Jazz Room, Primavera Ristorante
A new era began as the Blue Horizon Jazz Band launched Thursday Jazz at the Primavera Ristorante in Millis, Massachusetts. Primavera is an excellent new venue for Traditional and Dixieland Jazz. It is a quality restaurant with a lovely atmosphere. It offers great service at an affordable price and makes you feel like you are dining in Italy.
The band plays in a separate function room with good sound and balance, but it doesn’t have a piano – yet. Stan McDonald had to rearrange some personnel. Dave MacMillan substituted for pianist Ross Petot, with banjo, vocals, and smiles.
Stan McDonald soprano sax, Jeff Stout trumpet, John Kafalas trombone, Dave MacMillan banjo/vocals, Gerry Gagnon tuba, George Darrah drums
George Darrah filled in for Steve Taddeo. He is a bright young drummer from Beverly. At age 16, he was rehearsing with the Dave Whitney Big Band. He’s become a fine musician and will be one of the keepers of the Classic Jazz flame.
Along with Gerry’s tuba, George provided sure-footed rhythm with his creative drumming.
Dave MacMillan kicked off the evening with banjo intro and vocals on I Can’t Believe That You’re In Love With Me.
Trombonist John Kafalas interjected the blues feeling in Wabash Blues. He has a Bach 42 trombone with a large bell that is generally used in a symphony, but works very well in this room.
Gerry Gagnon is a virtuoso bassist on tuba, and showed it on his solo on Rose of The Rio Grande.
Stan said he believes All By Myself is one of the greatest melodies of all time, an “organic whole”.
Old Fashioned Love featured Stan on soprano sax. They alternated with a Latin beat on St. Louis Blues, fortified by Jeff Stout’s powerful trumpet.
Trumpet and saxophone took a stirring, synchronized intro into When I Leave The World Behind, backed only by tuba. The ensemble worked together, playing for each other as well as the listening audience, on Sugar, Swing That Music, .
Some Of These Days was a barn-buster that had fans tapping their toes. Stout’s trumpet took a slow intro into Sunny Side of The Street with just the rhythm section behind him. Nice.
Since these musicians have never played together as a band, Back Home Again in Indiana was preceded by a big discussion. The result was inspired solos and ensemble, ending with Dave MacMillan, with a big smile, embellishing the vocals.
Jeff took the lead on Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gives To Me with Stan playing counterpoint.
Black and Blue was fresh and different, played with alternating tempos.
Darrah took a drum-pummeling four-bar break on the closure, After You’ve Gone.
Primavera will be a perfect venue for Traditional and Dixieland Jazz, with warm staff, hospitality and fine food. (Chicken Limoncello was delicious!) We look forward to returning next week for Eli and His Hot Six (formerly Eli’s All Stars) with pianist Bob Winter of the Boston Pops on keyboard. POSTER Join us!
Primavera Ristorante, 20 Pleasant St. Millis MA 02054 (Just off Rt. 109) 508-376-2026
http://www.primav.com/