Congratulations to Haberdashers' Abraham Darby Senior Jazz Band, who won the top award of 'best band' at the Great North Big Jazz Festival, on Sunday 1st March at the University of Sunderland. |
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| Lily Hughes and William Woods, both aged 16, celebrate success in the Great North Big Band Jazz Festival in Sunderland. |
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The band’s musical director Mr Tom Gledhill said, "I am extremely pleased with the performance, and especially the recognition of our drummer, William Woods, who received an adjudicator’s special award for his role on the drums. The band gave an impressive performance of some challenging pieces and we were thrilled to be presented with the top award of best band in the schools section." During the competition the band performed five pieces, which featured a number of soloists in a variety of styles including swing, funk and rock. The adjudicators Mick Donnelly, who has recorded with Stevie Wonder, Britney Spears, Sting and The Bee Gees, and Marcus Brown, who has supported The Spice Girls, Annie Lennox, Des’ree, Tina Turner, Status Quo, and has also spent a number of years working with Madonna, said they were very impressed with the senior jazz band. |