IJO Big Band: Frank Sinatra's 100th Birthday Party  

Burghfield CSA Ballroom

I HAD heard that Innovations Jazz Orchestra (now going by the moniker IJO Big Band) had been on the up of late under new management.

So when I saw they were putting on a Frank Sinatra 100th birthday celebration, I went along to see them for the first time in a couple of years. This was a very professional show with some capable musicians and five fine singers presenting a variety of songs from Sinatra and others in a well balanced and thoroughly engaging set.

Band leader Lorna Mountford was an enthusiastic presence on stage, which rubbed off on the singers, players and audience alike.

The band were solid throughout, despite what appeared to be an emergency pianist-ectomy after the first set when keyboard players were swapped; the rhythm section pressed on regardless as did the rest of the band.

The only criticism of playing is perhaps the lack of adventure in the solos, with the exception of Steve Hatfield on trumpet whose animation and sassy playing highlighted the relative safety of soloing elsewhere.

Sectional playing was excellent – it was a shame not to hear local trombone royalty Paul Sykes letting rip but his section was strong, as were saxophones, flutes, trumpets and rhythm.

But the night belonged to the singers and the tribute they paid to Sinatra. There were some obvious song choices but sensibly the band had decided to play a little left-field with some tunes to broaden the repertoire.

In each case, the songs were very well matched to their singers. Catharine Fewtrell's authentic performance in Black Coffee and House Of Bamboo brought to mind Rosemary Clooney, Julie London and Carmen McRae.

Her terrific show-stopping duet All That Jazz with Lorraine Kerr - in which they cavorted gaily in corsetry - was an unexpected visual and aural treat.

Ms Kerr has a voice reminiscent of Rose Murphy - wonderfully naive and innocent but assured.

Ian Moir's bluesy style worked very well for King of The Road and Birth of the Blues; he has a laconic style that suited the songs he sang.

Sinatra aficionado Geoff Kaye's style included wonderful inflections and mannerisms aping the great man without looking like an overt impersonation. He had great power in his voice, which gave songs like My Way (which are so often dripping with affectation) real authenticity.

Star of the show was undoubtedly Ali Bagshaw whose warm persona invited the audience in and who boasted a strong but accessible voice and relaxed performance style.

Mr Bojangles was a particular favourite, performed with just the right amount of sentimentality and schmaltz.

The show was long - three sets - but time passed by quickly thanks to the pace of the band ripping through the numbers, well drilled stage direction and a dynamic set that mixed uptempo with ballad in the right proportions.

It seems that IJO Big Band are pulling out all the stops to take themselves out of the amateur ranks and offer us something more polished and professional than you might expect.

This concert was well conceived and well executed - the capacity audience were appreciative of a well played, well performed and well drilled performance.

The band is indeed on the up - they put on a very fine show.

John Protheroe