Belvoir Big Band rocks Long Clawson

A large audience, young and old, were entertained by the Belvoir Big Band at the weekend.
Belvoir Big Band at Long Clawson Village Hall concert PHOTO: Marion DalbyBelvoir Big Band at Long Clawson Village Hall concert PHOTO: Marion Dalby
Belvoir Big Band at Long Clawson Village Hall concert PHOTO: Marion Dalby

Visitors from as far away as Yorkshire enjoyed the show on Satursday at Long Clawson Village Hall.

The group opened their performance with a Blues Brother number, ‘I Can’t Turn You Loose’ when musical director, Jonathan Barker, introduced the band to the lively rhythms of the music. This was followed by a powerfully arranged Spencer Davis hit from the 1960s, ‘Gimme Some Lovin,’ before the band settled into the systematic rhythms of Tuxedo Junction, a tune synonymous with Glenn Miller from the 1940’s.

There was a huge range of music with slow haunting melodies with a saxophone solo played by Liz Hickton in ‘Don’t Know Why’ to more brassy sounds from the trombones and trumpets in ‘La Bamba.’

The evening finished with rock n roll numbers which, again, had members of the audience on their feet and dancing. The band played a rousing encore of the ‘Stripper’ and the audience left the hall still tapping there feet and humming some of the more well know numbers.

Band secretary Jon Jayes said: “The event was the first that the band had organised itself and it had been a bigger success than we anticipated.

“We had no idea how big or what sort of an audience we might attract but with numbers approaching the hall’s capacity, it was a rousing and stimulating experience for all. We hope to repeat the concert next year with additional music to play during the two one hour sessions.”

The Belvoir Big Band is a charity band and raises money for local and national causes. For more information visit their wesbite at: www.belvoirbigband.co.uk

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