IT HAS been said before that the most frivolous music can be just as demanding, if not more so, as more serious pieces.
There was much frivolity, as well as a few musical hoops to negotiate, as the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra revisited the music associated with popular animated films, supplemented by themes from such favourites as the James Bond and Star Trek series.
The orchestra members belatedly removed their jackets to reveal a selection of subject-related T-shirts. Drummer Alyn Cosker, in between counting the band in and playing with his customary authority, revelled in his brief role as the Muppets' Animal. And the ever-excellent pianist Steve Hamilton caused much unscripted hilarity when his habit of tipping scores, once used, onto the floor in an untidy heap left him hunting for the Star Trek chart when it was called as an encore.
While this wasn't perhaps the orchestra at its most inspired, however, there were solos to admire, with trumpeter Tom MacNiven, who also revealed a previously unsuspected talent on guitar during the Bond theme, consistently adding heat and flavour and saxophonists Konrad Wiszniewski and Martin Kershaw making concise, well-conceived contributions. There were also opportunities, such as during the Pink Panther theme, to appreciate the quality of orchestral sound and texture that director Tommy Smith has forged.
Their special guest, singer Jacqui Dankworth, didn't always sound entirely at ease, as witness the awkwardly low sounding Jungle Book favourite I Wanna Be Like You and the admittedly challenging contours of Mary J. Blige's Shark Tale, but she joined in the fun and acquitted herself well on Somewhere Over the Rainbow.
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