Jimmy Mazzy and The Trail Blazers at Trail’s End Café, November 22, 2015

Posted on November 27, 2015 by admin

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.

Harold Koch, Pianist

Posted on November 27, 2015 by admin

Harold Koch at Keyboard

by Nick Ribush

Harold Koch was born in Manchester NH and has always lived in that area.

He started playing piano when he was 5. There was a piano at home (his mother and elder brother played) and he found that he could pick out with one finger any tune he heard. People were quite impressed with his ability and sometimes suggested he should take lessons but at that point he didn’t see the need. He found he was reasonably advanced playing out of the John W. Schaum piano book that he didn’t really need lessons.

Then one of his friends who had taken lessons played “Mary Had A Little Lamb” for Harold with a stride left hand, so he grabbed onto that to go with his one finger right hand melody picking. Several years later, however, he took some lessons from a teacher who taught him the more advanced chords, from adding sixths, sevenths and ninths to diminished and augmented chords, which really helped his playing.

His brother used to listen to jazz on the radio, in particular the Chamber Music Society of Lower Basin Street on the Blue Network with Henry Levine and his Dixieland Octet and other musicians. So his brother got to like jazz and bought Harold a couple of records, one by Bunk Johnson and the other by the Lower Basin Street band. He grew to love Dixieland, but the thing he really loved was his grandmother’s phonograph. His uncles were in their twenties in the 1920s and had bought a whole bunch of Victor scrolls 78s, and Harold thought that was the living end of music. He copied the arrangements on piano as best he could. He never had any favorite pianists or looked to any pianist in particular, but would simply try to imitate the arrangements on those records.

When Harold was in 8th grade in high school a drummer friend gathered together all the kids who could play music and created a big band. The friend loved Glenn Miller charts and stuff like that, so that was the first band that Harold really played with. He couldn’t read music and didn’t have a chord book; he was just able to hear chord changes by ear for most simple tunes. For songs with more weird changes he’d have to figure the chords out but could still get there by ear.

After school he played with small bands around Manchester. In the 60s he went to work at Sanders Associates, a defense contractor in Nashua, where he became a senior electronics tech. There was a band there and Harold played with them at the Nashua Club in Nashua for ten years.

Lee with clarinet compleely relaxed leanng on gate

Lee Childs on Hi-Line Jazz Boat, Cape Cod

In 1971, a friend at Sanders who played trombone told Harold about a job that he had at the Groton Inn with a wonderful banjo player called Jimmy Mazzy and a wonderful clarinet player called Elliot “Lee” Childs. So he joined the band and played there the whole winter of 1971, which for Harold was the best music job he ever had. And that’s how he met Jimmy. He recorded some of these gigs on reel-to-reel, the tapes of which he still has.

Some time after that he lost interest in playing with the bands around Manchester and found greater satisfaction in simply playing piano at home every day.

Occasionally over the years Harold would go the Colonial Inn to hear Jimmy and sometimes sat in, but mostly he didn’t play with bands, so this gig at Trail’s End on November 22, 2015 is a bit of a departure for him and a welcome one for us who got to hear him. We’re certainly hoping for more.

Eli and The Hot Six at Primavera, November 19, 2015

Posted on November 24, 2015 by admin

Eli and The Hot Six – Bob Winter, Eli Newberger, Jimmy Mazzy, Jeff Guthery, Ted Casher, Bo Winiker, Herb Gardner © Ray Drueke

Photos © Ray Drueke, Austin Lane Studios
Videos by Marce

This was the last Jazz Concert of 2015 at Primavera, and a very worthwhile one. The Hot Six reached deep down playing their hearts out creating beautiful music. They just love playing Jazz!

Herb Gardner ©

This was Herb Gardner’s evening, bringing old school musicality to vocals and on trombone with Ain’t She Sweet, and The Sheik of Araby – with the band members responding: ‘Without No Pants On’.

He started another vocal on Basin St. Blues, then turned it over to Jimmy with a trombone intro, the band playing in stop time behind him. Herb ended with a rambunctious trombone flourish.

Eli Newberger ©

Eli Newberger, celebrated tuba virtuoso and keyboardist, leads the band, pointing at whoever gets to play next. This is Jazz, no charts.

He plays tuba with a deep, sonorous tone, maintaining that contemporary classic beat and managing difficult straight four/four notes by circular breathing.

They paid tribute to the French with Ted’s sweet arrangement of Petite Fleur on clarinet. Lovely! This was also the hundredth anniversary of Sidney Bechet.

Jimmy Mazzy ©

Jimmy sings with sensitivity, Someone To Watch Over Me, changing the words from: “Although he may not be the man some girls think of as handsome, to my heart he carries the key.” to “Although she may not be the Squaw some boys think of as awesome, to my heart she carries the key.”

We’re thrilled to have Jimmy back with the Hot Six; he’s been travelling. He changed moods with Our Love is Here to Stay. He is also in The Tuber Trio with Eli and Ted Casher. We hope he’s here to stay.

Bob Winter ©

Bob Winter finesses amazing sounds out of that keyboard, starting with soft melodic single-note piano lines on Some Of These Days, gradually rising to an astounding variety of piano styles.

He is the pianist for the Boston Pops, but also loves this music and plays skillful, soft commentary behind the soloists and vocals.

In Memoriam: We lost Jimmy Enright 28 years ago today. The Hot Six played Everybody Loves My Baby, with Jimmy Mazzy’s passionate voice rising to the infamous Jimmy “Holler’.

Bo Winiker on flugelhorn

Jimmy continued with C’Est Si Bon, backed by Ted’s clarinet, with Bo on flugelhorn. Bo’s rhythmic annotations on trumpet and flugelhorn lift the whole band.

Sizzling 12th Street Rag

Carolyn Newberger ©

Carolyn Newberger arrived and dug out the washboard. The band played a tune that her Mother used to play for her growing up, fairly soft and subtle, Tico Tico.

Bob and Carolyn always connect and inspire each other; their duets are sparkling and exciting!

Ted Casher ©

Ted plays gut-wrenching saxophone on Blue and Sentimental. There were no lights on the band so my videos were really dark. Ray Drueke came to the rescue and lightened them somewhat. Just close your eyes and listen to Ted play a dreamy Coleman Hawkins tenor sax.

Jeff with a big smile looking to his right

Jeff Guthery, drums ©

Eli had everyone clapping in time to a fiery Limehouse Blues. Jeff Guthery let loose on drums. He is the youngest member of the band, and recently had his recital at Berklee College of Music.

This was one of those never ending tunes, with Eli giving each musician a turn on the final verse.

Sarah Nova ©

Herb Gardner’s daughter, Sarah Nova was in the audience – a fine songstress in her own right. Sarah teaches jazz to young children with her CD, Jazz For Lil’ Jumpers. She gave us a lively version of Them There Eyes.

Eli and The Hot Six closed this evening of great jazz with Bo on flugel horn and Jimmy singing Louis’s Sleepy Time Down South. This was the Primavera Finale for the year 2015. Jazz will return to Primavera Ristorante on January 7th, 2016.

Eli and The Hot Six with Rebecca Sullivan will be at Sculler’s Jazz Club on December 17th – celebrating Eli’s 75th birthday!

Professional photographer taking pictures

Ray Drueke, Austin Lane Studios

Photos Copyrighted by Ray Drueke, Austin Lane Studios (401) 635-0163.

30 High-resolution photos available for sale.

Jeff Hughes and The Jazz Jesters

Posted on November 17, 2015 by admin

Craig Ball, Steve Taddeo, Jeff Hughes, Al Bernard, Hunter Burtamy, John Clark, Herb Gardner

by Bill Falk
photos: Marce

Jeff Hughes’ Jazz Jesters keep getting better every time I hear them. Their recent gig
at the Primavera on 11/12/15 was superb. The band ripped through a wide variety of tunes, some well remembered from the 20’s and 30’s and some relatively unknown. Their execution was terrific – very melodic and enjoyable.

Unfortunately, the crowd was sparse, but all in attendance loved the music. Two reed
players on the front line worked extremely well. Craig Ball ripped off excellent solos on both clarinet and tenor sax and John Clark did the same on clarinet and alto sax. They
augmented each other soloing and backing up others. Also, John’s arrangements were outstanding.

Craig Ball

John Clark alto sax and clarinet, Herb Gardner keyboard

John Clark and Herb Gardner

Jeff Hughes, Steve Taddeo (rear)

As usual, Jeff displayed his great ability to lead the group, backing up soloists and still exhibiting his outstanding trumpet prowess. He ‘gets into the tunes so well, plus his sound is marvelous. I can’t get enough of Jeff.

Hunter Burtamy banjo, Al Bernard tuba

Hunter Burtamy on banjo added even more guts to the rhythm section. He didn’t solo much, but he brought out the band’s depth. Herb Gardner is a joy on keyboard. He drips with experience and innovation. Al Bernard is a wonder on tuba. He controls the
instrument completely. Steve Taddeo sets a steady beat on drums. He doesn’t overpower the rest of the players, but he sets the pace very well.

Sarah (Gardner) Nova

Sarah Nova, who is Herb Gardner’s daughter, was delightful on vocals. She shows her pedigree well on both jump tunes and slower music. Sarah was a terrific addition to the group as she delivered style and sound on “Keeping Out of Mischief”, “Where Are You”,
“Russian Lullaby”, “Keep Your Hands Off It”, to name some of her numbers.

The band featured “Lucky Day” (theme song), “Diane”, “Not Much,” “Bouncing Around,”
and lots of other songs. Their last number was the theme from “Our Gang”. I liked
“Empty Saddles in The Old Corral” – a perfect ending to a marvelous performance.

Bill Falk

Steve Taddeo’s Swing Senders and The Midiri Brothers at Bemis Hall

Posted on November 13, 2015 by admin

Swing Senders and Midiri Brothers full house at Bemiis Hall, Lincoln MA

by Myron Idelson
photos: Marce
videos by CineDevine

On November 7 2015 at 2pm there was no ambiguity in store musically for an overflow crowd. Steve Taddeo Swing Senders with special guest Midiri Brothers Paul and Joe, returned by unanimous demand, presented jazz lovers and enthusiasts with a fevered performance.

Against the drop back of historic Bemis Hall the Swing Senders thankfully populated by Joe Midiri clarinet, alto and soprano sax, Paul Midiri vibes, trombone and drums, Bill Cable cornet, Gerry Gagnon trombone, Robin Verdier piano, Bill Doyle guitar, Justin Meyer string bass, Craig Ball clarinet, Steve Taddeo drums, Caroline Griep vocals, unabashedly raised traditional jazz to new heights.

Steve Taddeo is a rare talent, a brilliant and dynamic drummer with native talents who fires up the Swing Senders and any band he plays for because of his consistently inspiring drums. His unique style displaying superb musicianship is bright, inventive, quite intense, soft with sticks or brushes and with no difficulty in communicating with the musicians and vocalist Caroline Griep on their lofty level. His playing has unanimity of purpose, of thought, musical and otherwise, inspiring the band to a sense of freedom and play; all combined with an air of maturity that is unique unusual superlative uncommon – in other words RARE.

Stomping at The Savoy

The program consisted of Stomping at the Savoy, Ida, Avalon, All of Me, Jeepers Creepers, Pennies From Heaven, Crazy Rhythm, I’ll Do Anything For You, and Dinah. Each one played with an exuberance and excitement producing a feeling of exultation which consistently caused volcanic eruptions of applause during and after every number.

Joe bent over, Paul with left arm in the air about to strike vibes

Joe Midiri clarinet, Paul Midiri vibes

What a Dream

What a joy! This group, the Swing Senders, combined with Joe and Paul made it absolutely amazing. It must be remembered by all of us who were there as an evening that consistently and joyously incited and inspired not only the audience but the fellow musicians. Steve’s Swing Senders and The Midiris invariably project a wonderful uninhibited aura of spontaneity that brightens every place they perform. Ditto for November 7^th.

Caroline smiling, Craig Ball has his arms on her back

Caroline Griep is appreciated by band and fans alike.

Caroline’s value to the Swing Senders is tremendous; the guys love her and she loves them. The whole spirit of the room, the band and audience perks up perceptibly when she sings. Caroline is dedicated to her music and modestly never fully recognizing her talent. She is devoted and anxious to please not only her listeners but her musical conscience as well.

In addition to Craig Ball’s scintillating wizardry on clarinet, Craig was the music director and was wonderfully imaginative and wisely selecting solos at the proper times, from himself, Bill Cable’s souring and sweet trumpet, Robin Verdier’s stride piano, Justin Meyer’s chordal bass, Gerry Gagnon sonorous trombone, Bill Doyle’s syncopated guitar. All of their solos were driving, probing soaring and sweet.

Joe’s soprano sax rendition of Si Tu Vois Ma Mere displayed a pure tone and beauty so remarkable and emotional, steeped in greatness and perhaps musical immortality. Many of us wept.

Pennies From Heaven sung by Joe produced a return to life of Louis himself.

Finally, the dueling drums with Steve and Paul were sheer drumming skill and beauty, gorgeous and heralded clean and clear strokes, for imagination and wit, for originality, consistency, extraordinary drumming skills, making obsolete single, double, and triple ratamacues and paradiddles.

No other audience has heard a drum duel to match Steve and Paul. The evening can be summarized thusly: a story of inspiration and imagination, a story of energy, a story of love and a lesson for all of us in giving. And we the listeners were the gracious receivers.

Myron Idelson

Many thanks to Harold and Shirley McAleer and Eve Welts for all their work at Bemis Hall, Vern Welch for moral support, and to SteveTaddeo for bringing us the Midiri Brothers. Marce

Jeff and Joel’s House Party, October 2015

Posted on November 10, 2015 by admin

Under construction. We are waiting on approval of videos before this House Party is officially over for this year. Bookmark this page and check on our progress.
Meatime, check on Saturday and Sunday.. Marce

——–>> Saturday Afternoon Saturday Night Sunday

Bands on Sunday at Jeff and Joel’s House Party. Fabulous!

Jeff & Joel’s House Party #6 Columbus Day Weekend, 2015
By Sue Finn

Another fabulous weekend, they just keep getting better and better. This one had four sessions, starting with the Anderson twins on Friday evening. Peter and Will are so talented (and so young!) They played clarinet and alto and tenor sax and a wide range of pieces backed by Jeff, Jim and Brian. Joel joined them for one number in each set.

Pete and Will Anderson

Mood Indigo

Reeds – Peter and Will Anderson, Piano – Jeff Barnhart, Bass: Brian Nalepka, Drums: Jim Lawlor

Chinatown

Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered (Will Anderson and Jeff Barnhart)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NROY-pUGTOU

Caravan (Lawlor had no snare drum!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dofXI-rbW-g

Sunday
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdBN3-xzUoU

When your lover has gone
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1QkjviQjwM

I want to be happy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Up4GdXnAN0I

Robin’s Nest
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToJ-f38-olY

Soft winds
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPo1WTupm84

Crazy Bout my baby, vocal by Brian Nalepka
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ciq7x13Y_KU

The two sessions on Saturday and one on Sunday followed the same format as last year. Generally, each combo of musicians stayed for three numbers with one chosen by each of the front line players.

Noel Kalepsky and Dan Levinson on clarinet with Brian Nalepska on bass

Clarinet Marmalade

There were exceptions of course; Noel and Dan playing Clarinet Marmalade for example, piano solos by Jeff and Donn and, of course, ‘banjorama’ with 4 banjos on stage and everybody singing along with Joel. Each session ended with a grand finale with all the musicians on stage together. The food was great and the volunteers as fantastic as ever.

Fred at mic singing, Jeff at keyboard singing, Louis Armstrong and Gary Crosby version

Strutting With Some Barbecue

Sunday’s session was my favorite. It started with ‘Struttin’ With Some Barbecue’ played like the Louis Armstrong/Gary Crosby version, starting slow, then fast with Jeff & Fred doing the vocals – really great!

Dan and Joel in Old Shanty Town

Dan & Joel sang ‘It’s only a Shanty in Old Shanty Town’.

Tom Boates sang Beale Street Blues and Jim joined him for an awesome version of Ory’s Creole Trombone complete with crossed slides – amazing.

Jim Fryer and Tom Boates play Ory’s Creole Trombone

There was some Sunday Gospel – Molly sang ‘Sermonette’ and ‘Get Rhythm in your Feet’. She also sang ‘Far Away Places’ with just Gen accompanying her – beautiful.

Other highlights – ‘Big Bear Stomp’ with Brian on tuba and, of course, Joel’s ‘banjorama’ . This time, Joel did some old radio commercials.

Joel Schiavone and New York’s Kevin Dorn

There was also a vote of thanks to Joel and presentation of a signed photo of all the musicians.

The session and the weekend ended with a rousing version of ‘Joe Avery’s Piece’ and then the grand finale with all the musicians playing – drum roll please – ‘High Society’ with Noel & Dan doing the famous Alphonse Picou clarinet solo. This was followed with a reprise of ‘We’ll Meet Again’ which Jeff and Dan sang earlier – very nostalgic and, as always, nobody wanted it to be over……………..
Sue Finn 10/15/2015

None of this would have been possible without the aid of devoted and dedicated volunteers, some of whom worked all year to help Jeff and Joel.

john hedden, maureen, marty fay, in back mairi bryan and andee coroll

John Hedden, Maureen, Marty Fay, in back Mairi Bryan and Andee Carolla

Judy Postemsky, Andee Corolla, Mairi Bryan, Glenn Ott, Carol Ott, Eric Devine, Bruce Scranton, standing behind Lecia Scranton

Judy Postemsky, Andee Carolla, Mairi Bryan, Glenn Ott, Carol Ott, Eric Devine, Bruce Scranton, standing behind Lecia Scranton

Misty (VFW), Glenn Ott, Bruce Scranton, Judy Postemsky, in front of Bruce is Lecia and in front of Lecia, Carol

Next Year:
2016 House Party Dates: October 7, 8, 9.
Friday Night Taste of the Weekend! – October 7th- music 7:30-9:30pm, $40.00 per person featuring the one and only Paris Washboard with Jeff Barnhart!
Tickets are already half sold (purchased by the people at this House Party!)
This will sell out, so get your tickets soon.

See you there??? Marce

JJHP 2015 Sunday

Posted on November 10, 2015 by admin

Friday Saturday Afternoon Saturday Evening

First Band on Sunday

The audience never knew what they were going to hear because the Bands didn’t know what they were going to play, until they read the ‘instructions’ on Jeff’s lists for each session of the House Party. This music never gets dull!

Sunday started HOT with Fred Vigorito, Dan Levinson, Jim Fryer, Joel, Brian Nalepka, on Lil Armstrong’s 1923 Strutting With Some Barbecue. Fred and Jeff surprised us singing the parts of Gary Crosby and Louis Armstrong.

Fred is Gary Crosby, Jeff is Louis Armstrong on Louis Armstrong’s Struttin’ With Some Barbecue

Jim Fryer led the band on a stomping Stevedore Stomp.
Dan Levinson in charge, picked Johnny Long’s Shanty In Old Shanty Town, with Joel Schiavone singing, and everyone joining in.

Change of crew – Donn Trenner, Noel, Scotty, Tom, Gen and Kevin on Beale St. Blues, fine trombone with Tom Boates singing the vocal. Gen’s chordal subtleties created an extraordinary exchange with Tom’s sonorous trombone.

Tom Boates

Genieve Rose leader, same group on My Heart, with Jeff at piano. Creative exchange between Tom and Noel, followed by an energetic solo by Genevieve Rose.

Donn Trenner and Jeff Barnhart

Donn Trenner congratulated Jeff and Joel for their incredible accomplishment. He said “I feel inadequate here. This isn’t the music I grew up with; I don’t know the tunes. I started a family late, have a daughter who is 23 years old. She had the advantage of being at Guilford High School with the Music Director, Tom Boates.”

Trenner was marvelous on solo with one of his favorites, Michel Legrand’s If I Live Forever I Will Wait For You. Donn can be seen leading the 18-piece Hartford Jazz Orchestra every Monday at the Arch St. Tavern in Hartford. He inherited this wonderful orchestra from “Chick” Cicchetti, a celebrated trombonist, pianist, and arranger who died in 2000 at age 82. Donn played Chick’s arrangement of More Than You Know.

It was Sunday, and time for a soulful message, provided by our vocalist, Molly Ryan, with Dan Levinson on tenor sax, Scott Philbrick on guitar, Jim Lawlor drums, Brian Nalepka on tuba, Jeff Barnhart on piano. Molly sang a tune originally written by Cannonball Adderly in 1956, and borrowed by many musicians afterwards, Sermonette.

Still in a Sunday mood, Jim Fryer was called up for a Benny Goodman tune, Get Rhythm in Your Feet, and Music in Your Soul.

Molly Ryan backed by Genevieve Rose

Molly Ryan singing with Gen Rose on string bass, eliminated the ‘testosterone’ on stage, with a marvelous version of a song made popular by Dinah Shore, Far Away Places.

Trombone feature, Ory’s Creole Trombone, was wild, with Tom, Jim, Fred, Noel, Jeff, Brian, Kevin.

Tom Boates and Jim Fryer trombone with band

Trombone Feature with Ory’s Creole Trombone, of course.

They continued with Brian Nalepka on tuba with Lu Watter’s Big Bear Stomp.

Two cornets

Two cornet feature with Fred and Scott on a barn-burning Swing That Music.

Joel came up with the same group singing, Row, Row, Row. He said “they don’t write them like that anymore.”

The Boss sings.

After that, it was time for a mellow tune, featuring Dan Levinson on gut-wrenching tenor sax, with Donn, Gen, Lawlor, the 1947 Gone With The Wind.

Dan fabulous on tenor sax

Dan and Donn make beautiful music together. Molly on guitar, Scotty cornet, Lover Come Back To Me.

Lover Come Back To Me

Molly took over, singing the last four vocals, Ain’t Misbehaving, with Scott, Fred, Gen, Donn, Lawlor. Travellin’ All Night Long. Taking a chance on love, Right Key but the wrong keyhole.

Sharon and Ed Ohr

Half the fun at being at a Festival or House Party is running into old friends. It’s the only time we get to see marvelous folks like Sharon and Ed Orr, and make new friends like Don Trenner.

Donn has recently published a book, Leave it to Me, My Life in Music.

“The weekend ended with a rousing version of ‘Joe Avery’s Piece’ and then the grand finale with all the musicians playing – drum roll please – ‘High Society’ with Noel & Dan doing the famous Alphonse Picou clarinet solo. This was followed with a reprise of ‘We’ll Meet Again’ which Jeff and Dan sang earlier – very nostalgic and, as always, nobody wanted it to be over……………..” Sue Finn

Everyone posed for the Finale of another marvelous Jeff and Joel House Party!!

The 7th JJHP is scheduled for October 7-9, 2016 and trust me, it will SELL OUT! Half the tickets are already sold because Jeff and Joel are bringing us The Paris Washboard that we loved so much at the Connecticut festivals. 3-session tickets are $225, with Paris Washboard Friday night for $25 until July 1st. Get your TICKETS now.

Marce
marce@nejazz.com

Scott Hamilton returns to Providence!

Posted on November 9, 2015 by admin

Scott Hamilton, Mike Renzi, Artie Cabral, Marshall Wood and Donna Byrne at Providence Marriott

by Bill Falk

Scott Hamilton returned to his native Providence after several years. Appearing at the
Providence Marriott with other immortal RI musicians Mike Renzi (piano), Artie Cabral
(drums) plus MA stars Marshall Wood (bass) and Donna Byrne (vocals), they treated a sold-out crowd to some terrific music.

The music got better and better during the performance, and the crowd reacted by
loudly applauding solo after solo. Scott was at his best, leading the group through
a variety of jazz standards. He displayed his brilliance soloing – producing the great
sax sound he is famous for as he improvised on ballads and jump tunes. Scott also blended in nicely as the others soloed.

Mike Renzi, famous as Tony Bennett’s arranger and pianist, exhibited his unusual style. He produces great jazz with a flourish. Artie Cabral on drums amazes with his quick hands. He keeps the beat marvelously and solos well without showing a lot of effort.
Of course, Marshall Wood was marvelous on bass. He makes the instrument sing, much as Scott does the sax.

Donna Byrne rocked the crowd as she belted out some fast paced melodies. She showed great versatility by performing well on ballads also. The group backed her
exceedingly well as she sang. Donna was the icing on the cake – contributing nicely to
a great overall performance of the group.

I found it interesting that an estimated audience of 400 people showed up. It’s great to
see so many jazz fans attend this phenomenal show.

Blue Horizon Jazz Band at Primavera Ristorante November 5, 2015

Posted on November 6, 2015 by admin

Stan McDonald’s Blue Horizon Jazz Band

Phil Person trumpet, Stan McDonald soprano sax and clarinet, John Kafalas trombone, Gerry Gagnon tuba, Jack Soref guitar, Steve Taddeo drums

Stan began on soprano sax with I Can’t Believe That You’re In Love With Me, guitar intro to What Is This Thing Called Love; an old chestnut rarely done, It Had To Be You.

Stan moved to clarinet for My Gal Sal, taking the vocal.
Tijuana was HOT!

Steve Taddeo plays softly too!

Baby, Ain’t I Good To You.. Taddeo was playing like Baby Dodds, varying his drum patterns with accents and flourishes; keeping the beat with the bass drum while playing buzz rolls on the snare.

Phil Person, Berklee College of Music

Rose of Rio Grande, melody was established by Phil’s marvelous trumpet. We’re fortunate to have him. He is friendly and easygoing, humorous, a straight ahead trumpeter.

He’s played with the Artie Shaw Orchestra, White Heat Swing Orchestra, Swing Legacy, and Duke Belaire Jazz Orchestra. Phil teaches ear training at Berklee.

John Kafalas trombone and Gerry Gagnon Tuba

An upbeat Lover Come Back To Me, with Phil starting on muted trumpet was incredible, with Gerry Gagnon playing that monstrous tuba in double time!

John Kafalas played trombone with feeling and skill making this truly a tour de force.

Jack Soref, Django-style guitarist

Our favorite Gypsy Jazz guitarist, Jack Soref, provided an expert rhythm beat along with drum and tuba.

At breaktime, Jack played Django Rheinhardt’s Nuage, softly backed by tuba, then joined by Stan McDonald on soprano sax. Beautiful!

Stan McDonald does Bechet on soprano sax

Leader Stan McDonald’s forte has always been Sidney Bechet. He played a genuinely heartfelt Si Tu Vois Ma Mere with warm melodic lines.

They wrapped the evening up with a fascinating Dardanella, at one point with the tuba backed only by guitar, and ended it with a joyous romp.

These musicians are a treasure; we hope they’ll all return with The Blue Horizon Jazz Band in 2016. Many thanks to Ellen McDonald, who has provided us with fantastic jazz every week for the last 20 years!

Jimmy Mazzy & The Last Minute Men House Party

Posted on November 5, 2015 by admin

Jimmy Mazzy, Moishe Feldman and The Last Minutemen

Moishe Feldman piano, Jimmy Mazzy banjo, Gid Loring cornet, Frank Batchelor trombone; back Jack Martin trombone, Craig Ball clarinet

NOTE: Jimmy Mazzy and The Last Minute Men have a new luncheon venue starting Sunday, November 22nd, 11am-2pm at Trails End Cafe, 97 Lowell Road, Concord, MA 01742 Phone: (978) 610-6633 Harold Koch piano. Come give them a warm welcome!

The inimitable Jimmy Mazzy

Jimmy Mazzy and The Last Minutemen with Moise Feldman on piano played at a House Party hosted by close friends on November 4th with about 50 fans enjoying the music.

For four happy months they gathered to honor their independence from the terribly, taxing, trying tyranny of tables.

What a ‘happy habit’ this became Gathering together to celebrate friendship and honoring Carrie and Jimmy Mazzy and the Last Minute Men

Moishe Feldman

MOiSHE from RUSSIA, also known as Michael Feldman, accompanies Jimmy with the Last Minutemen whenever he can. Now an American Citizen, he is a pianist, keyboardist, accordionist, orchestra leader, music producer/arranger in Classic Jazz, Ragtime and Klezmer music.

Nick Ribush on washboard

93-year-old Carol Moeller enjoyed sitting in on piano for a couple of numbers.

You can hear Nick Ribush backing Carol playing fine washboard!

Spark plug – Craig Ball

Craig Ball, clarinetist is a spark plug, lit up the whole band! Craig is leader of the White Heat Swing Orchestra that played at Boston’s Roxy night club for four years, and later swinging on the wharf at The Boston Harbor Hotel.

Carrie Mazzy, Harold Koch

Carrie Mazzy sang After You’ve Gone, with Harold Koch on piano.

Harold will be with the Last Minutemen when they start at a new venue in Concord on November 22nd.

Please come and support them for lunch 11am-2pm at Trails End Cafe, 97 Lowell Road, Concord, MA 01742.

Marce

New England Traditional Jazz Plus

Swing, Traditional Jazz, Dixieland Jazz, Big Bands

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