Timeless Records CDTTD652 - www.timeless-records.com
Approximate 53 Minutes. Recorded on a tour of England, Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland

Judging from the content here on "The Real Thing" CD, this Dutch Swing College Band (DSCB) must be classed among the top, if not ranking as being the premier jazz band of its kind today in Europe.

Taking into consideration the following, this, if thus, is no mean achievement.

It was in 1989 when I last heard the DSCB; they were on tour with their "When The Swing Comes Marching In" concert with the Central Band of the RAF at Fairfield Hall, Croydon, Surrey, England.

Sadly they were without their original leader Peter Schilperoort who was in hospital at the time and his band was under the direction of clarinettist Bob Kaper whose Fairfield audience gave him a standing ovation for a great performance. He and bass player Adrie Braat are the only two of that - to me - famous line-up who are on this album.

Created out of the resistance within a clandestine music school, the Dutch Swing College, in the Netherlands during WWII, Frans Vink and Joost van Os, two of Peter’s colleagues founded together an orchestra playing the latest American jazz hits, and so there we have it in brief.

It was in 1949 that the DSCB made their first UK appearance.

Photo of the 1976 Dutch Swing College Band - Name them !

The Real Thing album opens and ends on Way Down Yonder In New Orleans in distinctive DSCB presentational style, with concerts audiences’ applause adding greatly to the CD atmosphere, which makes for enjoyment and appreciation in total.

There is not one track in which one jazz artist embodies, that is to say, that all jazz artists are prominent on all numbers, inclusive of the expressive drums solo on Weary Blues.

Stealing Apples is a concerto for clarinet, and virtuoso playing here is to be heard. Memphis Blues, Milenberg Joys, Saint Louis Blues and Tiger Rag, are all classics, all played in true DSC classic inspiring style.

James P’s Boogie Woogie piano piece adds wonders to the collection, and the Dutch vocal accent of English on Sister Kate and others, gives endearing authenticity to the voice of the Netherlands.

The crowning glory for me on these "Euro City Concerts" is for Do You Knows What It Means To Miss New Orleans with a beautifully expressive clarinet opening, a trombone deeply commanding one’s attention of ear, the excellent scintillating cornet sounds of impresario dimensions, embracing piano, bass and baritone ending in a very fine ensemble, is truly a first class performance, extent to beholden an appreciative new found young audience - widespread of not only New Orleans, Dixieland and Traditional jazz styled jazz lovers.

Ian King
Kings Jazz Review
Saturday the 10th of May 2003