Review of Highland Hot Club at the Greenhouse on Friday the 27th of January,2012, by Julia Morgan. Photos by Mark Dubanowski
Friday 27th January saw the launch of the Highland Hot Club – Blue Note Night at The Greenhouse in Dingwall. An appreciative crowd gathered in the cosy and informal venue and they got off to a swinging start.
The Highland Hot Club are a multi-talented group that refuse to be stereo typed, the bands repertoire extends across the decades, genres and continents and its clear to the listener that they play what they love.
This four piece Combo display jaw dropping musicianship with Steve Mckeand on Lead Guitar and Vocals leading the band through a landscape of Jazz – Gypsy Swing and Blues. Boasting highly accomplished skill as a guitarist and a personality that fills the stage you can hear the influences in his distinctive and versatile voice. Accompanied by Ross Marquis on rhythm guitar this engaging young talent drove the set forward with his high octane swing guitar playing. Complimented by a seasoned Howard Swindells on violin he breaths profoundness and playfulness to the set, providing memorable Eastern European Klezmer and Gypsy Swing tunes. On piano Evelyn Mckeand adds sparkle to the group binding them together as they create their unique, full Highland Hot Club sound.
The already toe tapping audience were more than willing when asked to participate in a swinging rendition of ‘Sweet Georgia Brown’
The monthly Blue Note Night will welcome a Special Guest – First to be welcomed to the stage were Les and Gillian Cameron a husband and wife duo that never fail to entertain. Les a sublime Solo Jazz pianist offers improvisational Jazz with showmanship and charm to rival any Rat pack crooner. Gillian joined Les, but not to the stage as Gillian is most comfortable making every man in the room uncomfortable as she entertainingly seduced them with her sultry version of ‘Big Spender’ however they are not all satire as they proved with a sincere rendition of ‘My Funny Valentine’
The evening ended on a note of anticipation for the next Highland Hot Club – Blue Note Night at the Greenhouse in Dingwall on the 24th February .
