose to the challenge as they proved yet again why the Club keeps bringing them back. Two action- packed hours of blues, rock and roll, jazz and gospel, delivered with an enthusiasm that belied any possibility of exhaustion. It was almost impossible to believe that Kellie herself was celebrating a birthday that night – and one with a 5 in front of it.
Friday 26nd April 2024 - The Root Note
Well, we were promised the best, and the Club didn’t disappoint. Four talented musicians at the top of the their game, let loose to do what comes naturally, and the results were inspirational, as ‘The Root Note’ took jazz to the outer limits of the genre with consummate ease.
Much of it had a bluesy influence that blended well with its jazz heritage, while giving a nod in the direction of those standards that ensured the ongoing popularity of the music we’d all come to hear, among which were ‘Georgia on my mind’, ‘Route 66’, ‘Bye bye blackbird’, and ‘My baby just cares for me’. And just to underline their versatility, guitarist Dave Longo and drummer Aaron West changed instruments for a brief while, just because they can, and the quality of their joint output never wavered for a bar. Add Will Sargison’s wrist-rattling boogie-woogie solo, and sax virtuoso Adam Thomas’s expedition to both ends of the music scale, and it was value for money and more.
It’s always a good sign when all the audience members who gather for the start of a gig are still there at the end of it, and this was one of those nights. We don’t know where Scrubby keeps finding them, but please don’t stop looking!
Much of it had a bluesy influence that blended well with its jazz heritage, while giving a nod in the direction of those standards that ensured the ongoing popularity of the music we’d all come to hear, among which were ‘Georgia on my mind’, ‘Route 66’, ‘Bye bye blackbird’, and ‘My baby just cares for me’. And just to underline their versatility, guitarist Dave Longo and drummer Aaron West changed instruments for a brief while, just because they can, and the quality of their joint output never wavered for a bar. Add Will Sargison’s wrist-rattling boogie-woogie solo, and sax virtuoso Adam Thomas’s expedition to both ends of the music scale, and it was value for money and more.
It’s always a good sign when all the audience members who gather for the start of a gig are still there at the end of it, and this was one of those nights. We don’t know where Scrubby keeps finding them, but please don’t stop looking!
Friday 22nd March 2024 - Carolyn Packer's Stompin' Rhythm Aces
Another great night, with music of a quality you’d probably have to pay hundreds of dollars a ticket for in a commercial venue. Carolyn Packer and her ‘Stompin Rhythm Aces’ more than lived up to expectations, delivering two hours of impeccable ‘down home’ jazz, blues, and boogie-woogie.
The two main musical influences came from Carolyn herself, with her penchant for anything New Orleans flavoured, and virtuoso guitarist Cameron Jones, who put his regular visits to the birthplace of Django Reinhardt to good use with his Manouche style. From New Orleans came ‘St Louis Blues’, while ‘I Love Paris’ paid tribute to the home town of the legendary ‘Quintette du Hot Club de France’. There were plenty of favourites in their programme as well, including ‘It’s a Sin to tell a Lie’ and ‘Come on down to my House’, not to mention a unique rhumba version of ‘Won’t you come home Bill Bailey’.
They inevitably received yells for an encore, as the many dancers on the floor defied exhaustion, and Carolyn not only thanked the audience for the ambience that is par for the course at our gigs, but promised to return. Since it took us so long to get her to Condong this time, let’s hope that she’s able to honour that undertaking soon.
The two main musical influences came from Carolyn herself, with her penchant for anything New Orleans flavoured, and virtuoso guitarist Cameron Jones, who put his regular visits to the birthplace of Django Reinhardt to good use with his Manouche style. From New Orleans came ‘St Louis Blues’, while ‘I Love Paris’ paid tribute to the home town of the legendary ‘Quintette du Hot Club de France’. There were plenty of favourites in their programme as well, including ‘It’s a Sin to tell a Lie’ and ‘Come on down to my House’, not to mention a unique rhumba version of ‘Won’t you come home Bill Bailey’.
They inevitably received yells for an encore, as the many dancers on the floor defied exhaustion, and Carolyn not only thanked the audience for the ambience that is par for the course at our gigs, but promised to return. Since it took us so long to get her to Condong this time, let’s hope that she’s able to honour that undertaking soon.
Friday 23rd February 2024 - Ingrid James & Libor Smoldas Quartet
A hot and humid night outside, but the welcome air conditioning of the Condong Bowlo and the cool jazz of the Ingrid James Quartet were perfect antidotes. A talented four piece featured the smooth vocals of Ingrid James, whose wide range of styles and pitches ensured a varied delivery of Swing, Latin, Blues and good old fashioned ‘scat’ singing, with popular numbers such as ‘Close Your Eyes’, ‘Midnight Sun’, ‘East of the Sun, West of the Moon,’ and ‘My Funny Valentine’ mixed in with more adventurous offerings that allowed her backing musos full range.
Particularly memorable was the guitar work of Czech import Libor Smoldas, who amazed seasoned guitarists among the audience with chords that even they had never seen before, and had them moving to the front for a free guitar lesson.
All in all, another memorable presentation from a club that never fails to deliver, and although the audience numbers were slightly reduced this month, the applause wasn’t.
Particularly memorable was the guitar work of Czech import Libor Smoldas, who amazed seasoned guitarists among the audience with chords that even they had never seen before, and had them moving to the front for a free guitar lesson.
All in all, another memorable presentation from a club that never fails to deliver, and although the audience numbers were slightly reduced this month, the applause wasn’t.
Friday 19th January 2024 - Sweet Thunder
What a start to 2024! On an evening when the humidity outside could almost have been photographed, it was great to be inside the air-conditioning of the Condong Bowlo, listening to Club favourites ‘Sweet Thunder’ giving their all in their special show ‘One Hundred Years of Big Bands’.
They dropped all the right names – Ellington, Basie, Quincy Jones and Jerry Mulligan – and they hit us with one ‘classic’ after another. After grabbing everyone’s attention with their lively opening rendition of ‘In The Mood’ they progressed through ‘It Don’t Mean a Thing . . .(reader to complete the title) and ‘April in Paris’ until their show-stopping, very brave, and first performance of their arrangement of Brubek’s ‘Blue Rondo a la Turk’. That one even foxed the dancers who until then had been very active on the floor to the side, proving yet again that Brubek is for listening to, and not for strict tempo ballroom activities.
They inevitably had to politely decline shouts for ‘more’ from the crowd that had barely diminished in number even after the raffles had been drawn – always a good sign of audience appreciation. The Club Committee assure us that they’ll be back soon, so watch this space for further details.
They dropped all the right names – Ellington, Basie, Quincy Jones and Jerry Mulligan – and they hit us with one ‘classic’ after another. After grabbing everyone’s attention with their lively opening rendition of ‘In The Mood’ they progressed through ‘It Don’t Mean a Thing . . .(reader to complete the title) and ‘April in Paris’ until their show-stopping, very brave, and first performance of their arrangement of Brubek’s ‘Blue Rondo a la Turk’. That one even foxed the dancers who until then had been very active on the floor to the side, proving yet again that Brubek is for listening to, and not for strict tempo ballroom activities.
They inevitably had to politely decline shouts for ‘more’ from the crowd that had barely diminished in number even after the raffles had been drawn – always a good sign of audience appreciation. The Club Committee assure us that they’ll be back soon, so watch this space for further details.
Friday 24th November 2023 - The Jazz Kings
A superb gig to bring a fitting close to a year of top-flight music. ‘The Jazz Kings’ left us in no doubt why they are currently rated among the top outfits on the North Coast. Each of them – Nicole Parker-Brown on vocals, Peter Uppman on vocals and trumpet (sometimes almost at the same time), Gordon Matheson on guitar, Col Atkinson on bass and yet more vocals, and Jose McLaughlin on keyboards – is an accomplished performer in their own right, and in combination they are a musical powerhouse to be reckoned with.
It was an evening of eclectic mix, from popular jazz standards, through blues arrangements that will be appearing on their latest album, to occasional dips into the classical realms, and a few nostalgic ‘pop’ reminiscences. Among the favourites were their own arrangements of evergreens such as ‘Night and Day,’ ‘All Of Me’, ‘Misty’, ‘Georgia On My Mind’ and ‘Making Whoopee’.
Jose even gave a nod towards his earlier career as keyboard player and musical director of ‘Gerry and the Pacemakers’ with his updated arrangements of ‘Ferry Cross the Mersey’ and ‘Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Crying’. All in all, a great end to 2023, and the Club Committee took time at the end to wish all members and visitors a happy and safe Xmas and a prosperous New Year. If it promises music of the same quality as this past year, then we’ll have no complaints.
It was an evening of eclectic mix, from popular jazz standards, through blues arrangements that will be appearing on their latest album, to occasional dips into the classical realms, and a few nostalgic ‘pop’ reminiscences. Among the favourites were their own arrangements of evergreens such as ‘Night and Day,’ ‘All Of Me’, ‘Misty’, ‘Georgia On My Mind’ and ‘Making Whoopee’.
Jose even gave a nod towards his earlier career as keyboard player and musical director of ‘Gerry and the Pacemakers’ with his updated arrangements of ‘Ferry Cross the Mersey’ and ‘Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Crying’. All in all, a great end to 2023, and the Club Committee took time at the end to wish all members and visitors a happy and safe Xmas and a prosperous New Year. If it promises music of the same quality as this past year, then we’ll have no complaints.
Friday 27th October 2023 - The Magnificence
Outside, the weather was as rough as it gets, but inside the music was a smooth as ever, and those who braved the wind and rain were treated to two hours of jazz with a bluesy flavour, jazz with a New Orleans kick, and jazzy interpretations of some old favourites. Five accomplished musos who rightly call themselves ‘The Magnificence’, and who have clearly been playing together for so long that they never missed a cue or a beat, delivered a varied bill of fare that kept feet tapping and dancers dancing, humming familiar melodies as they took ‘time out’ from the dance floor.
Some good old stomping New Orleans standards, of which ‘Bourbon Street Parade’ was perhaps the stand-out, mixed with selections from their latest blues inspired CD, and interspersed with novel ‘takes’ on slower ballads such as ‘Maggie’, ‘Careless Love’ and ‘Tennessee Waltz’. Their inevitable tribute to Satchmo came at the very end, as they closed the night with ‘What a Wonderful World’. The gods must have been listening in, because as we headed for the car park with happy thoughts it had stopped raining.
Some good old stomping New Orleans standards, of which ‘Bourbon Street Parade’ was perhaps the stand-out, mixed with selections from their latest blues inspired CD, and interspersed with novel ‘takes’ on slower ballads such as ‘Maggie’, ‘Careless Love’ and ‘Tennessee Waltz’. Their inevitable tribute to Satchmo came at the very end, as they closed the night with ‘What a Wonderful World’. The gods must have been listening in, because as we headed for the car park with happy thoughts it had stopped raining.
Friday 29th September 2023 - TaylorMade Blues
Another great evening’s live music, as the four talented members of ‘TaylorMade Blues’ filled the room with two hours of ‘no prisoners’ Blues. Twelve bar in its many manifestations, with a repertoire so varied as to incorporate offerings from Ray Charles (‘The Outskirts of Town’), T-Bone Walker (‘The T-Bone Shuffle’), Booker T (‘Green Onions’) and Mark Knopfler (‘I Think I Love you Too Much’).
The floor was almost permanently filled with dancers, and the audience size was little smaller by the end of the evening than it had been at the start. Full marks to Lee Taylor for his sizzling guitar licks, Moemai ES losia (“‘Sos’ to you”) for full-bodied keyboard and backing vocals support, Terry Eaves for a pounding bass that never let up all evening, and Martijn Warren for the percussive talent that held it all together.
The floor was almost permanently filled with dancers, and the audience size was little smaller by the end of the evening than it had been at the start. Full marks to Lee Taylor for his sizzling guitar licks, Moemai ES losia (“‘Sos’ to you”) for full-bodied keyboard and backing vocals support, Terry Eaves for a pounding bass that never let up all evening, and Martijn Warren for the percussive talent that held it all together.
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© 2017 Tweed Valley Jazz And Blues Club Inc
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