(Pic: Percy Smith)
Exhilarating swing through February at The Barnyard.
Big Band Magic promises The Barnyard Theatre audiences an exhilarating swing through the first three weeks of February (3 to 22) at the Gateway venue. The local production features the traditional 17-piece big band line-up of saxophones, trumpets, trombones and rhythm section, and is fronted by two singers.
Calli Thomson, musical director and keyboard player in many Barnyard Theatre productions, has teamed up with Jeff Judge, seasoned jazz sax player, pianist and big band leader, to put it all together. Jeff’s playing skills are highly in demand for concerts, gigs and shows. He is currently director of music at St Anne's and runs the KZN University big band.
The singers are Durban’s own smooth, suave front man Percy Smith and Cape Town’s glamorous singer-actress Jo Rowlands, who has recently relocated to Durban. They will woo the audience with a selection of solo songs and duets by Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Sarah Vaughn and Ella Fitzgerald, to mention but a few, as well as modern versions made popular by Natalie Cole, Harry Connick Jnr, Michael Bublé and Robbie Williams.
The band includes some of Durban’s finest musicians paying tribute to the great big band leaders such as Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington and Count Basie. The rhythm section comprises Bruce Baker on drums, Logan Byrne on upright and electric bass and Calli Thomson on piano. On saxophones are Colin Mairs (alto), Chris Wigens (alto and clarinet), Vicky Goddard and Jonathan Judge (tenor) and Martin Sigamoney (baritone). On trumpets are Sakhile Simani, George Mari, Stephanie Pais, Cathy Peacock/Khulekane Bhengu. Completing the brass section on trombones are Duncan Wooldridge, Mario Monteregge and Dave Solomon /Jason Naidoo. Appearing as guest artists are Dr Fly & the Nurses made up of Sophie Basckin, Jessica Sole and Amy Saville.
Tickets R105 pp Wednesday to Saturday (R70 pp Tuesday night and Sunday matinees).
For bookings and enquiries, phone The Barnyard Theatre on 031 566 3045, e-mail gateway@barnyardtheatres.co.za or visit www.barnyardtheatres.co.za for more information.
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