Sugarfoot Jazz Band
at the Hot Steamed Jazz Festival - 2011
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Art Hovey formed
this band with talented, young musicians from Guilford, Madison, Westbrook, Cheshire, Southington, Woodbridge, Ivoryton,
Colchester and Marlborough in 2006, when some of them were in 7th
and 8th grade, and High School. They have grown into fine
musicians - some graduated last year, others are graduating this
year and moving on to College to pursue careers in Music.
They've come a long way, playing professionally at local area
restaurants, church concerts, playing and sitting in with other
bands at both Connecticut Festivals. It's
obvious that their hearts are in this music.
Trombone: Emma Sayles
Tuba: Matt Jennett, Danny Selzer
Trumpet: Anne Michaud, Liz Dietz, Rahul Dhodapkar
Drums: Molly Sayles
Clarinet/Sax: Julie Blum, Emily Selzer,
Skyler Hagner
Piano: Robert Young
Banjo/Guitar: Ben Shorten
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| This 10-piece group arrived an
hour before the official start-time, to play for the eager Early
Birds. Sound system wasn't even set up yet, but that didn't
phase them - they reached their audience anyway. A
rambunctious
band, with two tubas. Sugarfoot Stomp, otherwise known as
Dippermouth Blues, they made it theirs. Some of
them were reading this for the first time. Art likes to pull this on
them once in a while to keep them on their toes. He announced
there would be another site reading later, with a mystery vocalist.
Vocalist Alanna Burke was in DC performing in the MENC
all-national chorus. She'll be back at the pre-festival party for the Great CT Jazz Fest on July 30 and also at Harkness Park in Waterford on August 11.
Playing something opposite the blues, they moved to
Milneberg Joys. Fine piano by Robert Young, and for the first
time we heard Art 'talking' the vocal. Then they moved to
something they knew - Night Train - great solo by Julie Blum on alto
sax.
Julie on saxophone |
Julie Blum was the 'mystery vocalist', belting out All of Me in
a powerful, Red Hot Mama style backed by Emma Sayles on trombone.
They don't need a mic! |
Black and Tan Fantasy showed just how far Julie has come
on sax, playing the Johnny Hodges bit. The whole band soared with
High Society, then moved to Charlie Haden
Spiritual.
They concluded this set with a HOT, barn-burning performance of
Louis's Papa Dip.
It's such a pleasure to see and hear members of the next
generation romping through fine Traditional and Dixieland Jazz that
was considered old fashioned many years ago. With their energy and dedication, it will never die.
Emma Sayles |
This year, twin sisters Emma and Molly Sayles will be moving on to Western CT State College (WestConn)
in the fall
to pursue careers in music.
We'll be watching for them; and also
catching Art's new crop of future Jazz musicians! |
Molly Sayles, drums |
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Ben Shorten, guitar and banjo - listening
carefully, never
letting up. |
Danny Selzer, upholding the tempo with a splendid rhythm section. |
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| By Marce,
Updated July 20, 2011
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