Steamchicken Jazz Band

Kennaway House hosts top-notch jazz concert in FolkWeek

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THE audience in Kennaway House on the last night of Sidmouth FolkWeek were treated to a really remarkable variety of music when the 12-piece Steamchicken Jazz Band performed for two hours.

This is certainly not a ‘jazz’ band in the accepted sense, writes Michael Rose.

It has an amazing proliferation of traditional and modern jazz, blues, folk, jive, and soul, just to name a few!

All the band’s numbers are performed in its own uniquely harmonic swing-like way that accentuates the beat and excites the audience.

This is brilliantly supplemented by Becky Wolff, its beautiful 18-year-old singer, who has the most gorgeous voice, reminiscent of the early stars of jazz, and has been described as “a star in the making”.

The first half concentrated on music of the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries when natives of Africa were transported to America and originated a style of music never heard before.

These were enhanced tremendously by Becky when she sang St. James Infirmary, Tiger Rag, Marching through Georgia and many more.

Feet were tapping and shoulders rocking throughout the audience in boundless enjoyment.

The second half was of more modern music but still retained the band’s uniquely beautiful, harmonic style.

Steamchicken Jazz Band is certainly not one to be missed in future festivals, and its website shows bookings for numerous performances in coming Folk Festivals throughout the land.