Tony Pringle cornet/leader, Billy Novick clarinet/soprano and alto sax, Stan Vincent trombone, Herb Gardner keyboard, Peter Bullis banjo/manager, Jim Guttman string bass, Dave Didriksen drums,

The New Black Eagle Jazz Band will be starting its 45th year next month; you can tell by Tony’s beat-up, metal bowler-hat mute.  They filled the House at Primavera Ristorante with their authentic, happy, foot-tapping Traditional Jazz beat.  People drove for miles to hear this band.  It was worth it, just to hear Billy Novick playing soprano sax!  That was new to us.  It certainly adds dynamism to the music!

Jim Guttmann was a new face on string bass.  The Black Eagles have been using many different string bass players (much as the original Black Eagles Jazz Band did.)  They must be experts in their craft and also know the unique Traditional Jazz Beat.  Tony is uncompromising, maintaining the band’s unique sound.

 

Jim Guttman, a full-time musician, filled the bill.  He’s taught double bass and coached jazz and klezmer music ensembles at the Rivers School Conservatory since 1989.   He’s performed with a myriad of groups including the Klezmer Conservatory Band, singers Eartha Kitt and Mark Murphy, the Really Eclectic String Quartet, blues masters Johnny Shines and James Cotton, the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, Texas swing legend Tiny Moore.

 

 

 

 

Trad Jazz Drummers are also a rarity; Dave Didriksen filled in for Bill Reynolds; not an easy task.  We’ve known Dave as a great drummer starting with the Commonwealth Jazz Band at The Outpost Farm in Holliston in the 80’s, then with the Wolverine Jazz Band, and now as drummer and Manager of Swing Times Five with Debby Larkin.  Oh, and also Willows Book Store in Acton.

 

The New Black Eagles kicked it off with When Your Hair Has Turned to Silver, appropriate for most of us.  (Where did the years go?)   Savoy Blues, a tune that Louis Armstrong recorded in 1927, when he was just coming to prominence as an innovative cornet and trumpet virtuoso.  Great string bass solo by Guttmann; Stan played his growling tailgate trombone.

Every band plays Shimme Sha Wabble differently.  The front line was enhanced by Jim’s complex chords on string bass, pushed by Dave’s drum beat. and Herb’s titanic hands on keyboard.

 

Herb Gardner was featured on If I Had My Way, showing off his stride piano.  He has always been a full-time musician, now with a full-time musical family with daughters Abby and Sarah.  He bounces back and forth to the Carnegie Club in New York, even in the 4-feet of snow we had last winter.  Herb has been filling in here in New England for many pianists, and has just about become the full-time pianist for the Black Eagles.

 

 

 

 

Tony, Peter and Stan are retired now, so they are playing full time too.  Peter’s expression hasn’t changed. He is still plucking the banjo, maintaining that beat, as he did in 1971 at the Sticky Wicket, and he’s still wearing his Red Sox.

Once In a While, from Louis’ Hot Five, was fantastic with Billy on clarinet.

 

 

They slowed the tempo with a tune they haven’t played in a long time, Johnny Dodd’s Steal Away, with Jim bowing the string bass.  Billy took the vocal on Jelly Roll Morton’s Sweet Substitute, backed by Tony’s sweet muted cornet.

Sam Morgan’s 1928 Short Dress Gal was one they played at the Wicket.  (Tony mentioned that Cajun bands played this in their Patois in 1927.)

We’ve been listening to Billy since he added younger ideas to the Eagles back in 1986 – but this is the first time we’ve heard him playing soprano sax.
Noting the soprano sax, one fan requested a Sidney Bechet tune, The Fish Vender.  He got I Remember When (Si Tu Vois Ma Mere) instead, with Billy and Jim Guttmann, Herb Gardner, and Dave Didriksen.   Beautiful!

I’m kicking myself for not recording this from the beginning where Billy faithfully played Bechet’s passionate version.  Once we recovered from that one, we heard an old Pop Tune, Girl of My Dreams, a lively tune.  Billy started on clarinet but moved to alto sax in the end, backed by fine string bass.

There was some discussion about how to handle the beginning and ending of Delta Bound, ensemble or somebody on solo?  They left it up to Billy; both beginning and end were amazing ensemble, Tony taking the lead with Billy comping on alto sax, Stan’s trombone stretched out low, low, as it could go.

They closed with Weary Blues, or Shake It And Break It – take your pick – same song.  It was WILD; even Herb’s hands went wild on the keyboard.  They ending as they began, with Billy on lovely soprano sax.   WOW!  What a night.

There were many dedicated New Black Eagle Fans here; they filled the room.  They will be back at Brandeis University on October 4th; Cultural Center of Cape Cod on October 11th; Rogers Center for the Arts at Merrimack College, North Andover MA on November 6th. Primavera Ristorante November 19th.

They will be traveling – check out their site at www.blackeagles.com.