Imagine you are in outer space somewhere – yet still in Perth - in a crowded, dark, and popular venue listening to jizz and intergalactic music, toe tapping and watching the musicians in costume as much as listening to the jazzy orchestral scores of John Williams. Well, that’s what it felt like attending last night’s The Empire Strikes Up The Band show at The Ellington Jazz Club. In a room filled of all ages and Star Wars devotees, James Sewell and his 7-piece band played a jazzy twist on the music from Star Wars.

The set cleverly developed by Sewell, a saxophonist of 10 years’ experience working in bands and Perth’s jazz scene, included songs requiring no introduction (Empire March) and others invoking sweeping majesty (Binary Sunset) and heart pounding action (Duel of the Fates). For me personally my favourite was the jazz music from the alien nightclub with its heavy brass rhythm, which was upbeat and swinging, and made me want to dance. I liked Sewell’s easy banter between songs and his reference to devoted fans who missed their wedding reception to attend his May 4th concert, and even as I write this review, I remain uncertain whether Sewell’s child’s birth on May 4th was coincidental or outer-worldly. I suspect the former but still.

The set was not in sequential order of the movies but rather a narrative coined by Sewell which allowed space for each band member to shine, and shout outs need to go to the piano, trumpet, saxophone and double saxophone who all played stellar cameos, and especially the trumpet who, in a Star Wars t-shirt, looked like he was having a great time amongst his friends playing the jazzy scores, and making any pitch issues with the flute (also played by Sewell) easy to overlook. This was a 4-star show, and one which Sewell aptly closed the show saying, ‘May The Force Be With You’.