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.

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.