by Marce
videos by Harold McAleer

Scott Philbrick cornet, Lee Prager trombone, Craig Ball clarinet, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Frank Stadler leader/piano, Al Bernard sousaphone, Bobby Reardon drums.

THE SEACOAST STOMPERS ARE BACK, they played great as ever on November 30^th at Bemis Hall, 15 Bedford St. Lincoln MA.  They will be here once a month, SUNDAY January 11^th, then SATURDAYS February 14^th, March 14^th/. and April 11th.

These musicians playing music and this audience loves listening to them.  It’s a symbiotic relationship – and never gets dull.  You never know what will happen next. Frank Stadler has kept a list of every song they have played, so the tunes are always fresh. They don’t use charts, or play a tune the same way twice – this is Jazz!

 

Stadler makes full use of Bemis’s excellent Steinway piano.  He plots a loose course, giving the musicians room to make suggestions, and they do.

 

They started as always with At The Jazz Band Ball, the music accentuated by the Hall’s fine acoustics.  It was dedicated in May, 1892 as part of the will of George Bemis, who  left very  specific instructions for the kind of Hall he wanted for the Town of Lincoln.

The Stompers continued with a tune Earl “Fatha” Hines recorded in 1933, Rosetta.
Frank explained that Curse of an Aching Heart was originally a waltz:

 

 

Jimmy had many vocals, his special Fats Waller tune, Porter’s Love Song To a Chamber Maid –  is full of double entendre, as were many tunes in that era.

 

 

Running Wild soared with New Orleans Polyphony.   Scotty took the vocal for Sweet Lorraine, ending it with a cornet flourish.   Good Ol’ New York. was a joyous romp.

Mama’s Gone, Goodbye had a fabulous duet with muted trombone and cornet.  Scotty and Lee have a  wide and imaginative repertoire.  When they engage each other it’s mesmerizing!

Everybody Loves My Baby gave Albie a chance for a fine sousaphone solo.
The band played How Come You Do Me Like You Do, nice and easy, with a sweet vocal by Jimmy.  Sousaphone and trombone traded 4’s smoothly on Louisiana.

I Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plans –  Lee’s fine trombone takes first chorus, and closes.

Dr. Jazz, Swing That Music, Stadler pulled out the old war horses. Change of pace with a sweet blues, Bb Blues.

 

 

Carrie Mazzy joined hubby in a vocal on Ma, He’s Making Eyes at Me.  And he was.

She also sang  Who’s Sorry Now?  Craig joined Scotty in the front line with clarinet and cornet trading 4’s.  Jimmy started scatting with trombone, the tune ending in a duet with Carrie and Jimmy.

 

 

The musicians really appreciate Bobby Reardon’s tasteful, shrewd, drumming.  He has the unique ability to play melody on drums, and shows it with Oh Baby,  Scotty’s cornet squeezed in a bit of I Ain’t Mad At You, Pretty Baby.   There’s a gripping exchange between clarinet, trombone, and tuba before they let Bobby loose on drums.

He chose their last tune for this evening; he always picks my favorite rabble rouser, Limehouse.

It was a relief to have them back again after such a long hiatus; they were sorely missed.  Their music is exhilarating with so much energy and vitality.  It’s a fun band.

We’ll all be back to enjoy more of the Seacoast Stompers on  SUNDAY, January 11, 1-4pm at Bemis Hall, 15 Bedford Rd, Lincoln, MA.  Dave Whitney’s trumpet will be free to interweave many tunes while Scott Philbrick’s guitar subs for Jimmy Mazzy.  Steve Piermarini will be on trombone.   $10 cover charge at the door.  Tables will be arranged to give it more of a “Cafe” feel. Refreshments will be available, but you can bring your own lunch or snack, non-alcoholic beverages..  POSTER    NOTE TIME CHANGE to 1-4pm for January and February  It will revert to 2-5pm in March.

 

Tune List
Seacoast Stompers at Bemis Hall  November 30, 2014

Set 1
1 At The Jazz Band Ball
2 Rosetta
3 Curse of an Aching Heart
4 Porter’s Love Song To A Chambermaid
5 Running Wild
6 Sweet Lorraine
7 Good Old New York
8 Mama’s Gone Goodbye
9 Everybody Loves My Baby

Set 2
1 My Honey’s Lovin Arms
2 How Come You Do Me Like You Do
3 Louisiana
4 Ma He’s Makin Eyes At Me
5 Doctor Jazz
6 I guess I’ll Have To Change My Plan
7 Swing That Music

Set 3
1 Bb Blues
2 I Would Do Anything For You
3 Old Fashioned Love
4 Who’s Sorry Now
5 Mood Indigo
6 Oh Baby
7 Limehouse Blues