Good times were had by all when  Eli and the Hot Six enjoyed their debut at Primavera Ristorante.  Their passion for this music is obvious.  It was infectious; the audience became totally engaged.

Bo Winiker trumpet and flugelhorn, Ted Casher on clarinet, tenor and soprano sax, Herb Gardner trombone and vocals, Bob Winter on keyboard, Eli Newberger tuba, Jeff Guthery on drums, Frank John intermission tuba.

There was a popular band in New Haven in the 50’s and 60’s called Eli and the Chosen Six.  Louis Armstrong had his Hot 5 and Hot 7.  Eli Newberger paid homage to all of them by changing the name of the band from Eli and His All-Stars to Eli and the Hot Six.

Struttin’ With Some Barbecue, usually a fast, upbeat tune, was played slowly and swinging, inviting everyone to enjoy this evening.

Bob Winter on keyboard – You’ve never heard Oh By Jingo played like this, with blazing runs up and down the keyboard!  Kathy Wittman did a video of it back at the Sherborn Inn.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvWIIwCU-jg   This alone is more than worth the $10 admission at the Primavera!!

As this was their first time playing here, they tested the acoustics with Basin St. Blues.  No mics of any kind.  Glorious horn solos,  Ted’s tenor sax, Bo on smoky flugelhorn, low low tuba, closing with Herb’s trombone.

 

 

 

Eli joined Bob for Night Train.
They do have fun!

 

 

 

 

Eubie Blake was remembered with Bo Winiker sweet trumpet on Memories of You.  

 

 

 

Jeff Guthery played melody tapping on woodblock and bell and snare drum on Tiger Rag, before they all took off marching through the audience!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ted Casher said,  “Great gig! Great food! Great atmosphere! Always enjoy myself playing with the Six!”

 

 

 

 

Eli’s latest ‘Mentee’ is NEC Freshman Frank John, who took over Eli’s tuba at intermission,  playing around with scales.

Eli’s tuba is older than he is, and it was missing some notes that Frank is accustomed to on his own tuba.  Nevertheless he managed to reach a Pedal F tone, lower than the lowest F on the keyboard!  We’ll be hearing more from him in the future.

 

 

Rambunctious front line played Muscat Ramble in a Bossa Nova beat.

Bob Winter honored us with the World Premiere of his composition of a Trad tune that had all the band site-reading!  Paul’s Phonic Dream.   New to everybody – first time we ever see Eli reading from a chart!

 

 

 

Eli gets a lively solo on Ain’t Misbehaving, backed only by the rhythm section; eloquent, touching.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great ensemble on Sweet Sue, Ted playing marvelous clarinet.  Bo got carried away on trumpet, putting his whole body into it.

George Gershwin’s Fascinating Rhythm calmed him down on smoky flugelhorn, with all the instruments taking turns trading 4’s.

 

 

 

 

 

Multi-instrumentalist Herb Gardner also graced us with a trombone solo on Ain’t Misbehavin‘ and vocals.

He’ll be celebrating Groundhog Day with his talented daughters Abby and Sarah at the Bickford Theatre in New Jersey on  February 2nd.

 

 

Bob returned for solo on Ida, playing unceasing rhythm, finishing with a Count Basie ending.  Michael Steinman says,” He doesn’t rush; he doesn’t attempt to impress us with pianisms. His playing verges on the formal, but it is based on a serene respect for the melody rather than a tied-to-the-notes stiffness.”

They closed with a controversial tune that turned out to be Louis Armstrong’s last greatest hit.  It was a request that Louis had never heard before.  He listened  to a recording of Hello Dolly, and you know the rest.  Trumpet and trombone played masterful duet..

The Hot Six were on fire on this splendid evening of Jazz at Primavera Ritorante.  They will return on February 26th for more of the same, with Rebecca Sullivan on vocals, and they’ll have their new CD for sale: “Contemporary Classic Jazz:  Eli and The Hot Six LIVE”     Join us??

Primavera will also feature Dan Gabel’s fabulous High Society Orchestra on January 29th. We’ll be between snow storms.  Don’t let the weathermen scare you away – this is worth the trip.