Bob Bradford’s big band bounces back

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33779, 27 February 1975, Page 4

Bob Bradford’s big band bounces back

(By

JOHN McNEILL)

The young man, bearded, in very faded denims, stood on the riverbank, watching the musicians packing away their instruments. Bemused he turned and asked us, “What was that?”

The object of his incredulity was a rare ensemble of brass, string and percussion instruments which combine with sounds that thrilled older generations, and could yet turn on the young — a big jazz band.

The economies of big bands seem rather like those of many governments — expenditure is usually greater than income — but where countries survive, few bands of past eras have kept their heads above the breadline.

Buddy Rich and Woody Herman have their herds. Quincey Jones, Thad and Mel Lewis survive, in Australia Daly Wilson lives precariously on sponsorship, and in New Zealand the Auckland Neophonic Society and Julian Lee have hitched waggons. Great news then for young people with a sense of musical adventure, or

for those seeking diversion from the electric sound of rock, for Bob Bradford has put together his Big Band, and from Tuesday March 4, and on succeeding Tuesdays thereafter, Bob's band can be heard wending its way through modem and oldie charts at the Carlton Hotel, Christchurch. Bob is excited about his new band for it looks an even stronger Unit. Jim Langabeer, probably the most innovative of local musicians, adding his baritone to an impressive lineup of reeds, which includes one of the finest high note alto players I’ve ever heard — Pete Davey. This year too, Bob has added a fourth trombone to the section; this will allow the band even greater freedom with the modem charts they are using, bringing the band’s strength to 16. Pete himself says the band sounds even sharper than before, and with the fine top class arrangements which Bob has available — by Quincey Jones, Henry Mancini, Same Nestico, Richard Maltby, Gerry Grey (Glen Miller’s arranger) — and with originals from the Miller, Goodman, Dorsey, Ellington and Basie bands to

augment the modem numbers, the band can offer a different programme every week without fear of running out of material. Bob also has personal contact with one of the foremost big band arrangers in the United States, Bill Granville, and some of Bill’s scores will receive their first airings during the Tuesday concerts.

The venue for the concerts, in the informal lounge area, can accommodate 600 people comfortably, and Bob says everyone will see the band (no-one will miss hearing them). A programme for each performance at $1.50 serves for admission. Before I left Bob I leafed through some of his 800 scores. A chart by Quincey Jones for “Never on Sunday" by Manon Hadjidikis took my eye. Beautifully handwritten, it included some comments by Quincey on his interest in the number (he had met the composer while on tour). Instructions to various sections and soloists and finished with this injuction — “Forget the Greek origins of this song — as Basie says — Wail!” If the band can remember that. I’m sure the audience won’t forget it.