Its been a long old summer of rest and recreation, for some more than others.

In July we said goodbye to Alexis at her last ‘Phoenix Nite’ Gig. Alexis is off to further her studies in music education at York University and we wish her well.

Our glorious Tenor section, Heidi Alexis and Andrea

A lovely hug from ‘Crusher’ Hignett. It left a lasting memory for Alexis, and possibly some bruising.

The aftermath of a Saathi End of Term/Bye Bye Alexis curry.  What a fine night on a very long table.

And so we look toward restarting rehearsals.

Over the Summer there have been major renovations of the driveway leading to the grounds of Hignett Towers. Luckily our illustrious MD has been very careful to avoid injury to his fine and delicate conducting / playing fingers by engaging our lovely vocalist Miss Barbara Hignett, no relation, and Ace Bassist Connor H to lay the flags. All nice and flat too.

We have a couple of gigs lined up soon so hope to see you there.

This is the usually biggest event of our year and once again the crowds flocked to Tynedale Rugby Club. He we are perched perilously on the stage with MD Dave Hignett clinging on to avoid teetering off the edge.A view from Mike our Bass player. The tent filling up nicely.Here we see our fabulous vocalist Miss Barbara Hignett launch into ‘Minnie the Moocher’,accompanied by MD Dave Hignett (no relation) on trumpet and sink plunger.

It was great to see Alastair Lord putting in a guest appearance on trumpet.KevsAn arty B&W one.

The band love to play at this friendly beer food and music festival, home to our very own Kevin Moore-croft on Guitar.

A new location this year saw us playing next to a man with performing sheep. (He was from Devon).

TVBB, dancing sheep, traction engines & BEER from our sponsors Wylam Brewery, whats not to like?

We dug out all our classic Big Band dance numbers to play at this charity event.

David in one of his first TVBB gigs and a great asset to the band.

Caroline with a fine solo

Best bib and tucker

It was a privilege to be invited by Amanda Bolderson to play at the Queens Hall to raise money for the ‘Mark Bolderson Foundation’s set up in memory of her brother Mark.

This joint gig with the Tyne Valley Junior Jazz Ensemble and the Tyne Valley Youth Big Band was hosted by local comedy star Steffan Peddie, AKA big Keith in Hebburn, who entertained us all.

TVBB had the honour of playing with two of the regions top trumpeters, Mark Webb and Darren Irwin who joined us in honour of Mark.

Mask is sadly missed by us all. In March he was finally laid to rest by his family and friends in a moving boat trip on the Tyne, his ashes being scattered opposite the Sage, a place he loved.

Friend and fellow percussionist Jack Ruddick donated one of his drum sticks to be floated down the Tyne with Marks ashes.RIP Mark.

bebop Spoken here review

The TVBB is a super-sized big band varying in number from one gig to the next. This Hexham Jazz Club engagement mustered a mere nine reeds (of which seven were female!), a paltry six trumpets (five in the section, MD Dave Hignett out front) and, had space permitted, there would have been a keyboard player working alongside the band’s rhythm section. The Pink Panther for starters, a tune the pub’s resident non-jazz fan (stationed at the bar) sheepishly conceded was a canny tune. Dave Hignett suggested he may not like the rest of the evening! In the Mood (arr. Doc Severinsen) with a flurry of soloists including Andrea de Vere on tenor and Kelly Rose, alto. Ray Charles’ Hallelujah I Love Her So, featuring a trombone blast from Simon Hirst (heard recently with the Bold Big Band), could have been any old internet download arrangement but not this one. MD Hignett made use of an invaluable regional resource to challenge and stretch the band by playing an arrangement by a well-loved bandleader, composer and arranger, the late Ray Chester. The Chester family donated Mr Chester’s vast library of arrangements to Sage Gateshead with the express intention that it was to be made available for occasions such as this at the Fox.

 

Band singer Barbara Hignett made a first appearance singing Route 66 then Sway (the audience did, sway that is). Uptown Funk (Mark Ronson, Bruno Mars) went global and the TVBB plays the number with gusto. The band is nothing if not prepared to turn its hand to anything. From Ronson to Sammy Nestico’s Feelin’ Free featuring the muted trumpet section and You Gotta Try.

 

Alto saxophonist Sophie Speed was Feelin’ the Funk as were Hignett, Kevin Moore, guitar, and a riffing band. Becky White emerged from the reeds to shine on Birdland , Barbara Hignett returned to tell us it was a Hexham Winter Wonderland which brought a close to the evening, except for a poignant finale. Earlier this year the Tyne Valley Big Band lost a friend and fine drummer when, at the age of 45, Mark Bolderson died. Mark suggested to Dave Hignett the band should play Gospel. They did, Mark got to play it, and this evening’s concert ended with the band playing it. On Dec 9th (Saturday) in Queen’s Hall, Hexham, the Tyne Valley Big Band will be taking part along with many others, including the Tyne Valley Youth Big Band and the Tyne Valley Jazz Ensemble, in a concert to help raise funds for the Mark Jon Bolderson Percussion Foundation. Tickets are available from the Queen’s Hall – telephone 01434 652477.

Russell   

Dave Hignett MD, Ben Chinnery, Caroline Guirr, Andrew Guerin, Nat Haslam, Deborah Smurthwaite (trumpets); Becky White, Kelly Rose, Heidi Griffin, Matt Walker, Dianne Mays Andrea de Vere, Sophie Speed, Juliet Williams, John Knapton, (Reeds); Steve Quilliam, Simon Hirst, Dave Bradford Nick Brodin(trombones); Kevin Moore (guitar & vocals); Michael Cunningham (bass); Jack Ruddick (drums) & Barbara Hignett (vocals)