Bateman bros in Satchmo tribute at Court Theatre

Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong emerged from the New Orleans Jazz Scene in the 1920s and over the next six decades became a major international star as a jazz trumpeter, vocalist, band leader and actor.

The Bateman Brothers have formed a band of British Allstars to re-create the stunning concerts of the 1940s, ‘50s and ‘60s. Alan Bateman, who has played with the Kenny Ball and Acker Bilk bands, plays trumpet like Louis right down to the riffs while Ian Bateman (Acker’s current trombonist) barks out trombone solos in the style of Trummy Young. The band also appears with the wonderful Maggie Reeday on vocals, filling the Velma Middleton role and recreating the magic between Velma and Louis. The band plays exactly the same arrangements as Louis’, not just a play through and everybody doing endless solos. The seven piece band includes Andy Cooper (clarinet) from the Kenny Ball Band,Gareth Williams (piano) who is Claire Martin’s accompanist, Vic Pitt (bass) from the Chris Barber Band and Steve Rushton, the most in demand drummer in the UK.

For tickets and information contact the box office at www.courttheatre,co.uk or call 07543 560478.