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A Bit of Swing, Blues & Broadway - ReviewsAs published on Adelaide Theatre Guide
A BIT OF SWING, BLUES AND BROADWAY Review by Andy Ahrens Combine the Stag Hotel, some young local talent and some Swing, Blues and Broadway and you have exciting ingredients to kick off a night on the town. With vocalist Chris Eaton up front, Musical Director Daniel Brunner on keys and a band consisting of sax, trumpet, drums and bass, the combination is just right. Songs include classics from Nat King Cole, Rogers and Hart, Sondheim - and it wouldn’t be swing without Weill and Brecht’s ‘Mack the Knife’. A highlight is an original piece by Daniel Brunner. Not only does it sound good the first time you hear it, but it was also at home with the other songs. Along with Brunner’s arrangements for the other numbers, this song demonstrates that this boy has talent. The group sounds good and plays well. Their likable natures make them easy to watch. More showmanship would lift the show: lovers of swing, blues and musicals tend to expect it. This group can only get better. Rating: 4 stars (out of 5) As published in Rip It Up's "The Fix" on Thursday, 6 March 2008
A Bit Of Swing, Blues And Broadway This young jazz sextet offered moderate swing with the odd ballad to roughly 120 enthusiastic music lovers. The sound balance was good for such a big space. The guys were all a little stern faced but ably held tempo and pitch. Double bass solo, good key change and sectional horn parts were all features. I particularly enjoyed the two handed parts of Daniel Brunner's keys solos. He did well in the medium swing This Can't Be Love and St James Infirmary and it's worth noting all the tracks on the night were arranged by Daniel. The rhythm section held together throughout and the audience offered their own support with a lot of cheers. Chris Eaton's voice was strong for all tracks with good pitch and rhythm. Highlights were many; the keys, strong hits and decent stop times, horn sectional work behind the vocals. Getting an encore the band supplied an apt New Orleans style blues with a real house feel. This ended a very enjoyable performance. Damon Norton
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