Stan McDonald’s Blue Horizon Jazz Band
The Blue Horizon Jazz Band took a romp through the music from the 20’s to the 50’s, playing happy, foot stomping Traditional Jazz. Jeff Stout was relaxed (he must have had a good day teaching at Berklee.) McDonald plays Traditional Jazz for the sheer spirit of it; he lives for this music. They were feeling each other out, trumpet playing lead, soprano sax counterpoint. Gerry Gagnon’s trombone complementing the front line. They were dynamic!
It all came together, starting with I Got Rhythm. They got rhythm! Save It Pretty Mama Stan vocal, and soprano sax with piano comping. Stu Gunn’s string bass is solid as a metronome. He stays sharp playing classical bass with the Cape Cod Symphony,
They haven’t played the catchy tune by Sidney Bechet, Lastik, in a long time. Great tune; trumpet and sax taking lead, muted trombone playing counterpoint. Gerry Gagnon pulls a multitude of sounds out of that trombone with different mutes.
Stan McDonald on clarinet
Jelly Roll Morton’s My Gal Sal has had many versions over the years. Piano intro with Stan on clarinet, they made it a fine instrumental, a bit slower than usual.
Bechet’s Tijuana, a Latin tune named after a bar in Kansas City; then to Irving Berlin with All By Myself. Roamin’ , Ross played a western loping on the piano.
Steve Taddeo lets go
Steve Taddeo maintained the feel of Trad Jazz with clean controlled drumming, He let loose on his drum solo on Running Wild.
Ross set a soft tempo for Sugar, trombone providing balance for sax and trumpet. Jeff’s silky trumpet solo was backed by subtle rhythm section. Beautiful.
Ross Petot listens carefully and keeps it all together.
Lyrics can be an integral part of melody. Stan contemplated, When I Leave The World Behind.
Stan McDonald puts heart and soul into his vocals
New Orleans, Jeff Stout on powerful trumpet. They changed the mood with Sidney Bechet’s Marchand de Poisson, warm melodic lines. Wild Cat Blues marvelous, intricate ensemble.
Gerry Gagnon reaches up and makes beautiful music on Sidney Bechet’s Spreading Joy. Astounding!
Gerry Gagnon
Si Tu Vois Ma Mere, another Bechet tune. Matt Chavin of ’20’s Jazz’, says “Stan McDonald is probably the closest living representative of the style of Sidney Bechet today.”
Jeff Stout and Stan McDonald complement each other
I Remember When sax and trumpet in sync, with piano playing riffs. Stan took the ending with a consummate high note!
With time growing short, the ensemble closed with a resounding lively finale of When I Grow Too Old To Dream.
The Blue Horizon Jazz Band will return with another romp through the music from the 20’s to the 50’s on December 16th. We don’t know yet what the new ownership in January will mean. But….
Dan Gabel’s High Society Jazz Band will be here December 2nd, and we’ll close the year on Tuesday December 23rd with a FREE-FOR-ALL JAZZboree with many familiar fine musicians! No admission fee, and cake for all!! Join us???