Hot Steamed Jazz Festival 2012 Saturday Night Jam

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Jon Seiger led The All Stars into the most unique Saturday Night Jam that we have ever witnessed!

Jon is charming, personable, entertainer, a master of New Orleans Jazz.  His singing and playing inspires the band.

Jon closeup

Cornet/trumpet – Jon Seiger, Alex Owen
Clarinet – Joe Midiri
Trombone – Emma Sayles,Tom Boates, Ben Griffin, Ray Skalski,
Mike Rocha (of New Bedford’s SouthCoast Jazz Orchestra)
Piano – Jeff Barnhart, Frank LiVorsi
Tuba – Al Bernard
Drums – Bob Bequillard, Molly Sayles
(somebody let me know who I missed!)

7 front line musicians and tuba

They opened with Avalon, fine hot jazz, with Barnhart on piano, and continued with Basin St. Blues.

Young New Orleans Jazz players, including Art Hovey’s Sugarfoot members Molly Sayles on drums and sister Emma on trombone, were outstanding; Alex Owen solo on trumpet, two trombones comping.

Jon said this day really was different – the youngsters were leading the oldsters for a change!  Joe Midiri provided encouragement and support on fiery clarinet.

New York’s Frank LiVolsi demonstrated his fantastic stride piano on Sweet Georgia Brown.

Frank is really dedicated to playing Ragtime.  He is enrolled at URI in Mechanical Engineering, so we may have him around New England for a few more years!

21-year-old LiVorsi on piano

They moved to genuine, “bluesy blues”, with Blues in the Night.  Nice change of pace!

Albie, with big white beard, posing face front with tuba

We can’t have a Festival Band, or Big Jam without tubist Albie Bernard!!

He’s one of our favorites!

Jeff sitting with his legs crossed on the piano bench

Barnhart returned to piano and picked up the beat for a hot Hindustan.

A fan from the audience asked Jon if he still could play trumpet while standing on his head, as he used to do.  Jon hemmed and hawed for a few seconds, then stepped off the stage.  Balancing with his feet on a pole, he did just that – played trumpet while standing on his head!

He even stunned the band.  We wouldn’t believe it if we hadn’t seen (and heard it!)

Jon on his head, feet braced against a pole, playing trumpet

Getting serious, Jon jumped back on the stage and said “This Festival wouldn’t be complete without The Saints.  An emotionally charged Jon changed the words to “I want to be in Essex!”

They closed with Jon on vocal for Show Me The Way To Go Home.

Jon Seiger is an exceptional human being, and led a truly exceptional Jazz Jam – Folks won’t ever forget this one!