Saw the Surrey Youth Jazz Orchestra at a freebie in the Whitgift Mall. Seventeen youngsters playing Basie, Kenton, usual standards and a commission.
Tight, accurate, musicians and with a little more development, good soloists too. We'll have to dig up Woody and get him to rename 'Four Brothers' to 'Four Brothers and a Sister' as lead alto was very feminine, as was fourth trumpet and drummer. No screamer trumpet, possibly to protect young chops?
Left me feeling very confused as being ancient can remember total compartmentation of music, even the trad jazzers hating the modernists. Now it is just music and accepted as such. Feeling the same as Herod and thinking of killing all musos under 22, no let's make that 70, so that I get a chance.
Their tone on 'Lil Darling' was as least as good as on 'The Atomic Mr. Basie' and the live concerts and 'Splanky' gave everyone a good workout. Anyone want to join the 'Canonise Neal Hefti' movement?
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Ah yes, mustn't forget the guitarist, solid Freddie Green all the way.
Catch them if you can.