Miscellaneous We saw a marching band this Christmas

[Jimmymack]

My wife and I are spending Christmas in Turin. Yesterday, Christmas Eve, we went for a walk in the p***ing rain to the main square. As we walked, pretty much on our own through the square and the rain we heard the unmistakable sound of real drums. This was unusual, so we went back to explore as we heard brass joining in. There was a marching band in the arcade that runs down one side. They were amazing, they were effectively a big band doing pop/jazz arrangements while marching, they were about a dozen strong. They consisted of 2 baris, 2 tenors, 2 trumpets, a trombone, a tuba, a guitar, a bass drummer, a snare drummer and a side drummer. I think Grumps does something like this.

I’ve rarely seen a tighter band standing still, and they had great arrangements, but they walked up and down this arcaded part of the square and chucked in some fancy moves while they did it. I think they were scheduled to play in the square which really wasn’t possible in that rain, but the arcade really enhanced the sound. My wife said they reminded her of Sha Na Na, and she was right, check their Woodstock appearance.

They play all over the place in Italy so you will be hard pushed to find them but they are called The Fantomatik Orchestra and would be worth the effort. I bought their latest CD that can’t possibly match that live experience but they sure are hot. It was the last thing you’d ever expect on a wet afternoon but it was fantastic.

 

[PigSquealer]

My wife said they reminded her of Sha Na Na, and she was right, check their Woodstock appearance.

What unplanned luck. Any other lucky spectators ? I remember Sha Na Na as regulars at Disneyland, late ‘70s early’80s.

 

[Jimmymack]

Considering there didn’t seem to be anybody about they gathered a crowd of around 40, maybe a few more. We all followed them back and forth up and down the arcade. Marching with a bari must be quite a challenge, a younger man’s game I think, although the guitarist had an amp slung over his shoulder and still managed to rip out the rhythm and take some solos.

One or two people just cut through the crowd and seemed oblivious to what was happening.

 

[MikeMorrell]

My wife and I are spending Christmas in Turin. Yesterday, Christmas Eve, we went for a walk in the p***ing rain to the main square. As we walked, pretty much on our own through the square and the rain we heard the unmistakable sound of real drums. This was unusual, so we went back to explore as we heard brass joining in. There was a marching band in the arcade that runs down one side. They were amazing, they were effectively a big band doing pop/jazz arrangements while marching, they were about a dozen strong. They consisted of 2 baris, 2 tenors, 2 trumpets, a trombone, a tuba, a guitar, a bass drummer, a snare drummer and a side drummer. I think Grumps does something like this.

I’ve rarely seen a tighter band standing still, and they had great arrangements, but they walked up and down this arcaded part of the square and chucked in some fancy moves while they did it. I think they were scheduled to play in the square which really wasn’t possible in that rain, but the arcade really enhanced the sound. My wife said they reminded her of Sha Na Na, and she was right, check their Woodstock appearance.

They play all over the place in Italy so you will be hard pushed to find them but they are called The Fantomatik Orchestra and would be worth the effort. I bought their latest CD that can’t possibly match that live experience but they sure are hot. It was the last thing you’d ever expect on a wet afternoon but it was fantastic.

Hi @Jimmymack.

I looked up your reference to the 'The Fantomatik Orchestra' on YouTube. As you say, they are a really great band!. It must have been a wonderful experience to just 'chance on' one of their live performances!