Three hundred miles and six
hours later, having had a hearty breakfast my wife and I arrived at the
offices of Marcus Reynolds with barely time
to have a cup of coffee he was bundling us into his car and driving us to
yet another one of his weekly rehearsals with the Brass Wind and Fire Big
band Within minutes the hall began to fill with musicians, lugging cases
of instruments music stands and files of music.
These musicians all of them now semi professionals have been attending these
weekly rehearsal for several years and every one turns up faithfully every
week eager to play and create great music under the enthusiastic and dedicated
perfectionist musical director Marcus Reynolds.
Once again I find myself in the County of Leicestershire
having driven up in pouring rain from the
peaceful and tranquil, not to mention sunny town, in the countryside
of Cornwall, which is soon to become
a jam-packed noisy bustling holiday destination for some 80,000 visitors
who arrive in the town weekly hoping
to enjoy the sun, sand and surf. At the
rehearsal every one beings to warm up and tune their instruments the
combination of noises in this large but
low ceiling room is almost unbearable and the contrast when Marcus
raised his hands was sudden and unexpected
silence was established quickly and definitely.
Marcus counts them in 1-2-3-4 and twenty musicians burst into life
and as suddenly as they started they
were brought just as suddenly to a stop after just two bars were played.
Once again calls Marcus, 1-2-3-4 again
the room is full with sound only to be brought to a stop once again
as Marcus calls out, from the top 1-2-3-4,
again the band start this time pulling together and
sounding a little tighter. Marcus stop’s them again, he sings
out the notes “Bee-do-bee-do-dar-bee-do-do-do-dee-dar”
Lets hear it 1-2-3-4..................This procedure going on for
the next hour as they troll through a variety of tunes Marcus performing
gymnastics as he tries to meld the orchestra into shape.These Musician
having just got home from their daily work tired and you’d think
would probably prefer to be home resting, are here because of their
love of music and are committed to mastering their instruments. With
an experienced leader like Marcus Reynolds show they are becoming
a band that anyone would be proud to be part of and I know Marcus
although totally worn out by the end of the session is really thrilled
by their performances.
At times it has crossed my mind that I wonder
if some of the group really do know and appreciate the brilliance
and professionalism of this man who through sheer bad luck or was
it incompetence of others fell off stage whilst playing trombone
and the ensuing damage to his mouth which brought his career to
a stop. Not a man to be beaten he set about rebuilding his life
and starting from scratch taught himself to play his instrument
again albeit with a different embouchure position has risen from
the depth of despairto a brilliant and energetic master of his craft
and is able to not onlydirect top bands with his knowledge of music
and the instrument ofthe big bands, but is also able to help both
amateur and professionals improve their skills and become themselves
more confident Musicians.
One special VIP to arrive direct from Holland
to support Marcus, and a man whom has been a friend
to Marcus since he met him in 2009 was none other than Wim Zeekhorst
better know to BBB as Bill Baker.
Bill had arranged to be here some months ago
and was unaware that plans were afoot back in Holland that was to
bring the very dedicated man who has spends most of his life totally
committed to keeping the music of Glenn Miller alive and well in
his country. So passionate is he about Glenn Miller that it will
bring tears to his eyes when he talks about him.
The day before he was to fly to England he was
invited to discuss with the town Mayor a future gig
for the band.
Bill Baker Receives
Honour
Wim Zeekhorst better known to Big
band Buddy members, as well as many thousands of his fans in Holland,
and around the world as Bill Baker, was presented with a medal for
his services to music by the Mayor of Rijswijk on behalf of Queen
Beatrix of the Netherland.
The Mayor, Ineke van der Wel presenting the medal
to Bill said, "You are one of the connoisseurs of Glenn Miller.
You are our own Dutch Musical Ambassador and now you are a Royal
Dutchman.
Wim (Bill Baker) owned several bakery shops in
Holland for many years baking bread everyday. He loved his work
but he also had a great love for Glenn Miller's music and as a hobby
form his own big band over twenty years ago playing Glenn Miller
music. His love of Miller was shown in his meticulous dedication
for detail. His orchestra on stage with back drops and music stands
have been painstakingly made and painted by Bill to the exact replication
of the original Miller bands both civilian and military.
His surprise to receive this recent award brought
tears to his eyes as he was overcome with emotion. The ceremony
was a humbling experience he told BBB. As he walked into the council
assemble rooms to see many people there ready to greet him and several
others to receive rewards from the Queen. He was overcome to see
his family there too, he said later "I'm a little bit emotional,
I have no words." But after having his photo taken after the
medal presentations he was soon able to smile again at this proud
moment and to have his grandson Jochem with him and holding his
hand
The day before he was to fly to England he was
invited to discuss with the town Mayor a future gig
for the band. The afternoon of 1st May
was already upon us, and it was all hands in the hangar at Sywell
to complete setting up the stage, lighting,
sound and incidental amusements for this Dinner/dance.
With everything completed on time the ticket holders were beginning
to arrive and gradually settle at their
appropriate tables, which surrounded the dance floor.
With the dinner about to be served
the first entertainment of the evening took place which was the
versatile Paul Harper who with his interpretations of Al Bowley
and the ‘CheekyChappie’ Max Miller did a great job while
we tucked into our three course dinner.
Then it was the big moment as
Marcus got upon stage to introduce the Silver Wings Swing
Orchestra
and we were off with some of the great big band favourites including
the band’s signature tune ‘Silver Wings in the Moonlight’
sung by Renate Fay which brought the diners from their table to swing
all night to such great tunes as In The Mood, Marie, Jim Jam Jumping
Jive, American Patrol, Little Brown Jug and 'The Story of A Starry
Night' with a brilliant trombone solo from Marcus amongst many others
with vocals from our own Sinatra, Mel Peake (Alex, Kay, Holly and
Renate Faye making her singing debut with a big band. Since that evening
she has been invited to sing with Brass Wind & Fire
The second
half Marcus gave us another great trombone solo with Tommy Dorsey’s
“I’m Getting Sentimental Over You”, leaving everyone
with the hairs standing up on the back of their necks, followed by
tumultuous applause. During the evening events we had raffles and
a rather startling raffle to explode the wartime un-exploded bomb,
which the winning ticket holders had to cut one of a series of connecting
wires. The one that cut the wrong wire exploded the bomb, which when
it happened almost gave me a heart attack. But the lucky survivor
walked away with a fast beating heart, and a bottle of Champagne.
A great evening and
a tiring one, which was thoroughly dissected when we had recovered
after a nights sleep the next day. The verdict: successful launch
with the hope that the subsequent promotional video will bring in
work for this fine new orchestra, putting back Marcus on top of his
game.
