Jeff Hughes trumpet/leader, John Clark reeds, Craig Ball reeds, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Ross Petot piano, Albie Bernard tuba, guest drummer Steve Taddeo.
When people want to be entertained, they generally go out for dinner, drinks, music, fun conversation, but Traditional Jazz followers are very picky; they aren’t looking for ‘background music’. They want to hear their music first – everything else is just superfluous. No talking while the music is playing, please!
Jeff Hughes is one of their favorite band leaders for that reason – Jeff has a band for all seasons, and tonight was ours. We knew it was going to be a fun night when Craig Ball walked in at the last minute (Craig always comes in at the last minute) and spotted another reed player, John Clark, asking him “What are we doing?” John replied, “I don’t know.”
Jeff distributed charts and they found out. They started with a 1927 tune that symbolized the feeling we all had today, This is My Lucky Day.
Jeff dug down deep for some very old material, the best and hottest of the 20’s and 30’s, some we have never heard before – and probably the musicians too. They had fun with it, inspiring and provoking each other, adding their own interpretations to these old tunes. It was an enlightening and entertaining evening! They really enjoy playing together. Their camaraderie is infectious – we all were having a good time. Couldn’t help it.
Not Much we’ve heard before, but not Dream Kisses. Another tune Bix recorded in a 1930 session with Jack Teagarden, Deep Down South.
Guest drummer Steve Taddeo, usually loud and flamboyant like Gene Krupa, played fine restrained trad, with the use of brushes on the snare drum and his special 1939 cymbal (the original cymbal that Buddy Schutz played on Benny Goodman’s Angels Sing). Good job, Steve!
Ross was featured in pulsating, effervescent stride on Cole Porter’s Riding High. Albie Bernard, driving the band on tuba, took a high spirited solo on Breakaway.
Jimmy had the vocal on Oh Miss Hannah, and Changes with Jeff backing him on his 1946 Olds trumpet.
Jeff let Taddeo cut loose with this one, with drum sticks beating energetic Gene Krupa style!
There aren’t many Mouldy Figs left here – Bea Page is our finest. The band walked up to her table, playing a swinging Happy Birthday, and continued with her favorite tune Moon Glow.
Manager Phil Cocco caught Bea by surprise for her “29th birthday” with a delicious birthday cake prepared by the chef – that she shared with all of us.
Back to the ‘stage’ – John Clark on clarinet and Craig Ball on tenor sax with a poignant duet on Irving Berlin’s Russian Lullaby.
Memories of the Depression in the1930’s – I’m In The Market.
A 1911 tune that is still being played in colleges today, Sweetheart of Sigma Chi.
The band played Who, dedicated to another fan, Joan Murray. (Her birthday is in August.)
Jeff took out the flugelhorn for a sweet When Day is Done. 1910? Jolson’s Golden Gate(California Here I Come.) Weary Man Blues. There Ain’t No Land Like Dixieland,Cottage for Sale, Old Folks.
They sent us home with Farewell Blues.
This is a new band for Jeff Hughes, separate from the Jazz Jesters Novelty Orchestra, that sounded much more like the Paramount Jazz Band. Nevertheless, he delved deep into the Jazz Decades for tonight’s performance – and we hope there will be many more like it. Wish we had a video!!