DROP ME OFF IN HARLEM
Saturday 8 October 2022 - 7:30 pm
“They present the music of their chosen era with verve, showmanship and great technical skill”
The Jazz Mann
“A slick, tightly choreographed hour of sizzling speakeasy from a melodious young septet”
FringeReview.co.uk
Drop Me Off In Harlem – Show Trailer
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The Easy Rollers – Who is your favourite musician featured in the show?
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The Easy Rollers – Why should I come to the show?
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Clonter could not be more delighted to be presenting this vibrant young band for a show all of their own, following their appearance at, and pivotal contribution to, the ‘Ravel Meets Gershwin’ event back in 2019 to celebrate the 80th Birthday of Clonter’s founder, Jeffery Lockett.
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The Easy Rollers
Dani Sicari – VoiceAlex Hill – PianoTom Sharp – TrumpetJamie Stockbridge – Saxophone & Clarinet
James Girling – Acoustic Guitar & Banjolele
Alasdair Simpson – Double BassMatt Brown – Drums
Taking you back to the golden age of jazz, The Easy Rollers are a roaring seven-piece jazz band performing hits from the speakeasy bars of the Prohibition era. Based in Manchester, and all award-winning musicians, they have had audiences jumpin’ and jivin’ on dance floors across the country!
The group began to unfold in 2015 when Alex and Dani discovered their mutual interest in traditional jazz. At first, the intention was to play through some tunes for fun but it wasn’t long before they invited other musicians to join them, eventually forming a house band for the inaugural Brodsky Jazz Jam, which was the start of The Easy Rollers.
Since then they have been steadily building a reputation as one of the hardest working jazz bands in the north of England, with appearances at Manchester Jazz Festival, Cheltenham Jazz Festival, Lake District Summer Music, Buxton Festival, Manchester Day, Brecon Jazz Festival, Marsden Jazz Festival and The Edinburgh Festival Fringe. As well as music festivals, The Easy Rollers have also organised their own UK tours, sharing their enthusiasm for this music through gigs, Lindy Hop events and theatre shows.
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‘Drop Me Off In Harlem’
‘Drop Me Off In Harlem’ is a snapshot of The Jazz Age (1920-1933) and The Swing Era (1933–1947) with theatrical interludes, popular dance styles of the time and some of the finest jazz this side of the Atlantic!
With the music as its main focus, the show features a cabaret style performance with songs strung together by either theatrical, factual or musical segues, offering audiences an authentic underground speakeasy experience and the opportunity to discover more about the post-Prohibition era and jazz during the Great Depression.
Expect to hear songs made famous by artists such as The Boswell Sisters, Ruth Etting, Lee Morse, Annette Hanshaw, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Gene Austin, Margaret Young, Helen Morgan, Paul Whiteman, Fats Waller, Cab Calloway, Helen Kane and many more.
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Some quotes to listen out for:
“I’m a kind person, I’m kind to everyone, but if you are unkind to me, then kindness is not what you’ll remember me for.” – Al Capone
“I just put my legs in the air and move them about!” – Fred Astaire
“The funny part of the whole thing is that a man in this line of business has so much company. I mean his customers. If people did not want beer and wouldn’t drink it, a fellow would be crazy for going around trying to sell it!” – Al Capone
“We have hit rock bottom and are on the upswing” – Sec. of State, James Davis
“What’s jazz, lady? If you don’t know I can’t tell you” – Fats Waller
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Foyer Performance – Liam Belford & Harry White
Liam and Harry will be performing in the Foyer from 6.30pm.
Liam first started playing the trombone in year 5 (aged 9 to 10) and he became a member of Poynton Youth Band at the age of 12 and has played there since progressing to principle trombone. Liam is also principle trombone of Fodens Youth Band and has enjoyed developing his knowledge of the brass band world over his years of playing. Since joining the JRNCM in 2020 Liam has joined the JRNCM big band, and brass band, and has subsequently widened his jazz repertoire playing in many big band and brass band concerts. He has also been heavily involved in the Fallibroome Academy Performing Arts Department since joining in 2021, playing with likeminded musicians in the soul band and senior band.
Harry showed an interest in piano from a young age often playing during primary school assemblies but it wasn’t until he met an inspirational music teacher at secondary school that his passion for jazz was ignited. He has taken part in various jazz ensembles such as Macclesfield Music Centre Big Band and since joining Fallibroome Sixth Form he has enjoyed playing in their soul band as well as accompanying vocalists and instrumentalists alike.
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Ticket Pricing & Booking Information
Tickets £20
Early Bird Tickets (10% Discount) Available until 30 April
Doors Open 6.30pm
Performance 7.30pm
Interval 30 minutes; pre-performance supper available to pre-order, or bring your own picnic.
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Priority Booking for Patrons 1 April 2022
Priority Booking for Friends 8 April 2022
General Sale 15 April 2022
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Drink Arrangements – Since May, the bar has been under new management, and all drink consumed inside the premises must be purchased from the bar. These may be ordered in advance.
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