Stan McDonald soprano sax, Phil Person trumpet, Gerry Gagnon trombone, Jack Soref guitar, Stu Gunn double bass, Rich Malcolm drums

 

They started with a cheery Spreading Joy.  It was going to be a great night!

Then Stan took off on soprano sax on Sidney Bechet’s Lotus Blossom;  Bechet was his role model.

 

He led the band on All By Myself, and What Is This Thing Called Love – with Gerry using his hand for a mute. A fast and furious  Everybody Loves My Baby began with the verse, then played with energy and syncopation.  That closed the first set.

Birthday Time: The Band played Happy Birthday for both Stan and Ellen McDonald, whose birthdays were at the end of August, and also for fans Jerry Wadness (same as Ellen) and Bob Sickle whose birthday was today.

 

Gerry Gagnon took leadership at the second set, continuing with a fast  In The Shade Of The Old Apple Tree, with Stu Gunn playing melody on his double bass.

Gerry said they would play a “song of revenge”; and surprised us with Who’s Sorry Now?

 

 

 

 

This band is pushed by the fantastic rhythm trio.  Jack Soref was featured on his favorite Gypsy Guitar with Whispering, with only Stu and Rich..

 

 

Rich Malcolm is a tasteful drummer, not overtaking the band, but always listening to the players, and adding a tap on drum or cymbal  here and there for emphasis…and always keeping that indispensable beat.

 

 

 

 

My Blue Heaven  with Rich getting some solo drumming.

 

 

 

 

Stu Gunn gets carried away, sashaying back and forth with the beat;

 

 

 

Sweet Sue

 

 

 

Phil Person takes the lead with wonderful open bell trumpet, trombone playing harmony on one of our favorites, Tin Roof Blues. 

 

 

 

 

I’m Confessing That I Love You was dedicated to us, their faithful fans.  The feeling is mutual!!    Sunny Side of The Street  continued with fine ensemble – pals sharing favorite tunes.  Nat King Cole’s usually sweet Mona Lisa was a surprise, with a Louis Prima Shuffle – who knew??  Hot and Fabulous!

Playing off the cuff, there was a discussion on what to do next.  Somebody wanted a Fats Waller tune; they decided on Fats Waller and Harry Link’s I’ve Got a Feeling I’m Fallin.  Fabulous, freewheeling,  supporting each other, listening to the others’ invented lines, then adding their own improvisations.

Continued upbeat – Girl of My Dreams, Gerry Gagnon sang with heart and soul, emotional power!.  Another surprise!

He sent us home humming  Sweet Coquette.

Stan McDonald’s Blue Horizon Jazz Band will return on the first Thursday of next month, October 5^th.  Join us for more Sidney Bechet – and many more surprises!