The Williams Reunion Jazz Band

This venerable musical aggregation was spawned on the campus of Williams College as Phinney's Favorite Five by four unsuspecting freshmen in the 1950's.  In 1983, these same four now-middle-aged men, inspired and elevated by the presence of three 'permanent guest stars" performed a reunion jazz concert in Chapin Hall - providing a name and musical tradition that has continued, uninterrupted, through three decades of playing live, classic American Jazz for the nicest people in the finest places in the world.

The selection and flow of these encore tunes follows a typical WRJB concert.  The opener shines the spotlight on a Tom Hayne roll-off into BOURBON STREET PARADE, as the band enters with a fanfare.  The closer is Louis's SWING THAT MUSIC featuring Mazzy's vocal including the fitting words "Ain't it just grand, to play in a band and swing that music."

Along the way everybody gets a chance to shine: Boates' difficult ORY'S CREOLE TROMBONE is outrageous; Bucher's WILD MAN, smooth and brilliant; Mazzy and Bucher meld as only they can to open and close OH BABY.

The riff-filled ROSETTA was inspired by and dedicated in '07 to William's long revered music professor Irwin Shamain.  And Kingsbury gets his clarinet licks on the ODJB'S CLARINET MARMALADE.

Halsey's polished solo performance of COME RAIN OR COME SHINE was dedicated to Williams and his class of '59 in '09. And Mazzy proves his #1 banjo and vocal ranking with a unique LUCKY OLD SUN.  He is simply the best.

Hayne, the boss of the beat, shines on ICE CREAM and throughout the CD with powerful driving, two-beat assistance from Clifford's tuba.

The band plays TIN ROOF BLUES out of a 1956 Phinney's Favorite Five LP recording, bringing the fine old tune up to date and to WRJB standards.

DIXIE was performed on the paddlewheeler AMERICAN QUEEN'S "poop" deck along with the ships calliope, which was a half tone off pitch.  "Dr. John's" musical acumen saved the day.

The familiar CLOSER WALK breaks hearts every time it's played - especially annually in Williams Thompson Chapel at the reunion Memorial Service.  Mazzy sings and exhorts throughout this timeless hymn.

NO, NO, THE WRJB WON'T GO!

Not as long as there are tunes like these to lay and people like you to play them for.