#13 New Century Ragtime Orchestra (2) - 2009 Whitley Bay International Jazz Festival

#13 New Century Ragtime Orchestra (2) - 2009 Whitley Bay International Jazz Festival : Arranger and bandleader Dave Kerr started the NCRO in 1998 as an eight piece band playing instrumental ragtime. The instrumentation has expanded to eleven musicians, while the repertoire has grown to well over one hundred tunes with a strong selection of early jazz and hot dance numbers now appearing alongside the ragtime compositions. An extra highlight is the charming Caroline Irwin, who, as well as playing second cornet, provides wonderfully authentic vocals in the manner of Annette Hanshaw (and she even strums the ukulele). In addition Mr Steve Andrews will be regaling us with his fine reed work, and truly inimitable inter-tune commentaries. This year Bent Persson (trumpet) and Nick Ward (drums) will make guest appearances. From programme notes by Mike Durham