The Village Hall resounded to the wonderfully uplifting sounds of an 18 piece big band on Friday evening, 9th November, when Lee Buckingham and the Big Band Swing came to play for a capacity audience.
The event was hosted by the Masons' Haddenham Lodge in support of small local charities, including Florence Nightingale Hospice, Haddenham & District Age Concern, Haddenham Youth Theatre, Haddenham & District branch of the Royal British Legion, and The Aylesbury Motor Project, a charity providing an alternative education route for young aspiring mechanics.
Big Band Swing was founded in 1997 and is made up of Pro, ex-pro and amateur musicians of all ages. A highly varied repertoire of well over 30 numbers was enjoyed by folk of all ages, some of whom were unable to resist the temptation to express their pleasure in dance. The only thing missing was a set of reviews from Bruno, Craig, Darcy and Len!
The band delighted the audience with both instrumental and vocal numbers, covering well over 80 years of writing and arranging – with very familiar pieces associated with Glenn Miller, Frank Sinatra, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Artie Shore, Cole Porter, George & Ira Gershwin, and Noel Coward, as well as more recent numbers from the likes of Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Even Adele's Skyfall, the theme to the latest Bond movie, was delightfully offered with the capable vocals of Jackie Highe.
Highlight of the evening for your reviewer was "Gonna Fly Now" the theme from 'Rocky' with a trumpet solo by Paul Gardner that earned a very well deserved 'wow' and particularly enthusiastic appreciation from the audience.
So, a great evening of entertainment and an event that raised over £3,000 for local charities.
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