KEEPING SWING ALIVE
Big brass, smooth swing and a room full of dancers – when Darwin’s Hot n Cold Big Band takes the stage, it’s hard not to tap your foot.
WORDS BROOKE GIBBS
IMAGE PAZ TASSONE
FOR OVER A decade, the local ensemble has been bringing the sound of the big band era to audiences across the Top End. With a full line-up of saxophones, trumpets, trombones and rhythm section, the group delivers the rich, energetic sound that defined jazz halls throughout the 20th century.
When the Hot n Cold Big Band started in 2009, there wasn’t a great deal of jazz in Darwin, and it was craving a big sound.
“There were plenty of rock bands and solo acts, but the big band niche was a sleeping giant,” says founding member, Brian Manning.
“We saw a gap for something grand, brassy, and we brought a gloriously loud, unashamedly joyful sound that matched the city’s eccentric energy.”
Multi-instrumentalists and highly respected music educators Martin Corcoran and Brian Manning sparked the idea. It wasn’t a carefully staged project, so much as an organic offshoot of Darwin’s music scene.
“Martin had approached me and joked about starting a swing band. Suddenly brass and woodwind players started appearing. Word spread, a loose collective formed, and musicians would turn up to gigs whether they were on the setlist or not,” Manning says.
There was no formal structure, just a shared pool of talent and a weekly habit of playing for the sheer fun of it. Many of the players were either attendees or teachers at the NT Music School, and this provided a good community outlet for their professional development.
The Hot n Cold Big Band’s first performance was at the Hotel Darwin on April Fool’s Day back in 2009. The name is a cheeky reference to the early gigs at the Hotel Darwin which, in the old days, had two bars known locally as the Hot and Cold bars.
“The front bar had no air conditioning, the lounge bar did,” Manning says.
“The name also fit the way we played – one night we were hot, the next we were cold. It’s also a fair warning of how you’ll feel after five minutes on the dance floor.”
Over the years, the band has been lucky to have players who are the backbone of the Darwin music scene. When you consider this is a collection of musicians who have been playing in 35-degree heat for over 15 years, they earn legend status by default.
“Swing Dance NT are part of our extended family too, and well-deserving of the title. In fact, we’re probably the hardest-working big band in Australia. We play every week, apart from a short break over the holiday season,” Manning says.
The band performs every Wednesday at Darwin Railway Club, and anyone heading along is in for a good time.
“[We’re] a mix of frantic page-turning around the pool table, valve oiling, and Railway’s charm,” Manning says.
“There’s a lot of laughter, and a fair bit of sweating before we even hit the first note. It feels like a family reunion every single week. There’s a lot of camaraderie.”
The Rails is one of Darwin’s premier live music venues, and represents the soul and spirit of the town. The residency started because the band needed a home that embraced character over corporate polish.
“They also let us leave our stuff there,” Manning says.
“It’s special because it’s inclusive. You’ll see retirees dancing next to backpackers and defence members. It’s the ultimate Darwin melting pot and it’s a natural fit.”
The Hot n Cold Big Band was voted Australia’s Sweatiest Big Band for three years running, a title Manning says was earned honestly.
“When you pack a full big band onto a stage in Darwin Wet season, things get tropical. It’s a badge of honour. It means we’re working as hard as the dancers,” he says.
While the music may draw inspiration from decades past, its appeal is timeless. Swing rhythms remain irresistible, and Manning reckons the communal experience of live jazz continues to resonate with audiences of all ages.
“In the early days, we were just happy if everyone showed up with the right sheet music. What kept us going was the immediate reaction from the crowd. Seeing people swing dancing in the tropics felt like we were building a community, not just a band.
“In a transient town like Darwin, keeping a long ensemble together for over 15 years is a minor miracle. We’ve become a Darwin institution.”
Whether you’re a long-time jazz fan, a swing dancer looking for the perfect soundtrack, or simply someone curious about Darwin’s vibrant music scene, Hot n Cold Big Band offers a chance to experience a classical music tradition brought to life by local talent.
Hot n Cold Big Band
WHEN EVERY WED | 7.30PM
AT DARWIN RAILWAY CLUB
COST $10
INFO darwinrailwayclub.org
