3rd Generation – Pierre & Joan Lemieux’s Grandchildren:
As for their grandchildren’s band , ‘The Kid’ Jazz Band in New Hampshire; click on; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dn39aeD3pV8 . (see 5:46-8:10 Route 66)
They also run the The Purple Pit Coffee Lounge (BYOB & Fixings) 3 Pleasant St. Ext. Concord NH. www.thepurplepit.com/ Bold Coffee, Live music.
An extension of Dave’s small bands, The Dave Whitney fourteen-piece orchestra was formed in 1989. The focus of this band is playing and preserving the classic sounds of the big band era. They play yearly dates at Canobie Lake Park and Southgate at Shrewsbury and are currently doing semi-regular dates at Chianti’s in Beverly.
The orchestra is comfortable playing for the listener and is equally at ease playing for dancers. Besides saluting the big name bands such as Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Tommy Dorsey, Glenn Miller, and Harry James, the Whitney Orchestra also plays the music of other fine bands such as Tony Pastor, Vaughn Monroe, Frankie Carle, Scat Davis and Red Nichols.
The Dave Whitney Orchestra has entertained for numerous swing dance parties and has performed at Ryles, the Sherborn Inn, Rockingham Ballroom, Bridgwaye Inn, and bi-monthly at Angelica’s in Middleton, MA. Future projects include a compact disc.
LINEUP
Leader,Trumpet/Cornet and Vocals – Dave Whitney
Vocals and Trumpet- Christine Fawson.
Trumpets- Joe Musumeci, Jeff Hughes, Rich Given.
Trombones- Scott Hills, Mike Strauss, John Kafalas.
Saxes- Art Bakopolus, Bob Drukman, Ted Casher, Blair Bettencourt and Kathleen Howland.
Piano- Steve Dale, Bass-Dave LeBleu, Drums-Reid Jorgensen.
Also appearing occasionally are John Clark,reeds, Dan Gabel,trombone and Roy D’Innocenzo, guitar, a charter member of Dave’s first band in 1971.
Christine Fawson
Dave Whitney
Dave Whitney
Well known in New England for his work with the Yankee Rhythm Kings, White Heat Swing Orchestra, and Chris Powers Orchestra, Dave was influenced by Louis Armstrong, Bix Beiderbecke, Bobby Hackett and many other great trumpeters of the pre-bop era. Dave has been called “Premier early style trumpeter” of this area” and “Dean of swing trumpet”. As a vocalist he was influenced by Armstrong, Prima, Tony Pastor et al, and he is also adept at smoother vocals a la Sinatra, Eddy Howard, and Perry Como.
Christine Fawson
As a vocalist and trumpet player, Christine Fawson has always loved performing classic jazz standards from the American Songbook. She has been a member of Syncopation and The Jazz Diva’s, and the R&B band Beantown. Christine has also been a solo artist at festivals and concerts around the world. She is a member of the brass faculty at Berklee College of Music.
The first Dave Whitney Orchestra CD, “Swingin’ at the WunderBar” will be out shortly.
Contact: (978) 667-5524
Jeff Hughes trumpet, John Clark clarinet/alto sax, Dan Gabel trombone, Herb Gardner keyboard/trombone, Al Bernard tuba, Steve Taddeo drums
We have so many marvelous Jazz Musicians here in New England, unknown to the rest of the world. The Jazz Jesters are a primary example. All except Jeff have made music their livelihood. They love what they’re doing, as does Jeff. But Jeffrey Hughes, Ph.D. lectures in Biological Sciences at Wellesley College to support that precious Jazz habit.
Jeff Hughes on trumpet
Jeff’s trumpet tonight is a 1946 Olds Super trumpet that he found in original condition at a second-hand store and picked up for peanuts.
The Jazz Jesters capture the style of music of the 20’s and 30’s that our mentor, Ray Smith featured in his Jazz Decades. They kicked it off with a Jimmy Mazzy vocal on Lucky Day, their theme song. (We are the lucky ones!!) They continued with Copenhagen, a tune the bands of the 20’s loved to play – named not for the city, but for chewing tobacco. John Clark arrangement.
Dan and Jeff play counterpoint to John’s clarinet.
Dr. John meticulously researches the original arrangements and gives them his added touch. Jeff Hughes said “a good arrangement gives the musicians plenty of room to improvise.” These musicians have astonishing improvisational skills!
Violinist Stuff Smith contributed to the song “It’s Wonderful” (1938) often performed by Louis Armstrong. That was in an interesting time. Bobby Hackett and Jack Teagarden also played it. Jeff gave it a zesty delivery on flugelhorn, Jimmy vocal; Steve swirling brushes on snare drum.
Steve Taddeo
Steve Taddeo is proud of his 1939 Slingerland Radio King drumset with one cymbal sent to him by Ray MacKinley. The remaining cymbals are from Buddy Schutz who played with Benny Goodman and Jimmy Dorsey.
He swirls brushes on the snare drum, uses cowbells, woodblocks and rim shots to maintain the beat.
Herb Gardner, pianio-trombone
Herb Gardner has become the pianist of choice here at Primavera on Thursday nights. Herb’s solos are intelligent and heartfelt, and he offers just the right chords behind soloists.
Al Bernard maintains the Trad Jazz rhythm.
Gently pushing the band, Al Bernard maintains the harmonic structure with a steady, rhythmic pulsation.
One of Al Jolson’s most famous tunes was California Here I Come; this band prefers the sequel, Golden Gate. We liked Jeff’s vocal!
Dan Gabel gives his all to Margie
Dan was featured on Margie. Craig ball is usually here on reeds, but he’s nurturing a broken left hand that will be in a cast for a while. Dan Gabel filled in for him on trombone, playing off of Craig Ball’s saxophone chart.
He also did the vocal. Fabulous – he’s a natural. At 26, he holds the future of our music in his hands.
Bix’s Birthdate was March 10th. They celebrated him with the last tune he ever recorded, Deep Down South.
In 1929, after suffering a nervous breakdown Bix Beiderbecke went back to his hometown of Davenport, Iowa, to recover at his parent’s home. He returned to New York in 1930 and made his last recording sessions in September of that year, with the Dorsey Brothers, Benny Goodman, Gene Krupa, Joe Venuti and others. He was 28 years old when he died.
The band also played Davenport Blues, a tune Bix Beiderbecke wrote about his home town.
Jazz Jesters play Davenport Blues
John Clark does a mean vocal.
Interesting interlude with the band
playing and John Clark handling a fast,
challenging vocal on a tune Fats Waller
recorded in 1935 – Zonky.
This was a first for us!
Herb Gardner joined Dan on trombone with I Can’t Believe That You’re In Love With Me, with exciting, rhythmic improvisations.
Two virtuoso trombonist
We had just celebrated St. Patrick’s Day two days ago, so an Irish tune was called for – great head arrangement of Wearing of the Green with neat segue into Deep Henderson. Later they added Irish Black Bottom in 1920’s style.
Kansas City was the germination center of Jazz in the 20’s and 30’s. Benny Moten’s tune, Jones Law Blues, was a precursor to the Count Basie Band. Smooth number, nice dance tune.
The inimitable Jimmy Mazzy
Jimmy Mazzy was featured on a Louis Armstrong tune, in his own inimitable style, Mighty River. Great arrangement, with clarinet and tuba trading fours. Jimmy also had the vocal on a stock arrangement from the 20’s to the 50’s of River, Stay Away From My Door. (Appropriate with four feet of snow slowly melting into our local rivers.)
.Another tune that was hot in the 20’s and 30’s ‘Leven Thirty Saturday Night, by Archie Blyer, an American song writer, arranger, and record executive, and music director for Arthur Godfrey. (John Clark wasn’t born yet, but he has become an expert on Blyer.) The Jesters used the stock arrangement made famous by vocalist Julius LaRosa on the Godfrey Show, with Jeff singing the vocal.
Change of mood, a high-spirited arrangement of Paducah, composed by Don Redman in 1928 that was played by McKinney’s Cotton Pickers. Many of the music leaders were familiar with Paducah as a river port. In the late 1920s, jazz made its way up the Mississippi from New Orleans to points north and east as small bands and orchestras provided entertainment on river boats.
Coming to a close, Jeff Hughes and the Jazz Jesters sent us home with fun memories, Black Mariah (paddy wagon) then segue to Good Old Days, the theme song for Our Gang, the Little Rascals.
These virtuosic New England musicians achieve the marvelous sound of Jazz from the 20’s and 30’s, but give it their own twist. It’s still happy, toe-tapping music. We’re very happy and contented to have them here, but wouldn’t mind sharing them with the rest of the world! Are you ready, World?
Scott Philbrick cornet, Blair Bettencourt clarinet/soprano sax/vocals, Lee Prager trombone, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Frank Stadler piano/leader, Al Bernard sousaphone, Bob Reardon drums
Daylight!! Afternoons of Dixieland Jazz are rare! It was a pleasure coming to Bemis Hall in Lincoln Massachusetts, even if it was raining, to hear the return of the Seacoast Stompers after a particularly brutal New England winter! The band had to cancel their February concert because of snow. We’ve missed them.
They began with At The Jazz Band Ball, always a barrel-house opener that sets the tone for an afternoon of uplifting, toe tapping, high energy music. Each of these musicians is a pro in his own right; nurtured and inspired by New Orleans music, they are phenomenal!
Frank has maintained a list of each song, where and when it was played.
They are also independent. Frank always brings in a list of tunes to play, but they generally ignore it. Tonight he brought in a complete listing of tunes that he has meticulously maintained since they first began in 2008. They checked out the list, looking for different styles, trying not to duplicate any melody. Each musician chose a tune.
Unfortunately, reed player Craig Ball fell down the previous day and hurt his right hand. He will be in a cast for some time. Blair Bettencourt graciously filled in for him. We’ve known Blair for over 40 years, so it was a pleasure to hear him again.
Scott Philbrick
Scott Philbrick is the ‘music leader’ of the band, letting them choose songs from the list, bringing them together as a team. His cornet generally establishes the melody, and the band sores with him making powerful music.
Everybody Loves My Baby, we love Lee’s trombone. Lee Prager joined the band in 2010 and has been a plus ever since. His deep, burnished, trombone is reminiscent of Tommy Dorsey. We don’t hear him often enough, he really makes a difference. He was also featured on I’ll Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plans.
Three Little Words, In My Dreams with Jim on sweet vocal. An old Basie tune: Things Ain’t What They Used To Be. The Front line had fun with shading on this one. Blair surprised everyone with a long, smearing gliss up the scale, Scott picked it up with some effort doing a slow gliss from low to high on cornet. It was much easier for Lee with that long, slow, slurring, slide on trombone! Nice touch.
Albie listens carefully and provides momentum for the ensembles, and also quietly backs many of the solos. Blair picked Tin Roof Blues, the musicians inspiring each other on this Trad Jazz chestnut. Lee called Mama’s Gone, Goodbye, giving Albie one of many sousaphone solos.
Elke and granddaughter Stella
Elke and Stella were having a ball dancing
in the back of the room.
There was a romping New Orleans take on Jelly Roll Blues, with ultra tight ensemble and great piano. It’s obvious that Frank loves playing piano; he says all Steinway pianos are individuals, handmade by specialized craftsmen. This one in Bemis Hall was built in 1870. Frank said “Playing it is a joy, even though I have a nine-foot Steinway at home”.
Frank Stadler loves playing piano.
Stealing Apples, Fats Waller’s tune made famous by Benny Goodman, was absolutely WILD, followed by a scorching Avalon. This never gets dull!
Bob Reardon posed for this one.
Bob Reardon listens carefully and gives the band just the bang it needs. He picked Limehouse Blues, with a tempo that was frightening-fast. (Forget the list, Bob always asks for Limehouse.)
Bob hit the drums with everything he had, using blue wire brushes. He knows his stuff – he has played for 27 years at the Kowloon Restaurant in Saugus.
Blair Bettencourt on bent soprano sax
Blair Bettencourt plays exciting clarinet. He has a particularly soft way of playing eloquent bent soprano sax. He also sang a couple of songs for us in a smooth, powerful voice.
Jimmy Enright and I were dancing to his clarinet at Bob Connors Yankee Rhythm Kings’ first performance in New England Life Hall in 1975.
Jimmy is extraordinary; he had just arrived from Florida this morning where he performed with the Williams Reunion Jazz Band.
Jimmy Mazzy
How Come You Do Me Like You Do? Sugar, In his own distinctive style, he pleads, cajoles, scats, sweet talks. He picked I Want a Little Girl, backed by Blair playing soft soprano sax, with Scott and Lee on muted cornet and trombone. Nice.
They closed with an upbeat Mandy, and sent us home with sunshine inside, if not outside. You can catch them LIVE at Bemis Hall every month. The Seacoast Stompers will return on April 11th, same time, same station, same fantastic group of musicians. Hope to see you there!
Craig Ball and his sky-writing stratospheric clarinet will be missed by his throng of fans and the many bands he plays in. We wish him a speedy recovery!!
Tony Pringle cornet, Billy Novick clarinet/alto sax, Stan Vincent trombone, Herb Gardner keyboard, Peter Bullis banjo/manager, John Turner string bass, Bill Reynolds drums, special guest Mark Endresen guitar
This was the first time the New Black Eagle Jazz Band has appeared at the new Jazz venue, Primavera Ristorante, and also the first time there’s been a full house – probably around 50 people. Pimavera is very happy with having Jazz here, and it will continue indefinitely.
The Black Eagles are a popular Traditional Jazz Band now in their 43rd year. Fans came from as far as Albany NY and Fairbanks, Alaska! No doubt, abundant sunshine and clear roads were motivating.
The band began with something we are all feeling, When I Grow Too Old To Dream. Their authentic Trad Jazz was exhilarating. Very few bands today maintain that special beat, and the Eagles elevate it to a real Art, in fact, the only Art that originated in America.
Lake Ponchartrain Blues – Tony’s clipped cornet is the sound that immediately identifies this band. My Memphis Baby, Billy on alto sax, Stan Vincent playing Big Jim Robinson tailgate trombone, on a tune by Narvin Kimball. Kimball was a 1920’s New Orleans banjo player who dazzled audiences with his left-handed single-string technique.
Herb Gardner
Herb Gardner took a solo and vocal on Crazy ‘Bout My Baby. Herb has been playing keyboard at Primavera for many different bands. He normally plays trombone.
(Bob Pilsbury, missed by his many fans, sends greetings from his home in Sudbury and would certainly like to hear from friends and fans. Address: Bob Pilsbury, 11 Barton St. Sudbury MA 01776.)
Bouncing Around is a 1920’s tune that was recorded by Armand J. Piron. Willie ‘the Lion’ Smith and his Cubs recorded The Old Stamping Grounds. The Black Eagles continued with many tunes played by these marvelous musicians. There aren’t many bands that can do them justice! Sam Morgan’s Bogalusa Strut. Louis Russell’s Saratoga Shout.
Rhythm Section, Bill Reynolds drums, Peter Bulllis banjo, John Turner bass
The rhythm section is laid back on ballads, but on a hot tune…look out!
Peter Bullis, still wearing his red sox, has been playing that Trad Beat for over 50 years.
Stan Vincen’ts nephew, Mark Endresen, a fine Calypso guitarist, sat in for Pete Bullis on Tomorrow Night, and a spiritual, In The Sweet Bye and Bye. They let Mark go on guitar – marvelous! Mark founded and is featured vocalist of Calypso Hurricane, an exciting, high spirited and internationally known group playing music of the Caribbean Islands. See http://calypsohurricane.com/ .
Joseph Tremitiere was definitely enjoying the music. He was here with his family, celebrating his 100th birthday.
Joseph Tremitiere enjoying himself at 100! He’s sharp as a tack.
Billy Novick was featured on alto sax with Mark Endresen backing, and dedicated the next tune to Joseph: A Hundred Years From Today.
Mark Endresen feels the music as he backs Billy Novick
Peter returned for a number played in the 1920’s by trumpeter Henry ‘Red’ Allen with The Luis Russell Band, Roamin’; Tony’s moaning, muted cornet just went right through you!
Bob Kaelin drove all the way from Albany NY – said he was having withdrawal symptoms since he last saw the band in October. His request was Panama. (Billy Novick had just returned from there.) Bill Reynolds added a monster drum solo, including the drum roll he performs so eloquently. With camaraderie and classic musicianship, this band gives you music that you won’t hear anywhere else!
They closed with an old favorite, Brahms Lullaby, with Tony introducing the musicians who make this band renowned.
They liked the new Primavera venue, and will return here on May 28th.
You can also hear them at Mechanics Hall in Worcester on April 8, Regattabar in Cambridge on April 17th, and Amazing Things Arts Center in Framingham on April 24th. Check their web site at www.blackeagles.com.
The Roslindale Day Parade Committee has named The New Liberty Jazz Band as
the winner in their “Best Band” category.
The annual Awards Presentation Dinner will be on Friday evening, May 1st at St. Nectarios Hall, in Roslindale Village, 39 Belgrade Avenue, Roslindale, MA 02131 (617) 327-1983 . The event will also feature dinner, entertainment, raffles, and a Talent Contest.
$25 per person ticket price to cover the expenses for the event. If you want to reserve a table of ten seats the price would be only $20 each.
This group of musicians came together in the fall of 1980 to test the waters of traditional jazz music in a garage turned practice hall in Pelham New Hampshire. The session was enjoyed, the music great, and the decision to proceed in that direction was unanimous.
With great spirit and dedication they arrived to delight hundreds of thousands of listeners and observers at concerts, parades, and special functions. You might have seen them in front of Fenway Park on opening day or perhaps at Faneuil Hall at the opening of Harbor Fest; maybe at the First Night Boston procession, or perhaps you caught them passing by in one of the many other parades they do in Boston, the surrounding communities, or South Kingston, Rhode Island.
They have performed at festivals in Essex and Moodus, Connecticut, and the Ragtime/Jasstime Festival in Alexandria Bay, New York. The group also performed on two separate trips on the American Orient Express Train, a landlubbers version of an exquisite ocean cruise.
Stan was interviewed by Dave Radlauer on Jazz Rhythm, where the Bechet-style soprano saxophone master recalled his half-century musical career. The set of 3 one-hour programs are available here http://nejazz.com/oldsite/McDonCD.htm
McDonald always picks the cream of the crop musicians from this area for his Blue Horizon Jazz Band; tonight was no exception.
Mike Peipman raises the roof with West End Blues
Mike Peipman’s fiery trumpet can be delicate and powerful. Mike generally plays modern, contemporary jazz, but displayed his aptitude for classic jazz with an impeccable rendition of Louis Armstrong’s West End Blues. Spectacular!
Combining the careers of lead trumpet player and Jazz soloist, he has toured with numerous groups such as the Artie Shaw Orchestra and the Woody Herman Orchestra.
Gerry Gagnon trombone, Stu Gunn string bass
Gerry Gagnon, veteran BHJB member, anchored the band tonight with his fabulous ‘Jack Teagarden’ trombone. Gerry normally plays with the Boilermaker Jazz Band, all over the U.S. Canada and Europe.
Stu Gunn has a masters degree from the Boston Conservatory. He covers the total range of music from classical to theater to jazz on both tuba and string bass. We remember him with Bob Connor’s Yankee Rhythm Kings. Now he’s with the Boston Symphony and Cape Cod Symphony Orchestras. His solid bass line keeps him on-call with many Trad Jazz bands.
Dave Didriksen
Dave Didriksen filled in for Steve Taddeo with some solid drumming that kept the band on time; essential in Traditional Jazz.
He was followed by the band playing organ-type chorus on Baby, Ain’t I Good To You. Nice!
Dave is drummer for the Wolverine Jazz Band and drummer and Manager for Swing Times Five.
He also owns Willow Books in Acton MA.
Mollie Malone
Chanteuse Mollie Malone was in the audience and stepped up for a fine vocal on Django’s Nuage, in French, backed by Stu Gunn, steadfast on string bass and Stan’s soprano sax
Jack Sorefplays high quality Jazz, Gypsy Swing. He introduced many of the tunes on guitar. His interpretation of Django Reinhardt’s romantic Russian tune, Ochi chyornye(Dark Eyes) even surprised the members of the band, and had everyone on the edge of their seats. Jack plays regularly with the Gypsy Swing Band Ameranouche.
We missed Ross Petot’s piano, keeping it all together. But Ross teaches on Thursday evenings, so many bands have had to improvise.
The Blue Horizon Jazz Band will be at Primavera Ristorante on the first Thursday of every month; next will be April 2nd, 7pm.
Our grateful THANKS to Ellen McDonald, who has patiently kept these Traditional Jazz Bands playing LIVE JAZZ for over 20 years!
Bill Batty, drums with Novel Jazz at Skidompha Public Library
Bill Batty will be a guest percussionist with the Novel Jazz as they perform classic jazz at Skidompha Public Library, Damariscotta, ME, on Thursday, 12 March, 2015, 7PM to 9:30PM. The performance will also feature Barney Balch (trombone), Dave Clarke (guitar), Herb Maine (acoustic bass), Mike Mitchell (trumpet) and one other special guest Lefty McAuslin (tenor and alto sax). This evening initiates their 2015 Skidompha concert series, bringing live jazz to mid-coast audiences. Admission is $14 for adults, $12 for seniors, $6 for young adults 12-18, under 12 accompanied by a parent go free.
“NOVEL JAZZ” TO WARM UP SKIDOMPHA LIBRARY WITH HOT SWINGING JAZZ – Novel Jazz will be in concert on Thursday, 12 March, 2015 at Skidompha Public Library, Damariscotta, ME. They’ll present an evening of classic jazz out of the Great American Songbook. More about the band can be found at their web site (www.mainejazz.net). These events began with the observation that lovers of books often are lovers of jazz. The superb acoustics of Skidompha’s atrium, plus the seating “in the round”, make it a superior place to see and hear jazz, all in a relaxed, informal atmosphere. It was while performing at Skidompha that the band decided to forge deeper into the music of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. Trombonist Barney Balch began visiting the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. to work in their Ellington collection, digging out gems of these musical geniuses and bringing them back to life in summertime concerts.
The musicians of this group have been playing straight-ahead jazz for audiences throughout Maine (and beyond) for several decades. Collectively, they share over two centuries of experience in the jazz idiom. Performing on the 12th of March will be David Clarke (guitar), Mike Mitchell (trumpet), Herb Maine (bass) and Barney Balch (trombone). There will also be two special guests…Bill Batty on percussion and Richard “Lefty” McAuslin on tenor and alto saxophone.
Bill Batty started playing drums at the age of 9; three years later, he was playing professionally on the Maine “bottle club circuit”. He studied privately and also went through the Jazz and Contemporary Music program at University of Maine, Augusta. Bill keeps a full gigging schedule, playing blues with Blind Albert, jump/swing with Three Button Deluxe, straight ahead jazz with The Uptown Rhythm Kings/The BCD Trio, and Caribbean tinged music with steel drum band Steelin’ Thunder. Lefty McAuslin (tenor and alto saxophones) is a regular of the Boothbay Region during the summer months with his solo act. He also has worked in numerous bands, and backed up the famous vocalist Jimmy Dean. In the summer, Lefty performs with Bob Page and the Jazz Babies. Lefty is also known for his ability to play two saxophones simultaneously, a difficult technique first made famous by the late blues artist, Fats Jackson.
Skidompha evenings are informal, jazz in the round. Admission is $14 for adults, $12 for seniors, $6 for young adults 12-18 years, under 12 accompanied by a parent go free. The library is located on Main Street in downtown Damariscotta. Call 207-563-5513 for more information. Skidompha’s winter closure policy is that of the local school district (AOS 93); if the schools are closed, so is the library.
Ditch that cabin fever and come out and hear Novel Jazz…keeping jazz alive and swinging in the midcoast! For more information visit www.mainejazz.netand/or www.skidompha.org.
Bo Winiker trumpet/flugelhorn, Rebecca Sullivan vocals, Ted Casher cllarinet/tenor sax, Herb Gardner trombone, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Bob Winter keyboard, Eli Newberger leader/tuba, Jeff Guthery drums.
by Marce
Eli & The Hot Six is a powerhouse group of accomplished musicians playing music to warm the heart and melt the snows! They are spontaneous, inspiring one another, weaving around each other, with gentle sparkplug Bob Winter of the Boston Pops on keyboard, Jim Mazzy banjo and Jeff Guthery’s masterful drumming.
This was a celebration of the release of their first CD. It is extraordinary in that it contained sketches of each musician by Carolyn Newberger. Fans bought them quickly to obtain autographs of the musicians, at a special discounted price of $10.
Purchase here.
Oh, and the Contemporary Classic Jazz was incredible!
Muscat Ramble kicked off this evening, with Jeff Guthery playing a solo on graduated temple blocks.
Rebecca Sullivan
Rebecca Sullivan warmed the crowd with Gershwin’s Summertime, an upbeat I’ve Got Rhythm. Embraceable You, a tune from the new CD, I Can’t Give You Anything But Love.
She drove from New York to get here, and returned afterwards to get to work in the morning at the NY Metropolitan Opera Guild!
Duke Ellington’s Do Nothing ‘Till You Hear From Me, played very slowly, Bo leading with Ted’s clarinet and Herb’s trombone in the background.
Eli Newberger, the roaring tiger
The growl of the rip-roaring tuba-tiger on Tiger Rag. Eli’s dedication and devotion to this music are apparent on his face!
He jumps up and leads the front line parading through the enthusiastic audience; they love this music and enjoyed becoming part of it.
Parade of the Tigers
Carolyn Newberger is usually sitting quietly, drawing sketches of the musicians. They are works of art, and available with the CD. Tonight she let loose and joined the band on washboard for an energetic Miami Beach Rhumba – fun tune, and they all had fun playing it.
Carolyn plays washboard
Jimmy Mazzy feels the pain
Jimmy agonizes with the blues, almost reading the words of a man who searched for his loved one and found her body at St. James Infirmary. The instrumental solos build powerfully, with Jimmy ending in heartbreaking a capella, sadly, mournfully.
Perdido: Eli says it all in his Notes on the CD: Eli & The Hot Six LIVE, Contemporary Classic JAZZ. “Ted Casher’ eloquent solo tenor sax builds a rhythmic foundation for this splendid song written by Juan Tizol, a trombonist in the Ellington band. Rebecca jumps in almost as an instrumental voice, extending chorus after chorus of melodic variations, counter rhythms, and little conversations with clarinet, trumpet, and trombone. One can hear why Bob and the horn players, steeped in this music and, indeed, knowing the passing harmonies and final ensemble riffs like the backs of their hands, love her so much. “
Ted Casher, Bo Winiker, Herb Gardner
They closed with Bye Bye Blackbird, first recorded by Gene Austin in 1926. It’s not bye-bye for this band, just the beginning. They will return often, we hope, before their official CD release at Sculler’s Jazz Club on May 21st. Hope to see you there??
Scullers Jazz Club at the Doubletree Suites by Hilton Boston-Cambridge,
400 Soldiers Field Road, Boston, MA 02134
May 21st – Show: $30, Show & Dinner: $70, Show Time: 8pm 617-562-4111
Recorded live at the Sherborn Inn, Sherborn MA December 2013 through May 2014
Honeysuckle Rose Rebecca Sullivan
St. James Infirmary Jimmy Mazzy
Oh By Jingo Bob Winter
Perdido Rebecca Sullivan
Chinatown, my Chinatown Jimmy Mazzy
Body and Soul Ted Casher
I Can’t Give You Anything… Rebecca Sullivan
Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen Ted Casher
Just Squeeze Me Rebecca Sullivan
Them There Eyes Rebecca Sullivan
Charlie on the MTA Ted Casher
Tiger Rag Randy Reinhart
