The band had a residential rehearsal weekend at Ridley Hall recently.

Having an extended period to rehearse gave us a great opportunity to spend time honing up the tricky bits.

Thanks to Andrea Devere for leading the Sax sectionals whilst MD Dave Hignett led the Brass and Rhythm section during the afternoon.

The inevitable snooker competition highlighted the evening entertainment aided by a supply of “Wylam Gold” from our sponsors Wylam Brewery to quench the thirsty.

On the face of it the dream team of Matt and John (from Consett) came out on top with a dazzling display of potting, but sadly the subsequent discovery of timing irregularities meant that this years competition was deemed null and void,

We raised the roof at Eldon Square Shopping Mall just before Xmas entertaining passing shoppers.  

We are working on building up our Christmas repertoire but our selection of Big Band classics, Jazz Rock and Funky numbers went down with an appreciative passing audience.

The band put on a free Xmas concert upstairs at the Phoenix before our Xmas break. We are hoping to make this a regular event so each our calendar for news of our next concert.

We relocated forthwith to the excellent Diwan e Am restaurant in Hexham for our end of term curry.  Many thanks to the Diwan e Am  for their generosity in donating some of the cost of the meal towards our band funds.

The band were sworn to secrecy in the weeks running up to a surprise party held by our very own Dave and Barbara Hignett to celebrate their daughter Alexs’ 21st birthday last weekend.

Resplendent in black tie and posh frocks for the second week running, the band set up under cover of darkness.

Alex was genuinely surprised to be greeted by a Big Band ‘Happy Birthday’ when she walked into the Wintergardens.

Click link to see MD Dave “Maynard’ Hignett in action.  Country Road

Here we see the birthday girl performing ‘10 out of 10‘ with mum.

The band got all scrubbed and and turned out in best ‘Bib and Tucker’ to perform at Ollies 40th birthday party last weekend.

Vocalist Ollie had secretly being rehearsing with the band working on a Rat Pack set to surprise his family and friends.  MD Dave Hignett seen here sporting a special Gold Lamé Conductors bow tie with the birthday boy.

The lovely Wintergardens were a perfect setting, and surprisingly warm for the time of year. 

Many thanks to Ollie for his generosity in keeping us fed and watered during the Gig.

Click her to some YouTube clips from the Gig.

Lonely Street

Just Friends

The Pink Panther

Vehicle

You’re Still a Young Man

The band had a fantastic night entertaining the crowds gathered to support BBC ‘Children in Need’ night in Hexham on Friday.

MD for the night was our very own Dave “Pudsey” Hignett seen here sporting some lovely yellow ears and all ready for bed in his marvellous dressing gown.

Organiser Mike Coleman did a great job providing a cracking marquee with a top sound crew to shelter us from the elements

Here we see Kelly Rose on Alto Sax, and all the way from Australia, belting out another great solo.

Brass section keeping warm

Blowers

And if you’ve ever wondered what Trumpet players keep in their cases?

Contractually obliged by our sponsors obviously.

A great night was had by all.

Last week saw the band run through a new arrangement of the classic Sèrgio Mendes tune ‘Mas que nada’ for the very first time in the world, arranged specially for the Tyne Valley Big Band by our very own lead trumpet Alastair Lord.

Alastair ably conducted the band through its first airing kindly leaving our MD Dave Hignett to figure out the tricky lead trumpet chart.

This is sure to be a band favourite one we get up to speed and into the Latin groove.

We are now looking forward to our next Gig playing at the BBC North East Children in Need event in Hexham on Friday 15th December.

Mike Cunningham is 50!  Hard to believe but there it is.

The band were invited to play at Mikes ‘Earlier’ version of ‘Later with Jools Holland’ style birthday gig yesterday.

With 3 different bands (TVBB , ‘Truck’  and ‘Trailer’) and a selection of fine musicians performing Solos and Duets everyone had a lovely time.

We had a few special guests helping us out during the afternoon , including Phil Rosier on Jazz Euphonium, Hazel on Bass and Ralph Littlejohn who sat in and blew some fantastic solos on Tenor Sax.

Special mention must also be made of our star keyboard player Kevin Wright who played the whole afternoon from memory without the aid of music, whilst also doubling up as an electric guitar on his classic Synth.

Ralph

Here we see our fine ‘Trumpets in the Gallery’ section. This photo was taken shortly before Ben Heathcote, (pony tail) had a  brief vaso-vagal collapse after hitting a particularly solid high D. A quick recovery thankfully saw him up on his feet and back into the groove.

Tish Simon, somewhat overexcited by the party, had some technical issues with her trombone in the same number when her trombone slide was jettisoned onto the floor during some particularly vigorous tromboning. Sadly no photographs exist of these unusual events.

After the gig it was back to Mikes for some lovely food and more ‘Wylam Brewery Gold Tankard’ which comes highly recommended.

A ‘Tyne Valley Big Band’ Versus ‘ Small Children’ football match quickly descended into the usual ‘Hignett Rules’ melay as more and more players were drafted onto the TVBB team to ensure the inevitable victory.

We finished off a busy summer with a return visit to Haydon Bridge on Saturday to perform at the end of their week long performing Arts Festival.

Organised by the Haydon Bridge ‘Get It Together Society’ (GITS) of which our Guitarist Kevin Moore was a founder member we enjoyed playing to an enthusiastic audience in the Community Centre.

We are having a short summer break now but will reconvene in September.

We currently  have a waiting list situation to join the band as all our chairs are filled, but if you would like to be considered if any vacancies arise please email us for further details.