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An evening of big band swing by two contrasting ensembles. One a hard-swinging outfit jam-packed with soloists, the other a powerhouse show band. First up was SSBB and the home team set a high bar. As always, Alice shone - her voice as sparkling as her gown. She dazzled on Lost in the Memory, Midnight Prayer and Cherokee. The latter tune had Alice scatting and trading fours with Steve Summers on alto. Less flamboyant, but equally talented was Sue Ferris on both piccolo and ba

Over the years I have been fortunate to see and hear live many of the world's greatest jazz clarinettists including: George Lewis, Edmund Hall, Peanuts Hucko, Buddy DeFranco, Bob Wilber, Kenny Davern, Jimmy Hamilton, Vic Ash, Sandy Brown, Adrian Cox and Alan Barnes. I think you'll agree that that is quite an impressive list so that when I say that Giacomo Smith is now a worthy addition to that collection of big hitters you'll realise the greatness we had in our midst last ni

Paul Booth, SSBB, the Beach Boys and a couple of extra singers including the venue's owner; put them all together and see what happens. It could be the biggest disaster since the sinking of the Titanic or it might just be an unmitigated triumph. I'm pleased to say it was undoubtedly the latter and no might just be about it When the band hit the deck with Light my Fire by the Doors we knew they would keep their end of the bargain. Next up, the man of the moment, Paul Booth, em

All arrangements and transcriptions by Stuart McLean-Fowler I love Mel Tormé, I love SSBB, I love Alice Grace, I love Latin music. The question was: would the combination of all four work? The answer - a qualified yes. Based around one of Tormé's lesser known albums, Olé Tormé!, which consisted of twelve Billy May arrangements - meticulously and accurately transcribed by Stuart Fowler - of Latin based numbers, some of which were familiar and some less so. The band performed

A monumental evening that will surely live long in the memory of those fortunate to be present on an evening of astounding, adventurous...

Strictly Smokin’ Big Band presented a spellbinding evening of swing magic with a programme featuring the iconic sounds of Ella and Ellington

Once again the indefatigable Strictly Smokin' Big Band pulled in the crowds at the Glasshouse (Sage, Gateshead). Along with their star guest

It's Christmas! Well, almost. It's become a tradition, the Strictly Smokin' Big band's two nights at Gosforth Civic Theatre on th...

Ella & Ellington, Strictly Smokin', full house. It's becoming a common occurrence, Strictly Smokin' Big Band playing to capacity audiences.

As the house lights dimmed, the near full house heard the strains of Avenue C. The recorded music gave way to the SSBB's rhythm section seam

FRIDAY 28th APRIL 2023 THE WITHAM, BARNARD CASTLE The Witham on Horse Market isn't a noted jazz venue but thanks to the popularity of the...

FRIDAY 23rd FEBRUARY 2023 HALL 2, SAGE GATESGEAD It doesn't get much better than this. Top singer (actually two top singers) and a big...

Friday 23rd December 2022 HOOCHIE COOCHIE The band moved, the dancers moved and one of the non-dancers was moved to remark that he...

Friday 16th & Saturday 17th December 2022 GOSFORTH CIVIC THEATRE If it's the week before Christmas there's is only one place to be and...

SUNDAY 23RD OCTOBER 2022 HOOCHIE COOCHIE This was, to quote from Larry Hart's lyric in Thou Swell, "a sweet lollapalooza" or as Cole...

I said it began with a BANG and I wasn't just referring to the power of the brass on Buddy's Big Swing Face! I was bemused as I tried to...

SATURDAY 18th JUNE 2022 A new venue for the SSBB in this, the band's twentieth anniversary year.* The word 'industrial' springs to mind...

SATURDAY 26TH FEBRUARY 2022 HALL 2, SAGE GATESGEAD I'd heard Pete Long's Ellington/Strayhorn inspired suite based around Gustav Holst's...

Friday 13th August Newcastle Jazz Festival at Newcastle Civic Centre This promised much and delivered even more! Alice Grace singing Ella...