REVIEW: Chicago Teddy Bears and Tame Valley Stompers

Tony Ormester, Chicago Teddy Bears

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April brought two of our popular, more local bands to Castleton with the visit of the Chicago Teddy Bears Society Jazz Band on the 7th and Tame Valley Stompers on the 21st.

Due to a spate of ‘walking wounded’ members of the Chicago Teddy Bears Society, Jim Lucas appeared on trumpet, Andrew McKenzie on trombone and Fred Boggan on drums. It always amazes how these deputies fit in as if they had never been away.

A big crowd enjoyed an evening of top class entertainment. Led by the ebullient Rae Owens on double bass who vocalised on “My Blue Heaven” the first set included a calypso beat “Isle of Capri”, a fast tempo arrangement of “Just a Closer Walk with Thee”, Jazz classic “South” and Tony Ormesher’s guitar solo “Back Home in Indiana” with the rest of the band in tow. 

A second set of popular numbers featured the sax of John Hallam in “Deed I Do”, and Owens adding the vocal to a full band attack on “Keeping Out of Mischief Now”.

Hallam and Ormesher played a neat duo of Django Reinhardt’s “Swing Forty-two” for sax and guitar before complimenting Lucas’ mute trumpet in “Everybody Loves My Baby”, and Owens vocal closing the set with “Nobody’s Sweetheart Now”.

Swinging into the final set with “At the Jazz Band Ball”, the front line drove a plaintive “St Louis Blues” With Owens vocalising the standard “Hello Central, Get Me Doctor Jazz” with panache.

The solo trombone of McKenzie with vocal, gave his interpretation of “Georgia on My Mind” leading to a madcap “The Blues my Naughty Sweetie Gave to Me” as Owens ‘ vocal increased to a “Formula One” rendition.

Hallam’s solo clarinet tenderly caressed the notes of “Burgundy Street Blues” and the band played out with “Swing Low Sweet Chariot”

April 21 had Terry Brunt the leader of the Tame Valley Stompers bemoaning Man City’s loss to the Spurs but nothing can stop his eccentric exuberance and every number was a winner.

“Dardanella” had that Spanish feel with Roger Wimpenny’s trumpet and Noel Broadgate’s piano in tandem.

“Swing That Music” brought Wimpenny’s voice into play and Brunt’s bluesy trombone directed the “Riverside Blues”, “Sweet Sue” introduced the vocals of bass guitarist Pete Smith followed by the vocal and soprano sax of Paul Broomhead with “Wining Boy Blues”.

“Whistling Rufus” opened the second offering, leading to Wimpenny and full band assault on “Yes Sir, That’s My Baby”.

Paul Broomhead’s clarinet solo of “St Philip Street Breakdown” always brings the house down, and tonight was no exception.

The requested “King Kong” produced a great blend of musicianship and Ellington’s “Mood Indigo” was given that special treatment by Brunt’s muted trombone and Smith’s bass guitar.

Pete Smith and the ‘glee club’ closed the second set with “Rainbow Round My Shoulder” and “Over in the Gloryland” as the front line went into marching mode.

With entertainment always on the menu, a neatly constructed “Black Car on the Fence” had the music flowing, then contrasting with “When the Saint’s Go Marching In”.

Broadgate’s comical solos and vocals then took centre stage with “Somebody Else Not Me” and “Nearly Got Away with Mine”.

“Route 66” with “Canal Street Blues” slipped in had Wimpenny’s vocal and trumpet at full speed, followed by Brunt’s ‘party piece’ for muted trombone and vocal “St James’ Infirmary Blues”.

A neat arrangement for tenor sax, trumpet and trombone gave a stylish version of “East Coast Trot” and Wimpenny’s vocal led the band out with “Royal Telephone” interspersed with “Puttin’ on the Style” just for good measure.