Story added: 23rd July 2015

Jazz band and drum group among first musical acts

A New Orleans-style marching jazz band and a lively steel-pan drum group are among the first musical acts that have been announced by Run Norwich race organisers today.

The two Norfolk-based big-bands sPANgle and Smoke House Blue will perform before, during and after the race, adding to what will be an electric race-day atmosphere.

Local jazz band Smoke House Blue “march” while they play in the traditional manner of the old New Orleans street marching bands.

The eight-piece band are led by a Grand Marshall, who wears a traditional black coat, hat and sash and carries a decorated umbrella.  The band plays such tunes as ‘Bourbon Street Parade’, ‘When the Saints Go Marching In’ and ‘Marching through Georgia’.

Smoke House Blue have played at numerous festivals, fetes and parades across the county and are regulars at the Norwich Lord Mayor’s street procession. They’ll play their ditties around the start line area, along the route and in the race village at Chapelfield Gardens.

sPANgle (pictured above), a local steel based band based in Norwich, will perform at Castle Meadow, a key area for spectators and runners during the race, and their beats should be the push any flagging runners might need.

Fiona Roberts, Run Norwich event manager, said:

“We’re excited to be able release some of the first details about entertainment at the event. We wanted to give runners and spectators a special experience – we want Run Norwich to be a memorable city centre event, not just a running race.”

You can get in the mood by listening to sPANgle and Smoke House Blue’s music via their websites here and here.

More details on musical acts and entertainment will be released in the build-up to the race.