On the last Sunday before Christmas my husband and I were fortunate enough to attend the monthly Golden Coast Big Band evening. Each month, the band performs at Portmore Golf Park, attracting an immense turnout, playing the night away while the audience dance away the hours.
Ed and I were greeted with the swaying melody of saxophones as we ascended Portmore’s drive. As we entered the main function room, we struggled to find somewhere to sit. The room was buzzing; Christmas lights twinkled; ladies and gents laughed and smiled as they exchanged Christmas gifts, while others rocked around the dance-floor. More experienced dancers wowed us with ballroom dancing – Strictly, eat your heart out! The gents donned dashing suits and ties complete with dancing shoes, while the ladies wore astonishing ball-gowns or cocktail dresses with skirts that twirled in time.
Golden Coast Big Band, who have been performing together since 1972, melted together beautifully to bring us a range of music from the forties, fifties, sixties and more. With the odd Christmas song and rock ‘n’ roll number thrown in, you don’t have to attend ballroom classes to enjoy Portmore’s jazz night. With the popularity of Strictly Come Dancing, vintage music is making an extensive comeback. Move over, Torvill and Dean.
The sixteen-piece big-band wowed us with their broad array of instruments from saxophones, trumpets and trombones to guitars, keyboards and drums – that blended together magically. The band members range in age, with the oldest associate at ninety years old, while a dedicated seventy-five year-old piano player has recently returned after a heart attack! The band’s longevity and credibility – like the music it represents - span the decades.
I got a chance to chat to Colin Webber, owner of Portmore, and he told me Portmore was fully booked over the Christmas period. In fact, over the holiday season Colin only closed the clubhouse for one day! ‘People want to play golf on Boxing Day' Colin told me from experience. The venue is popular for parties and conferences, company meetings and club AGMs, while the restaurant is open each lunchtime – with a wonderful carvery on Sundays from 12-2pm and booking is advisable!
My husband and I were so pleasantly surprised at the Big Band evening, it's not something we knew about even though we live less than a mile away......... And it's great to know that we can see the band perform regularly at Portmore CLICK HERE FOR DATES IN 2016..........Portmore really is full of surprises and the place for business and social functions in 2016.
Photo thanks to Edward Prouse.
