Wolverine Jazz Band – 3 sets – 7 pieces – Dr. John Clark, master of the reeds, leader and so much more with musicians who have graced us for most of the 20 years, with beautiful trad jazz. Of late he has taken tunes written in the 80’s and remodeled them into the trad jazz format.
A wonderful experience to hear these fantastic new arrangements and how well they work. On board was the incomparable Jimmy Mazzy, the person and musician that most trad lovers just can’t get enough of hearing, plus Jeff Hughes-cornet, Tom Boates-trombone, Ross Petot-piano, Rick MacWilliams-tuba and Dave Didriksen-drums. Lauren Humpage
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The Wolverines have been playing together since 1995 and have become one of the top New England Bands, with invitations to Festivals all over the country, playing their hot, blistering jazz!
We first heard Clark, one of the youngest band leaders of this genre, when he stepped in for Steve Wright and Gary Rodberg in Ray Smith’s Paramount Jazz band. He has since reached the pinacle of reed-playing, with clarinet, alto, bari and bass sax. Jeff Hughes’s music comes straight from the heart, whether on Bix, Berigan, even Harry James. Boates trombone is second to none. This front line plays some of the finest Trad/Dixieland Jazz in the country.
This day was no different. They started with South Rampart St. Parade that left the crowd flabbergasted.
When My Dreamboat Comes Homefeatured Jimmy on vocal, with John Clark on bari sax, and Ross’s fabulous stride piano.
From Duke Ellington’s Cotton Club, The Mooche, fantastic with muted cornet and trombone trading fours. From their new CD, Street Beat, a sweet ballad, How Can I Be Blue?
Larry Conley’s composition made famous by Jelly Roll Morton, their favorite Tijuana, gave Rick MacWilliams a fine tuba solo. W.C. Handy’s Memphis Blues, was accentuated by Jimmy’s infamous scatting.
The dynamic duo, Dave Didriksen drums and Rick MacWilliams tuba drive the band with a steady beat.
Some swing, especially for the dancers – Jive At Five, trombone and cornet playing arresting sounds on open bell.
Ross was featured on his own arrangement of Caravan (clarinet interweaving in Arabic style) the front line comping.
Ross Petot is one of our secret treasures. He is a composer, arranger, teacher; a great pianist, specializing in stride piano.
A family man, his stride piano is heard all over New England.
No need to describe Jimmy – he’s known all over the world. In his own unique style, Jimmy rekindled memories of Old Cape Cod.
They closed with the title tune from one of their best selling CDs, On The Mall.
It’s been a privilege watching this band grow, and now sharing it with the rest of the world.