Tony Pringle cornet,  Stan Vincent trombone, Billy Novick clarinet/alto sax, Herb Gardner piano, Peter Bullis banjo, Pete Tillotson string bass, Bill Reynolds drums

The NBEJB is in its 44^th year, but they’re still called ‘New’, and still playing to a full house as they did at the Sticky Wicket in 1971.  Original members still with the band are Tony Pringle, Stan Vincent, and Peter Bullis. They kicked it off in tight ensemble with Sweet Fields.

 

Leader Tony Pringle sang Willie The Lion Smith’s The Old Stomping Grounds.  (Tony’s old stomping grounds were in Liverpool.)  The band hasn’t played a Duke Ellington tune in a long time; they amended that with  Black and Tan Fantasy, Tony on muted cornet.  Bill ended it with his famous drum roll.

 

Billy Novick has had considerable influence on the band for over 30 years.  He was featured on exhilarating alto sax on If Dreams Come True, trading 4’s with Reynolds’ drum.

Original drummer Pam Pameijer relishes retirement in Florida with wife Huguet. He sometimes returns for special occasions.  Meantime, Bill Reynolds enjoys maintaining the Traditional Jazz Beat on snare drum, body weaving with the rhythm.  He often taps on choke cymbal, as when the band let loose on Georgia Camp Meeting, Herb’s piano playing riffs.

 

The band plays so tight that they leave no ‘holes’ for the pianist – it’s a real challenge.  Bob Pilsbury retired after 43 years, then Herb Gardner joined the band.
He says he gets a real “High” playing with them.  He cleverly weaved in fine stride piano on Hear Me Talking To You, and played elegant solo on Jabbo Smith’s Sweet And Low Blues, with Peter strumming banjo.

 

 

Manager Peter Bullis  keeps the flame of Traditional Jazz alive strumming, as in  Bouncing Around, with Billy Novick interweaving clarinet on Stan’s trombone solo.  Pete is still wearing his red sox especially woven for him by a fan.

 

 

 

Stan was featured on Shine, remembering Preservation Hall trombonist, Jim Robinson.   Robinson played Short Dress Gal as a spiritual – this band played it with spontaneity.  They kept a spiritual for the last set, In The Sweet Bye and Bye, from the Raymond Navarro movie, using chords changed by Billie & DeDe Pierce.

 

 

The band has had several string bass players over the years.  Pete plays regularly with Swing Times Five.  This was his debut with this band, his chords steering the band and keeping it in time. He also is adept at bowing the bass.

 

 

 

 

 

Groupie Ron L’Herault has been following the band since its inception and is still selling their CDs.  They have some copies of their 40^th anniversary CDs with their former members playing Traditional Jazz from 1971 to 2011.

 

 

They closed with a breathtaking Love Song of the Nile, in tight ensemble, with Billy Novick adding body language, shoulders swaying with his saxophone. It finished with another of Reynolds’ notorious drum rolls.

The New Black Eagle Jazz Band is determined to keep this uniquely American Art Form alive.  They recently returned from playing in Vermont, and have an active schedule planned for this year.  Watch for them!