September 9: Rich Bennett Band
Without carrying out an organised poll, this would be impossible to confirm, but the impression left by the Rich Bennett Band's latest visit is that despite enforced personnel changes over the last year or so they remain right up there among the hottest favourites of the regulars.
A major factor for this popularity is the contribution of the two brothers, trumpeter Rich and trombonist Russell. Rich is simply a superb all-round jazz man, brilliant trumpeter, singer with a genuine feel for the music and lyrics and relaxed announcer. The zany, extrovert Russ is maybe not everybody's cup of tea (nor even their pint of lager), since he clowns his way through the proceedings as the joker in the pack while grunting and growling his trombone sounds like no other.
What Russ's antics can't conceal though is, that like his brother, and their father Martin, he has jazz embedded in his genes and does what the genre dictates, namely improvises in his own slightly eccentric but hugely entertaining manner.
This particular gig emerged from some background dramatics about their possible line-up. Having lost banjo/vocalist Dorine de Witt some time ago and reeds man Karl Hird more recently they had resident bass player Jim Swinnerton stuck on the M6 miles away and Rich beavering away behind the scenes to fill empty seats. Despite this they were able to launch into their opening number
You Always Hurt the One you Love with their usual gusto (and only slightly late!) with deputies Terry Roberts on Reeds and Brian Lawrence (bass)in place. A great job they did, too.
A number that summed up (for this observer) their multiple talents was
Some of These Days Days, featuring a sizzling trumpet solo by Rich, a rousing rasping trombone by Russ, an upbeat Brian Mellor banjo, sensitive reeds support from Terry and pounding team work by Baby Jools on drums and Brian's bass. Great stuff.
Other highlights, in a night of no lowlights, included a lovely soprano sax solo in
Sleepy Time Gal, with the brothers 'talking' to each other musically alongside Terry Roberts, and a nicely mellow guitar solo.
Then there was an almost frantic version of
Shine with Jools' astonishing drum stick speed and co-ordination, a surprisingly gentle vocal with
Lazy Bones by Russ and, maybe for sheer class the performance of a smashing night out, Rich's solo in the Hoagy Carmichael evergreen,
Stardust. Star quality that, Rich.
For full details of Sutton Coldfield Trad Jazz Club click onto the link:
https://www.suttoncoldfieldtradjazzclub.com