John Wilson & Joe Stilgoe
As part of our 2012 festive programme, the RLPO have included a Frank Sinatra tribute programme. All ‘Old Blue Eyes’ favourites are on there, from The Lady Is A Tramp to Lady Be Luck. John Wilson is conducting the orchestra and Joe Stilgoe is the solo singer.
RLPO Frank Sinatra Trumpet section
For this type of repertoire we ‘augment’ our number with some specialist jazzers from London to add that certain authenticity to music which would not be in our normal schedule.
The trombone section, led by the mellifluous tone of Andy Wood
We will be offering a similar programme a couple of days hence, when John & Joe will join us again for a New Year’s Eve Big Band and Strings concert.
This ‘lighter’ programming is the perfect antidote to a very heavy schedule of symphonic repertoire and certainly exercises the little grey cells in a very different way. Usually, when John Wilson presents his jazz concerts we have Mike Lovatt as our lead trumpet. Sadly, Mike has broken his elbow this Xmas and his usual replacement, Jim Lynch (Jim plays the theme to The One Show on BBC1), is currently in Moscow with his band Touch and Go.
Matt Skelton on drums & Jeremy Brown on Double Bass
Fortunately, we have been able to secure the services of young trumpet sensation Mike Davis. Mike is the trumpeter for UK pop artist Olly Murs, and is carving out quite a name for himself on the London freelance jazz scene. He has become noted for his authentic jazz phrasing and beautifully inventive soloing. His craftmanship has deservedly earned him the honorific title of ‘The Stylist.’ Mike is a powerful lead player too.
Well, it is becoming a bit of a cliche on here, but the show was packed out and another tremendous success!
The packed Liverpool Philharmonic Hall last night
The very enthusiastic audience broke the sound barrier at the end of the encore; Fank Sinatra’s version of ‘Let it Snow.’ Mike Davis played like a star from start to finish and we all went to ‘The Fly In The Loaf’ to celebrate…
Paul, Mike & Brendan
It was rather late when I got back and Scooby was crossing his legs. Aw, bless…
A rather desperate looking Scooby
Meanwhile, over in Manchester, the UK’s second oldest professional orchestra were doing a ‘Boogie Nights’ tribute evening…
Halle horns, ‘getting on down’
We thoroughly enjoyed the Sunday afternoon performance by Joe Stilgoe and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with John Wilson conducting. Frank Sinatra can rest easy knowing his music and the fabulous arrangements still swings with all the excitement of the original recordings. We floated home.