Big Band impresses at Fat Eddie’s
16 Nov 2020
The Big Band and the Jazz Combo made a big splash at Fat Eddie’s on Sunday 8 November, entertaining patrons for 90 minutes with a programme which ranged from Rent Party to Defibrillator.
The musicians – saxophones, trumpets, trombones, drums, keyboard, guitar and bass guitar – were joined by more experienced Old Boys Max McGillivray, Tom Botting, Ramses Hunt, Chris Ireland, Josh Meads, Harry Hartstone and Sam Johnson, to make a sound which kept the parents, supporters and general public tapping their fingers and toes.
Head of the Big Band saxophonist Ben Davis and trumpet Thomas McClean, both Year 13, were making their swansong with the group. And although they’d been disappointed not to be able to perform at the annual Southern Jam Jazz Festival in Blenheim in early August (cancelled because of Covid-19), the Sunday performance helped compensate.
The band currently comprises 16 musicians, including one Year 9. Ben Davis, Shyam Hari, William Sudell and Henry Briscoe have all enjoyed substantial solos this year. Ben and Thomas have been in the band for five years, and have each received an Honours Tie for Instrumental Music.
The Big Band performed at House Music and it and the Jazz Combo performed in the Christchurch Big Band Festival.
