All-brass band’s tribute time at LBT

Apr 4 2008 by Andrew Baldwin, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

A BIG band is taking to the stage at the Lawrence Batley Theatre for a tribute to great jazz trumpeter and musician Maynard Ferguson.

The Anchormen Ensemble, from Elland, are an all-brass ensemble with a high octave trumpet section and driving rhythm.

Most of the players have history marching with local bands, including the Brighouse St John’s Ambulance Brigade, The Brighouse Royal British Legion, The Northern Skyriders, Conquest Alliance and the Anchormen.

Their repertoire includes Ferguson favourites such as Danny Boy, MacArthur Park and Hey Jude.

They performed a preview at Marsden Jazz Festival last October and then followed on with a concert at the Priestley Theatre in Bradford, which proved to be a fantastic success.

Spokesman Robin Barraclough says: “We then decided to bring it back over to Huddersfield and hope to tap in to the jazz scene over here.”

Ferguson started his career at the age of 11 on Canadian radio and went on to perform with many big bands, including Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie and Stan Kenton before starting his own band in 1945 at the age of 17.

He died in California at the age of 78.

The Anchormen ensemble play their tribute at the LBT on Saturday, April 19, starting at 8pm.

To book tickets, priced £10, call the LBT on 01484 430528 or visit their website www.lawrencebatleytheatre.co.uk