Millennium Eagle Jazz Band

When Matt Palmer leader of the Millennium Eagle Jazz Band telephoned to ask if J.O.A.S. would like the band to finish their Northern weekend tour at Rochdale, and was happy to accept our financial restraints it was a offer not to refuse, and this popular Midlands combo delivered an evening of musical delight.

Trumpeter Pete Brown also doubles on valve trombone and with slide trombonist Andy Holdorf had the floor tapping to “Fidgety Feet”. Palmer vocalised with “Porters Lovesong to a Chamber Maid” despite the distractions around him, and Armstrong’s “Gateworth” led by Holdorf featured a neat duo of Chris Etherington on banjo and Brian Lawrence on double bass, with young drummer Jack Cotterill unleashed.

“Trouble In Mind” had the vocal of Etherington backed by muted trombone and bow bass before Palmer’s solo soprano sax did a super take with Bechet’s “Lonesome”, and then finished the set in south seas surrender with “My Little Bimbo Down In The Bamboo Isle” remember Clinton Ford!

Suitably refreshed, Holdorf, Palmer and less than heavenly choir were in full power “Give Me Your Telephone Number”, “Paper Doll” got the old time treatment for banjo and vocal by Etherington, and Palmers clarinet was prominent in “Mabel’s Dream”.

Brown’s superb timing gave real feeling to the late Humphrey Lyttleton’s famous “Bad Penny Blues”, Lawrence’s bass solo neatly interspersed Palmer’s “I Double Dare You” vocal “Ol' Miss Rag” had just the right band blend, before Etherington’s interval vocal “Midnight Choo-Choo” back the two trombones in tandem.

Off again with “Original Dixieland One Step” Sunday evening had to introduce a spiritual and “Higher Ground” led on vocal by Brown with choir and the band playing all the right tones for the soul.

Palmer’s clarinet solo “St. Philip Street Breakdown” silenced the fans with perfection, ably supported with the banjo, bass and Cotterill's stick on stick drumming, leading up to a drum solo par excellance with “China Boy”.

A special arrangement of “Puttin' On The Ritz” for dual trombones only lacked top hat and cane. “Sleepy Time Gal” had Etherington in period voice leading to the band firing on all cylinders with the all time favourite “Tiger Rag”.

After a long weekend tour, it was no surprise that they played out with “I’m Tired and I Want To Go To Bed” – Glad you stopped off on your way!