The Trail Blazers, Harold Koch, Craig Ball, Jimmy Mazzy
By Nick Ribush and Marce
Videos by Harold McAleer
Jimmy Mazzy debuted at a new venue that hopefully will become a permanent home for The Trail Blazers (new name). Trail’s End is a fine restaurant at 97 Lowell Road in Concord Massachusetts not far from the monument. It is the perfect setting for the new Trio of Jimmy Mazzy banjo and vocals, Craig Ball reeds, and Harold Koch keyboard.
We all know Jimmy and Craig (leader of the White Heat Swing Orchestra). Harold Koch is an old friend of Jimmy’s who played piano with him (and Lee Childs) at The Groton Inn in 1971. He has a swinging stride left hand, a vehicle for rapid improvisation, and he knows exactly how to support Jimmy and Craig.
“The Trail Blazers are in the Lounge, a bright and cheery room, with fun seating options, in comfy overstuffed, ‘get lost in’ chairs and flexible table set ups. The large bar has many welcoming stools for extra seating in an overflow crowd situation,” said Midge Symmes.
Marce and Nick were fortunate to occupy the overstuffed chairs with direct view of the band – comfy indeed!
97 Lowell Rd. Concord MA 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Jeanette and Fred Wilkes
This first venture at the Trail’s End was sold out with all of Jimmy’s loyal fans. Fred and Jeanette Wilkie drove all the way from Hudson, New Hampshire to be here.
Jim White sat at the keyboard playing Avalon, as the crowd was settling in.
Owner Jim White at keyboard with Jimmy Mazzy
Craig Ball arrived, and played beautiful low register clarinet, while Harold Koch’s marvelous stride was featured in Nobody’s Sweetheart Now. Jimmy’s unique scatting delighted us in I Can’t Believe That You’re In Love With Me.
Blue Skies was lovely, and appropriate for this day. DAYLIGHT HOURS 11am – 2pm!
Harold is Jimmy’s secret weapon, playing a lively Broadway Melody.
Harold Koch
Craig Ball
Craig went wild on clarinet with My Heart Stood Still. He took out the soprano sax and had Bob Cronin and Sandrine dancing up a storm on Deed I Do. Craig is a monster on tenor sax, too!
Carrie Mazzy
Carrie joined the Trio sanging Billie Holiday’s When a Woman Loves a Man, And I still Do, and Goody Goody.
The inimitable Jimmy Mazzy
Jimmy took the vocal on Marie, with Harold playing wicked stride piano, left hand bouncing across the keyboard. It’s a joy to just watch him play.
Partial view of Lounge, 14-seat Full Bar is at left
The band continued with Jimmy’s Blues (a 12 bar blues) with Craig on soprano for half, then moving to clarinet. The Trio is marvelous!
They also played:
Dinah
Darktown Strutters’ Ball
I’m Just Breezin’ Along With the Breeze
Linda
After You’ve Gone
Hard Hearted Hannah
Life Is Like a Bowl of Cherries
Somebody Stole My Gal
At the first break, Jimmy played a lovely ballad (not meant for banjo) that was Jimmy Enright’s favorite song, Sleepy Lagoon. We lost him 28 years ago November 19th. Thank You Jimmy Mazzy!
Knowing owner Jim White enjoyed the afternoon gives one hopeful thoughts of a future for the Trail Blazers at the Trail’s End Café! Stay tuned.