THE BIG CHRIS BARBER BAND - HOT JAZZ FESTIVAL

This is an excellent DVD from the Big Chris Barber Band, filmed on May 25, 2002 at the Porsche Hot Jazz Festival, Europa Park.

The 60-minute programme contains twelve tunes, including “Harlem Rag,” “Sweetness,” “Mercy Mercy Mercy,” and the outstanding “Goin’ Home/Chimes Blues” combination. Two Ellington numbers, “Misty Morning” and “Jungle Nights In Harlem,” provide a nod in the direction the band was to follow over the next year and a half, taking advantage of Bob Hunt’s Ellington expertise and fine arranging skills, as well as the possibilities provided by the expanded front line. Apart from a single track on the new Jubilee Stomp CD, this was the last (to date) commercially released performance by John Crocker, after almost 35 years with the band.

Tracklist:

• Bourbon Street Parade
• Misty Morning
• Jungle Nights in Harlem
• Harlem Rag
• Sweetness
• Cornbread, Peas and Black Molasses
• Mercy Mercy Mercy
• Sweet Georgia Brown
• Goin' Home/chimes Blues
• Petite Fleur
• When the Saints Go Marching in
• Ice Cream