by Marce

Traditional Jazz has been around since the 1920’s but it never gets boring to us. Tonight was no exception, with the Stan McDonald’s resourceful Blue Horizon Jazz Band and authentic, hot classic jazz and swing…. and a surprise guest.

Stan McDonald, leader/soprano sax/clarinet, Gerry Gagnon trombone, Ross Petot piano, Al Ehrenfried string bass, Peter Gerler guitar, Dave Bragdon drums and this week, Mike Peipman on trumpet.

They began with Meet Me Tonight in Dreamland, Baby Ain’t I Good to You, Stan on clarinet and vocal, backed by the rhythm section

Al Ehrenfried on acoustic string bass and Dave Bragdon on drums drive the band with a proper Traditional beat, without being overbearing.

Peter capably rounds out the rhythm section on guitar, and moved to banjo for Margie.

Ross is an educated listener, complementing, rescuing,  proffering ideas with a just a few pertinent notes on the Baby Grand.

Willie The Weeper was a barn-burner.  Renowned for for his fine stride piano, Ross rendered a blistering solo on this one.

McDonald’s soprano sax took the intro to Once In a While (not the one you’re thinking of, but an upbeat, hot  tune.)  Stan takes the first solo. Mike’s  smokin’ solo strayed from the melody;  Ross intuitively picked it up on piano, the band carried on with enthusiastic, interweaving New Orleans polyphony.    (There always has to be some suggestion of the melody in there somewhere!)

Mike generally plays modern, contemporary jazz, but displayed his aptitude for Trad with an impeccable rendition of  Louis Armstrong’s West End Blues.  Spectacular!

Baby, Won’t You Please Come Home, fine vocal by Stan.  Mike’s inspiring trumpet solo reached for the stratosphere! 

Gerry had the vocal on When I Leave The World Behind. Gerry Gagnon gives 150% whether on trombone or vocal.  He normally plays with the Boilermaker Jazz Band, all over the U.S. Canada and Europe, so we’re happy to have him here with us.

Trumpet and Trombone stepped down, while Stan played Petite Fleur with a passion!

Stan McDonald was recently interviewed by Dave Radlauer on Jazz Rhythm, where the Bechet-style soprano saxophone master recalled his half-century musical career.  This evening, Stan again honored Bechet with Georgia Cabin, Dardanella, Spreading Joy.

Chanteuse Mollie Malone was in the audience and stepped up for a fine vocal on Django’s Nuage, in French, backed by Al, steadfast on string bass and Stan’s strong soprano sax.

Too soon, time for the final tune. Lover, Come Back To Me, ending another superb Tuesday evening of Jazz at the Sherborn Inn with the Blue Horizon Jazz Band, and special guest, Mike Peipman.

Mike will be at the Regatta Bar March 31st with with Stanley Sagov and The Remembering The Future Jazz Band.

The Blue Horizon Jazz Band is here at the Sherborn Inn on the 3rd Tuesday of every month.  Catch them on April 17th and see if Stan comes up with any more surprises!