Marlborough Jazz Fest: Red Hot Rhythmakers (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Marlborough Jazz Fest: Red Hot Rhythmakers

3:40pm Monday 14th July 2008 in Leisure By Nigel Kerton

THIS nine-piece swing band from Melbourne, Australia, took Marlborough by storm on Saturday.

From the minute they took to the stage at the Brewin Dolphin Bandstand in The Parade this band was in line for the festival's best newcomer award.

This exciting young band, all of them in their 20's, wowed their audience with the sounds of the 1920's and Thirties.

They played a tribute to the late Humphrey Lyttleton who they may or may not have known was a Marlborough festival favourite.

Lyttelton, who had appeared at Marlborough ever since its festival started, died a few months ago.

But his sound lives on in the hands of these capable young instrumentalists from Down Under.

They have been on their first ever tour outside Australia and arrived in Marlborough fresh from Sweden.

For some of them, like leader Jason Downes, it was their first excursion outside of Australia and he explained that as well as recreating old sounds this band creates its own music as well including some numbers he had written himself.

Sandra Tully, doubled as drummer and vocalist with a honey-smooth dulcet voice that suited admirably the period music this group specialises in.

This is one band that the festival organisers must invite back in 2009.

The Marlborough International Jazz festival has a reputation for discovering new talent and this show reinforced that reputation.

Click here for more reviews and photos from The Marlborough Jazz Festival.