Big Band Blitz, York House

On Saturday the choice was seeing International Rugby at Twickenham Stadium, or Big Band Blitz at Twickenham’s York House. I decided upon the latter, and headed down to York House for the annual 1940s Big Band Blitz. This year was the tenth year the event has been staged Not an easy journey to Twickenham, the traffic was bad due to the rugby game, but I managed to get to York House in time for the 7.30pm start. There in Clarendon Hall was a near capacity audience, mostly dressed 1940s style. After a short welcome from event organiser Warren Walters, the Jon Bennett Big Band opened to the strains of Glenn Miller’s In The Mood.

The audience, which included the Mayor of Richmond, and the American Deputy Cultural Attaché, were definitely in the mood for some 1940s entertainment. Among the host of special guest performers was David Herzog, the American star of the show George M Cohan Tonight! He was in fine voice. Also on hand was one of the UKs smoothest crooners, the talented Kevin Fitzsimmons, with his own Sinatra / Buble style of singing.

Mr. Fitzsimmons has an excellent voice, and his forthcoming appearance at Ronnie Scott’s on the 28 November is already sold out.

Among the other performers were former Atomic Rooster, and now Leaf Hound, vocalist Pete French; actor / singer Jack Pinder, and the delightful Jan Griffith with some Vera Lynn favourites. We also got a helping of 1940s British Variety with Alf Cook and John Marchant doing a Flanagan and Allen tribute. Highlight of the evening was seeing a new talented singer/ song writer, Anoushka Lucas, who sang four great standards from the 40s. Forget the X Factor; Anoushka Lucas is a star in the making, and a name to remember.

She has an amazing voice, and is appearing with her band at the Troubadour in Earls Court.

Hollywood sparkle and glamour was not forgotten, and we got a nice helping from The Naked Turtle Sweethearts. These talented three girls, waitresses at Richmond’s Naked Turtle cabaret restaurant, were a hit on the John Barryman TV show, Tonight’s the Night.

Other performers were comedian Viv the Spiv, Memphis Belle from the D-Day Dolls, who was in fine voice, and the 267 (Twickenham) Squadron Air Training Corps adding their own contribution to remembering those young men of the RAF who saved this country 70 years ago.

The producers succeeded in bringing us a true taste of 1940s entertainment, and a good show it was, flowing with top class performances. Big Band Blitz 2010 was a most fitting event to commemorate both the 65th Anniversary of VE Day and the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain.

Larry Richmond