Bob Winter keys, Eli Newberger leader/tuba, Bob Tamagni drums, Ted Casher clarinet and tenor sax, Phil Person trumpet and Herb Gardner trombone and vocals. Not shown: Elaine Wu and Watson Reid vocals.

The Hot Six were in rare form, playing to a full house at Primavera Restaurant. There was a highly receptive audience!  Ted was back after an illness with his moose-enhanced clarinet, Bob Tamagni was back on drums after recovering from surgery.  Eli led the band starting with God Bless America. 

 

Lullaby of Birdland featured the return of spitfire vocalist Elaine Wu …we look forward to hearing her. She captivated the audience with Embraceable You.
Sophisticated Lady started with fine ensemble, with Elaine adding her fulsome voice.   She will be retiring as a physician soon and will have fun being a full-time Jazz Vocalist.  Hurray for us!

 

 

 

They played many tunes that were new to us –  a Hymn to Roses – Tango De La Rosa – Georgeous!

Ted took a melodic intro on tenor sax for Rose Room – in remembrance of Phil Harris and Alice Faye.  He is amazing on any instrument – whether clarinet,  tenor or soprano sax.

 

 

 

Watson Reid took center stage for a bright and buoyant Flat Foot Floogie with a Floy Floy; and later sang an unusually slow verse on Bill Bailey, embellishing and improvising the tune.

 

 

 

 

Versatile musician, Herb Gardner was featured on trombone and vocal with  Close Your Eyes. His trombone traded fours with Ely’s tuba on Hoagie Carmichael’s New Orleans.

Since Herb moved back here from New York, we enjoy his many stories of all the legendary  musicians he played with at the Metropole, Eddie Condon’s and more.

 

 

Limehouse Blues was a WILD instrumental, with each musician contributing his instrumental voice.

 

 

 

Phil Person’s sweet muted trumpet was a riveting concerto with his range of tone and shading on Sugar.
Herb joined him, closing with a soulful vocal.

 

 

 

 

 

Eli transformed that cumbersome tuba into a viable solo instrument on a sublime Memories of You.  Jimmy Mazzy usually accompanies him, but was unavailable this evening.

 

 

 

 

It   was a rambunctious, uplifting evening of fine music with Bob Winter playing many colors on piano and always sneaking in a few surprises.  They do enjoy playing together!

Bob Tamagni showed us he’s feeling just fine, ending this memorable evening with Tiger Rag:

Eli and The Hot Six were not at Primavera in February, but will return with Hot Jazz on March 16^th with the full crew and Bo Winiker back on trumpet.  Hope to see you there!!

Marce