On Sunday 7th November 2021 the 13 piece “SWEET THUNDER ORCHESTRA”, led by pianist and arranger Rick Best, swung into Basie's “What Are We Here For”, to set the tempo for the afternoon. Ellington's “Black and Tan Fantasy”, “Don't Get Around Much Any More “ was sung by Rodney Ford and music from Quincy Jones, Basie's “9.20 Special”, Buddy Rich's up tempo “Love for Sale” gave these excellent musicians time to demonstrate their musical ability with crowd pleasing solos. A nice duet opening to “Time after Time” from John on bass and Adam on tenor sax led the band in a fine arrangement of a lovely song. The first set finished with a rip- roaring Basie classic “Jumpin’ at the Woodside”. What a band !!
The second set now featured a special guest - the international jazz singing star Miss WILMA READING. A jaunty “Somebody Loves Me” was followed by “Birth of the Blues' (which gave Scott a growling trumpet solo) and the classic “Leroy Brown”. Wilma led us through some of her musical life starting in Cairns then to England, Europe and the USA singing as the featured vocalist with Duke Ellington and singing in concerts with Sinatra & Jobim, and all stories were told with humility. A beautiful medley of The Beatles songs followed, then a glorious ballad “You Go to My Head”. “Satin Doll” swung as did Stevie Wonder's “You are the Sunshine of My Life”. A respectful silence from the audience when Wilma sang “Memories” - the show stopping ballad from the musical “Cats”. The applause was then loud and appreciative. The end was coming so, two great R & R tunes, “Mack the Knife” and “Shake Rattle & Roll” finished with a thunderous roar and standing ovation from the audience.
WILMA & SWEET THUNDER, thank you for a wonderful afternoon of the great jazz music we love and enjoy.
Brian Fane
Life Member
