BAND BIOGRAPHY

 

have merged members from two Canterbury bands, Ronnie Scott's Rejects and The Keytones all fronted by vocalist and double bassist 'Jarrod Coombes'. They have kept the same humour and vibrant show that was so successful with Ronnie Scott's Rejects with the addition of four part vocal harmony, a major characteristic of The Keytones.

The band's forte is swing and jive which has influenced their song writing, although other areas are explored for different occasion. The jazz gig may require more old style 1940's material i.e Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole Trio, Louis Jordan and Fats Waller, whilst the corporate gig requires some of the 'pop' set to be called upon.

The pop set's dance material consists of funky standards such as 'Play that Funky Music', 'Superstition', 'Feel Alright' (Supergrass), and some heavier numbers such as 'She's Electric' and 'Twentieth Century Boy'.

All gigs end with about half an hour of novelty style numbers that involve audience participation. For example, in 'There ain't Nobody Here but us Chickens' the Sesame Street theme tune is quoted and a Glen Miller, arm flapping, chicken squawking chorus of 'In the Mood' is included.

The Jungle Book theme 'I Wanna be Like You' is mysteriously overturned into a chant of 'Havanagila'. 'Safe, Sane and Single', a Louis Jordan barnyard stomp quotes 'Blame it on the Boogie' with those crazy hand movements.

Hullabaloo's appearance at the 1998 Cork Jazz Festival ended with an impromptu set on Jazz Stage 1 at the Metrople on the Monday afternoon. This highlighted the band's ability to capture the attention of over 800 people inviting them to participate in an hour and a half of ridicule and hilarity still with an underlying theme of jazz, jive, swing and blues.

Email: hullabaloo.niall@virgin.net