Lykiardopoulos (Year 12) and Ollie Dittmer (Year 12), both of whom navigated some complicated changes with skill. The concert featured, for the first time, the close harmony group Black ‘n’ Blues. The singers took the stage for two numbers under the guidance of Dan Ludford-Thomas and they sang with a beautiful sound and balance. It was lovely to be able to include them at this special intimate Soho venue. The Big Band opened the second half with a moody and wistful slow blues by Duke Ellington called ‘Creole Love Call’ before playing two more tunes from iconic Big Bands – ‘Fight of the Foo Birds’ by Count Basie and ‘Things Ain’t What They Used to Be’ by the Woody Herman Big Band. Soloists included Tom Hornby (Year 13), George Croally (Year 12) and Ollie Dittmer. The band then went on to the American Song Book, featuring Henry Rossell (Year 12) on clarinet with ‘It’s Only a Paper Moon’, and Vincent Liu (Year 12) on piano with ‘Georgia On My Mind’. Toby
The adjudicator was Joss Sanders, Director of Music at Bedford School. He gave a warm and encouraging critique of all the performances, which was much appreciated by everyone, and made a special point of congratulating all those who took part in the competitions. SP M G J R S H D HOUSE ELECTRIC COMPETITION (30) 24 20 21 19 26 23 22 25 PART SONG (30) 21 21 19 20 19 23 23 24 INSTRUMENTAL (30) 24 25 20 20 24 24 21 17 TOTAL (90) 69 66 60 59 69 70 66 66 POSITION 2= 4= 7 8 2= 1 4= 4= SCORES JAZZ AT PIZZA EXPRESS In early February DC Jazz musicians returned to one of Europe’s best jazz clubs, Pizza Express Jazz Club Soho, for an entertaining and enjoyable lunchtime concert fea- turing the Big Band, the Jazz Group and Black ‘n’ Blues, writes David Eno The Jazz Group, tutored by Tom Millar, opened the concert. Tom Ross (Year 13) led the ensemble with skill and verve as they played through their set, which included jazz standards such as ‘This I Dig’, ‘Recordame’, ‘Wild Flower’ and ‘Dat Dere’. The rhythm section also included Nat Lusher (drums, Year 13), George Hannan (bass, Year 12) and Beau McChesney (Year 13), who were all on good form. The frontline featured two saxophonists, Bruno
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THE ALLEYNIAN 712
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