Out of the Blue Jazz presents The Great American Songbook, The Libra Theatre Cafe
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Whilst the festival is mostly a fringe theatre one, it’s always great to see other genres getting involved. There’s plenty of standup, but also some music, including Out of the Blue Jazz presents The Great American Songbook
We spoke to Caroline Abbey from the band about their planned performances at the Fringe, a night they promise will be filled with some of the best and most-loved hits from The Great American Songbook. Catch their performances on 14 and 15 August at The Libra Theatre Cafe, tickets here.
What can audiences expect from the show?
Toe tapping swing jazz including well known songs from the famous and all encompassing Great American Songbook. We are a five piece jazz including bass, piano, drums, sax and a female vocalist. There will be an eclectic mix from the likes of Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra to Fats Waller and Nat King Cole, so there’s something for everyone!
Is Camden Fringe going to be the show’s first time on stage, or have you already performed elsewhere?
We have played this show at Edinburgh Fringe in 2023 and 2019 as well . We have a set list of over 70 songs and we play the 15 ones most in keeping with the mood of the event, so the set list will vary from event to event.
What was your inspiration behind the show?
We love to play swing jazz, we all work so we play at weddings, parties, festivals, carnivals etc, as often as we can as this is a hobby. Camden is iconic and we all work in London, so to play our jazz here will be amazing.
How long have you been playing together?
We have played together as a band for over 15 years.
What brought you all together?
The band existed as an instrumental jazz band 15 years ago and one day they asked me to sing with them and the rest is history! We all just love playing.
Being a fringe festival, we all know sets have to be bare minimum, how have you got around this with your set and props?
We practise to ensure timings are really tight and allow enough time to set up pre gig and set down, post gig. Having done Edinburgh Fringe twice where you only have 10mins to set up and set down, this is a luxury!
What has been the biggest challenge in realising the writer’s vision for the show?
It is important when playing a jazz swing gig that your intros and extras are super sharp and the timing/tempo of each song is right. In the excitement you can start a number too fast, but it’s impossible to change that mid song so you just gave to front it out. Although no one usually notices!
How important is audience interaction to you?
As we are a swing jazz band it’s important that people applaud (of course) after each song or they may clap also after a solo, this gives encouragement and becomes more upbeat.
Are there any plans for what comes next after the show has finished its run – for you or the show?
We’ve got more gigs planned in the summer, local to where we live in Farnham, Surrey
Who would play you in the Hollywood adaptation of your future autobiography?
Nora Jones
If you had to describe your show as a colour what would it be?
Blue because we are Out of the Blue Jazz
If you had to describe your show as a meal what would it be?
The Appetizer! Something to get your taste buds and other senses started!
If your show had a soundtrack what songs would definitely be on it?
Our jazz songs of course!
If you could perform this show anywhere in the world where would it be?
The Albert Hall, the sound for Jazz would be terrific!
What’s the most valuable piece of advice you’ve received during your career, and how has it influenced your work on this show?
Don’t sweat the smell stuff. If wrong just keeping going, don’t stop the song.
What words of advice/encouragement would you give anyone thinking about doing Camden Fringe next year?
Go for it, it’s brilliant fun.
Thanks Caroline Abbey for chatting to us about the band and what we can expect from a jazzy night with Out of the Blue Jazz. If it sounds like the perfect night for you, catch the show on Thursday 14 and Friday 15 August at The Libra Theatre Cafe.
