Newbury’s favourite big band swings into Christmas sporting festive jumpers

Apollo Big Band, featuring Anthony Ferarro
at Sutton Hall Stockcross
on Friday, December 13

Review by KENDALL GORDON

WITH only 12 days to go to the beginning of the 12 days of Christmas, the Apollo Big Band were in a fine festive frame of mind – many of them sporting their finest seasonal jumpers. With several Santa hats, an elf one, and another one in the form of a Christmas pudding on display, they delivered up a veritable musical feast.

The musical menu on offer had great variety, ranging from a big band Basie/Heftie standard Fantail, through to a Mark Taylor arrangement of Lennon/ McCartney’s Fool On The Hill, taking in up tempo instrumental versions of Christmas songs, plus several familiar seasonal songs served up in the Michael Bublé style, expertly delivered by guest vocalist Antony Ferraro.

The evening commenced with a lively Bob Minzer number Pots and Pans, perhaps chosen as a reference to the number of these items that will require washing up post Christmas dinner and featuring a tenor sax solo from Trevor Hayward.

Then, following a version of Yes Sir That’s My Baby featuring a smooth solo from band leader Les Bruce, vocalist Antony took centre stage for Can’t Take my Eyes off of You, the first of his eventual nine vocal numbers in total.

Antony was a regular singer with the band until work took him away, and he clearly felt back at home again from the outset, his relaxed delivery being complemented by the band and the many excellent Bublé arrangements of the familiar numbers on offer, which included among others, a version of Mel Torme’s Christmas Song, Christmas (Baby please come home) and, for the encore, Irving Berlin’s White Xmas.

The instrumental numbers included a mix of seasonal and less seasonal tunes.

Of the former, highlights included Rest Ye Merry Samba a lively rendition of the well-known tune and which served to display the ensemble talents of the band, plus solos from Les Bruce on alto sax, Martin Holstead on trombone, also showcasing Nick Tipper on drums.

Previously mentioned Fantail was also a highlight, with pianist Cliff Rowley setting us off in Basie style, and featuring a lively solo from Andy Richardson on tenor sax.

Overall, a most enjoyable evening, with too many other musical highlights to detail in the space available.

However, mention must be made of the “reindeer with flashing lights” jumper that Antony appeared in towards the end of the evening to much appreciation from the audience and which helped send them home full of Christmas spirit.