Customs House welcomes Ray (MAY 2007)
On May 18th the Customs House was host to The Ray Chester Big Band for the first time. The bands of Count Basie and Stan Kenton toured Britain in the autumn of 1956, the first American bands to do so since before World War II. This long gap had been the result of disagreements between the American Federation of Musicians and the British Musicians Union. The 50th anniversary of these tours, in 2006, seemed to have gone unnoticed so, to mark the occasion, the music of Basie and Kenton formed a large proportion of the programme.
The house was very appreciative of precise playing....and they didn't go away disappointed. A selection of popular tunes and big band numbers showing the band off to its full potential. Mia Webb, the band's vocalist, had the vocal cords in fine trim. It was Don Fairley's first gig since he came out of hospital
The house was very appreciative of precise playing....and they didn't go away disappointed. A selection of popular tunes and big band numbers showing the band off to its full potential. Mia Webb, the band's vocalist, had the vocal cords in fine trim. It was Don Fairley's first gig since he came out of hospital
40 years and still going!
On Saturday 23rd September,2006, Ray Chester celebrated his 40th Year of the Big Band with a special concert at the Caedman Hall. A special appearance by Mark Nightingale,undoubtedly the best British Trombone Jazz virtuoso, kept a packed audience thrilled accompanied by the big band. It is a great feat to have achieved forty years of band leading.....not only to have the stamina and determination to keep a band together but also to score a full library of arrangements and to cap it all..........have 2 BBC awards under your belt as well .
Having had Ray's work recognised with BBC awards and and a line up of excellent musicians, it is easy to understand why the band has been successful for this long.
Having had Ray's work recognised with BBC awards and and a line up of excellent musicians, it is easy to understand why the band has been successful for this long.
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Ray wins BBC Awards 2002
The annual competition ran by the BBC (BBC Big Band Competition) has proved to be a useful venture into gaining some fame for Ray and the RCBB,although Ray needs no introduction to some as he has written some highly acclaimed arrangements. Entering the contest in 2002 Ray Ray picked up prizes for the band coming second in the competition and also the Musicians Union Trophy for outstanding musicianship. (MYJO) Midland Youth Jazz Orchestra, along with Ray, played and broadcasted his arrangement of 'Alone Together'
2005 BBC Big Band Competition
RADIO 2 Arrangers Prize for best arrangement............ Hoagy Carmichael's 'Skylark'
The annual competition ran by the BBC (BBC Big Band Competition) has proved to be a useful venture into gaining some fame for Ray and the RCBB,although Ray needs no introduction to some as he has written some highly acclaimed arrangements. Entering the contest in 2002 Ray Ray picked up prizes for the band coming second in the competition and also the Musicians Union Trophy for outstanding musicianship. (MYJO) Midland Youth Jazz Orchestra, along with Ray, played and broadcasted his arrangement of 'Alone Together'
2005 BBC Big Band Competition
RADIO 2 Arrangers Prize for best arrangement............ Hoagy Carmichael's 'Skylark'
The
The Ray Chester Big Band
The Customs House, South Shields (May 23rd 2008)
There's something about the sound of a big band that makes my spine tingle - I love it! Add the dulcet tones of an exquisite female vocalist and the music and lyrics of George and Ira Gershwin and, in my opinion, you're in for a pretty spectacular evening.
Last night, The Customs House welcomed back The Ray Chester Big Band and Mia Webb to provide just that. After opening up with Strike Up The Band, Mia stepped into the limelight and wowed the audience with her renditions of The Man I Love and A Foggy Day (In London Town). Her consummate delivery of the lyrics combined with the precision of the band went together as well as strawberries and cream.
In a corner of my mind, I was transported back in time to an old 'speakeasy' in Prohibition-era New York. Perhaps I was born in the wrong place and time?
The evening continued with Mia Webb singing classics such as I Got Rhythm, Soon, Embraceable You, Somebody Loves Me, They Can't Take That Away From Me, Nice Work If You Can Get It and How Long Has This Been Going On? The band were in excellent form with Lady Be Good, Rhapsody In Blue and S'Wonderful.
The first part of the show was brought to a lively close as special guests The Fenner Sisters performed Bei Mir Bist Du Schon, Straighten Up And Fly Right and I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter. They obviously had a number of fans in the audience who cheered and wolf-whistled their appreciation enthusiastically.
The second part of he show continued in very much the same style as the first. The music included But Not For Me, Someone To Watch Over Me and Walking The Dog. The Fenner Sisters returned to sing Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy From Company B and In The Mood and Mia Webb returned to the stage to perform again. The evening was rounded off with the band playing a selection of numbers from Porgy And Bess, including a sophisticated, sultry arrangement of Summertime.
After two delightful hours of wonderful musical entertainment the audience, and this reviewer, left the theatre and entered into the dusky night air humming those fabulous tunes.
Steve Burbridge.
The Customs House, South Shields (May 23rd 2008)
There's something about the sound of a big band that makes my spine tingle - I love it! Add the dulcet tones of an exquisite female vocalist and the music and lyrics of George and Ira Gershwin and, in my opinion, you're in for a pretty spectacular evening.
Last night, The Customs House welcomed back The Ray Chester Big Band and Mia Webb to provide just that. After opening up with Strike Up The Band, Mia stepped into the limelight and wowed the audience with her renditions of The Man I Love and A Foggy Day (In London Town). Her consummate delivery of the lyrics combined with the precision of the band went together as well as strawberries and cream.
In a corner of my mind, I was transported back in time to an old 'speakeasy' in Prohibition-era New York. Perhaps I was born in the wrong place and time?
The evening continued with Mia Webb singing classics such as I Got Rhythm, Soon, Embraceable You, Somebody Loves Me, They Can't Take That Away From Me, Nice Work If You Can Get It and How Long Has This Been Going On? The band were in excellent form with Lady Be Good, Rhapsody In Blue and S'Wonderful.
The first part of the show was brought to a lively close as special guests The Fenner Sisters performed Bei Mir Bist Du Schon, Straighten Up And Fly Right and I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter. They obviously had a number of fans in the audience who cheered and wolf-whistled their appreciation enthusiastically.
The second part of he show continued in very much the same style as the first. The music included But Not For Me, Someone To Watch Over Me and Walking The Dog. The Fenner Sisters returned to sing Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy From Company B and In The Mood and Mia Webb returned to the stage to perform again. The evening was rounded off with the band playing a selection of numbers from Porgy And Bess, including a sophisticated, sultry arrangement of Summertime.
After two delightful hours of wonderful musical entertainment the audience, and this reviewer, left the theatre and entered into the dusky night air humming those fabulous tunes.
Steve Burbridge.
St. Benedict's CHARITY GIG 26th March 2009 (Mill View Club)
The RCBB gig on the date above is to raise funds for St. Benedict's Hospice in Monkwearmouth, Sunderland. Ray's wife, Joan, was looked after extremely well there during the last week of her life and the band has played a number of fundraising concerts and dances since then.
Our new all-Gershwin CD will be on sale at the concert at a price of £10, £2 of which will go to the hospice.
Mill View Club is in Station Road, Fulwell, Sunderland, about 100 yards from Seaburn Station (Metro) and very close to the Blue Bell pub. They have a very nice concert room and have been generous in allowing us to use it for the concert and rehearsals.
Our new all-Gershwin CD will be on sale at the concert at a price of £10, £2 of which will go to the hospice.
Mill View Club is in Station Road, Fulwell, Sunderland, about 100 yards from Seaburn Station (Metro) and very close to the Blue Bell pub. They have a very nice concert room and have been generous in allowing us to use it for the concert and rehearsals.
Customs House Theatre
May 13th 2009
If ever a night promised you nostalgia ...this is it. It doesn't matter which band you heard or followed, it was the unmistakable sound of brass and woodwind coupled with great swing arrangements of yesteryear that got your feet tapping. Speaking of arrangements, Ray will guide you through the nostalgic years of playing and writing music for over 60 years. Tunes like "The nearness of you" (he arranged this for Al Flush and his band....great tunes from some of the top bands...... Woody Herman, Stan Kenton, Ted Heath. As it is 70 years since the outbreak of WW2......listen for an exciting arrangement of the Dam Busters March.....
Tickets £10...Conc. £8 from the Customs House Theatre Box Office (0191 4541234)
May 13th 2009
If ever a night promised you nostalgia ...this is it. It doesn't matter which band you heard or followed, it was the unmistakable sound of brass and woodwind coupled with great swing arrangements of yesteryear that got your feet tapping. Speaking of arrangements, Ray will guide you through the nostalgic years of playing and writing music for over 60 years. Tunes like "The nearness of you" (he arranged this for Al Flush and his band....great tunes from some of the top bands...... Woody Herman, Stan Kenton, Ted Heath. As it is 70 years since the outbreak of WW2......listen for an exciting arrangement of the Dam Busters March.....
Tickets £10...Conc. £8 from the Customs House Theatre Box Office (0191 4541234)
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