videos by Harold McAleer
Seacoast Stompers at the Acton Jazz Cafe
Scott Philbrick Cornet, Dave Whitney trumpet, Craig Ball reeds, Lee Prager trombone, Frank Stadler leader/piano, Al Bernard tuba, Bobby Reardon drums
At The Jazz Band Ball, the Seacoast Stompers warned us in advance that this was going to be delectable hot Jazz, with another full house at the Acton Jazz Café. They added some new songs, Why Do I Like To Myself About You? and included some old Dixieland Chestnuts, Royal Garden Blues, After You’ve Gone, Baby Brown.
Stadler makes full use of the Café’s beautiful Yamaha Baby Grand. He plots a loose course, giving the musicians room to make suggestions, and they do – most of them are accustomed to leading their own bands.
Frank Stadler leads band from the Yamaha Baby Grand
Bobby Reardon keeps the band in time. Photo by Harold McAleer
Albie pushes with his powerful tuba, Jimmy’s single string banjo at high velocity, Bobby Reardon steering them discreetly.
Albie and Jimmy
With that fabulous rhythm behind them, the front line is free to explore with great solos and ensemble, mixing harmonies. This Joint is Jumpin’!
Jimmy’s vocals come from the heart; as if he’s crying for his lost love.
If I Had You,
Please Don’t Talk About Me When I’m Gone, Old Fashioned Love, A Hundred Years From Today, Song of the Wanderer.
He’s scatting on Japanese Sandman.
Whitney interweaves innumerable snippets of tunes with his trumpet, and also does some vocals: the 1930’s tune Fats wrote on a restaurant bill, I’m Confessing, Mobile, Is You Is or Is You Ain’t My Baby. He’s scatting on Baby Brown.
Craig Ball, leader of White Heat Swing Orchestra
The ensemble connects on Sheik of Araby. Craig Ball’s clarinet is almost kissing the mic on Stevedore Stomp. He’s in soft tone on I’m Beginning to See The Light.
Dave and Scott go at it!
Trumpet and cornet are teasing and testing each other on Devil and The Deep Blue Sea. As Time Goes By Dave’s sweet trumpet is backing Scott’s cornet. They take turns leading and comping on all the tunes.
Lee Prager fills in the short gaps
LEE Lee Prager is constantly listening, filling in any gap. That takes talent!
We look forward to the amazing exchanges between the trombone and cornet. There’s a friendly duel between Lee and Scott at least once in every session – trombone keeping up with the cornet’s myriad notes up and down the register. It’s all in great fun!
By now the tension is so hot Jimmy loses it on It Don’t Mean a Thing if it Ain’t Got That Swing. Trading fours scatting with the band, he bursts out with his infamous scream, signifying another winning session!
They will repeat it on the first Saturday of next month, December 8th. Don’t miss it!
Seacoast Stompers tune list – Nov 2, 2013 – Acton Jazz Cafe
Set 1
1 At The Jazz Band Ball
2 As Time Goes By / Sleepy Time Down South
3 Royal Garden Blues
4 After You’ve Gone
5 Why Do I Lie To Myself About You
6 If I had You
7 Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
8 I’m Confessing
9 Song of the Wanderer
Set 2
1 Sheik of Araby
2 Mobile
3 Please Don’t Talk About Me
4 Old Fashioned Love
5 Baby Brown
6 All Of Me
Set 3
1 Joint is Jumpin, the
2 Hundred Years From Today, A
3 Stevedore Stomp
4 Japanese Sandman
5 Is You Is Or Is You Ain’t My Baby
6 I’m Beginning to see the Light
7 It Don’t Mean a Thing If it Ain’t Got That Swing