by Marce
videos by Harold McAleer

Joe Midiri clarinet/soprano sax/vocal, Paul Midiri vibes/trombone/drums, John Clark clarinet/alto sax, Paul Monat cornet, Gerry Gagnon trombone, Ross Petot piano, Justin Meyer string bass, Dave MacMillan guitar, Steve Taddeo drums/leader.

Harold McAleer invited us into the Senior Center at Bemis Hall in Lincoln, MA for a free concert by  Steve Taddeo’s Swing Senders and The Midiri Brothers from New Jersey.

There are Smiles

 

 

There was a full house with nine musicians, sponsored by CJALL, Classic Jazz at Lincoln Center.   Joe Midiri won the audience over immediately with his soprano sax with Sidney Bechet’s Si Vous Vois Ma Mere.

 

 

Don’t Be That Way featured the two masters of the clarinet, John Clark and Joe Midiri.

 

 

 

Vocalist Caroline Griep was introduced singing Candy and I Can’t Get Started.  She puts a song across with emotion and a spirited voice.

 

 

 

John Clark was featured with the Midiri Brothers and rhythm section on Sidney Bechet’s 1938 What a Dream.  Ross Petot took the intro on piano, and then it went wild with a duet of John Clark on alto sax and Joe Midiri on soprano sax.

Ross Petot had the antique Bemis piano singing!

 

Paul Monat revived some of his Wild Bill spirit with Stomping at the Savoy.  Paul Midiri slipping in a bit of There’s a Small Hotel on vibes.  Taddeo did his infamous walk-around before he let loose – it’s his band, everyone just got out of the way!

They took a break after that one, and Steve Taddeo made a presentation to Jason Ricky, an aspiring young drummer, by presenting him with one of his drums.

After the break, the Midiri Brothers were featured on Avalon with the rhythm section.  Justin Meyer, Dave MacMillan with Ross Petot and Steve Taddeo kept the rhythmic fires burning, providing a solid foundation that let the others fly.   Ross’s piano solo resounded across the cavernous room.

Paul Monat was featured on Bing Crosby’s first theme song, Blue and Broken Hearted – that Crosby ended up turning over to Will Bill Davison before he moved to The Blue of The Night.  Paul did a take-off on Wild Bill that would have done him proud!

Caroline Griep was back with Lullaby of Birdland.  It was a brief vocal;  Gerry Gagnon’s masterful trombone played a duet with Dave Macmillan guitar, each of the eight musicians took fine solos before Caroline returned for the close.

 

 

That’s a Plenty was pure pandemonium!  Justin’s string bass took a solo and traded fours with Ross on piano.  There were two trombones with Paul Midiri and Gerry Gagnon.

 

 

 

Dave MacMillan played an energized solo guitar while the musicians in the front line continued, bent down onto their knees, so everyone could see and hear him.  This is comraderie!

 

 

 

Steve pulled out his theme song, Dinah for a drum duel with Paul Midiri that is indescribable!  video by Marce

They closed with Joe Midiri singing in his amazing Louis Armstrong voice. John Clark was cookin’ with the Midiri Brothers, Joe closing with a long drawn out note on soprano sax, then hit the stratosphere!

This was an incredible evening.  These musicians enjoyed playing together and kept the audience totally engaged. It’s the fourth time Steve Taddeo has played with the fabulous Midiri Brothers, and they were always memorable.  We look forward to Paul and Joe Midiri returning next year!