by Marce
In its 41st year, the New Black Eagle Jazz Band continues its schedule of New Orleans Traditional Jazz all over the East Coast.
Tony Pringle cornet, Stan Vincent trombone, Billy Novick reeds, Bob Pilsbury piano, Peter Bullis banjo, Bill Reynolds on drums , who’s been sharing that position with Pam Pameijer for at least 20 years. The Eagles play every 2nd Thursday of the month at what has become their home base, the Sherborn Inn in Sherborn Massachusetts. The band has taken on new verve and energy since the addition of Jesse Williams on amplified string bass.
Signature of the New Black Eagle Jazz Band: Tony Pringle on cornet, with his derby mute.
Tony led with his strong and unique New Orleans-based style.
.They pulled out some of the war horses that they haven’t played in a long time for some delectable hot jazz, Shimmy She Wobble, Rent Party Blues, Papa Dip, (one of Louis Armstrong’s nicknames). Each instrument taking turns on the break.
Bob Pilsbury had a breathtaking solo on Django’s Nuages,backed by the rhythm boys.
With the 1930’s Louis Russell ballad Roamin’ Bob’s mellifluous solo sounded almost classical. Billy played low-register clarinet, with Bob’s gentle piano backup. Nice. “Gentle” isn’t generally the right word for most of Pillsbury’s piano playing.
He played Dancing with Tears in my Eyes with great passion.
Love Nest, theme from the George Burns and Gracie Allen TV show, had fine performances by Vincent on muted trombone and Billy on alto sax.
They took some time looking over the songs and sorting them out, they must have close to a thousand by now, and Jesse hasn’t been around that long.
They came up with Saturday Night Function, and gave Jesse a chance to show his stuff on a 24-bar solo. Superb!!
Sometimes in the past, the Black Eagle’s powerful sound drowned out the string bass – but we have no problem hearing Jesse!
They finished the first set with Climax Rag, which is not a rag at all – over time it has become hot Traditional Jazz. Stan Vincent was in especially rare form all evening, and took a solo on this one that raised goose bumps!
Shine was another hot one, with Tony scatting the lyrics, Billy going wild on alto sax. Jesse’s bass was driving the band, and frenetically trading 4’s on slap bass with the trombone.
Billy was featured with the rhythm section with a gripping, mesmerizing In a Sentimental Mood.
Tony was still pulling out some oldies, White Ghost Shivers, and an old blues,Steal Away.
Not enough said about the indispensable rhythm boys, Dave Bragdon, keeping the Traditional Jazz Beat in sync with the bass. And for over forty years, Pete Bullis’s unremitting plink, plink, plink on the banjo. And his red socks.
They closed with a wild Red Wing, reminiscent of many nights at the Sticky Wicket, a real Barn Burner; and sent us home with a theme song that also brought back fond memories – and foretold the future – ‘Till We Meet Again.
We’re happy to have them on the East Coast. Folks on the West Coast are anticipating their return to the Sacramento Music Festival on May 26-28.
They’re ready.
Brace yourself,
Sacramento!