Jazz Band ICC Gig
Music > The Jazz Band - an Institution > Jazz Band ICC Gig
The Alton College Jazz Band were invited to perform at the Association of College's Gala Dinner at the International Conference Centre in Birmingham on Wednesday 16th November 2005. Along with singing waiters from Preston College, a fashion show from Lewisham College and some fantastic dancing from Ealing, Hammersmith and West London College, the ACJB entertained 1000 delegates, including Ministers of Education, College Principals and Chairs of Governors from colleges throughout the country.
The day began as the band boarded the coach at 1.30 - and after a nice sedate coach journey through the English country side, and a double loop of the Five-Ways island in the Birmingham rush hour (thanks to Phil's map reading) we finally made it to the Quality Hotel and checked in.
Half an hour later we pulled up at the back of the ICC complex and began off loading all our equipment. As we then walked through the hall where we were later to play - on our way to the Artists Lounge, the enormity of the occasion suddenly dawned. How big was it? Tables as far as the eye could see with 100's of waiters preparing tables. And the stage - miles over the other side of the hall.
Pictured above: The band in keen anticipation, just before leaving college.
And after many text messages and phone calls we meet with Dave - who was on audition at Birmingham Conservatoire the day before, and Louise, Emily, Tim and Tim who'd travelled from Bath, Exeter and Leeds to be with us.
On arrival at the Artists Lounge, the band tucked into plates of sandwiches and bottles of drink whilst the sound technician arrived to ask about our requirements. They want us to play without our PA system!
Pictured above: The stage area in the ICC.
6.35 - We are called to the stage for a sound check. There are no microphones in place, there's no foldback for Louise and no foldback for the keyboard... nightmare. Time ticks away and we leave the stage at 7.20 having only played half our tunes and not having satisfactory levels out of either of the foldback monitors.
Pictured above: Helen, Sarah, Matt, Ailie and Geej in rehearsal.
We than have 20 minutes to get changed into "aggressive" mode before we are called to the stage. Needless to say the lads are ready in 10 and pose for a "lads only" photo in the artists lounge, before our full complement arrive and we are called to the stage - via the kitchens, sneaking onto the stage two ex ACJB players currently studying at Birmingham Conservatoire - Steve Flower and Neil Blandford!
Pictured above: Rehearsal in blue.
Once on stage we tune, ask the crew to turn off the dry ice and then all of a sudden... Go! The Alton College Jazz Band open the Gala Diner with Basin Street Blues, and the sound problems, fixed. The levels on the monitors was excellent and the band take no prisoners as they play their set.
Memories. How fast did the time go - we played for over half an hour and it felt like seconds; I was suddenly aware that there were many cameras focused on us and images of the band were being relayed into the hall on huge screens. The bass drum moving across the stage in Josh's solo, Tim's fantastic opening in To Dudu - with just a touch of reverb from the sound man, Paul Ross' comment about Leo Sayer (very original). And then it was over. As we leave the stage, Jane (Machell, Alton College Principal) - dressed to the 9's, is backstage to congratulate the band. Tom Espley - now Principal of Henley College, comes up to the stage to say "hi" and reminisce that when he was at college the band was a little smaller.
Pictured above: The "Lads" in aggressive mode.
Back to reality: equipment on to the coach - with the aid of a rather stressy "I think you'll find it was" member of the ICC crew, and back to the artists lounge for a well earned hot meal, after which we went down to the hall to watch the fantastic dancing - it'll be great to have a dance course at college.
As we leave the ICC and wave goodbye to Jane, to make our way to the Quality Hotel, the AoC generously donating souvenirs to the band in memory of their day in Birmingham.
Pictured above: Dave Morecroft on the big screen.
Ending: We arrive at the Quality Hotel and 5 minutes later the band are tucked up in bed and fast asleep.
Alternative bizare ending: We arrive at the Quality Hotel and 5 minutes later the band settle down for a quiet drink, whilst members of the band each sign a momento donated by "John the cleaner".
Alternative completely unbelievable ending: We arrive at the Quality Hotel and 5 minutes later the band are in the bar - along with the singing waiters, each signing a momento donated by "John the cleaner", nobody goes to bed until at least 1.30 - when one or two drift off to play poker. Josh insults me by telling me that my rather natty waistcoat has the same material as the chair, and a bottle of wine finally gets drunk!
Pictured above: Josh Packham on the big screen.
Full English at 8.45 - and despite many good intentions to go swimming at 7am, the only brave soul is Luke Adam who had the whole pool to himself. We now all know that Laurence snores!
On the coach at 10am to leave a Siberian Birmingham. After an initial outburst of enthusiasm - when we all listened to Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band on the coach CD player (this is what the Big Band should sound like), everybody - except Phil and the driver, fall fast asleep.
Martin Read (Head of Music)
Comments and Memories
"The ICC: Huge. From the unfunny jokes of Paul Ross to the singing waiters, the AoC had obviously gone to town for the conference, so naturally, 1000 people walked in to the quality music of the Alton College Jazz Band. Tim's To Dudu solo, Luke's Gotcha solo, Dave's St. Thomas and Basin street solos, Louise's basin street, Julie and Emily's desafinado interjections, Phil's screaming trumpet lines playing higher than the flutes (and playing louder than most of us!) and of course, little Joshy rockin' Hueco were some of the highlights. Playing the huge Hueco at the end was amazing, and the "wet floor" signs contributed to the day. We owe you so much, John the cleaner and Rubbermaid..."
The ICC gig. Words fail me. Was so good to see the 04/05 gang once more - amazing solos all round! The pride of Hueco! ending the night... (that Clavinova is on its last legs now) with the amazing trumpet screaming from Philly S. To quote the principal, we should have "stayed on all night"! Our sheer energy and enjoyment, one would hope, caused some enrichment depriving heads to turn! Immense.
Thank you for organsising the brum trip. I had such a great time. It was so good to see everyone again. It made me realise how much I miss everyone and all the fun we have in Jazz Band!
I had the very great pleasure of seeing your Alton College Jazz band, at the AoC Conference this week, and felt moved to drop you a line and let you know how very enjoyable and talented the entire performance was.
I am a drummer myself, (some 28 years I have been playing), and thought particularly the drum parts were exceptional.
Tim Batkin (LSC and Centre for Procurement Performance)