On Thursday the band put on a free concert upstairs at the Phoenix club to say a big thank you to them for providing us with such a great rehearsal venue.The band were on top form with a big tight sound aided by our special guest Mark Webb on lead trumpet.

Harry Potter-Forster playing his last gig with TVBB before heading off to Hogwarts University next term. 

Mr Barnes feelin’ some funk

A hasty pack away saw us in the Thai House Hexham for an end of term meal out. Breaking with tradition this term we opted for the Thai option with ever expanding numbers and special guests eventually fitting into the small back room.

Hot band, hot night, hot curry.

The meal was excellent all round.

Harry Potter-Forster with his new wizarding glasses explaining a few spells to our younger members and special guests Alex and Mike. McJon also off to university after the summer so best wishes.

The band had a whip round to buy Mr Hignett a new pair of glasses as his fading eyesight particularly in the dimness of the Phoenix is becoming an increasing problem.

Here we see trombonist McTish helping Dave get the tube in the bottle to ensure an adequate level of hydration whilst wearing the patented ‘Beer Goggle’.

A new pair of budget NHS eyes completes the new improved ‘Visually Aided Conductor Kit’.

All set for next term.

As we only have one more official Gig planned before our summer break we have decided to open up our last rehearsal as a free informal concert to say thank you to the Phoenix Club who generously provide our rehearsal room every week.

If this works out and there is enough interest we will try and do this on a regular basis so come along and support us.

Last night saw the band play one of our favourite gigs at our return to the Haydon Bridge Beer Festival.

An enthusiastic crowd got into the groove during the set leading to a great atmosphere.

Andrea putting down another top solo.

Soloists Dave and Matt introduced by MD Dave Hignett

The Tyne Valley Big Band in action.

Unfortunately the ‘Tyne Valley Big Band All Stars’  team lost in the early stages of the post gig Tug o’ War tournament despite a significant weight advantage over our opponents.

Here we see Mike ‘Twanger’ Cunningham demonstration the optimum position for the ‘Tug’ to his bemused teammates.

In the second ‘Tug’ the opposition introduced a ringer in front of our anchorman Mr Hignett. For some inexplicable reason this seemed to put him off his stroke and concentration.

With inevitable consequences.

It was the slippy shoes that did it for us.

Catch up with more photos from the Gig on this link spotted by our very own Trumpet Meister Benjami Pastrami http://haydonbeerfestival.co.uk/july-2013-photographs

A lovely sunny evening saw us playing down the tree lined avenue in front of the Chapel at Gibsides ‘Street Party’ in early July.

Mike sorting his music, not visible. (String Bass)

Still waiting for Mike.  Dave amusing the crowds with witty banter.

Trumpets, Mike now visible at last.

Harry (Wizard) Forster with a great Trombone solo.

Tyne Valley Big Band, barbeques, hog roasts and a Wylam Brewery beer tent providing sustenance throughout. What a pleasant way to spend a summers evening.

We were delighted to be invited back to open the 2013 Tynedale Beer Festival with a slot on sponsors night.

The band has developed under Dave Hignetts direction since our first appearance last year. We have an expanded repertoire and a tight set of great numbers including vocal appearances by our very own Barbara Hignett on human voice.

Yes it is possible to fit a Big Band on a stage designed for a four piece Rock Band, but only just.

…..by judicious perching of our fantastic Rhythm Section on their own little stages.

Here we see the Rhythm boys concentrating so very hard so as not to fall off.

‘Blowers’

Kev

Other Kev

Thanks as always to our sponsors Wylam Brewery for supplementing our refreshment during the evening.

The coldest windiest day in recent memory co-incided with our inaugural performance at the Northumberland County Show, held for the first time at its new location on the Bywell Estate.

Undeterred by adversity the fine players of the TVBB put on a magnificent performance whilst holding onto stands, music and at times each other to avoid being blown away.

Here we see Mr Dave Barnes keeping warm with some vigorous tromboning.

Delayed in the traffic our Lead Trumpeter Alistair Lord just made it for his big solo.

The Tenor sax section huddled together to keep warm. Everything pegged down.

Our Alto Sax section were deluged when the marquee roof leaked in a particularly vicious gust. Dianne and ‘Choppy’ bore the brunt of this but carried on regardless showing true professionalism in the circumstances.

A ‘Choppy’ Solo with our MD Mr Hignett moved to ‘scat’ along.

Juliet with very large coat.

Harry bravely sporting the Wylam Brewery sponsored Polo.

Kev the ‘Axe’ deep in concentration.

Many thanks to the organisers for inviting us to to play at the show, and to our sponsors Wylam Brewery for providing us with some very enjoyable liquid refreshment.

Its official! We are now in “Tyne Valley Big Band Summer Time”.

We have been rehearsing hard to get a great set of numbers together for our Summer gigs.

Many thanks to the Phoenix Club & Bar for the generous use of the club for our regular rehearsals.

Thanks again to Wylam Brewery for sponsoring our new polos and band music folders, they will be at many of our summer events so please support them if you are in any way thirsty.

See you at the Northumberland County Show where we start our summer “Tour”.

Hardened TVBB curry eaters enjoyed another excellent curry night at the Diwan e am, Hexham in mid April.

Flaunting convention we met on a Friday night during the Easter holiday when many of our teacher band members are at their most relaxed.

A fine meal was followed by much revelry in our spiritual home and band “Office” the Tap & Spile.

Here we see two brass players tying to workout what all those little dots are.

Equipped with the latest technology in visual reading aids Mr Hignett proceeds to entertain the captive audience of the Tap & Spile with a rousing selection of Beatles numbers to critical acclaim. (Very critical)

Last night the band took part in a joint concert with our friends the Ponteland Community Wind Band and Prudhoe Community Band, also conducted by Dave Hignett.

Keen eyed viewers may note that the Ponteland Community Wind Bands Conductor is our very own lead trumpet Alistair Lord, heavily disguised wearing a purple Polo.

The concert concluded with a massed Wind Band of around 80 players from all three bands playing a rousing version of “Tequila”

Dave Hignett gave a vote of thanks to all the players and helpers who had made the concert such an enjoyable event, and thanked our sponsors Wylam Brewery for their recent support.

On Saturday 2nd of March we debuted at our first ever visit to the Sunderland Great North Big Band Jazz Festival now in its 10th year.

This popular three day event attracts big bands from across the whole country with a concert on Friday night followed by an open section on Saturday afternoon and school and youth band sections on Sunday.

Watch the official Video of Feelin the Funk here!

Resplendent in our new Wylam Brewery sponsored band polo shirts and smart new music folders we hit the audience and judges with an exciting set.

Corner Pocket, Lonely Street, Mac the Knife and Feelin’ the Funk.

The judges Paul Jones and Pete Long, both top world reputed saxophonists, were blown away by the sheer size and tight big sound of the band and gave us some very encouraging feedback. Pete Long described us as an “Incredible  magnificent concatenation of humanity” of “All shapes and sizes” Fair comment!

We were very proud to be invited back on stage as one of the top three bands to play with Paul Jones and Pete Long as guest soloists.

This was the pinnacle of our short history together as a band and a tribute to the directorship of our MD Dave Hignett and the dedication of all our band members.

As one of the three prize winners we also received a £200 cheque toward band funds.

Unfortunately some of the band had to leave before the prized guest slot performance but we managed to find some willing players to fill the spare seats.  Many thanks to all those concerned.

The end of a great day.

Be Bop Spoken here website had this to say

“First time visitors Tyne Valley Big Band, led by the indefatigable Dave Hignett, took to the stage in  numbers (massed ranks more like!). Musicians everywhere, this really was a big band! Drawn from the Tyne Valley community, this outfit were out to enjoy themselves. Basie’s Corner Pocket, Sammy Nestico’s Lonely Street, Eric Morales’ Feelin’ the Funk –  good tunes all. Familiar face Alastair Lord nailed the top C stuff in the trumpet section and Andrea De Vere blazed a trail on tenor and alto. To top it off vocalist Barbara Hignett unleashed a killer version of Mack the Knife. Was this Live at the Sands, Las Vegas or the Students’ Union, Sunderland University? No matter where, great stuff! Six bands done, four to go.”