Newbury’s big band never looked better

Apollo Big Band, with guests

Steph Richardson and Anthony Ferraro

at Arlington Arts, Snelsmore

on Saturday, October 5

Review by KEVIN DYSON

SATURDAY saw Apollo’s very first gig at Arlington Arts.

The venue is very smart with tiered seating and lofty side galleries. Apollo looked absolutely fabulous with all musicians and equipment on stage under the lights and it really showed off the band.

This was to be a very special evening and Apollo had invited two guest vocalists – Steph Richardson and Anthony Ferraro, both whom had appeared previously with Apollo.

Four regular members of Apollo were unavailable for the gig tonight, so musical director Les Bruce recruited some very competent stand-ins.

Three of the ‘deps’ were trumpet players – Benedict Wood, Neil Armstrong and Kevin Edwards – and depping tonight on baritone sax and bass clarinet was Rachel White.

The band opened with Michel Camillo’s One More Once to a comfortable volume and we relaxed to enjoy the evening.

Les Bruce introduced flamboyant Steph Richardson for her first vocal standard Hallelujah I Love Him So and Steph followed up with Crazy In Love (arranged by Apollo’s bass player Simon Ridge).

After Apollo trombonist Jed Roylance’s arrangement of the Bond theme No Time To Die, Anthony Ferraro joined the band to sing Summer Wind and Come Dance With Me, his smooth vocal style being reminiscent of Michael Bublé.

Throughout the evening there were several good extemporisations from band member soloists, requiring the skill and confidence of playing their instruments.

During the second set Steph Richardson and Anthony Ferraro returned to front the band.

For me, the song of the evening was Sinatra’s Witchcraft, sung by Anthony with Apollo’s rendition reminding me of the style of the Nelson Riddle Orchestra.

Another highlight of the show was Steph and Anthony’s duet Down With Love.

Apollo’s finale surprise was a Star Wars medley with the exciting and familiar opening triad ‘stabs’ of the start of the film from the horn section.

The next show is on Friday, November 1, at Sutton Hall Stockcross, where Apollo starts a new series of ‘Bandaoke’ style concerts for anyone who would like to sing with a live Big Band.

More details of this can be found at apollobigband.co.uk