Words by Oliver Brunetti

In these difficult times it feels like an immense privilege and pleasure to witness live music, but something on the size, scale and ambition of the New Regency Orchestra is simply incredible.

The New Regency Orchestra is a twenty-piece Afro-Cuban jazz ensemble, attempting to revive the golden eras of big band Latin jazz and salsa, from the 1940’s & 50’s Palladium Ballroom to the 70’s post-recession salsa clubs. The idea behind behind The New Regency Orchestra was sparked from a conversation between Total Refreshment Centre’s Afro-Cuban-jazz-obsessed boss, Alexis Blondel, aka Church of Sound co-founder Lex Blondin, veteran percussionist, Orisha-arts specialist, and founding member of acid jazz legends Galliano, Crispin "Spry" Robinson, to revive the experience of enjoying a “big band” but today. .

It’s typically eight-strong rhythm section, twelve-piece brass section are drawn from a who’s who of London’s thriving jazz and Latin musical communities - from multi-reed player, composer and Collocutor-founder, Tamar Collocutor and prolific trombonist and founding member of Nerija, Rosie Turnton, to Cuban trumpeter and composer Yelfris Valdés, and Venezulean percussionist Ernesto Marchales (of Waaju fame) on timbales. Rising arranger & composer Nathaniel Cross (also of Balimaya Project and Moses Boyd Exodus) conducts, and arranges alongside Cuban-Argentinian pianist Eliane Correa, generally from edits Lex himself has made from his favourite Afro-Cuban records.

After debuting last summer at the South Facing Festival at the Crystal Palace Bowl, Hackney’s majestic EartH Theatre played host to the first of a series of concerts that could prove to be unmissable. Kicking off with the steady pulse and roll of Machito’s “Congo Mulence'', the rhythm section laid down a thick groove for the brass section to fire over both in unison and with space to solo. The band really stepped up on Eddie Palmieri’s “Oye Lo Que Te Conviene”, enticing a large crowd to commence dancing in whatever space was available in front of the stadium-style seating.

The overdue return of mambo, much maligned thanks to Lou Bega’s late 90s success, is heralded by a thrilling take on Tito Puente’s powerful “Mambo Rama”, leading nicely into Kenny Graham’s “Mango Walk”. Vocal led numbers such as “Papa Boco”, originally recorded by Orlando Marin y Su Orquesta, with Cuban singer Justo Betancourt, provide the audience with a new focus for eyes and ears and point the way for potential opportunities for the New Regency Orchestra to feature exciting guests pulled from London’s rich musical scene. Even the idea of grime MCs making appearances has been floated.

The evening ends on Machito’s vocal, percussion and brass heavy “Tanga” which sends the audience into the night via a spirited after party, certainly wanting more. The New Regency Orchestra’s development, particularly its residency at EartH point to any extremely health opportunity for both the London scene, its musicians and fans, to reconnect with the Afro-Latin rhythms and sounds that grounded jazz, from New York to London and beyond, with the dancefloor, whilst retaining the freedom of expression.

At the same time, the saxophonists alone feature both free jazz mainstay George Crowley and, barely twenty years old (if even that), Tomorrow’s Warrior Allexa Nava, also a member of all female Latin jazz group Colectiva. Hence it’s incredibly exciting to witness such a broad range of musicians, varied in both age and known style, in close collaboration. Long live the New Regency Orchestra!

Tuesday 11 January 2022 - £14, 7pm-11pm*

https://earthackney.seetickets.com/event/new-regency-orchestra-residency/earth-theatre-/2151885

Tuesday 15 February 2022 - £14, 7pm-11pm*

https://earthackney.seetickets.com/event/new-regency-orchestra-residency/earth-theatre-/2151886

Tuesday 15 March 2022 - £14, 7pm-11pm*

https://earthackney.seetickets.com/event/new-regency-orchestra-residency/earth-theatre-/2151888

* Advance ticket prices exclude booking fees.

Season tickets are available to catch all four shows in the series for a supporters’ club friendly total of £40 + booking fees.