Scott Philbrick cornet, Blair Bettencourt clarinet/soprano sax/vocals, Lee Prager trombone, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Frank Stadler piano/leader, Al Bernard sousaphone, Bob Reardon drums

Daylight!!  Afternoons of Dixieland Jazz are rare!  It was a pleasure coming to Bemis Hall in Lincoln Massachusetts, even if it was raining, to hear the return of the Seacoast Stompers after a particularly brutal New England winter!  The band had to cancel their February concert because of snow.  We’ve missed them.

They began with At The Jazz Band Ball, always a barrel-house opener that sets the tone for an afternoon of uplifting, toe tapping, high energy music.  Each of these musicians is a pro in his own right; nurtured and inspired by New Orleans music, they are phenomenal!

 

 

They are also independent.  Frank always brings in a list of tunes to play, but they generally ignore it.  Tonight he brought in a complete listing of tunes that he has meticulously maintained since they first began in 2008.  They checked out the list, looking for different styles, trying not to duplicate any melody.  Each musician chose a tune.

 

 

Unfortunately, reed player Craig Ball fell down the previous day and hurt his right hand.  He will be in a cast for some time.  Blair Bettencourt graciously filled in for him.  We’ve known Blair for over 40 years, so it was a pleasure to hear him again.

 

 

Scott Philbrick is the ‘music leader’ of the band, letting them choose songs from the list, bringing them together as a team.  His cornet generally establishes the melody, and the band sores with him making powerful music.

 

 

Everybody Loves My Baby, we love Lee’s trombone.  Lee Prager joined the band in 2010 and has been a plus ever since.  His deep, burnished, trombone is reminiscent of Tommy Dorsey.  We don’t hear him often enough, he really makes a difference.  He was also featured on I’ll Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plans.

Three Little Words, In My Dreams with Jim on sweet vocal.  An old Basie tune: Things Ain’t What They Used To Be.  The Front line had fun with shading on this one.   Blair surprised everyone with a long, smearing gliss up the scale, Scott picked it up with some effort doing a slow gliss from low to high on cornet.  It was much easier for Lee with that long, slow, slurring, slide on trombone!  Nice touch.

 

 

Albie listens carefully and provides momentum for the ensembles, and also quietly backs many of the solos. Blair picked Tin Roof Blues, the musicians inspiring each other on this Trad Jazz chestnut.  Lee called Mama’s Gone, Goodbye, giving Albie one of many sousaphone solos.

 

 

 

 

 

Elke and Stella were having a ball dancing
in the back of the room.

 

 

 

 

There was a romping New Orleans take on Jelly Roll Blues, with ultra tight ensemble and great piano.  It’s obvious that Frank loves playing piano; he says all Steinway pianos are individuals, handmade by specialized craftsmen.  This one in Bemis Hall was built in 1870.  Frank said  “Playing it is a joy, even though I have a nine-foot Steinway at home”.

Stealing Apples, Fats Waller’s tune made famous by Benny Goodman, was absolutely WILD, followed by a scorching Avalon.   This never gets dull!

 

Bob Reardon listens carefully and gives the band just the bang it needs.  He picked Limehouse Blues, with a tempo that was frightening-fast.  (Forget the list, Bob always asks for Limehouse.)

Bob hit the drums with everything he had, using blue wire brushes. He knows his stuff – he has played for 27 years at the Kowloon Restaurant in Saugus.

 

 

 

Blair Bettencourt plays exciting clarinet.  He has a particularly soft way of playing eloquent bent soprano sax.  He also sang a couple of songs for us in a smooth, powerful voice.

Jimmy Enright and I were dancing to his clarinet at Bob Connors Yankee Rhythm Kings’ first performance in New England Life Hall in 1975.

 

 

Jimmy is extraordinary;  he had just arrived from Florida this morning where he performed with the Williams Reunion Jazz Band.

 

How Come You Do Me Like You Do?  Sugar, In his own distinctive style, he pleads, cajoles, scats, sweet talks.  He picked I Want a Little Girl, backed by Blair playing soft soprano sax, with Scott and Lee on muted cornet and trombone.  Nice.

 

 

They closed with an upbeat Mandy, and sent us home with sunshine inside, if not outside.  You can catch them LIVE at Bemis Hall every month.  The Seacoast Stompers will return on April 11th, same time, same station, same fantastic group of musicians.  Hope to see you there!

Craig Ball and his sky-writing stratospheric clarinet will be missed by his throng of fans and the many bands he plays in.  We wish him a speedy recovery!!