Jingle bells and jazz with Newbury big band

Apollo Big Band at Sutton Hall, Stockcross, on Friday, December 9. Review by KEVIN DYSON

SOME Apollo band members had concerns that due to the icy weather on the night, there would be a much reduced audience (a dreaded prospect for any musician), but worries proved completely unfounded.

Before the first note, the hall was fully packed – a testament to Apollo’s ever-growing popularity.

The 17-piece band dressed down for this performance, with Christmas jumpers and Santa hats instead of their usual formal tuxedos.

Apollo’s line-up comprised trumpets, trombones, saxophones and a very tight rhythm section.

Mike Creech competently stood in for Apollo’s regular drummer and was reading the dots reverently, never taking his eyes off his manuscript.

It was good to see George Wicks too, sitting in the front line playing his tasteful guitar solo instead of lurking right at the back of the band in the shadows.

Apollo kicked off their programme under the proficient direction of MD Les Bruce with Cole Porter’s Love for Sale.

A warm, cosy ambience in the well-heated hall ensued and happy faces in the audience settled down to listen to the jazz.

Apollo welcomed its guest vocalist Jayne Deer, whose first song Cheek to Cheek was very reminiscent of Ella Fitzgerald, the singer emulating Ella’s subtle vibrato.

Predictably, some numbers had a Christmas theme. One of the evening’s highlights was Oh Holy Night, featuring a poignant and superb flugel solo from Neil Armstrong.

There were solos from many other musicians, who showed their great improvisational skills.

Jayne returned with her endearing smile and dulcet tones in the second set to sing more popular jazz standards Hello Dolly and On the Street Where You Live.

The evening concluded with the band’s finale Jingle Bell Jazz, but of course there had to be an encore and we were not disappointed with a swing version of Santa Claus is Coming to Town. Very festive!

Yet another great evening’s entertainment from Apollo, who I highly recommend.

Six performance dates are already in their 2023 diary, the first at Stockcross on February 10.

More news and information about this great local band can be found on their website www.apollobigband.co.uk