JB ALL STARS – 18.10.26 REVIEW

On Sunday 18th October, the Sunshine Coast Jazz Club audience was treated to a masterclass in jazz professionalism when the JB All-Stars stepped in to fill a last-minute cancellation.

Led by John Braben on trumpet, this stellar line-up featured Paul Williams on saxophone and clarinet, Dave Burrows on guitar and vocals, John Reeves on piano and accordion, John Conley on double bass, Rodney Ford on drums and the delightful Grace Rigby on vocals – truly the embodiment of her name.

Both sets featured a selection of much-loved jazz standards, including works by Duke Ellington, Earl Hines, Fats Waller, Lester Young and Irving Berlin.

Grace added a touch of French flair with “Je suis seul ce soir”, accompanied beautifully by John Reeves on accordion, and later the ever-popular “C’est si bon”. Dave also took centre stage vocally, first with the wonderfully quirky “Diddy Wah Diddy” and later with the haunting jazz classic “St. James Infirmary”.

It was a performance that demonstrated not only outstanding musicianship, but the versatility, experience and sheer professionalism of some of Queensland’s finest jazz performers. Their timing and interplay were seamless despite some members never having played together before. A last-minute replacement may have brought the JB All-Stars together, but they delivered a performance that was jazz at its best – experienced musicians trusting their instincts, listening to each other and creating something greater than the sum of its parts.

Thank you, Ben, our audio engineer for ensuring the quality of sound was as good as it could be, and thanks also to Wal Straede for his videoing skills, capturing this special event.

Jules Verity