What’s this? The Pete Allen Jazz Band without Pete Allen?

Pete Allen Jazz Band

at Donnington Valley Hotel

on Sunday, September 8

Review by DEREK ANSELL

What’s this? The Pete Allen Band without Pete? That’s a bit like strawberries without cream or Ant without Dec surely?

It happened though that the leader went off on holiday and sent the latest, seven -piece edition of the band for this month’s gig in Newbury. Trombonist Roger Marks slipped on the leader’s hat and kicked off with Ain’t She Sweet, featuring James Clemas at the keyboard also as vocalist and himself on choppy trombone.

The next selection was the less well known Give Me Your Telephone Number by J.C. Higginbottom, a composer and trombone player that Mr Marks thought had the right sort of name for playing that instrument. Don’t worry, I haven’t worked that one out yet either.

This was, of course, an opportunity for the band to play a different repertoire to usual and they took advantage of it. First with a piano feature for Mr. Clemas on I’m Confessin’ and then by venturing into bop territory to play the Sonny Rollins’ calypso, St Thomas. This one bounced along very well, proving, if proof were needed that there isn’t that much difference in mainstream jazz styles. Pete Allen though, might have jumped out of his seaside deck chair if he’d heard it. Next was A Kiss To Build A Dream On which took us back to New Orleans on a composition that Louis Armstrong liked and played frequently.

The second half offered more variety with the band playing It’s Only A Paper Moon and Isle Of Capri where drummer Jim Newton turbo charged the Latin rhythm. Veteran guitarist Max Brittain gave a very fine, lyrical reading of The Nearness Of You as his solo contribution. Later he even managed to make the banjo sound good. Not easy.

Then there was another selection that entered into modern jazz territory without doing any harm at all. Chris Hodgkins did well on his trumpet features, first with I Can’t Get Started and later with Duke Ellington’s Sophisticated Lady. Trevor Whiting featured as the reed soloist on liquid clarinet and tenor sax and James Hanratty kept the pulse steady on bass guitar. At the end a sturdy Jambalaya gave solo space to the front- line horn players, who also came up with some neat three- part harmony on this afternoon concert and Jim Newton who contributed a sparkling drum solo.

I wouldn’t say you were not missed Pete, but it was an interesting change of programme.