Reporter: Tony Sheldon
Date online: 12/06/2008

The annual visit of Barnsley's Silver Leaf Jazz band introduced new young Welsh drummer Rhodri Younger and La Sharpe Street trumpeter John Pashley with the band led by husband and wife team David and Liz Hepworth on clarinet and sax.

A nice blend of popular numbers entertained the fans who had braved the prevailing conditions and I enjoyed some unusual arrangements. Duke Ellington's 'Creole Love Call' was led by soft sax, driven muted trumpet with Alan Osbornes trombone variations with timed pauses.

The Rumba beat of sax, trumpet and maracas brought sunshine into the cold night with 'Spain', whilst Mick Ruddy's banjo, Andy Booth's bass and Younger's drums were given solo spots in 'Royal Garden Blues' to finish the first set.

The second session brought a very different 'St James Infirmary' Osborne's vocal accompanied by Pashley's strong trumpet in a number usually controlled by the clarinet.

David Hepworth's solo clarinet with rhythm section presented a superb flowing 'Avalon', whilst dual saxes with the calypso drumming of Younger gave a real West Indian feel to 'St Thomas'.

Marches and blues led the final session with the Hepworths dual clarinets driving 'Weary Blues'. Vocals from Pashley, Liz Hepworth and Osborne accompanying himself with that great favourite 'Ice Cream'.

And so to a rousing 'outro' 'Avec Difference' in which Liz's driving sax (a la Brian Carrick) played out with Sidney Bechets 'Dans la Rue De L'Antibes'.

Silver Leaf Jazz Band
The Broadfield Hotel
Sunday 9 April 2006