Isomatic UK Weblog

This evening we went to the Berrylands Hotel in Surbiton, to see The Magna jazz band with an unusual line-up comprising Pete Towndrow (cornet), John Howlett (trombone, vocals, pictured), John Barnes (tenor sax, clarinet, vocal), Alan Dandy (keyboard), Richard Lyons (string bass) and Rex Bennett (drums). This resulted in some variations from the normal Magna performances. We will pick out as exceptional:
John Howlett's vocals on 'Hesitating Blues', 'Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter' and his trombone feature 'Baby Won't You Please Come Home';
John Barnes' vocal 'You're a Sweetheart' and his monologue 'Back Answers' by Rob Wilton in 1927;
Brenda's request 'A Kiss To Build a Dream On' with great cornet playing from Pete Towndrow;
Alan Dandy's feature Drop Me off In Harlem composed by Duke Ellington in 1933, with lyrics written by Nick Kenny. According to Wikipedia, A.H. Lawrence writes that the song originated from an off the cuff remark from Ellington. Nick Kenny had hailed a taxi, and offered to share it with Ellington. Kenny asked "Where to, Duke?", and Ellington replied "Drop me off at Harlem". Kenny then fashioned lyrics from Ellington's remark and presented him with them a few days later at the Cotton Club.

Labels: Jazz