By CHERIE DONNELLAN
HOT Club Swing’s Phil Smurthwaite notes a symmetry between the name of his band’s third album and the Geelong West venue in which it will be launched.
The quintet’s violinist said Douce Ambiance, meaning ‘sweet atmosphere’, was an apt description for the Woodbin Theatre.
“Woodbin has a close and intimate feel. For a venue that seats 60 to 80 people, it’s probably the only Geelong venue you could play acoustically and have the sound just right.
“You don’t need a PA system, there’s no background noise, so it’s a perfect venue for the launch of our third album.”
Smurthwaite said Douce Ambiance was the band’s first album featuring accomplished jazz singer Nadine Joy since she joined Hot Club Swing.
Smurthwaite believed Joy’s vocals had given the band “a big lease of life”.
He praised her “wonderful” singing and “old-worldly charm on stage”, which he believed suited the band’s French gypsy jazz sound.
Smurthwaite also had plenty of good words for new rhythm guitar player Jeremy Bourke and double-bassist Rob Gador, who had taken to calling lead guitarist and band driving force Ben Calderazzo “The Duke”.
“Actually, a lot of people in the Geelong music scene call him The Duke – I think he likes it.”
Smurthwaite said he, Calderazzo and Joy had studied jazz at Gordon Institute of TAFE but Gador was already an “established musician” when he joined the band.
Hot Club Swing will play tracks off Douce Ambiance at the Woodbin Theatre album launch on 26 October.
