Stan McDonald’s Blue Horizon Jazz Band
Stan McDonald soprano sax/clarinet, Jeff Stout trumpet, Gerry Gagnon trombone, Ross Petot piano, Stu Gunn string bass, Steve Taddeo drum
This has been a bad winter for Stan McDonald’s Blue Horizon Jazz Band. Fierce winter storms have forced the cancellation of the Band’s dates in both January and February, so we all had our fingers crossed for March. It was cold, but no precipitation, so he was able to perform the New Orleans Rites and Riffs of Spring, with plenty of Sidney Bechet and many beautiful New Orleans tunes. His Knowledge of Traditional Jazz is remarkable.
Stan dedicated this evening to Lynn Sickles, a fan who passed away January 18th. Our hearts go out to hubby Bob, who was here this evening; they were married 46 years. Family, friends and music help lighten the loss. Lynn’s favorite song was All of Me, and the band started with a glorious version of it, Jeff Stout taking the lead on trumpet with McDonald offering complicated counterpoint on soprano sax. Steve Taddeo holding choke cymbal on hi hat. Stu Gunn holding a steady beat on string bass, and we love the mellow sound of Gerry Gagnon’s tail-gate trombone.
Blue Horizon Jazz Band always has musicians with expertise who play in countless other bands in the area. They love what they’re doing, and play with passion and intensity, with no arrangements. When You and I Were Young Maggie, Earl Hines’ You Can Depend on Me, Strike up the Band, Marie Elena, my favorite Tijuana and more.
 Gerry Gagnon, Steve Taddeo, Jeff Stout |
 Jeff Stout, Stu Gunn, Stan McDonald |
Four or Five Times, originally done by the The Bechet-Spanier Big Four, was one of the more closely arranged tunes. They also did All By Muself. The Big Four consisted of soprano sax and trumpet with only guitar and bass – but the Blue Horizon also has invaluable trombone, piano and drum.
Stan plays Honky Tonk Town, Ross Petot on piano
Ross Petot was featured on What Is This Thing Called Love, playing his inimitable stride. Lovely!
Sidney Bechet (May 14, 1897 – May 14, 1959) was an American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, and composer. He was one of the first important soloists in jazz, and was perhaps the first notable jazz saxophonist with forceful delivery, well-constructed improvisations, and a distinctive, wide vibrato. Stan McDonald has been one of his staunchest afficionados, so several of his tunes were included: Blues in the Air, Lastik, Lotus Blossom, Rose de Picardie, Marchand de Poisson.
They ran out of time before completing all the songs on McDonald’s list, so they closed with When I Leave The World Behind.
Spring has finally arrived – it’s been a long winter! Hopefully no more snow storms! The next performance of The Blue Horizon Jazz Band will be April 15th, and thereafter on the 3rd Tuesday of every month at the Sherborn Inn, 33 N. Main Street, (intersection of Rts. 16 & 27) Sherborn, MA. $10 Please call for reservations at 508-655-9521 or info@sherborninn.com. See you there?
Marce