Tame Valley Stompers

Crunch time for ‘Jazz On A Sunday’ has not been helped by the credit crunch - and a pre-evening bowl of cornflakes doesn’t really help either, but you can always guarantee a good turn out for the Tame Valley Stompers, one of the best bands in the country.

Led by the quiet man on drums, Norman Pennington, a band full of musical maestros gave the fans plenty to enthuse.

A superb frontline directed by trombonist Terry Brunt, whose slide techniques are far stronger than the City footballers he supports, is joined by bouncing Paul Broomhead on reeds, and on trumpet that Yorkshire renegade Roger Wimpenny.

A first set of ten numbers certainly had ‘time added on’ and it is difficult to do the band justice in a short review and pick out the highlights.

“Savoy Blues” featured a trumpet/trombone duo, and Broomhead’s soprano sax gave new life to “China Boy”.

Wimpenny’s vocal of “That’s When I’ll Come Back To You”, a Louis Armstrong favourite, took on both parts – you can loosen the belt now. Noel (Chevalier) Broadgate on piano and vocal assured us “I Remember It Well”! Can't have?!

Bass guitarist Pete Smith was led in by the band to sing “Washington and Lee Swing” and it needs a tight front line performance to perfect “Chimes Blues” and it was!

A fine arrangement of “Swing Low Sweet Chariot” found the soft vocal of Brunt surrounded by tenor sax, muted trumpet and heavenly choir then contrast with Smith’s rendition of “I’m Going To Kansas City” complemented with trumpet/trombone duo, tenor sax and bluesy piano all the way!

Slowing to the interval with “A Closer Walk With Thee”, the front three formed a spiritual glee club.

Wimpenny opened up again singing “The Night We Danced At The Mardigras” whilst the last jelly roll Morton composition “Winning Boy Blues” had Broomhead at full throttle with vocal and soprano sax. “Making Whoopee” gave Broadgate the chance to enjoy himself with piano and vocal, and we all sat spellbound as Broomhead’s clarinet performed a masterful, enthralling “St Philip Street Breakdown”.

Into the final stretch with Brunt's interpretation on vocal and trombone of the doleful “St James Infirmary Blues”, Wimpenny “Got Out And Got Under” – perhaps his name should be ‘Jack’ - and “Bugle Boy March” produced a walk around the room by tenor sax, trombone and trumpet. Pennington on drums did stay seated.

It was Wimpenny again telling with vocal and trumpet “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love”, “Creole Love Call” was played to perfection from dull mute trombone, smoky trumpet, deep silky clarinet to bluesy muted trumpet and trombone and blending rhythm beat – mesmerising!

The Brunt/Smith duo went “Down By the Riverside” with the strains of trumpet and clarinet following closely behind, and a close audience vote (such democracy) had the band playing out with “Dardanella”, Wimpenny leading off with Brunt in the background, Broomhead’s clarinet interlude before a rousing finish for trumpet and trombone.

No, I am not their agent, but YES it was magnificent.