Eli’s All Star Septet at the Sherborn Inn, January 14, 2014 Randy Reinhart trumpet, Ted Casher Reeds, Herb Gardner trombone, Bob Winter piano, Jimmy Mazzy banjo, Jeff Guthery drums, Eli Newberger tuba,  Rebecca Sullivan vocals, Caroline Newberger washboard.

This was delectable hot jazz by musicians playing from the heart, enjoying the challenge of improvising, never quite knowing what was coming next, deeply listening to each other and responding in lively, pulsating jazz.

The All Stars opened with At the Jazz Band Ball, a jazz instrumental first recorded by the ODJB (Original Dixieland Jass Band) in 1917.  Eli introduced Randy Reinhart , a celebrated virtuoso on cornet, trumpet and slide trombone, just back from playing in Japan.   Randy played lyrical cornet on You Can’t Take That Away From Me, setting the tone for this splendid evening.

Randy Reinhart

Rebecca Sullivan’s phrasing adds to the sweetness of the songs. Blue Skies, Lullaby of Birdland, Them There Eyes sung in her own unique expressive nuances.   She has an extraordinary broad range, and uses it to the fullest.      Jimmy  took the final vocal, with Ted on tenor sax, cornet  interweaving with trombone.   Fabulous!

Rebecca Sullivan

Rebecca was backed by all the instrumentalists in a poignant Georgia, with tuba solo that shows why Eli was voted best Traditional Jazz Tuba Player in polls by the Mississippi Rag and Jazzology Magazine.

Bob Winter loves playing piano!

Bob Winter has played with the Boston Pops and supported vocalists for over 30 years.  He obviously enjoys making fine music and sharing it with us.  His stunning harmonies and sudden key changes on Over the Rainbow took our breath away.  Some of the band literally gasped.  He was featured with a passionate and riveting Satin Doll and backed Rebecca’s capricious Dancing Cheek to Cheek with smooth walking bass notes.  

Jimmy Mazzy plays and sings “Tomorrow Night”

Jimmy dug into his storehouse of great early 1900’s tunes and came up with  Tomorrow Night.  Just Jimmy and banjo; soul warming, he really gets his head around the lyrics:

Ted Casher, powerhouse tenor sax

Ted Casher is a precious gem.  He’s a powerhouse on tenor sax, and was featured on a Lady Be Good that raised goose bumps.  Let’s hope we get a video of this one!  Eventually there will be a DVD,

Dynamic Front Line

What a Difference a Day Makes – the front line  was a combustible combination, brilliant polyphonic improvisation with extraordinary give and take.   They toned down for the piano solo backed only by Jeff’s fine brushing on the snare drum.

At times Randy’s cornet executed clever embelishments all around Eli’s tuba.   Randy was relaxed and enjoying himself.  So was the audience, intently listening to this fabulous music.

Only ten minutes left, Randy approached the close with an unforgettable Someday You’ll Be Sorry, a tip of the hat to his idol, Louis Armstrong.

Introducing Special guest, Carolyn Newberger, adding spice to the All Stars with her washboard on Jelly Roll Morton’s Ain’t Gonna Give Nobody None of My Jelly Roll.

Carolyn Newberger adds zest to the All Stars with washboard

They closed with a quick Tiger Rag, originally played by the ODJB in 1917.  Eli’s All Stars played it with equal fiery enthusiasm, with a roaring tuba tiger, great solos – drummer let loose, nice muted trombone by Herb Gardner.   Another barn burner! We’re looking forward to more lively New Orleans Jazz in the next version of Eli’s All Stars with Bob Winter, piano (Boston Pops) and Rebecca Sullivan, vocalist (New England Conservatory), and Bo Winiker, trumpet, with Ted Casher, clarinet and tenor sax, Herb Gardner, trombone, Jeff Guthery, drums, Jimmy Mazzy, drums, Eli Newberger, tuba, and guest washboard wizard, Carolyn Newberger at the Sherborn Inn, 33 N. Main Street, (inters. of Rts. 16 & 27) Sherborn, MA Reservations:  508-655-9521 or info@sherborninn.com.  Hope to see you there!!

Videos by Kathy Wittman, recorded by WGBH’s Frank Cunningham

Tunes:

1. At the Jazz Band Ball
2.  You Can’t Take That Away from Me
3.  Blue Skies
4.  Georgia on My Mind
5.  Satin Doll
6.  Stardust
7.  Cheek to Cheek
8.  Tomorrow (Jimmy’s banjo and vocal)
9.  Ain’t Gonna Give Nobody None of My Jelly Roll
10.  Them There Eyes
11.  Our Love is Here to Stay
12.  Lady be Good
13.  Over the Rainbow (piano solo)
14.  Lullaby of Birdland
15.  What a Difference a Day Makes
16.  Some Day You’ll Be Sorry (cornet feature)
17.  Tiger Rag