Flying Home
Track List
There's Something In The Air McHugh/Adamson arr. Miller
Apple Honey Herman arr. Pierce trans. Forgie
That Old Black Magic Aden Lyrics Mercer
Two O'Clock Jump James/Basie/Goodman arr. Bertoff
April In Paris Duke/Harburg arr. & trans. Forgie
Skyliner Barnet arr. London Orchestration
Do Nothing 'Til You Hear From Me Ellington Lyrics: Russell
Opus One Oliver/Garus
Night And Day Porter
Stardust Carmichael
Opus De Funk Silver arr. Pierce trans. Forgie
Fly Me To The Moon Howard arr. Nestico
Don't Sit Under The Apple Tree Brown
West Side Story Medley Bernstein trans. Forgie
Mack The Knife Weill Lyrics Brecht/Blitzstein
Love For Sale Porter arr. Myers trans. Forgie
Flying Home Hampton/Goodman/Robin arr. Forgie
Programme Notes
There's Something In The Air
Composed: McHugh/Adamson Arranged: Miller
The original signature tune of the wartime Squadronaires preceded every programme. Here, Matthew Little sings Jimmy Miller's brief, but nostalgic vocal.
Apple Honey
Composed: Herman Arranged: Pierce Transcribed: Forgie
Recorded on several of Woody Herman's albums, this track features solos from Phil Mercer (tenor saxophone), Andy Watson (trombone), Phil Wayman (clarinet) and Geoff Lawrence (trumpet).
That Old Black Magic
Composed: Aden Lyrics: Mercer
Emer McParland joins us to sing one of Ella Fitzgerald's most enduring numbers, which appeared in the 1942 film entitled Star-Spangled Rhythm. The tenor saxophone solo is played by Steve Watson.
Two O’Clock Jump
Composed: James/Basie/Goodman Arranged: Bertoff
Harry James enjoyed enormous success with this in 1943. Soloists featured in this exuberant arrangement by the enigmatic Irwin Bertoff are: Clive King, Gary Wyatt, Lee Vivian and Geoff Lawrence (trumpets), Andy Watson (trombone), Steve Watson (tenor saxophone) and Kev Miles (kit).
April In Paris
Composed: Duke/Harburg Arranged and Transcribed: Forgie
Particularly associated with the Count Basie Orchestra, this features a solo from Lee Vivian (trumpet).
Skyliner
Composed: Barnet Arranged: London Orchestration
American bandleader Charlie Barnet's most celebrated number has proved to be an enduring favourite with big-band players and audiences alike. Steve Watson provides the tenor saxophone solo.
Do Nothing ‘Til You Hear From Me
Composed: Ellington Lyrics: Russell
A diverse collection of artists, from Woody Herman to Billie Holiday, have all recorded this timeless classic. Emer McParland gives her rendition here, ably assisted by Richard Skelton (trombone).
Opus One
Composed: Oliver/Garus
Tommy Dorsey achieved over a million sales with his characteristic interpretation of this wonderful standard. The clarinet solo is played by Jamie Deighton.
Night and Day
Composed: Porter
Fred Astaire sang this Cole Porter CLASSIC(?) in the 1934 film The Gay Divorce. Here, Matthew Little sings this mature arrangement, which Frank Sinatra immortalised in his definitive 1956 recording.
Stardust
Composed: Carmichael
Probably one of the most recorded melodies of all time, this trumpet duet version was a hit for the Ted Heath Band. Here, Geoff Lawrence and Gary Wyatt display their stratospheric virtuosity.
Opus De Funk
Composed: Silver Arranged: Pierce Transcribed: Forgie
Originally arranged for Woody Herman by his pianist Nat Pierce, this work showcases the talents of soloists Adrian Beckwith (piano), Phil Mercer (tenor saxophone), Steve Watson (tenor saxophone), Andy Watson (trombone) and Lee Vivian (trumpet).
Fly Me To The Moon
Composed: Howard Arranged: Nestico
This instrumental arrangement is by Sammy Nestico, who was staff arranger for the bands of the US Air Force prior to his productive association with the legendary Count Basie Orchestra. Jamie Deighton plays the alto saxophone solo.
Don't Sit Under The Apple Tree
Composed: Brown
Matthew and Emer utilize modern recording technology to recreate the idiosyncratic harmonies of this forties favourite, popularised by the Andrews Sisters.
West Side Story Medley
Composed: Bernstein Transcribed: Forgie
A vibrant arrangement from Buddy RICH’S album Swingin' New Big Band, including Overture, Cool, Somewhere and Something's Coming. Emulating the acknowledged master, we have the irrepressible Kev Miles, with solos from Steve Watson (tenor saxophone) and Richard Skelton (trombone).
Mack The Knife
Composed: Weill Lyrics Brecht/Blitzstein
Taken from Kurt Weill’s The Threepenny Opera, this arrangement sung by Matthew Little echoes the version which was a huge hit for Bobby Darin.
Love For Sale
Composed: Porter Arranged: Myers Transcribed: Forgie
Considered too risqué for the general public, the lyrics of the original version were banned from broadcast for many years. This transcription is from the Buddy Rich album Big Swing Face. Soloists are Jamie Deighton (alto sax), Phil Mercer (tenor sax), Lee Vivian (trumpet) and Kev Miles (kit).
Flying Home
Composed: Hampton/Goodman/Robin Arranged: Forgie
A hit for British bandleader Ted Heath, this arrangement by the BBC Big Band director, Barrie Forgie is a real showcase for the saxophones. Geoff Lawrence plays the trumpet solo.