John Clark’s Wolverine Jazz Band

Jeff Hughes trumpet, John Clark reeds, Tom Boates trombone, Ross Petot piano, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Rick MacWilliams tuba, Dave Didriksen drums

The Wolves were in rare form, back from a six-hour recording the previous day on their latest CD, #13.  They’re on their way to the Arizona Jazz Classic Festival this weekend.  They practiced on us, playing early New Orleans music with fiery enthusiasm – How LUCKY are WE????   They were asked to play King Oliver tunes at the Arizona Jazz Classic Festival, and we heard many of them, plus other tunes from the 20’s and 30’s, with original arrangements by John Clark.

They started Hot and Heavy with Michigander Blues, and a joyous New Orleans Stomp.  A tune Bix Beiderbecke did with Frankie Trumbauer, There’ll Come a Time. 

Tom Boates was featured on Snake Rag, a King Oliver tune that is always a big request.  We only get to hear Tom once a month – the lucky folks at Bill’s Seafood in Westbrook Connecticut hear him every Friday with the Bill’s Seafood All-Stars.  Boates sang the vocal on St. James Infirmary Blues, alternating choruses with each of the musicians.  Nice touch.  He closed with a growling trombone and drawn-out flourish.

Front line, featuring Tom Boates, with Jeff Hughes trumpet and John Clark clarinet

Jimmy Mazzy doesn’t use arrangements.

Jimmy had many vocals (We never get enough of them!) All from memory.  Just Pretending, which is seldom played by any other band.  The Halfway House Orchestra did some self-loathing tunes, I Hate Myself for Loving You and I Hate Myself For Being So Mean To You.   John took out the baritone for that one.

Rita Brochu and Kathleen Howland

Another King Oliver tune, Olga, nice dance tune, then a romping New Orleans tune Buddy’s Habit.   Another K.O. tune that Louis played with his Hot Five, Sunset Café Stomp, got Kathleen Howland up and dancing with her Mom, Rita Brochu.   It was Kathleen’s birthday.  Dr. Howland is a teacher of Music Therapy, both in private practice and at several schools, and plays one heck of a baritone sax!   Special request for Kathleen, one of Jimmy’s favorite depression songs, Dip Your Brush in the Sunshine had everybody up dancing.

Betty Weaver requested a song from John Clark, and he obliged with The Oceana Roll, a popular RagTime tune written in 1911 about the U.S. Navy and the USS Alabama:
“Billy Mccoy was a musical boy
On the Cruiser Alabama he was there at the piana
Like a fish down in the sea, he would rattle off some harmony.”    Never gets dull!!

John Clark sings The Oceana Roll

Jimmy was asked to lead on a K.O. tune, I’m Lonesome Sweetheart, powerful trombone pushing the band.   Someday Sweetheart, another Jimmy vocal, gave Rick MacWilliams a chance to shine on tuba.   We haven’t heard Chimes Blues in ten years, it was fabulous, with Ross Petot playing the chimes on piano.

Rick MacWilliams and Ross Petot, fabulous rhythm section

Excellent drummer Dave Didriksen completes the rhythm section, keeping time with rim tapping on snare drum and cymbals.

Dave Didriksen

Their final tune, a sizzling Panama, was recorded by Kid Ory’s Creole Jazz Band.  The Sherborn Inn furnished some Pyrotechnics:

We’ve been so fortunate to listen to this dynamic Wolverine Jazz Band from its inception,  They celebrate their 19th anniversary next month.

We don’t mind sharing them with the folks in Arizona!  Enjoy!