Si's Sights And Sounds looks back on the Maiden City's annual jazz extravaganza...
The Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalists quite literally bring us sunshine (there’s even an Eric Morecambe dance on stage!) before taking the audience on a trip through the ages of musical cinema. If it’s not “Too Darn Hot” one moment, they’re telling us “You’re The One That I Want” before delivering an interactive rendition of “I Wanna Be Like You”, complete with monkey noises. With “The Bare Necessities” to follow, it’s like classic Disney on stage. Add the stage presence and glamour of the lovely Miss Rebecca Grant, and you get a performance full of fun, something that’s terrific in its charming simplicity.
Now, imagine the Londonderry Musical Society’s “Showstoppers” concerts in a more intimate venue. Next, reduce the sixty strong choir to a couple of soloists, one male, one female. Then throw in some unique instruments and specialist musicians, and you’ve got the Brass Impact Big Band virtually down to a tee; a good old fashioned tribute to all kinds of music for all ages. It’s like a tour through a library of ten decades of music, ranging from Judy Garland to Frank Sinatra to Van Morrison to Michael Buble; and both soloists shine, with Iain Ewing’s deceptively nonchalant, effortlessly smooth vocals a perfect counterpart to the boisterous and impressive delivery of Pat Keating.
Just as I am ready to call it a day on the Friday, I hear an excitable commotion coming from the Millennium Forum. It’s the recently formed eight-piece band The Euphonics. Their range and youth make them an easy draw for the Forum’s Piazza, which is packed with dancers young and old. Lead singer Michelle McCarron catches the eye; for someone so small, she is remarkably energetic. Neil Hannon once said, “Don’t blame the young”, and if they keep performing with as much spark as this, then why should we?
To wind off their Saturday evening, punters have a choice of the old school swing of The Jazz Lads in the Monico Bar, or the more modern ensemble funk of Portobello. Both bands play to a crowded house, but don't dream it's over... the best is yet to come.
Sunday afternoon. And, after recovering from the blues and soul of The Haciendas the night before, which keeps everyone going way beyond the midnight hour, it’s time to return to the Playhouse. Waiting for us are the “jazz hands” of the Paul McIntyre Quartet and their special guest, saxophonist Jean Toussaint. It’s a set which makes you think of the Jazz Festival as a whole, and even larger festivals like the Edinburgh Fringe; not only do people from all over the world come to see it, but there’s a surprise waiting for you no matter where you look.
By the time we descend on Mason's on Monday night, for the Thumpin' Jellyfish, they assume that we "might be as hungover" as them - and given what we’ve experienced this weekend, we’re all inclined to agree. Still, their mix of country rhythm and mod rock keeps a significantly smaller, but seemingly no less energetic Mason's crowd buzzing into the early hours of the morning.
It is left for me to reflect on what I think the highlight of this year's festival has been. And the answer to that is...
To be continued...
To be continued...
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