Thrash Metal Trad

Over a quiet pint at the bar before we started, Frank Abrams (clarinet, soprano and tenor saxes) said something along the lines of how nice it was to come to Malvern and play relaxed swing music. You'd think he'd know better given that his mate Alan Bateman (trumpet, soprano and baritone sax) was standing behind him. Yes, that Alan Bateman - the one reknowned for the rapidity of his stomp-ins and persistent cruelty to banjo players. Over another pint in the interval, Frank Abrams and I were trying to put a label on what we'd been attempting. We decided that Thrash Trad wouldn't be far wide of the mark!

It was a fun session, with risks taken and, I think, rewarded. Frank gave us some great solos on all three of his reeds, and reminded us of his very personal style (especially on the tenor) - a great mix of melodic inventiveness and just a hint of early fifties blues or rock that adds spice. Alan Bateman just gets better and better. The appearance of his baritone sax was a rare treat - and boy, can he honk! The rhythm section (Ken Jones, Nick Millward, Phil Probert and Len Thwaites) chugged along happily behind these guys and it was fun to play a mix of dixieland and swing for a nice full room.

The playlist for the evening included some innovations - including Strutting with Some Barbecue played as a bossa, and some great scat singing from Nick Millward . Those of you who didn't run screaming from the room will also have noted the intriguing dis-arrangement of Aint No Sin, in which we experimented with free form, bebop-style jazz. (And you thought we were just getting the chords and words wrong....)

It was a great evening to be playing behind two exciting and creative guys and we look forward to having them return.