COWAL Music Club welcomed a large and enthusiastic audience to Dunoon Burgh Hall last Sunday for a concert by Jerry Forde’s New Phoenix Jazz Band.
Formed in 2011, the band recreates the sound of the early jazz era, drawing on music and transcriptions from the 1890s to the 1940s.
The line-up featured Dick Lee on clarinet and saxophone, Lorne Cowieson on trumpet, Bill Jones on trombone, Jack Wilson on drums, Phil Adams on guitar and banjo, and band leader Jerry Forde on double bass.
The programme included music associated with Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Gershwin and others, with period songs including La Vie en Rose, My Canary’s Got Circles Under Its Eyes and Gonna Buy Me a Telephone?, all performed by Christine Adams.
Audiences may already know Lorne Cowieson and Dick Lee from previous Dunoon appearances.
Highlights included Clarinet Marmalade, Bourbon Street Parade and At the Jazz Ball, with the band’s traditional jazz sound and relaxed presentation warmly received throughout the afternoon.
An encore followed, with Christine Adams singing There’ll Be a Hot Time in Old Town Tonight to bring the concert to a lively close.
Cowal Music Club said the concert was held in memory of the late Don McNeil, former chair of the club for many years.
Thanks were also given to Gus Hepburn and Dunoon Jazz Festival for their support.
Cowal Music Club’s next concert will take place on Sunday, September 20, at 7.30pm in Dunoon Burgh Hall, when The Celebrating Trio from Scottish Opera will perform.
