Videos by Vernon Welch

With the support of many volunteers, Gwenn Vivian moved the Acton Jazz Cafe October 1st to 103 Nagog Park – Rts. 119/2A Acton; much easier to find! But their sign isn’t up yet, so watch for Beyond The Border. It’s the last building on the right in the first row.

We could actually hear Frank in the ensembles, coaxing all that rhythm out of the piano!

The new venue has much better sound system and acoustics (most important for us – we don’t talk, we listen to the music.)

The kitchen is much larger.  As soon as they familiarize themselves with it, the menu will be expanded. The tables have ample room for wheelchairs, and special rest room. However there are many tall chairs, and they are the only ones that are padded.

The Seacoast Stompers played all new songs, but started, as always, with At The Jazz Band Ball.  The new house sound system was apparent immediately!

This was Bob McHenry’s Day to choose the tunes, he picked many blues.
Bob has over 65 years of playing acoustic upright bass with many small jazz groups as well as big bands.

He was featured on Them There Eyes, Rose Room, and I can’t Believe That You’re in Love With Me.

The front line was having fun mixing it up, with intricate ensembles and touching solos. They are into their 5th year with this band, and know just how to support/drive each other.

Seasoned pros, they have admirable technique; Lee’s exciting trombone, Scotty playing a plethora of notes on Them There Eyes,  Craig holding an impossibly long note on Beale St. Blues. Spellbinding! (He must have been watching Joe Midiri.) They have a lot of fun, playing around with the tunes, and it resonates with the audience.

Jimmy Mazzy was in great form, as usual, with many vocals, and beautiful ballads. He introduced Them There Eyes, (slipping in a little bit of Old Black Magic), Someday You’ll Be Sorry. We especially liked his heartfelt Street of Dreams.

Jimmy brought in an old favorite, Sunny Side of the Street. His unique style still mesmerizes us, after 40 years.

Carrie Mazzy had a fine vocal on I Don’t Know Enough About You.

Hoagie’s famous ballad New Orleans was played very, very slowly – which requires much more soul.  Jada was also played slowly, as well as a beautiful ballad by Jimmy, Street of Dreams.

The “Rhythm Boys”, are the mainstay of this band.

Bob McHenry on string bass, Jimmy on single-string banjo, Bobby’s tasteful drumming and precise timing on drums provide a solid foundation for the front line.

They let Bobby loose for a full chorus drum solo on I Can’t Believe That You’re in Love With Me. 

There were many more great tunes – There’ll Be Some Changes Made, Moonglow, Louisi-An-I-A, I’ve Got The World on a String, Tin Roof Blues, Indiana, Struttin’ With Some Barbecue, Poor Butterfly. 

They closed with a barnburner, Swing That Music.

They’ll be back November 3rd.  We’re looking forward to more great Jazz and Swing, and the AJC’s new menu.  I’m bringing a pillow.