All the Blue Horizon Jazz Band ‘regulars’ were back!!

This was a special evening with no summer substitutes; all the Blue Horizon ‘regulars’  were back with their powerful brass front line.

Jeff Stout and leader Stan McDonald make a powerful team.  Stu Gunn’s steady bass gives them freedom to fly!

They began with All By Myself, Stan taking the first of many vocals.  Jeff’s trumpet was crystal clear on Roaming, Ross’s piano picking up riffs.  Their repertoire consisted of tunes from the 20’s to the 40’s, strongly based on melody. They have a genuine passion and feel for this music: Tishumingo, Bechet’s Lastic, Roses of Picardie, Gershwin’s Strike Up The Band.  Rosetta was hard-charging and wild!  Honky Tonk Town had Stu weaving from side to side with the beat.

The front line is bolstered by the deep rich tone of Gerry Gagnon’s trombone.

Stan played a forceful soprano sax solo on Save It Pretty Mama.   He played low register clarinet on a rhythmic Wild Man Blues, with every instrument taking spontaneous, off the cuff solos on its many breaks.

I Would Do Most Anything For You, Taddeo maintained a resourceful Traditional Jazz beat on his Swingerland drums all evening with the use of brushes,wood block, bell, choke cymbal and pinging the hi hat stand.

Ross Petot was featured with the rhythm section on You Can’t Take That Away From Me, keeping the music fresh by using his magical left hand as a walking bass line instead of his famous stride piano.   Marvelous!

Ross Petot  strayed  from his famous stride piano to keep the music fresh.

Trumpet and sax were perfectly synchronized on  When I Leave The World Behind, undergirded by Steve’s drums and Stu’s pulsating string bass.

The band has had fine substitutes like Paul Monat cornet and John Kafalas trombone over the summer (Gerry moved to impressive tuba).   But it was refreshing to have the whole band back for the Fall Season.  They sent us home with a gentle, sweet, Rose of San Antone.

The Blue Horizon Jazz Band is in its 19th year at the Sherborn Inn.  They’ll all be back, along with our New England Fall Foliage on October 21st.  Take a nice ride and join us!