IN THE SWING OF THINGS

SWING is in and big bands are back and Tynedale isn’t going to be left behind. Renowned jazz trumpeter and Hexham-based music teacher Dave Hignett is behind the launch of the Tyne Valley Big Band, which already boasts 20 enthusiastic new members.

Dave Hignett

Dave said: “People kept saying to me over the years ‘you should start something up in Hexham’, so it’s something we’ve been talking about for quite a while now.

“We’re looking for a regular bass player, but other than that we have the full complement.”

That includes a cohort of saxophones and trombones backed by a rhythm section boasting bass, piano, drums and guitar.

Between them they reflect the sound of the big band throughout its evolution: from Glenn Miller and the war years through Buddy Rich and the 1950s/60s and into the new Millennium with Robbie Williams’ Swing When You’re Winning collection.

“We play anything from Glenn Miller up to modern jazz rock and Latin music,” said Dave.

“Big bands have become very popular again, with the resurgence of modern swing music, thanks in particular to Michael Buble.

“And then there’s Strictly Come Dancing, too, which has certainly helped revive interest in the style.

“So the time was right to launch something in Hexham – there were a lot of keen people around.”

Dave already works for the Northumberland Music Service, conducts three of the county’s youth ensembles and gives music lessons at Hexham’s Queen Elizabeth High and St Joseph’s Middle schools.

Such is his track record that he won the ready backing of the music service and Hexham’s Queen’s Hall Arts Centre when he talked to them about launching a big band for Tynedale folk.

As far as he knows, it’s the first time Hexham has had one to call its own.

He said: “We have concentrated on rehearsing for the past few weeks, but this year we will start to do some gigs.

“We are looking at doing one in the Queen’s Hall in the spring, and its director, Geof Keys, has suggested we could play at the band stand during Hexham’s music festivals.

“Hopefully people will start hiring us for private dos as well – big bands are perfect for balls!”

Dave himself plays trumpet in the big band led by Jason Isaacs, the Newcastle singer who won ‘The People’s Crooner’ competition run by The Alan Titchmarsh Show in 2010.

The band has played at the Edinburgh Festival and in Ireland, as well as all over the North-East.

As for the new Tyne Valley Big Band, that rehearses each Thursday night, from 6pm till 8pm, at the West End Methodist Church in Hexham.

Further details are available from Dave Hignett on (01434) 601556.

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