Scott Philbrick cornet, Craig Ball clarinet, Lee Prager trombone, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Frank Stadler leader/piano, Albie Bernard sousaphone, Bobby Reardon drums

By Marce, Videos by Harold McAleer

The Stompers started right off with an explosive Jazz Band Ball that ignited the Acton Jazz Café, and they were smokin’ the whole afternoon.

 

Leader Frank Stadler has a list of every tune they’ve played in those 5+ years.  He always brings in a list of new tunes or some they haven’t played lately.

But this is a democratic band, if they don’t like what he calls, they just do something else.

 

 

 

Jimmy Mazzy is something else all by himself!

He sings Nagasaki with Al Bernard on sousaphone and Bobby Reardon raring to go.

The band actually all agreed on that tune, but not the key.  Finely tuned ensemble; Craig’s clarinet set the pace, pushing the boundaries.   Drums were vibrating off the floor!

 

 

 

Carrie Mazzy flashes a smile, singing Sugar.

They played Three Little Words in triple time, clarinet and cornet squeezing in multiple notes; difficult for trombone, but Prager is resourceful.  Al Bernard’s sousaphone drove the band, Craig Ball sneaking in many other tunes – he can do that on clarinet.
Nice brush work by drummer.  The musicians really appreciate Bobby Reardon’s drumming.  He keeps them going, lays down perfect time, and never gets in the way.

The inimitable Jimmy Mazzy sings Kansas City. Cornet and trombone have remarkable interplay, but Scotty likes to tease Lee, playing rapid muted passages.
Watch what happens.
Kansas City

Lee Prager played a deep burnished trombone on I Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plans, with Jimmy singing a heartwarming, tender ballad.

Lulu’s Back in Town was WILD, cornet trading fours with trombone, challenging Prager with vibrating cornet, Lee responding with vibrating trombone, it was hysterical! They actually gave each other high 5’s when it was over.  Lee was having so much fun, he never stopped bouncing, except when he was playing.  Great talent – it’s a pity we can’t hear him more often.

They moved on to a rabble-rousing China Boy, clarinet starting in nice low register, then moving up the scale into the stratosphere.  Stadler prodded marvelous sounds out of the piano.  Éva Balazs was back, listening to her favorite ‘humble piano virtuoso’.

They all agreed on Stadler’s call for the finale, Sweet Georgia Brown,
Bobby set the dynamic level:

The energy level was still high, leaving the audience with an adrenaline rush.  We’ll all be back October 5th with more fun and upligting jazz with the Seacoast Stompers.

Tunes played this afternoon:

set 1
At The Jazz Band Ball
Someday You’ll Be Sorry
Squeeze Me
Smiles
Sugar
Kansas City
Tin Roof Blues
Old Fashioned Love
Nagasaki

set 2
I Can’t Get Started
Nobody’s Sweetheart Now
How Come You Do Me Like You Do
Oh Baby
Three Little Words
I guess I’ll have to change my plans
Jelly Roll (Ain’t Gonna Give You None)

set 3
Mandy Make Up Your Mind
Sweet Lorraine
Lulu’s Back In Town
China Boy
Sweet Georgia Brown