One of the great things about festivals is the chance to push outside the box, try out genres you might not normally consider. The big band sound fits that template for me, and after today's performance I'm wondering if I've been missing out. Or was it just the sheer charm of this particular band?
The Chicago of Ness and Capone, the America of Coolidge and Hoover - but with Slovakian accents. A sincerely felt homage to the era of Duke Ellington, and so eminently suited to the ambience of the Spiegeltent, this is very much a big band on stage. 15 musicians in rhythm, string, brass and wind sections, with almost every one getting a solo at some point. Bringing the number up to a nice round 20 were the singers - 2 crooners with immaculately brylcreemed hair, and the "Serenaders Sister" trio, who would appear on stage for their singing parts, bow or curtsy, and walk off. The 17 men outfitted in DJs and dickey bows, the women in 1920s dresses and sweet lace gloves. Downton Abbey comes to Chigago via Bratislava.
Jazz Era classics and Slovakian songs, all beautifully orchestrated and played with panache. There's no great dramatic passages in the music, the solos are mostly kept short and simple, and there are a few visual, and musical, gags to provide laughs. The singers have good voices and authentic period phrasing (with the bonus of those Slovakian accents!). It's a performance providing a constant stream of pleasure. Even the band leader's sales pitch for CDs and LPs is done with a coy charm.
Considering I went in with moderate expectations it was a gratifying surprise to spend an hour with a grin fixed to my face. Delightful.
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