The Clarence Adoo Band

Croydon Citadel
Saturday 28th June 2003

This was the third time that friends and colleagues of Clarence Adoo had met together to present a concert to assist with his ongoing medical costs.

Since his car crash he has been wheelchair bound, although he has remained very positive, and there continues to be improvement in his movement. The band consisted of players from a variety of backgrounds, including several who had been at music college with Clarence, or who had played with him in the then East London Divisional Youth Band of The Salvation Army. Indeed, Max Weaver, the band's conductor, and his two sons were all found amongst the back row cornets. Conductor and piano soloist was Bram Tovey, who shared the compering duties with Clarence, who was seated in his chair at the front of the hall, the video screens ensuring that everyone could see and hear.

Considering the limited rehearsal time, the standard was very good, with varied styles of music being presented, including a quintet playing a Bach fugue. Much of the music was unfamiliar to players and conductor, and Bram commented that he was enjoying the opportunity to conduct the predominantly Salvation Army repertoire. William Gordon's "Laudes Domini" was an effective opener, and other band items included Dudley Bright's lively march "Spirit of the West", Wilfred Heaton's sublime "Just as I am" and Eric Ball's uplifting "Triumph of Peace".

Although David Daws seems to have made "Golden Slippers" more or less his own at the moment, it was pointed out that Kevin Ashman, who played it on Saturday night, has been playing it ever since his days in the youth band. The other brass soloist, Patrick Harrild, formerly a YP band member in the Salvation Army, now Principal Tuba with the LSO, played the finale from the "Gregson Tuba Concerto", ably accompanied by a piano student from the Academy. He explained it was in part a tribute to Paul Smith, formerly of
the BBC Symphony orchestra, who died last year. He had been a pupil of Patrick's, and it was Paul's desire to learn the concerto that had led to Patrick getting to know it himself.

Bram Tovey repeated the performance of Ray Steadman Allen's "Christ is the Answer" that he gave with Fodens last year, the band tuning to the piano prior to the performance. Although the performance was good, especially considering the limited rehearsal time, aurally the effect was strange, as one's ears had difficulty adjusting to the change in pitch. It would probably have been better if the band had tuned to the piano beforehand, and played the whole concert at that pitch. As for the piece itself, it is quite a tour de force for the pianist, and not straightforward for the band either.

Bandmaster James Williams, MBE, of Enfield Citadel, directed the proceedings admirably, with the vocal parts coming over effectively. It is a pity that it is not more familiar, and could do with a good modern recording - how about it, Bram?

Bram Tovey's own "Coventry Variations" made quite an impact on those who had not heard it before. He also explained that he had been asked to write some additional variations to produce a longer work, although these were not performed on this occasion. The band rose to the challenge, and there was some fine playing throughout, including its depiction of the city suffering under the blitz.

The programme was interspersed with a couple of video presentations, including material from a recent BBC TV programme, which featured both Clarence now, and also him playing on Record-breakers and Songs of Praise, as well as performing as soloist at the Royal Albert Hall. Clarence himself presented a passage of scripture, and spoke of the forthcoming therapy to be carried out next month in Gloucester by some doctors from Russia - medicine, as well as music, is truly international. An initial visit had brought a tingling sensation to Clarence's fingers after a few minutes, and he is due to spend a couple of weeks undergoing treatment. The evening raised £1500 towards the Clarence Adoo Trust.

The final item on the programme was Kenneth Downie's Princethorpe variations, bringing the evening to a rousing conclusion. Many friendships had been renewed, and no doubt new ones forged and an enjoyable evening was had by all. He event was so successful that plans are already in hand for the next venture.

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