Reviews

Last seen here in September 2015 the packed Apollo audience at Sunday's Newport Jazz club concert gave a rousing welcome for the return of Chris Walker's Pedigree Jazz Band with their "Salute to Trad Jazz".

Opening with that New Orleans favourite Basin Street parade Chris led the band through a rousing 27 number set during the course of which all members of the band got to show off their musical prowess. Chris is also very knowledgeable about the genre and introduced each number with a brief historical anecdote and kept the audience equally amused with a joke or three.

The set included many easily recognized old favourites but every so often there was a gasp from the audience as a long forgotten gem was introduced. Highlights were many with memories from the trad songbooks of Acker Bilk, Kenny Ball and Monty Sunshine whilst equally delving into the Duke Ellington songbook as well as some audience partition