videos by Eric Devine (some are only highlighted)
John Clark’s Wolverine Jazz Band
The Wolverine Jazz Band has finally become recognized as one of the top Traditional and Dixieland Jazz Bands. It’s been a long time coming, since John Clark stepped in to fill in the reed section of the Paramount Jazz Band in 1994.
In his own words:
“I started at the Holiday Inn when Ray invited me to his 1994 Christmas party there – I thought it was an actual party and not a performance, so it was a good thing I thought to throw my bari in the car – it turned out to be an audition (I had played in a casual group with Ray the summer before). Apparently I passed, because I was put on the regular rotation after that (I believe the Christmas gig was the last local gig for both Gary Rodberg and Steve Wright – I think they both moved away within a week or so). That led to my subbing for Steve with the Paramount J.B. on the England tour in June, 1995.”
John continued his studies at Connecticut College, and soon formed the Wolverine Jazz Band, with its own ‘Bix’, Jeff Hughes on cornet and trumpet,Tom Boates trombone, Ross Petot piano, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Rick MacWilliams tuba, Dave Didriksen drums.
They have since been invited to the Bar Harbor Jazz Festival, America’s Dixieland Festival, Olympia; Arizona Classic Jazz Festival, Summit Jazz Festival, Hot Steamed Jazz Festival.
They kicked off this session with a tune Santo Pecora, trombone, played with the New Orleans Rhythm Kings. Check out our own Santo Pecora! She’s Crying For Me,.
Jimmy starts a swinging 1920’s Dardanella,
Jimmy sings Yellow Dog Blues
The one and only Jimmy Mazzy singing in the 1919 W. C. Handy’s Yellow Dog Blues.
(People in New England don’t jump up out of their seats and holler like the West Coast Trad Jazz Fans on Yellow Dog Blues.)
Sweet Jenny Lee is on one of the Woverines’ many CDs. Clark dug out the bari sax.
The Rhythm Boys keep the band jumping.
Dave Dickriksen
Rick MacWilliams
They stole a tune from Clarence Williams – “You can never get enough from him.” Cushion Foot Stomp, with Jimmy vocal, Dave wrapped it up with a loud crash cymbal.
The Halfway House Orchestra did this old chestnut in the 1920’. Wolverines updated it to 1925 style. Let Me Call You Sweetheart, Ross marvelous on stride piano.
Tom Boates
They moved to ‘western swing’ with a tune played by Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys, with Tom Boates’ captivating vocal. Cherokee Maiden, backed by Dave’s Native American drum beat.
Ross was back in stride with a hard driving tempo on Duke’s Street Beat CD, Birmingham Breakdown. Fabulous muted trombone and baritone sax.
Trumpet and banjo kicked off Irving Berlin’s 1929 Waiting at the End of the Road, featuring Jimmy; nice tight ensemble on Jimmy Blythe’s 1920’s Oriental Man.
The Wolverine Jazz Band plays at least once a month at the Sherborn Inn’s Tuesday Night Jazz, and always to a full-house. For their schedule, best get on John’s email list at jazzbnd@aol.com
Dr. John Clark and his Wolverine Jazz Band have a bright future ahead of them!!
Wolverine Jazz Band – Massachusetts