By Marce,
Videos by Harold McAleer

Scott Philbrick cornet, Craig Ball clarinet, Steve Piermarini trombone, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Frank Stadler leader/piano, Al Bernard sousaphone, Bob Reardon drums

The Seacoast Stompers were back at Bemis Hall at their regular daylight time, 2-5pm, Saturday afternoons – great time to listen to great Jazz.  They are wonderful, lyrical players, inspire one another, enjoying what they do, pleasing their audience.  We especially enjoy Jimmy’s many songs.  (We’ve been listening to Jimmy for over 43 years, and he is still unique.)

They began as always with their theme song, At The Jazz Band Ball.  Frank Stadler leads the band, but Scott Philbrick is their ‘music’ leader.  Frank held a list of tunes they would play.  Something new had been added – all the endings were kept short and abrupt.  Each one caught us by Surprise!

This was Craig Ball’s first sorti after breaking bones in his hand when he slipped on ice four weeks ago.  He still should have had at least two weeks recovery, but was climbing the walls.  So he returned to playing clarinet with a swollen left hand, clarinet still reaching for the stratosphere!

Everybody Loves My Baby – check out that clarinet.

I Would Do Most Anything For You, Scotty racing so fast on cornet, it almost made us dizzy, it was a Wowzer!

Moving to more moderate tempo, Mama’s Gone, Goodbye, Jimmy at his best with Albie’s powerful brass, Stadler offering just the right chords,  drum tapping on crash cymbal.

China Boy (video by Marce)

Baby, Won’t You Please Come Home had Scott playing sweet smooth cornet with Jimmy backing on banjo.

Upbeat Lady be Good, band in great New Orleans polyphony with exciting individual solos, Scott sneaking in tidbits of other tunes, Jimmy’s banjo pushing the beat with Bob beating hard on every drum he had!

Frank said that half of the tunes in this idiom seem to be in the key of F.  So they moved to Rose Room, in the key of A♭,  Scott’s cornet almost talking.  Nice dance tune; there’s room at the back of the hall for dancing.

 

 

 

Albie not only pushes the beat wrapped in sousaphone, but softly responds to solos In My Honey’s Loving Arms. 

Strutting  With Some Barbecue was wild!

 

 

 

 

Mood Indigo  had an extraordinary cornet and trombone duet, with Scott throwing in some wa wa on muted cornet.

Jimmy’s choice, Nagasaki, in B♭, cornet leading, trombone playing counterpoint, Jimmy startling vocal.  Piano took the intro to My Monday Date  with Jim vocal.

It’s been a long time since they played I Ain’t Got Nobody, Pieranunzi playing fine growling muted trombone.   Blue Lu, Bob Reardon with left stick on snare drum, right on splash cymbal, pushing the band.

Bobby’s choice of tunes – he always picks my favorite, Limehouse Blues.  Piano intro,   Bob’s brushes on tom tom drums, arms flailing in the air.

E♭ banjo 16 bar intro into Louisiana, band following with exciting Dixieland Jazz.

Chicago was HOT, a barn burner with Jimmy scatting.  Another upbeat, Found A New Baby with Jim vocal, Bob ended it with a stinging crash cymbal.

Wish I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate.  Frank loves playing this 1870 Steinway!

They closed with another rouser, Swing That Music.  Bobby  wouldn’t let it end, playing two moving drum encores.

They also played Swing That Music here in January, with Dave Whitney on cornet and Scotty on banjo.  This was before Craig broke his hand.   That tune is always an excellent closer.
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This music touches the heart and spirit. The musicians consider themselves lucky to be jazz players; they love this music. The don’t use charts, they listen to each other, improvising, sometimes challenging each other.  They don’t necessarily get rewarded, except from the crowd that shows appreciation by applauding their marvelous talent.

Seacoast Stompers will be moving to a new venue.  It’s been fun being here at Bemis Hall, thank you Harold McAleer and Vern Welch for making it possible.  Next month on Saturday, May 9th,  the Seacoast Stompers move to ACT IV, (formerly Acton Jazz Café)  now at Jameson’s Restaurant, 26 Andover St, Lowell, Massachusetts 01852  still from 2-5pm.  Come have a good meal (5 ½ Stars), a drink, and enjoy this great band!!   We hope to see you there – bring a friend.

 

 

We expect Harold will be taping at Jameson’s restaurant also.  We hope they have good lighting!