Bay State Syncopators reunion at Bemis Hall, May 27, 2015

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7 pc 2 beat trad jazz band

Bay State Syncopators    April 2015

Dave Whitney and Paul Monat cornet, Blair Bettencourt clarinet, Dan Gabel trombone, Robin Verdier piano, Eric Baldwin guitar, Rick MacWilliams tuba, Reid Jorgensen drums

 picture and videos by Harold McAleer

The Bay State Syncopators were at Bemis Hall in Lincoln MA on May 27, 2015.  It was a reunion band formed in the 80’s by Paul Monat to rekindle the two-cornet sound of Bob Connor’s Yankee Rhythm Kings of the 70’s which had Paul  Monat and Dave Whitney on cornet and Blair Bettancourt on clarinet.  Bill Doyle subbed today on guitar.

The band carries on the New Orleans sounds of Louis, King Oliver and Jelly Roll, reborn in the 50’s by Lou Watters, Turk Murphy and Bob Helm in San Francisco.

 

 Dave Whitney tells about how it felt to have the band back:

“Musically the Band sounded great! Despite lack of Rehearsal Time we surprised ourselves on most of the tunes. After 40 years, Blair, Paul and myself still remember most of the routines.

Highlights were Big bear Stomp—Too Late (from King Oliver 1930). Snake Rag, Cake Walkin’ Babies, Mabel’s Dream and Canal St. Blues.

Big Bear Stomp

 

Blair sang his specialty “Red Hot Mama” and I did Mississipi Mud, Cake Walkers and Memphis Blues.

 

Robin on piano

Robin Verdier

 

Robin did a great Piano feature on Froggie Moore and Dan Gabel fit right in like he had been there in ’75.
Bill on banjo

Bill Doyle                             (file photo)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also kudos to Bill Doyle who came in on short notice on guitar and banjo..

 

 

 

 

 

Us YRK veterans had a great time and it brought back happy memories of the Sticky Wicket and Sacramento Jazz Fest.  Also a nice turnout of 60 or so people.”

 

Paul Monat is Blue and Broken Hearted – Wait for the high note at the end of this tour-de-force by cornetist Paul Monat!

The Bay-State Syncopators ended their concert in Lincoln with a rousing version of Lou Watter’s San Francisco favorite – Emperor Norton’s Hunch.

Dave Whitney
Harold McAleer