Jazz Orchestra Delights Romford Market
The Andrew Linham Jazz Orchestra took place on Saturday, 18th September in the church grounds of St Edward's The Confessor in Market Place, Romford.
The day started with sun shining down upon the 3 canopies under which Andrew Linham's 17-piece jazz orchestra sat, dressed in smart black and red, matching the suits of the playing cards displayed on the fronts of their music sheet lecterns. As they played to an enthralled audience of by-standers, graveyard sitters, picnickers, and market shoppers drifting past, the event assistants ushered the smiling and curious to come within the arched churchyard, where Friar David Simpson and the churchwardens chatted and asked people what they would like to see in future. A lucky few got their hands on free CDs from the orchestra and Divine Chocolate Bars!
Within the first fifteen minutes of continuous playing, the bells of St Edward's chimed in seamlessly with the swinging music. The warm air and sunshine mingled with scents of sausage rolls and candy floss making for a real Indian Summer Holiday vibe. The audience were now hooked, with children dancing and swaying to the sassy beat and swing rhythm of the music as the musicians were now all in full flow.
Even the resident Romford pigeons must have enjoyed the sounds drifting up to them. Feet were tapping to the brassy rhythms, the strings, the drum beat and Andrew's keyboard skills. Andrew certainly played it right 'with his Get me out of JAOL*' cards, combined with his infectious joy, enthusiasm, energy and the crowds soon flocked to see and listen, staying for the second performance.
New on-lookers found a nifty position to sit or stand eager and ready for the second set, in which the orchestra also sang. Andrew introduced the musicians and their instruments to the audience, and again the Bells of St Edward's rang out in time to the beat.
The enthralled public's comments included:
“We need more events, including young musicians wanting a platform to perform just like this”
“This is brilliant, bringing life back to Romford”
“It was very inspiring,”
“We want more music like this, I really enjoyed it”.
“I will be putting this on Tik-Tok”
“Keep up the good work”
“It's awesome”
“Fantastic.”
The second set finished to much applause, and after a raucous shout for encore, the set came to a crescendo and an upbeat ending. However, this was not the end of this band of brilliant musicians, as vicar, audience and HC agreed this was such a success that ALJO will be back with more.
*An anagram of Andrew Linham Jazz Orchestra
