*
banner

Allen Vizzutti and George Allen

Love Music Trust Big Band
Sandbach School
Sandbach
Monday 3rd July

On a balmy evening an expectant audience poured into the theatre at Sandbach School to enjoy what was to be terrific display of world class musicianship.

Following a memorable afternoon workshop with local students, Allen Vizzutti and George Shelby (the saxophonist and multi-woodwind specialist who has played with everyone from Stevie Wonder and Beyonce to Ziggy Marley and Andrea Bocelli) took to the stage with an all-star rhythm section.

Pure Imagination

The set featured standards including ‘Autumn Leaves’, ‘One Note Samba’, ‘Killer Joe’, ‘Pure Imagination’ and the classic Jackson 5 ‘Shake Your Body Down to the Ground’.  The audience was spell bound; transfixed by the virtuosity as well as the subtle shifts of rhythmic nuance and colour that simply flowed out.

Following the interval Allen and George were joined by the Love Music Trust Big Band directed by Kyran Matthews. Made up of students from across Cheshire East, they opened with the classic sounds of ‘Birdland’ before George Shelby’s earthy rendition of ‘Georgia on my Mind’ nearly brought the house down.

Chips & Salsa

Having just finished touring earlier with Phil Collins it was only fitting that his next feature was one from the Phil Collins Big Band set: ‘Chips & Salsa’ was played with an appropriate mouth-watering sense of musical deliciousness.  

The band feature of ‘A Night in Tunisia’ led into Vizzutti’s immaculate rendition of the Harry James ‘Trumpet Concerto’ - one which the old rascal himself couldn’t have hoped to have impressed Betty Grable better with.  It was a sumptuous display. 

Sandbach School student Will Dakin was then handed the opportunity of a lifetime to duet with Allen in the Gordon Goodwin feature ‘Maynard and Waynard’ - and did a great job too, as the audience lapped it up.

Chicken finisher

The evening finished with both soloists joining the band for a rousing performance of ‘The Chicken’, with every member of the Big Band trumpet section taking a turn to improvise before George and Allen finished things off in flamboyant style.

As opportunities to hear two true greats in action, and for youngsters to be well and truly inspired - this was hard to beat.

Iwan Fox

Support us for less than a cup of coffee...

4BR wants to ensure that the brass band movement remains vibrant and relevant. We also want to be able to question, challenge and critically examine those who run and play in it, producing high quality journalism that informs as well as entertains our readers.

So if like us you value a strong, independent perspective on the brass band world - then why not consider becoming a supporter and help make our future and that of a burgeoning brass band movement more secure.

So one less cappuccino then?

Support us    



Brass Bands England - Brass Band Week

Saturday 5 July • Nation wide


Besses Boys' Band - Besses Boys' Band Summer Concert

Saturday 5 July • The Derby High School, Radcliffe Rd, Bury BL9 9NH


Putney and Wimbledon Brass Band - Summer Concert

Sunday 6 July • Community Church Putney, Werter Road. SW15 2LL


Longridge Band - Anniversary Concert

Saturday 12 July • Longridge Civic Hall, 1 Calder Avenue, Longridge, Preston PR3 3HT


Haverhill Silver Band - Proms Concert - St Ives

Saturday 12 July • Hill Rise Park, St Ives PE27 6SP


Chinnor Silver

July 3 • Our COMMUNITY BAND meet fortnightly on a Monday morning (next rehearsal 7th) and we welcome any players who want an extra blow.. We require no allegiance just come and enjoy the friendly blow with coffee and cake thrown in.(Its all free)


Hathersage Band

July 2 • FRONT ROW CORNET (position negotiable). Hathersage Brass Band is a thriving, non-contesting community band. We enjoy our music making and have a good gig schedule. Are you the right person to join our happy band?


Linthwaite Band

July 1 • We are a friendly 4th section contesting band with various engagements throughout the year, and currently have a vacancy for a cornet player (position negotiable) and are keen to fill the position. Please see contact details below.


James Garlick

BMus (Hons), QTS
Conductor, Band Trainer, Adjudicator, Tutor


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd