We will take full advantage of the Great Hall’s superb dance floor so that everyone can dance to a triple bill of big band music played by the UK’s top jazz musicians. Music that inspired the invention of jive and lindy hop. The event will be co-promoted with jive/lindy hop master Alan Axon, who teaches at Deda and several dance clubs across the East Midlands.

You can come and dance or just sit, listen and enjoy a wonderful evening of pure nostalgia.

THE ALL-STAR GOODMEN ORCHESTRA

Pete Long's all-star Goodmen Orchestra has no competitor when it recreates Benny Goodman's classic Carnegie Hall 1938 concert. Ex Jools Holland arranger and star soloist Pete Long has the cream of London’s big band players guaranteeing all the passion and frenzy of the original concert. Few musicians would attempt a recreation of Goodman’s work, but Pete Long is one of the finest jazz clarinetists in the world and relishes the challenge.

All the repertoire and scores from the Carnegie Hall concert are featured, including Don’t Be That Way; Body & Soul; One O’Clock Jump; China Boy; Sing, Sing, Sing and those other fabulous Fletcher Henderson, Mel Powell and Eddie Sauter arrangements. An added bonus will be famed American singer Joan Viskant, described by Ray Charles as reminding him of Doris Day.           

 www.masterspiece.eu                                                                                                                    

THE HEP CHAPS

This six-piece band play small band after-hours jazz the featured in Harlem’s hippest clubs in the forties. Big on the jive circuit the Hep Chaps feature Roger Beaujolais on vibes. It’s very Charlie Christian, Georgie Auld and Lionel Hampton.

www.hepchaps.co.uk 

THE GENE KRUPA ‘UPTOWN’ ORCHESTRA                       

Gene Krupa was a drumming phenomenon who became one of the greatest stars of the swing era. This band, featuring Richard Pite on drums, highlights his career from the late 20’s through to the glory days with Benny Goodman and his own band (with Anita O’Day and Roy Eldridge as its stars). His drum break on Sing Sing Sing was recently voted by the readers of Modern Drummer as the greatest drum solo of all time.                                           www.masterspiece.eu