Martin Bennett's Old Green River Band

Martin Bennett brought his swamplanders to Castleton on a dreadful evening, but a smallish attendance enjoyed a performance by his five piece ensemble, but certainly not more than Martin himself who told me that they had had a super evening and were really happy to support ‘Jazz on a Sunday’ as they build up again.

Leading the way on piano, this ex-trombonist with the Phil Mason Band had a frontline of reeds maestro Howard Murray (a Brian Murphy lookalike if ever there was one) and trombonist Frank Slater who had been allowed over the Yorkshire border by special request.

The rhythm was in the hands of the ‘young ones’, the dashing exponent of the double bass, Jim Swinnerton and music degree drum teacher, Stuart Smith – terrific.

A first set of mainly ballads, “Pennies from Heaven, “I’m confessin’” featured solos on trombone, earthy piano and tenor sax and “All of Me” in which Sinnerton’s talent in slap/pluck bass came to the fore, finished with Bennett’s vocal and bluesy piano attacking “Make Me a Pallet on the Floor”.

The second offering had the oft requested “St James Infirmary Blues” whilst Ellington’s “Perdido” was given a big band feel with Murray’s tenor sax interpretation, with Murray again leading the way with “Charmain”.

Bennett’s vocal and pulsating piano drove along “See See Rider” with “I Got Rhythm” going to the break with duo for Murray’s soprano sax and Slater’s trombone a drum solo for Smith who then combines in a neat little interlude with Sinnerton’s slap bass style.

Into the run in with “Mood Indigo” with moaning to sweet trombone solo, tenor sax and reflective piano. A well constructed “What a Difference a Day Makes” led to more Ellington with “Satin Doll”, the haunting refrain for tenor sax, the changing pace, Smith’s stick work and a fine blend.

Bennett sang the unknown “Ladies of Calcutta” – had it passed the censor – and his prominent piano interpretation of “Deep Purple” led the way to the big finale of “I Hate to See the Evening Sun go Down”, a driving crescendo with the band at full speed as Bennett’s gritty vocal and rock ‘n’ roll piano solo brought an excellent session to an end.