On the evening of Friday 9th November, the Northcote Town Hall opened its doors to a one-off show called A Night at The Cotton Club. By 8pm more than 300 people had gathered and the atmosphere was electric. Opening the evening with Duke Ellington's Black and Tan Fantasy, Michael McQuaid's Red Hot Rhythmakers were in absolutely top form. In addition to the usual 9-piece group, Stephen Grant played on the concert grand piano with such taste and ease most assumed he was a part of the regular band. From the first note to their last, the music was played impeccably with soaring solos, beautiful vocals from Tamsin West and exquisite arrangements evoking the sound of the early jazz orchestras.
Collaborating with the orchestra was Swing Patrol's Echoes of Harlem, an elite swing dancing troupe. Echoes of Harlem performed 6 pieces with the band including It Don't Mean A Thing, Black Beauty, The Mooche, Creole Love Call, East St Louis Toodle-oo and Jubliee Stomp....and they were electrifying. Their choreographed dances were hot, sweet, sexy and slow and the crowd couldn't get enough. It's not often you get to hear the crowd screaming at a jazz concert!
Overall the night was such a success we are very keen to do something similar in the not too distant future. If you missed this concert, be sure to not to miss the next one!
More photos on the Red Hot Rhythmakers website.
Videos:
It Don't Mean A Thing
Black Beauty
The Mooche
Creole Love Call
East St Louis Toodle-oo
Jubilee Stomp
A big thank you to the 300+ crowd who attended the evening - you guys were amazing!
