Music
SWING, SWANG, SWOON!
Del Parel Spiegeltent

REVIEW: TARA LLOYD

As you make your way to the Del Parel Spiegeltent for Swing, Swang, Swoon!, you might hear the swinging sounds of the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra. For two nights, the venue has drawn inspiration from the speakeasies of the 1920s and 30s, drawing patrons in with smooth jazz, swing, and blues.

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The orchestra is dressed the part, foregoing the usual stuffy tuxedos for waistcoats, suspenders and fedoras (not those awful Bruno Mars/Jason Mraz fedoras, mind you; these were the real deal).

Artistic director and conductor Mace Francis encouraged a relaxed, engaging atmosphere and the audience could see the camaraderie among the musicians; a welcome change from other rather stuffy orchestra events.

Moving quickly through classics such as Jumping at the Woodside, In a Mellow Jungle and Norwegian Wood, what's most noticeable is the band's professionalism. Although they're younger musicians, their style was impeccable.

The sound went down smooth, like a tumbler of bourbon handed to you by a beautiful dame.

An impressive saxophone battle was one of the concert's highlights, despite Francis' warning that the first two rows "might get covered in spit" (the jazz age wasn't all glamour, I suppose).

Another highlight was the addition of a jazz vocalist for classics such as Tea For Two and Swingin' Shepherd Blues; for such a young age she showed an impressive range and maturity well beyond her years.

With Baz Lurhmann's The Great Gatsby being released later this year, and shows such as Boardwalk Empire and Underbelly: Razor showcasing life and music in the prohibition age, the swingin' sounds of jazz will be hard to escape in the coming year. Those who are joining WAYJO for these two special shows will at least be a little bit ahead of the curve.

And if jazz just ain't your bag, give it a go anyway - you might be pleasantly swung away.

Swing, Swang, Swoon! is part of Fringe World 2013. Tickets are available from fringeworld.com.au.