As my friends and I were finding our way home from Fulham Palace I was thinking: ‘Everything looks different when it’s dark and you’ve been drinking.’
Earlier that afternoon tables were spread across the main lawn and small groups of about 300 picnickers covered the area with colourful blankets and folding chairs. A couple of friends and I found a spot on the grass, unpacked the al fresco goodies, popped some bubbly, and later danced under the stars. We were all there to see The Fontanas hosted by the 606 Club.
This high-energy Brazilian funk and soul band made up of keyboards, a base and trumpet, drums, percussions, and two saxophones did not disappoint. Their upbeat, bluesy, Latin jazz tunes got people tapping their feet and swaying to the music regardless of the dark clouds moving threateningly overhead.
The band was led by guitarist/singer Sam Sutton and fronted by Kay Elizabeth, the tamberine-bashing singer in a rainbow-coloured jumpsuit with feathers on her arms. They have played at festivals and high-profile venues including Bestival, Glastonbury, The Secret Garden Party, Edinburgh Festival and Ronnie Scott’s.
As Sam later explained: ‘The band formed at a monthly residency at the since closed Ginglik Club in Shepherds Bush. This allowed us to build our audience organically, playing to a consistently packed-out club crowd for 5 years. This got us super tight and drilled for an up-for-it party crowd. Seeing the great and good of London Jazz scene [at the 606 Club] helped us develop as musicians and allowed us to form a keen sense of good musical taste.’
Sam feels that now Fulham Palace offers a superb setting that allows them to make fantastic use of lovely summer days. And I have to agree.
Thanks to the many volunteers and staff who made it all possible.
-- Nancy Lyons (Vol Comms Assist)
