- Review
JOHN MADDOCK’S JAZZ MEN Tues. 6th Nov 2018
On a very wet and windy evening the John Maddocks
Jazzmen warmed the jazz cellar with an evening of high
quality trad jazz in the John Maddocks unique style.
The front line was ably led by John on clarinet. Those fingers
sped over the keys at such speed it was truly amazing
how clear and honest the notes were especially in the upper
register. His musical skills transferred to the alto and
soprano sax along with some vocals. Equally talented and
versatile was Peter Wilkinson, arranger extraordinaire, on
trumpets with vocals. Peter’s singing of “I Wish’t I was in
Peoria” – “a load of nonsense” according to John – was
very apt for the external weather conditions that night!
Chris Gower played very sensitively on the trombone,
making the instrument sing!
It was good to have Simon Banks back on the keyboard
with his magical and poetic fingers. Malc Hurrell’s cuddly
toy (I believe it was a duck) was swinging from the neck
of the banjo and rested whilst he played the guitar, both
with expert musicianship. The double bass and tuba were
all but dancing when Peter McCurrie performed. Last but
not least there was the drummer – yes our own almost
resident drummer – the talented Graham Smith, who as
always played away nonchalantly and smiling as usual
never missing a cue.
So well did the group gel there really was no distinction
between the front line and rhythm section. It was so obvious
how much the band enjoyed playing together and
making the music they loved.
The numbers were many and varied many unknown
to our club, such as “Mandy Lee Blues” and “Georgia
Cakewalk”. Our imaginations were stirred with Sidney
Bechet’s “Bechet Fantasies” For the final two numbers
John Wurr on alto sax melted into the group enriching
the music even further. Now there were eight musicians as
one with no individuals. Brilliant!
The evening was full of warmth, banter
and excellent musicianship.
A good time was had by all!
Jenny Weaving
