Paul midiri vibes, drums; Joe Midiri clarinet, alto sax, soprano sax, cornet; Pat Mercuri guitar, Ed Wise bass, John Lawlor drums, Dan Tobias trumpet
They opened with Jubilee, from a 30 or 40’s movie with Clark Gable and Jean Harlow. It was written by Walter Donaldson, who wrote more than a hundred tunes, including Did I remember to Tell You I Adore You?
Dan Tobias
Jim Lawlor
It was raining, a veritable deluge – Joe said they were wishing for this rain in New Jersey! Joe was featured on Poor Butterfly, fabulous clarinet, quoting a bit of Sundown. Still on clarinet, Joe played rapid fire passages on After You’ve Gone.
The band went wild with a tune by Ed Wise, a blistering Where No Man Has Gone Before
Ed Wise
Alto sax intro Sunny Sideof the Street, Joe singing in his best Louis Armstrong voice, scatting, with Paul comping on trombone
Written by Gloria Gaither, There’s Something About That Name, Joe on stirring sop sax. They closed out this set with Avalon.
The second set opened with Paul’s fierce mallets racing across the vibes on Running Wild.
The audience always insists the band play one tune whenever/wherever they perform. Joyce Kilmer’s home was in New Jersey, and he is noted for writing the poem, Trees. Paul has a his own special arrangement, making his own lyrical statement on vibes.
Pat Mercuri guitar intro on This Little Light of Mine, on a Paul Midiri arrangement, with Joe on alto sax, Paul on trombone. It was pure delight!
Paul’s arrangement of the Ray Charles Band Let’s Go was FAST! Dan had his muted cornet right on the mic, Ed Wise loose as a goose.
We never tire of hearing Sidney Bechet. Joe’s version of his Midnight in Paris, Si Tu Vois Ma Mere on soprano sax was inimitable.
Never get tired of this band, either. They play fabulous ensemble, and solos are unbeatable. You can catch them at just about any Jazz/Dixie/Swing Festival across the country, and venues in and around the Tri-State area.