Wolverine Jazz Band
Jeff Hughes cornet/vocal, John Clark clarinet and bari sax, Tom Boates trombone, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Ross Petot piano, Rick MacWilliams tuba, Dave Didriksen drums.
Election Day 2012. There was no talk of politics in this room at the Sherborn Inn. The Wolverines were too engaged with many new tunes, in preparation for a recording session on the following Sunday. They discussed and worked out arrangements as they played them. John Clark gave interesting historic information on the tunes, and much of it is written here. He makes it easy!
Glad that the 2012 election was finally ending, they opened with Happy Days Are Here Again!
Tom drives two hours to get here from Connecticut. We’re pleased to have his formidable trombone – it was prominent on many tunes, starting with one written by a trombone player, Santo Pecora, She’s Crying For Me.
Tom Boates
Freddy Green’s 1937 Me And You That Used To Be, with Jimmy vocal. Taps Miller, a song written for him, inspired by his movements. On the more Traditional vein, Ory’s Creole Trombone.
Ross brought in a tune, Sing You Sinners; Jim sings it, Jeff likes it, it’s IN. Tom Boates quipped: “I’m Jeff Hughes and I approve this song.” It became the theme for the rest of the evening. Rick was strutting his stuff on tuba, with Ross’s piano adding in a very elaborate ending. Dynamite rhythm section!
The Rhythm Boys
Irving Berlin 1924 dance tune All Alone By The Telephone. Moonlight, with Jimmy vocal, was another in the same vintage by Con Conrad. Paramount Jazz Band and Monte Carlo played it.
Mood Indigo excellent on muted cornet and trombone. Jimmy’s vocal backed softly by trumpet. Jeff Hughes backs Jimmy perfectly – both were in Ray Smith’s Paramount Jazz Band.
Hoagie Carmichael wrote Riverboat Shuffle when he was a drinking student in college. Dynamite front line kicked it off with fantastic ensemble.
Tom, Jeff, and John with Jimmy in back. Betty Weaver, their #1 fan, listening.
Break time. A newbie fan – Jack Grady played some fine intermission piano – verging on boogie-woogie. Not bad for a web developer!!
Jack Grady, Web Developer, on piano
Hispanic tinges – Isle of Capri – the theme that was played for Boston’s Mayor Curley’s election. More fine trombone.
One tune they never played before. They worked out a special intro for Elmer Schoebel’s 1920 Chicago Prince of Wales. Fantastic! John and Jeff both like it, it’s IN! “I’m Jeff Hughes and I approve this song.” Front line was trading 4’s with Ross, his piano sounding like a waterfall. When they get rolling it’s a sunami!
Cole Porter You Do Something To Me, John Clark featured on clarinet. Jeff was featured on Joe Hoover’s Rhythm King, playing another of his vast collection of instruments, a 1922 King “Liberty” trumpet. He also did the vocal. It’s always pleasure hearing him sing again!
Jeff Hughes on 1922 King “Liberty” trumpet
Jimmy was given his choice next, singing in his unique vocalese, Faded Summer Lane. There’s only one Jimmy Mazzy, with an instinctive feel for tunes from a bygone era – and we’ve got him right here!! Life is good!
Jimmy Mazzy
They threw caution to the wind with Art Castle’s Sobbin’ Blues from Castles in the Sky. John Clark was reading from the chart as he played bari sax.
Jeff listens as John plays bari sax.
Jimmy was scatting. We had a sudden recollection: In 40 years of listening to Jimmy, we’ve never seen him pick up a chart!
Finale : “I’m Jeff Hughes and I approve this song.” Title track of one of their CD’s and a great way to end a beautiful evening, On The Mall left everyone with their toes tapping on the way out.
We’re looking forward to hearing what they’ve done with these tunes in the next CD!
“I’m Jeff Hughes and I approve this CD.”
And they’ll be back here at the Sherborn Inn in January 2013.