Reporter: Tony Sheldon
Date online: 11/06/2008

A visit from the Bennett Family Jazz Band always creates great excitement and this special Tuesday concert was no exception.

Built round Richard Bennett's West Country musicians of Richard (trumpet), Russell Bennett (banjo), Adrian Cox (reeds) and Andy Craddock (bass), supplemented by Merseyside drummer Gordon Pettit and put together by Martin Bennett who entertained us with his arrangements on piano and vocal in the first set on 'The Old Green River' and 'She Was a Mean City Woman'.

Vocals by Richard on 'I'll Be Glad When You're Dead, You Rascal You' and a slap bass and vocal by Andy on 'Jump, Jive and Wail' highlighted their virtuosity.

The second set featured 'My Memphis Baby', 'Smile Darn You Smile', 'Sweet Lorraine' and 'Your Lips Say No, No, No' with more Bennett vocals and superb solos on bass, banjo and Adrian Cox's clarinet and sax wizardry.

With the place alive, Russell 'Sat Right Down To Write a Letter', Richard 'Left The World Behind' and Martin 'Told Us His Dreams' then 'Moved The Body Over' just enough for a banjo/bass duo and Andy Craddock vocal on 'Shake Rattle and Roll' and it all was over almost before it had begun.

Jazz on Sunday
July 2002