The Wolverine Jazz Band Quintet played brilliantly on the Dixieland Jazz Cruise out of Boston Harbor with Jeff Hughes trumpet, John Clark reeds, Ross Petot keyboard, dynamic duo Rick MacWilliams tuba and Dave Didriksen drums, and vocalist Kellian Pletcher.
S. S. Samuel Clemens, decked out like a Mississippi River Boat
It’s been decades since we were on a Jazz Cruise in Boston Harbor. On Saturday June 20th, the S.S. Samuel Clemens, the flagship of the Mass Bay Lines, departed from Rowe’s Wharf for a Dixieland Jazz Cruise hosted by the Greater Boston Vintage Society, directed by Jason Volk. They wore vintage clothing, and had clothes, hats, ties, shoes, and jewelry for sale. There was even a contest for the ‘Best dressed’. It was great fun for everyone.
Dirt Cheap Video caught the excitement of the whole trip (3.5 minutes):
Kellian Pletcher
Vocalist Killian Pletcher isn’t only a fine vocalist, but a great Swing dancer too
We haven’t been on a Jazz Cruise on Boston Harbor since the 1980’s when different bands were featured on both levels. The change in the Boston harborside was startling! Anthony’s Pier 4 is a wreck, waiting to be demolished. The Black Eagles began on a ship docked by that restaurant in the early 70’s.
It was sad to see, but we were encouraged by all the brand new development along the harbor. Boston will remain a vital, growing metropolis. We hope to see more Jazz and Dixieland Jazz Cruises in the future!
Vintage jazz and swing, notably of the Gypsy sort!
Jeff – cornet
John Clark – reeds
Herb Gardner – piano and trombone
Albie Bernard – tuba
Stevie Taddeo – drums
and…Jack Soref – guitar
plus…Kellian Adams – vocals
Jeff Hughes, trumpet and flugelhorn, leader
Jeff Hughes JazzNews, a new 6-piece combo plus vocalist, will be performing vintage jazz and swing, Thursday 30 July, 7pm at Primavera Restaurant, 20 Pleasant Street, Millis, MA. $10 cover at the door.
The group consists of Jeff – cornet, John Clark – reeds, Herb Gardner – piano and trombone, Albie Bernard – tuba, Jack Soref – guitar, Steve Taddeo – drums, and Kellian Adams – vocals.
Jack Soref, Django afficionado
Jack wowed the audience at Steve’s recent concert in Lincoln, with his very swinging brand of Django-esque jazz guitar.
Kellian Pletcher at recent Greater Boston Vintage Society Jazz Cruise.
Kellian is well known in the swing dance circles around Boston, not only as a superb dancer, but also as a bright and up-beat vocalist.
The rest of the band is well known to local jazz fans.
John Clark clarinet, alto and baritone sax
Jeff plays and records with John’s Wolverine Jazz Band.
Herb Gardner is multi-instrumental and sings too
Herb comes to us from NYC, where he played for many years with all the greats at clubs including Ryan’s, Condon’s, and the Red Blazer.
Al Bernard and tuba
Albie is simply the most swinging tuba guy this side of heaven,
Steve Taddeo, Swinging’ drummer
and Steve’s Krupa-inspired drumming drives the band with a remarkable dynamism.
We’ll have a rich and varied program, with lots of features and surprises. It’s bound to be a memorable evening, and we hope to see many of our friends, new and old, to help us celebrate with music, this mid-summer night’s dream!
Jeff writes, “Jack and Kellian are welcome new additions to the local traditional jazz scene.”
Bo Winiker trumpet/flugelhorn, Ted Casher clarinet/tenor and soprano sax, Herb Gardner trombone, Bob Winter piano, Eli Newberger tuba, Carolyn Newberger washboard. (Jimmy Mazzy was on his way to the Olympia WA Festival.)
This was all about ME ME ME! Surprise birthday party with my son and daughter-in-law Charles and Carol Sardonini in collusion with Eli Newberger, Briana Musto of Primavera Ristorante, and my drivers Tina and Ralph Cass. They had this planned for a whole month and I never got wind of it!
It was a complete surprise!!
Many of my children and grandchildren were here. Youngest son, Dave Sardonini, and his wife Jennifer, and grandson DJ, flew up from Lake Mary Florida to be here. It was very festive, tables loaded with balloons, with a big 80 in the middle. It was a blast! Granddaughter Alison Sardonini took many PICTURES!
Eli and The Hot Six were fired up, having just returned from a very successful Swingin’ Gershwin at the Barrington Stage Company in Pittsfield. They led this evening off with Bo Winiker singing Louis Armstrong’s Hello Dolly.Muscrat Ramble was in a Bossa Nova beat, reinforced by Eli’s tuba and Jeff’s pulsating drums. Kid Ory retired to Hawaii on the proceeds of that tune!
Eli & Bo on Hold Tight
In the ensemble sections, clarinet, cornet and trombone played a three-part counterpoint line typical of 1920s New Orleans bands.
Eli and Bo were featured on Hold Tight.
Herb is multi-instrumental!
Ted was up up for more Gershwin with I’ve Got Rhythm on his awesome tenor sax.
Herb took the vocal on Pennies From Heaven. His voice is his other instrument, besides trombone, piano, and who knows what else!
The band swung into high gear. When the music gets to you, you gotta move! Eli’s tuba was the Tiger in Tiger Rag:
Son David (of the Sports Den in Orange City, Florida,) was thrilled to join the band with Cab Calloway’s theme song, Minnie The Moocher. Our official photographer, Alison Sardonini took this fine video of the band and our family. Dave Sings Minnie The Moocher.
Dave shook hands with each member of the band afterwards, elated to have been able to sing with this band!
Carolyn Newberger is an accomplished artist and usually sketches the musicians while they are playing. She caught David in the act. (Sorry Herb!)
Carolyn Newberger’s pencil sketch of David Sardonini with Eli and The Hot Six
Bo Winiker comes right up to our table with
The last set was mine – each of the band members played a song for me! Eli on a breathtaking tuba solo on Over The Rainbow, Bob Winter getting classicistic on Of Thee I Sing, Bo came right up to the table with The Very Thought of You.
Carolyn Newberger played exciting washboard on a Latin tune, Miami Rhumba
Ted plays Petite Fleur
Ted touched the bottom of my heart on soprano sax with Bechet’s Petite Fleur. This is a special for me, because I was born a “Petite Fleuette”.
Bo dedicated a tune to my whole family with I’ve Grown Accustomed To Your Face on flugelhorn. Herb played and sang You Can Depend on Me. He’s very dependable; has a famous family of his own – daughters all involved with music. Ted played clarinet and sang a rousing vocal on Swinging on a Star.
“Carry moonbeams home in a jar – And be better off than you are”. I sure was!
Bob Winter
Eli asked me to pick the last tune, I like Limehouse Blues, and wouldn’t you know, they had never played it together.
Bob Winter played the first chorus – of course they all knew it. Ted Casher sang the vocal with the actual lyrics written by Douglas Furber in 1922. This was the finale for this most auspicious evening.
Thank you, Eli and The Hot Six, Carolyn, Family: Joe and Ellen Sardonini, DeeDee Towne and Daniel Hulub, Dave and Jen Sardonini and Grandkids, Friends, Primavera, Tina and Ralph, Ali for her photos, and especially Carol and Charlie Sardonini for a birthday that I will never forget!
Eli and The Hot Six will be back here on August 20th, and Sculler’s Jazz Club on December 17th. Stay tuned – we’ll let you know if anything pops up in between.
Jeff Hughes trumpet, John Clark clarinet/bari sax, Tom Boates trombone, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Ross Petot keyboard, Rick MacWilliams tuba, Dave Didriksen drums
The Wolves were on FIRE at Primavera, playing hot freewheeling Traditional Jazz to an erudite, attentive audience. This was Joy of music with a Bang! John Clark selected tunes from their 13 CDs in preparation for their performance at the end of June at America’s Dixieland Festival, Olympia, WA http://www.olyjazz.com/. We were privileged to participate!!
They meant business, bringing heavy equipment, Jeff on flugelhorn and a 1927 limited edition Vintage Bach Stradivarius trumpet, dating back to the first quarter of the 20th century.John Clark with his clarinet, alto and bariitone sax.
Tom Boates
Tom Boates usually drives two hours from Connecticut to get here. But Tom was already in the neighborhood for his son’s wedding, and raring to go, with his whole family here to support him. His zealous tailgate trombone elevated the whole band to another plane!
It was a beautiful June Night, and that tune set off this fantastic evening, followed by a captivating Memphis Blues.
Ross Petot, extraordinary stride pianist
Ross Petot is back now that school is out. He is a teacher, composer and arranger.
He was featured on complex, rhythmic, stride piano on Don’t Be Late.
John Clark’s clarinet on Cushion Foot Stomp from their Street Beat CD was phenomenal. A Good ol’ good one, a swinging Let Me Call You Sweetheart. Jimmy vocal with Dave Didriksen simply tapping on a clutched cymbal.
Jimmy Mazzy picks one of his umpteen tunes
They gave Jimmy a choice, which is always dangerous with his familiarity with millions of tunes from 1919 to the 30s; the members never heard some of them. He chose a relatively late one, If I Didn’t Care, a tune made popular by the Ink Spots in 1939; the band eased in behind him.
They honored the late Banjo Bob Sundstrom with Elmer Schoebel’s Prnce of Wails. Tom took a vocal on the 1920’s Here Comes The Hot Tamale Band,
John Clark on baritone sax
John Clark’s baritone sax was spellbinding on Sidney Bechet’s Passport to Paradise.
This was their maiden voyage for this tune.
Dixieland: they challenged the ODJB with The Original Dixieland One Step that is on their 13th CD – Baker’s Dozen. It’s their latest and available now. (Their first CD was The Wolverine Jazz Band Live, recorded by Ed Williams in 1999 at the Sherborn Inn.
Rick MacWilliams hidden behind monstrous tuba
Rick played the poignant melody on tuba with his drum colleague keeping time tapping on woodblock.
Jelly Roll Morton was well represented with Original Jelly Roll Blues. FrankieTrumbauer’s on There’ll Come a Time, from their Michigander Blues CD, featured Tom’s virtuosic trombone.
John Clark has been singing more tunes (at the insistence of his #1 fan, Betty Weaver). He sang all the verses of Oceana Roll from memory! Dr. Jazz verse sung by Tom, with exciting exchange between trombone and banjo, and Tom scatting to the end.
Jeff Hughes on flugelhorn
Jeff played a full, rich, smoky flugelhorn for Don Redman’s Save It Pretty Mama.
Ross played the chimes on piano on King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band Chimes Blues, followed by another K.O. with Jimmy scatting on a lively Shake It and Break It.
Drummer Dave Didriksen sparks the band by providing solid support every note of the way.
Dave Didriksen keeps the beat
There was never a dull moment; the crowd was feeding off the energy of the band and the band was feeding off the responsive crowd! (Be prepared, Washington!)
They calmed down with Jimmy singing an Elvis tune, Love Me Tender, with each musician taking a solo between Jimmy’s many smoldering stanzas. They finally closed with On The Mall, from their CD of the same name – trombone and clarinet connected, trombone going wild! Fans left elated!
On the following Saturday,, on a warm and sunny June afternoon, the Greater Boston Vintage Society featured The Wolverine Quintet on the S. S. Samuel Clemens, a reproduction of a 3-deck riverboat at Rowe’s Wharf; on a 3-hour Boston Harbor Cruise. It was their first Dixieland Jazz Boat, and filled with Swing Dancers. We had a ball!!
We’lll have many chances to hear this top Traditional Jazz Band again, when it returns from Washington, as John noted in his email:
“We will be heading out to the West Coast to do America’s Dixieland Festival in Olympia, WA for the last weekend in June, but we have quite a few concerts when we get back:
Sherborn Town Concert Weds 7/1 630-8 (weather permitting)
Willows at Westboro Weds 7/8 7-830
Wayside Inn Tues 7/14 (info and tickets at http://www.wayside.org/node/286)
Bar Harbor Summer Music Sunday 7/198-10pm (info and tickets at http://barharbormusicfestival.org/2010_calendar.html Weston Town Concert Weds 7/22 7-830 (weather permitting)
St, Matthew’s in Acton Sunday 8/2 6pm West Boyleston Town Concert Sunday 8/95-7pm (weather permitting)
Natick Senior Center, Thursday 8/20 Stark Park, Manchester, NH Sunday 8/232-4pm (weather permitting)
Walpole Town Concert Tues 8/256-8pm (weather permitting)”
You can join John’s once-a-month emails at jazzbnd@aol.com
and purchase many of their 13 albums here.
Paul Monat cornet, John Clark tenor sax/clarinet, Craig Ball clarinet, Gerry Gagnon tuba, Bill Doyle guitar, Ross Petot piano, Justin Meyer string bass, Steve Taddeo Drums, Caroline Griep vocals, and special guest Jack Soref, guitar.
Harold McAleer videos,
Marce photos
Steve Taddeo presented his Swing Senders at Bemis Hall on June 10th, with an amalgamation of New England’s finest musicians, and special guest, Jack Soref on guitar. With a great four-piece front line and two guitars, we were guaranteed an evening of outstanding Swing!
They began with Steve’s explosive drum intro into Savoy. Paul Monat said It was like being in a Gene Krupa concert!
Caroline Griep does it all with style.
Caroline Griep puts heart and soul into I Can’t Give You Anything but Love, with the Quintet of John Clark on tenor sax, Craig Ball clarinet, Soref playing Django style guitar, Justin Meyer string bass, Steve drums.
Paul Monat Wishing Upon a Star
Paul Monat was featured on When You Wish Upon a Star, citing his idol, Wild Bill Davison. The high ceiling of this large hall provided a beautiful echo enhancing Paul’s excellent cornet.
Caroline was back for Slow Boat to China. Her voice is rich, with a great range and many layers.
Justin was featured on Just You, Just Me, bowing the base in rich harmony, bolstered by intricate improvised solos.
On one tune, Taddeo joined him with their own version of “Big Noise From Winnetca”
Justin and Steve mimic Ray Bauduc and Bob Haggart
Harold filmed an impressive video of the Swing Sender’s Theme Song, Dinah.
There was an innovative interchange between the two guitars on Everybody Loves My Baby, backed by two clarinets. They all love making music!
Jack Soref, Bill Doyle
Dave Didriksen sits in.
Steve asked Dave Didriksen to sit in on Flat Foot Floogie. Dave is a fine drummer, and manager of the group Swing Times Five with Debby Larkin.
Dave took over the drums. He said it was worth it to give Steve Taddeo a rare chance to sing. Who knew Steve could sing?
Caroline returned with a soaring vocal on Jeeper Creepers.
The band broke into quartets; the first featuring Jack Soref on a tune we had been anticipating, Django’s Minor Swing, with Bill Doyle adding rhythm guitar, Justin on string bass, and Steve drums. Judge for yourself:
John Clark on tenor sax
Can’t We Be Friends was led by John Clark with a brilliant interchange between tenor sax and string bass.
Ross Petot makes sure there are no blank spaces.
Moonlight in Vermont captivated the audience with only Ross Petot backing Caroline Griep – just the two of them, letting the song shine through. Beautiful!
Djangology gave Soref another chance to feature his expertise on Django Rheinhardt. For half of 2011, Jack studied the music of Django Reinhardt at its source by moving to Paris, France. We hope to hear more from him in the future.
Finale, with a drum intro into Stomping at the Savoy. Wonderful solos… concluding with Steve Taddeo’s extended solo on his Antique 1939 Slingerland Drums, in high energetic and buoyant style, crossing cymbals, using press rolls and cymbal techniques. The room exploded!
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This really was a Dream Team! The musicians and audience were high from this fantastic Swing music and didn’t want it to stop. John Clark continued with I Got Rhythm, fine trombone by Gerry Gagnon and classic interchange between Craig Ball clarinet and Jack Soref. They hadn’t discussed how to end this, so Taddeo made it a wrap!
Steve Taddeo always come through with the finest musicians and amazing Swing. Save the date: Wednesday, August 12th. Steve is bringing back the marvelous Midiri Brothers to Bemis Hall. Details to follow.
Exciting music is happening all over the Outer Cape this week!
Cape Conservatory CJazz at Hands on the Arts, Eastham Saturday, June 20, 11:00am – 11:45am, Free
Cape Conservatory CJazz
Directed by Bart Weisman
Abby Pollock (sax) from Nauset High School,
Keb Hutchings-McMahon (guitar) from Lighthouse Charter School, Bryden Williams (sax),
Kenny Linnell (bass), and Anthony Iachetta (drums) from Dennis-Yarmouth High School.
Hands on the Arts Festival
Eastham Windmill Green on Route 6
3rd Season
Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater
Summer Music Festival
Tuesday, June 30, 8:00pm
Mainly Mozart
Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival
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Wednesday, July 1, 8:00pm Stage Door Canteen (Big Band)
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Tuesday, July 7, 8:00pm A night of Cabaret with
Krisanthi Pappas and Edwige Yingling
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Wednesday, July 8, 8:00pm Jazz with String of Pearls
Holli Ross, Sue Halloran & Jeanne O’Connor
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Tuesday, July 14, 8:00pm George Gritzbach Blues Band
Only Summer Appearance on the Outer Cape
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Wednesday, July 15, 8:00pm Mainly Mozart
Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival
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Tickets are $18 & $12 for Students
Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater (WHAT)
2357 Route 6, Wellfleet 508-349-9428WHAT
The Williams Reunion Jazz Band was born on New England college campuses in the 1950’s when Dixieland was alive and well and “runnin’ wild”. They had a busy weekend, starting Friday…a fundraiser for the DBMS with a raw Oyster bar, heavy hors d’oeuvres and cash bar. The Williams Reunion Jazz Band returns every year Memorial Day weekend for the Duxbury Bay Maritime School’s Annual Opening of The Bay,
Duxbury Bay Maritime School on Duxbury Bay
On Saturday, they were scheduled for a one-hour deck concert at DBMS – open to all, but it was cancelled because of cold, raw weather. Saturday night they gave a free concert at the South Shore Conservatory Ellison Center for the Arts in Duxbury.
Sunday the Williams Reunion Jazz Band started the day with a Jazz Service at First Parish Church, followed by a noon brunch at the fabulous Windsor House Inn, 390 Washington St. in Duxbury, MA.
Williams Reunion Jazz Band with Jimmy Mazzy
The core three here today were Williams College Boys: Bob Kingsbury ’58 on clarinet; Fred Clifford ’58 on Tuba; and John Halsey ’59 on Piano (keyboard) with John Bucher cornet.( Amherst ’52.) Drummer Tom Hayne ’59 wasn’t here today because he had to leave early.
The band was joined by two permanent guests and members of the Wolverine Jazz Band, the inimitables Jimmy Mazzy Banjo/Vocals, and Tom Boates, trombone.
Jimmy Mazzy is ? on many bands.
They began with Jimmy singing Tishomingo Blues, a famous tune by Spencer Williams first published in 1917. We knew this was going to be a great afternoon! There were families with young children who were really enjoying this Jazz – let’s hope they pass it on!
John Bucher is fabulous on cornet.
Deed I Do, Beale St. Blues Tom Boates singing the vocal. Bye Bye Blues.
Bucher played sweet muted cornet on Buddy Bolden Blues.
Fred Clifford
Tuba intro on chorus of I Can’t Give You Anything But Love. Fred was playing a King tuba he found on Ebay (with the expert help of Eli Newberger).
Jimmy Mazzy had to leave early for another engagement. He was replaced by Mark Endresen, guitar.
Williams Reunion Jazz Band with Mark Endresen
Mark Endresen, guitar
Mark is a ‘regular’ here at the Windsor House. He often joins the Jimmy Mazzy Trio once a month here for a Sunday Brunch.
My Baby’s Loving Arms. Best Things in Life Are Free, which had been requested some time ago, but they had saved it for Mark to perform.
Tuba took the intro to a stunning Black & Blue. Running Wild had wild trombone and guitar and the band trading 4’s with the keyboard. Everybody Loves My Baby.
Tom Boates fantastic trombone feature
Tom Boates’ trombone was featured with John backing on cornet with Tin Roof Blues. This was one of my favorites!
John Halsey
In the absence of a drummer, keyboardist John Halsey took the stage for Avalon. This was frustrating for Halsey, who had been playing on fine Steinway pianos all weekend, but he came through with flying fingers!
Bob Kingsbury clarinet
Kingsbury played a fine low register clarinet on I’m Confessing That I Love You.
There was an especially fine musical exchange with cornet and tuba trading 4’s on Sweet Georgia Brown. We were right – it was a great afternoon with The Williams Reunion Jazz Band playing exceptional Traditional Jazz!
Opening of the Bay every spring is a critical financial fund-raiser for the Duxbury Bay Maritime School because it’s a struggling non-profit and needs the extra money. The school serves 1800 students from age 3 to 83 through educational and recreational programs that stimulate individual growth and an enduring love and appreciation of the sea.
The Williams Reunion Jazz Band will return next labor day for the 18th Opening of the Bay in Duxbury, Massachusetts with more fine Traditional Jazz. Come join us!
Jack Soref plays Django’s Minor Swing with Steve Taddeo’s Swing Senders at Bemis Hall in Lincoln, MA on June 10, 2015. (more coming) http://www.jacksoref.com/
Jack Soref, Guitar, Born and raised in Madison WI, Jack has performed all over the USA as well as internationally on stages in France, and Scotland, and at festivals such as Django in June, The Brooklyn Djangology Festival, The Midwest Gypsy Swing Fest, and Riverside Farm Market and Café Gypsy Jazz Fest. He has performed in concert with such Gypsy Jazz luminaries as Violinist Tim Kliphius, and Guitarists Adrien Moignard, Gonzalo Bergara, Aurélien Bouly and Titi Bamberger. Additionally, Jack has been a guitar instructor at Django in June’s week long Gypsy Jazz music Camp in 2009, 2010, 2012, and soon to be again in 2013.
For half of 2011, Jack studied the music of Django Reinhardt at its source by moving to Paris, France. While there he jammed with the old masters like Boulou Ferré and Romanian violin maestro Florin Niculescu as well as the young virtuoso’s currently storming the Paris scene. He’s back in the U.S. and can be found playing all over the Greater Boston area.
Dave Whitney and Paul Monat cornet, Blair Bettencourt clarinet, Dan Gabel trombone, Robin Verdier piano, Eric Baldwin guitar, Rick MacWilliams tuba, Reid Jorgensen drums
picture and videos by Harold McAleer
The Bay State Syncopators were at Bemis Hall in Lincoln MA on May 27, 2015. It was a reunion band formed in the 80’s by Paul Monat to rekindle the two-cornet sound of Bob Connor’s Yankee Rhythm Kings of the 70’s which had Paul Monat and Dave Whitney on cornet and Blair Bettancourt on clarinet. Bill Doyle subbed today on guitar.
The band carries on the New Orleans sounds of Louis, King Oliver and Jelly Roll, reborn in the 50’s by Lou Watters, Turk Murphy and Bob Helm in San Francisco.
Dave Whitney tells about how it felt to have the band back:
“Musically the Band sounded great! Despite lack of Rehearsal Time we surprised ourselves on most of the tunes. After 40 years, Blair, Paul and myself still remember most of the routines.
Highlights were Big bear Stomp—Too Late (from King Oliver 1930). Snake Rag, Cake Walkin’ Babies, Mabel’s Dream and Canal St. Blues.
Blair sang his specialty “Red Hot Mama” and I did Mississipi Mud, Cake Walkers and Memphis Blues.
Robin Verdier
Robin did a great Piano feature on Froggie Moore and Dan Gabel fit right in like he had been there in ’75.
Bill Doyle (file photo)
Also kudos to Bill Doyle who came in on short notice on guitar and banjo..
Us YRK veterans had a great time and it brought back happy memories of the Sticky Wicket and Sacramento Jazz Fest. Also a nice turnout of 60 or so people.”
Paul Monat is Blue and Broken Hearted – Wait for the high note at the end of this tour-de-force by cornetist Paul Monat!
The Bay-State Syncopators ended their concert in Lincoln with a rousing version of Lou Watter’s San Francisco favorite – Emperor Norton’s Hunch.
Eli and The Hot Six with Butch Thompson and Rebecca Sullivan at Sculler’s Jazz Club – Photos by Marce
WGBH’s Christopher Lydon was at Yale with Eli and Carolyn
The occasion was a benefit for Kids For Harmony at Scullers Jazz Club hosted by WBUR’s Christopher Lydon and the packed house was treated to a terrific evening of music by Eli and the Hot Six with special guest Rebecca Sullivan.
The Hot Six is a relatively new combo from tubist Eli Newberger, drawing from some of the best players on the traditional jazz scene. This performance featured a surprise appearance from Butch Thompson sitting in on piano and clarinet. Regular Hot Six pianist Bob Winter had a prior commitment that evening with the Boston Pops.
Eli sprinkled informative and entertaining commentary between songs, and directed the soloists from this fine band throughout the evening.
Rebecca Sullivan
Rebecca Sullivan took the spotlight occasionally during the set, a welcome presence from a lovely singer who showcased songs from an all-Gershwin show the Hot Six will be performing at the Barrington Stage Company in Pittsfield this coming June. Ted Casher, an excellent clarinetist, really shined with his turns on tenor sax.
Bo Winiker sings and plays Hello Dolly
A surprise highlight was Bo Winiker channeling Armstrong with a pitch perfect rendition of Hello Dolly on top of Jimmy Mazzy’s banjo, Bo going out with a ringing trumpet solo.
Jimmy lent his voice to a long and languid version of the classic St. James Infirmary that included plenty of solo space for the band.
Jimmy sings
Butch Thompson from Minneapolis
Butch Thompson delivered exquisite solo piano renditions of Willie the Lion Smith and Jelly Roll Morton numbers.
The piano chair was also occupied by Eli during a trio performance with Butch on clarinet, and later trombonist Herb Gardner tickled the keys while Thompson joined the horn section.
Eli takes over piano
Rounding out the evening was a delightful washboard performance by Carolyn Newberger and a brush solo on I Got Rhythm from drummer Jeff Guthery.
Eli & The Hot Six with Rebecca Sullivan will be Swingin’ Gershwin at the Barrington Stage Company’s Boyd-Quinson Mainstage, 30 Union Street, Pittsfield, MA on Monday, June 22nd, and the Hot Six will return to Primavera Ristorante, 20 Pleasant St. Millis MA on Thursday, June 25th.
