THE STAGE

Pizza on the Park

To see a good singer obviously enjoying performing is always attractive, and it was clear that Annie Bright was having a good time during her varied set at Pizza on the Park`s Music Room.

Her sunny disposition was evident from the moment she launched into her opening number, Goody Goody,and when there were opportunities to be playful and saucy the singer embraced them.

Naturally, the mood became more mellow during a lingering version of Cry Me A River, or the rather poignant Love Me Or Leave Me, but the appropriately named Bright was always ready to step up the pace and swing to the music again.

Bright may wear a number of hats - she is a respected Equity variety councillor - but she served her apprenticeship in this field too, by working with a band led by the veteran Dixielander Sid Phillips. Shewas supported by a group of excellent musicians, including her husband, broadcaster and musician Dave Gelly. In addition to his own skills on tenor sax and clarinet, there was some impressive work from pianist Dave Ramm, Joe Mudele on double bass, and drummer Dennis Smith. The band drums-led arrangement of Fever was a particular highlight.

[Lisa Martland]

HOT NEWS INTERNATIONAL

Annie swings like mad and has terrific time. She pitches accurately and has an impressive stage presence, result of a long career with a microphone as one of her partners. Her repertoire is mainly of standards, with one or two rarer items, including a little-known Walter Donaldson tune (You Gotta Know How) that might even have escaped the attention of that Donaldson freak, the late Dick Jones.

[Dick Laurie]

HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER

Lawrence Batley Theatre 26/01/04

(Dave Gelly and Annie Bright)

The full house downstairs at the LBT on Saturday night for the first gig in the new Huddersfield Jazz season was ample evidence of a healthy following still for straight-ahead swing music......
......When singer Annie Bright - big voice, big personality - joined the band, she sang swing standards too, such as Goody Goody and Jeepers Creepers, but also showed a penchant for raunchier numbers from the 1920s such as the ever-so-slightly suggestive You`ve Got The Right key But The Wrong Keyhole. Fortunately, she struck all the right notes.

[William Marshall]

Some earlier reviews:

"Double Bright....." The Sun

"Vocal Magic...." News of the World

"She is great!.....It is certainly refreshing to see and hear artistes like Annie Bright....." Peter Hepple, The Stage