DARLINGTON New Orleans Jazz Club's recent concert promotion at St Augustine's Parish Centre attracted more than one hundred people making it a standing-room-only affair.
The attendance - a record for DNOJC - was achieved thanks to a return visit by American virtuoso pianist Jeff Barnhart working as a duo with the ever-popular Tom 'Spats' Langham.
Barnhart and Langham specialise in the 'classic jazz' era of the pioneers of the music. The duo's encyclopedic knowledge of the music and its practitioners is without parallel. Vocalist Langham not only plays banjo and violin, he plays the part wearing 20s-style spats.
The lunchtime concert began with no fewer than four numbers written by Irving Berlin. Barnhart's wry observation that the duo played the first of them - All Alone - to a packed hall set the tone for an afternoon of superb jazz and many entertaining anecdotes. Their programme included Jelly Roll Morton, novelty items such as Never Swat a Fly and numbers associated with popular performers of the day such as Al Bowlly and Ukulele Ike.
One of many highlights found Barnhart insisting he would be a little rusty as the duo launched into 12th Street Rag. Initially hesitant, playing the tune 'largo' rather than the usual 'presto' tempo, it was, of course, stuff and nonsense. A nod from Barnhart to Langham and off they went at breakneck pace. Dazzling, brilliant playing ensued which won the duo rapturous applause.
Jeff Barnhart makes a quick return to St Augustine's - Saturday 15th - to play a series of piano improvisations to some of Buster Keaton's classic silent films.
Russell Corbett
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