Sugarfoot Youth Jazz Band – 1 set – 13 pieces – Created in 2006 by Art Hovey (GJB bass/sousaphone) and interested supporters, this grade 8 to12 youth performing trad band has taken CT by storm. With a few CD’s and many performances throughout CT, most of these kids have had opportunities afforded them that some adults only dream of. A couple of these youth have real professional music potential.                                  Lauren Humpage

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Trumpets: Alex Owen and Anne Michaud
Clarinet: Emily Selzer
Trombones: Emma Sayles and Louis Nocera
Piano: Robert Young
Banjo: Ben Shorten
Sousaphone: Danny Selzer
Tuba: Matt Jennett
Vocals: Alanna Burke

Art Hovey’s students have grown into talented musicians, and absorbed his fondness for the music of the 20’s and 30’s. It’s obvious that their hearts are in this music – they keep returning, years later, to play with his new students.

The band set sparks flying with their opener, Fidgety Feet, their theme song, and moved to a favorite, Night Train.

Molly Sayles on drums, perfect control, great technique.  Alex Owen from New York on trumpet. Alex recently graduated from Connecticut College. 

John Clark, leader of the popular Wolverine Jazz Band, played with one of Art’s earlier bands when he was attending Connecticut College. John is seen here (with the hat) with Louis Nocera and Emma Sayles on trombone.

Molly started Black & Tan Fantasy with a fine intro on the tom-tom.

Matt Jennett tuba, Danny Selzer sousaphone

Robert Young, piano

Alanna Burke, now a charming young woman, returned from college with a couple of her special vocals, All Of Me and After You’ve Gone, backed by Emma Sayles trombone, and John Clark alto sax.

Emily Selzer (clarinet) was featured on Melancholy, with John Clark, Louis Nocera, and Emma Sayles.

The Original Dixieland Jazz Band’s Teasing Rag, was an OD one-step.  They concluded with a beautiful Blue Bayou.

One of Art Hovey’s earlier youth bands, 1993, was called the “Squabble Hill Intercollegiate Backyard Band”, with Jeff Barnhart assisting on piano, his sister Jen on trombone, and John Clark, then a senior at Connecticut College. (photo courtesy of Art Hovey.)

Thank you, Art Hovey, for your many years dedicated to teaching young people the appreciation of Jazz History and our kind of music!