Ma Bessie returns!

We've had some great times in the past with Julia Titus joining us as our guest singer, and we were delighted to welcome her back to a concert at Cheap Street Church in Sherborne, where she last appeared at Raymond Wood's 90th Birthday Concert. We were also pleased to welcome back Tim Heming on bass - he had already joined us for a 'dummy run' at The Ropemakers a couple of days before and was clearly raring to go.

Julia is totally convincing as her alter ego Bessie Smith, and we enjoyed backing her on such classics as Hot Time In Old Town Tonight, Downhearted Blues, St Louis Blues, and Cake Walking Babies. Needless to say, we just had to include Trombone Cholly, which has become obligatory whenever Julia joins us!

She also treated the very appreciative audience to some wonderful spirituals - Just A Closer Walk With Thee, The Old Rugged Cross, and Amazing Grace - which she always puts over to perfection. To add authenticity to these spirituals, we were pleased to note that she had remembered to bring her 'Sunday Best' white bonnet, perfectly appropriate for performing in this fine church!

Our concerts here used to be masterminded by our very own impresario (and long-term fan of the band) Raymond Wood, who is mentioned above. Although he has now made the long trek back to Barnard Castle in the North-East, he will no doubt be delighted to know that 'his' concerts are in safe hands, for his instructions regarding interval refreshments for the band - including that the smoked salmon should be purchased chez Waitrose - were followed to the letter (possibly, dare we say it, even exceeded in excellence!). Not only that, but publicity and 'front of house' arrangements were - judging by the large audience - clearly well up to Raymond's exacting standards. We are already looking forward to our next visit!