Dear Jazz Fan,
On Saturday June 9th, I attended a concert at Rose Hall to hear Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra play a program of seldom heard post-WWII compositions of Duke Ellington. It was a remarkable evening. The musicianship of the members of the band was “beyond category” as Duke himself would have said.
The talents and achievements of Wynton Marsalis are so numerous that there is not enough space here to cite them all, but if Wynton had dedicated his career to just preserving and performance of the entire oeuvres of Duke Ellington, it would be a monumental contribution. The concert featured portions of The Queen’s Suite, Afro-Eurasian Eclipse, The Far East Suite, and the New Orleans Suite (which I commissioned for the 1970 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Fest), among others.
For me the highlight of the evening was when Victor Goines came downstage, planted himself firmly in front of the band and played an exhilarating, uninhibited clarinet solo that brought down the house. If Duke himself was there he would have hired Victor on the spot, even if it meant “raiding” the JALC band, as he did with Clark Terry when he talked him into leaving Count Basie.
Each soloist impressed that night, but Marcus Printup showed me he could play with anyone, anytime, anyplace. What moved me most was the haunting memory of the sound of Harry Carney’s baritone saxophone as preserved by only one man that I know of, Joe Temperley. I love Joe Temperley. As Carney anchored the sax section of the Ellington band, so Joe is the heart and soul of the JALC Orchestra.
Wynton and the JALC Orchestra are playing at the Newport Jazz Festival on Friday night, August 1st, at the International Tennis Hall of Fame at the Newport Casino and at Fort Adams State Park on Saturday, August 2nd. I think they will be playing some Ellington at the Friday evening concert.
Wynton himself has also generously agreed to perform on Saturday evening,August 2nd, at our fundraising gala for the Newport Festivals Foundation at the historic Vanderbilt summer home, The Breakers. Thank you, Wynton.
To purchase tickets to the Friday night concert at the International Tennis Hall of Fame or other Newport Jazz Festival events, use the following link:http://www.newportjazzfest.
Don’t lose the beat,
George Wein
Author Archives: admin
Acton Jazz Cafe finds new home!
Acton Jazz Cafe – ACT III, 529 King St. Littleton MA
Dear friends,
This is a side view of our new location, scheduled to open in the early fall.
It will be a collaboration of local artists and artisans, under the name Gallery 529, and musicians and fine dining / drinking under the name ACT III. We will be all together under one roof at this lovely historic farmhouse on Rte. 110, just off exit 31 on 495.
It’s located at 529 King Street in Littleton, MA. We are in the process of updating our website, our mailing software, and our facebook page. Please stay tuned for a longer and more detailed announcement coming soon! www.actonjazzcafe.com
And please plan to join us for a Blues Jam and Fundraiser at The West Acton Baptist Church Saturday 6/21, 7-10 p.m., hosted by King of The Blues Jam B.J. Magoon and friends! $20 donation online or at the door.
As ever,
Gwenn, Josely and The Gang
Swing Times Five at the Sherborn Inn, May 27, 2014
Swing Times Five with Debby Larkin
Jeff Hughes trumpet/leader, Dan Weiner guitar, Ross Petot piano, Pete Tillotson double bass, Dave Didriksen drums, Debby Larkin vocals.
Release Party for CD “Raincheck” at the Sherborn Inn
Swing Times Five is the ultimate choice if you’re looking for a lively evening without a dull minute. Swing, sweet ballads, sung by Debby Larkin, heartfelt solos and ensemble playing with some Hoagie and Bix made for an interesting evening. This was the official debut of their CD, “Raincheck”. 
The kicked it off with Benny Carter’s When Lights Are Low, with Jeff on smokey flugelhorn with Ross harmony on piano. Raconteur, composer, Hoagie Carmichael was featured this evening; he was a good friend of Bix Beiderbecke’s. Hoagie wrote many unusual tunes, including Riverboat Shuffle especially for Beiderbecke and his colleagues. Swing Times Five showed intricate ensemble on his 1937 Jubilee.
Jeff introduces Debby Larkin
Jeff invited Debby Larkin to join them for Hoagie’s Old Rocking Chair, and Burton Lane’s The Lady’s In Love With You. Hoagie composed many ballads, they mixed them up. Nearness Of You, great Pete Tillotson string bass solo. The title of their CD, Raincheck, was written by Billy Strayhorn. Another Strayhorn tune, Smada – with is Adams backwards, from the album ‘Masterpieces’ by Ellington. It was recorded for the Columbia label in 1950 as Ellington’s first LP album, one of the earliest 12 inch LP’s to take advantage of the extended time consisting of 4 tracks. This is the first time they played it; great melody, harmony and rhythm.
Great Rhythm Section
Guitar took the intro to The September Song, with more sweet flugelhorn. Jeff highlighted Bix-style trumpeting on Hoagie’s 1925 Riverboat Shuffle, Hoagie was in law school at Indiana University when Jazz struck him and he became an itinerant musician. An interesting tune he wrote apropos to the season, One Morning in May. Blue Orchids had more smokey flugelhorn with piano picking up the riffs.
Jeff Stout
Debby’s husband, trumpeter Jeff Stout joined them on a memorable Skylark, Jeff Hughes on flugelhorn, with cadences and chords thinking of Bix. The two Jeffs complement each other. They changed the mood for a Cole Porter, piano intro to Get Out of Town; Fast stride piano backed Stout’s powerful trumpet.
Weiner has a relentless, mesmerizing drive on guitar
Dan Weiner’s spectacular guitar fingering was featured on a Latin beat with S’Wonderful.
Suzanne Perel
The musician table was filled with guests enjoying the Inn’s fare. Mr. and Mrs. Arnie Krakowsky, Mrs. Phil Person, Suzanne Ferel, was asked to come up and sing a couple of tunes. An accomplished vocalist, Suzanne sang her own splendid version of Billie Holiday’s My Man Don’t Love Me, and With a Song In My Heart. Back to Hoagie with a song from the 1964 film starring R&B legend Ray Charles, Ballad in Blue. Stout trumpet and Hughes flugelhorn – it doesn’t get any better than this! Except maybe when Hughes returned on trumpet for a two- trumpet interplay on Duke Ellington’s Cottontail, accompanied by Ross’s fabulous stride piano. Fired up, Didriksen took off on drums; the air vibrated with excitement!
Two trumpets had us sitting on the edge of our seats!
Jeff’s trumpet traded fours with bass on an upbeat They All Laughed. Deb returned for Wes Montgomery’s Blue Skies, Jeff’s trumbet vibrating, with pulsating piano, fine guitar and bass duet.
This audience just loves Debby Larkin!
Debby Larkin’s version of Georgia blew us away! 
HOT! Basie’s Topsy, with Hughes on muted trumpet. Deb liked this because it’s the name of their shelter rescue puppy. Deb back with the unique I’m Checking Out, Goomby! ….one of the swinging tunes on the new CD “Raincheck” – she thanked Ross Petot for teaching it to her. They closed with We’ll Be Together Again with more of Jeff’s silky, smooth flugelhorn. It may be some time before Swing Times Five returns to the Inn. Several of the members belong to other bands that are travelling this summer. We’ll let you know when they return. Meantime, check out their new CD, “Raincheck”.
Swing Times Five – Raincheck
They are really excited about it, recording 9 tunes on the first take, in three hours at Peter Kontrimas’ studio. The CD will be on their new website www.swingx5.com currently under construction. Listen, download and buy Swing Times Five on CD Baby http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/swingtimesfive Love Letters, It Had To Be You, I’m Checkin’ Out, Goombye, S’Wonderfl, Cottontail, Get Out Of Town, Speak Low, Lady’s In Love
First Annual Plymouth Rock Assurance Jazz Festival at Spire Center for Performing Arts
Spire Center for Performing Arts, Plymouth, MA
The First Plymouth Rock Assurance Jazz Festival was held at the Spire Center for Performing Arts Memorial Day Weekend, May 24-26, 2014. Hosted by Johnny Souza, it was very successful! The first night was sold out/standing room only, the second day was about 3/4 full and the Jazz Jam Session on Monday/Memorial Day was well attended and a lot of fun. A lot of good players/singers showed up:
Rebecca Parris Trio, BeBop Guitars and Johnny Souza Quintet, Amanda Carr Quintet, Greg Abate Quartet, Yasko Kubota’s Power Jazz Unit, and many other New England musicians.
 Rebecca Parris |
 Amanda Carr |
Greg Abate Quartet
These photos by Denise Maccaferri’s Stage Presence Photography © give you a peek into the 1st Plymouth Rock Assurance Jazz Fest at Spire Center:
Johnny Souza Quintet performing “August Moon” written and performed by Johnny Souza on trumpet w/ Jeff Galindo trombone, Chris Taylor piano, Dave Zinno bass and Steve Silverstein on drums at The Plymouth Rock Assurance Jazz Festival 2014 held at The Spire Center for the Arts.
Jazz Fest Day 2 – more PHOTOS by Denise Maccaferri Photography
Be Bop Guitars
John Baboians’ BeBop Guitars – with Jerry Seeco trumpet, Rich Greenblatt on vibes, The Berklee College of Music All-Faculty Band
Check out their site for upcoming performances. Plymouth Rock Assurance Jazz Festival at the Spire Center for Performing Arts, 25 ½ Court St. Plymouth MA www.spirecenter.org
Photos by Denise Maccaferri’s Stage Presence Photography ©
Dan Gabel’s High Society Orchestra at Bemis Hall May 28, 2014 by C. S. Imming
Dan Gabel’s High Society Orchestra, by C. S. Imming
CJALL – Classic Jazz at Lincoln Library – recently hosted Dan Gabel’s High Society Orchestra at Bemis Hall in Lincoln MA. http://www.cjall.org/ Dan Gabel’s High Society Orchestra plays music of the early 1900’s and has over 400 arrangements in their book.
Harold McAleer was MC, and always ready with his video camera.
Whispering and The Charleston by Harold MacAleer
Musicians are:
Mike Caudill tenor sax/clnt, John Clark bari/alto sax/clnt, Lou Stamos alto sax/clnt
Adam Mejaour and Jeff Hughes trumpets,
Dan Gabel trombone, Ross Petot piano,
Rhythm: Bill Doyle guitar/banjo, Rick MacWilliams tuba, Steve Taddeo drums
Dan Gabel’s High Society Orchestra by C. S. Imming
Photographer C. S. Imming took MANY fine pictures and a video. Check them out!
Pictures © https://www.flickr.com/photos/swimcsi/sets/72157644907083114/
Candi’s Video of The Stampede (1926) and Mama Inez (1929)
It was a pleasurable evening of Fantastic Swing and Jazz with many tunes from the early 20’s and 30’s:
Whispering (theme song)
The Charleston
Alexander’s Ragtime Band (Dan singing with megaphone)
Wa Wa Wa, from 1926 King’ Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band, Clark on bari sax
Sophisticated Lady, Duke Ellington 1934 featured Mike Caudill on tenor sax
Because My Baby Don’t Mean Maybe Now, Walter Donaldson, they used Bix’s chase chorus
Boy In The Boat, arranged by by John Clark. Definitely not nautical.
Three Little Words, Henry Bussy collection now in Dan’s possession at Big Band Preservations Society
The Stampede, early 1926 transcribed by John Clark, Hot One! featuring clarinet trio
Cuban Rhumba, made famous by Pérez Prado in the 1950’s
Mama Inez
Happy Feet let all musicians cut loose with solos
St. Louis Shuffle
I Don’t Know Why I Love You Like I Do
The Brainstorm, original arrangement, featured Adam Mejaour trumpet
Stardust featured Jeff Hughes trumpet
Cinderella Girl, dedicated to Bud & Wes Trow of Tuxedo Classic Jazz Band
(Bud was Dan’s Mentor and gave him the band’s arrangements)
Encore: Sugar Foot Stomp, Adam Caudill clarinet solo
You can hear them on Tuesday, June 1st at the Sherborn Inn, 33 North Main St. Sherborn MA or check out Dan Gabel Music for their schedule.
The Dan Gabel’s High Society Jazz Orchestra was sponsored by The Friends of the Lincoln Library, who have video and tape presentations at the Lincoln Library on the 2nd Wednesday of every month, and a Jazz Jam on the 3rd Saturday of the month at the Library at 3 Bedford Rd. Lincoln MA. http://www.cjall.org/
Marce
Dan Gabel, by Marce
Williams Reunion Jazz Band at Opening of the Bay, Snug Harbor, Duxbury MA 2014
Williams Reunion Dixieland Jazz Band at Opening of the Bay May 23-25 2014
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”. Band members now include four Williams College boys: Bob Kingsbury ’58 on clarinet; Fred Clifford ’58 on Tuba; Tom Hayne ’59 on Drums and features: John Halsey ’59 on Piano who is a PhD, teacher and a featured pro in NYC having played with all of the greats in Jazz.
Three permanent guests from Amherst, Bates and U. Mass are: John Bucher who for 25 years led the Woody Allen Band at Michael’s Pub in NYC and plays a wonderful Beiderbecke/Hackett style; Jimmy Mazzy on Banjo who is well known to everybody, and Tom Boates on trombone who plays in the style of Jack Teagarden and Miff Mole and is featured with the Wolverine Jazz Band.
The WRJB name goes back to 1983 when, at a formal jazz concert in Williams College Chapin Hall, the seven first played together. Through the years, their reputation in Williamstown has blossomed into a year ’round schedule of performances at private parties, country clubs, weddings, church masses, jazz festivals, jazz cruises, and special events across the USA.
The band returns every Memorial Day weekend to Duxbury MA for the Duxbury Bay Maritime Academy’s “Opening of the Bay”, their 17th this year. Friday night’s GALA was Traditional Jazz, cocktails and heavy hors d’oeuvres and Island Creek Oyster reception under the tent, and Dixieland Jazz.
Duxbury Bay Maritime Academy
Saturday afternoon is family day, with face painting, balloon animals, vendors, food and drinks. It was a New England cold, damp day. We caught the Williams Reunion Dixieland Jazz Band under the tent on the deck by the Bay.
The inimitable Jimmy Mazzy
They opened with a lively Dr. Jazz, Jimmy vocal and banjo – Jimmy Mazzy has a unique hold on the bridge that allows him to make sounds like no one else!
Boates’ powerful trombone opened My Honey’s Loving Arms. Ensemble took the intro to Rose Room, followed by engaging personal solos first by clarinet, then cornet, trombone, banjo, piano.
Bob Kingsbury, leader, clarinet
Kingsbury’s clarinet started with the verse on W. C. Handy’s Hesitation Blues; ensemble parts twining around each other leading to a Jimmy Mazzy hearty shout. They played a final chorus, Hayne closing with a cymbal CRASH!
Tom Boates plays Kid Ory’s Creole Trombone
Tom Boates is always featured on Kid Ory’s Creole Trombone, no matter what band he’s in. We hope he never gets tired of playing it because we never get tired of hearing his magnificent growling trombone!
Memphis Blues was a soft wistful blues, clarinet playing high over the whole ensemble, cornet and piano building long, melodic solos. Jimmy’s scatting was more like a soft moaning,
 John Bucher, Bix-style cornet |
 John Halsey rippled up and down the keyboard. |
Fred Clifford
They revved it up with S’Wonderful, nice low register clarinet start, Jimmy singing ballad, marvelous Bucher cornet, tuba holding long notes. Clifford is the band’s rhythmic engine. Banjo solo was backed by drum softly tapping cymbal and snare drum.
Let Me Call You Sweetheart, clarinet, cornet, piano played melody, with trombone counterpoint accents. Kingsbury moved over to Boates for a wonderful trombone/clarinet duet.
Tom Hayne drives the band with his Dixieland Beat
At The Jazz Band Ball was explosive, with great New Orleans polyphony, then they let Tom Hayne go wild on drums.
Their music has a joyful, timeless spirit. It all ended too soon, but there was a cold wind blowing in from the Bay and they were glad to pack up and move on.
* * *
WRJB did a week in Florida again this year, what they call “Spring Training”, with five appearances, one in Ponte Vedra, three in Vero Beach and finished at the Bath and Tennis Club in Palm Beach. And they just finished their annual Boston/Duxbury weekend with six appearances ranging from the Somerset Club in Boston to the South Shore Conservatory, First Parish Church and Winsor House in Duxbury. Then a full Reunion weekend in Williamstown from June 13-15 capped by a private party in Bretton Woods, NH.
The Williams Reunion Jazz Band plays some excellent, authentic Traditional Jazz.
Try some of their many CDs.
Novel Jazz Celebrates 10 years at Skidompha Library
Novel celebrates a decade of Jazz at Skidompha Photo by Elaine Jones
Novel Jazz Septet will be performing classic jazz at Skidompha Public Library, Damariscotta, ME, onThursday 12 June, 2014, 7PM to 9:30PM. The performance will feature Barney Balch (trombone), Dave Clarke (guitar), Mickey Felder (piano), Wells Gordon (acoustic bass), Bryan Jones (Alto Saxophone) and Mark Macksoud (drums)., plus special guest Ralph Norris (tenor and baritone sax) This evening continues their 2014 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. (Photo by Elaine Jones)
The Novel Jazz Septet will be celebrating their 10th year of performances at Skidompha Public Library, Main Street, Damariscotta on Thursday, 12 June 2014, from 7-9:30 PM, with a special evening of jazz in the library’s atrium. A decade ago, the band decided to “go public” from their regular private sessions as a way to help keep jazz alive in midcoast Maine. Indeed, 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 at Skidompha will be Barney Balch (trombone), Dave Clarke (guitar), Mickey Felder (piano), Wells Gordon (acoustic bass), Bryan Jones (Alto Saxophone) and Mark Macksoud (drums). Ralph Norris will be making a guest appearance on tenor and baritone sax. Ralph is no stranger to Novel Jazz evenings at Skidompha. He has been an active professional saxophonist for the past 50-plus years, long a staple of the Maine jazz scene. He has regularly performed with many luminaries including the Don Doane and Terry White Big Bands, Tommy Gallant, Muriel Havenstein, legendary saxophonist Harry Allen, pianist Tom Snow (and many more). He has been conducting and composing for the Cape Elizabeth High School Jazz Program since 1997. Ralph’s specialty is the great American Songbook and he plays his tenor with a sound as silky as Stan Getz and as agile as Paul Gonsalves. Anyone who has heard Ralph knows they are in for a special treat!
Admission is $14 for adults, $12 for seniors, $6 for young adults 12-18, under 12 accompanied by a parent go free. We encourage parents to bring their children, the future of this art form. The library is located on Main Street in downtown Damariscotta. Call 207-563-5513 during business hours for more information.
This promises to be a very special night of jazz. Come to Skidompha on 12 June as Novel Jazz marks a decade of swinging jazz at this wonderful library. And if you haven’t heard the band in a while, come see what the decade has done for Novel Jazz!
Sherborn Inn Tuesday Night Schedule 2014-2015
SHERBORN INN TUESDAY JAZZ
7:00-9:30pm $10 unless otherwise noted
Dec 23 Free-for-all Jazzboree*
*Free admission Dec 23. Numerous Tuesday Jazz musicians will be here to
thank you for 19 years supporting Tuesday Jazz at the Sherborn Inn.
In January the Sherborn Inn ownership will change. The new owners have not indicated they will continue a jazz program. We understand they plan to renovate or redecorate during January and February. We hope you will continue to dine at the Inn after the sale goes through. The buyers have an excellent reputation for the food they serve at their restaurant La Morra in Brookline.
There is one more jazz night in 2014 at the Sherborn Inn. On December 16th come thank the Blue Horizon Jazz Band, responsible for beginning and nurturing the long run of jazz at the Sherborn Inn. On December 23rdthe Tuesday Jazz Musicians invite you to attend a “Free-for-all Jazzboree” with numerous Tuesday Jazz musicians from many bands who wish to thank YOU for your support over these 19 years. No admission charge December 23rd.
After we finish celebrating 19 years of Tuesday Jazz we may be moving the series to Primavera Ristorante in Millis where it will become Thursday Jazz, beginning January 15th 2015 with the Blue Horizon Jazz Band.
Wolverine Jazz Band is scheduled February 19th. Final details are being worked out. Primavera is 15 minutes away from the Sherborn Inn at 20 Pleasant Street, Millis MA 02054 (off Route 109) Stay tuned for the Primavera Ristorante schedule.
Neville Dickie at the Sherborn Inn May 20, 2014
Neville Dickie piano with Jeff Hughes trumpet, Stan McDonald soprano sax, Steve Taddeo drums
Neville Dickie tours the U.S. every year around this time. Neville is from Surrey, England and is known worldwide for his stride piano, boogie woogie, with a powerful left hand and flashy fingering on the right hand. We all looked forward to his 13th appearance at the Sherborn Inn; thanks to Ellen and Stan McDonald.
He was joined by Steve Taddeo on drums, Stan McDonald on soprano sax, and Jeff Hughes trumpet. He is a charming entertainer, and enjoyed having a few beers and renewing acquaintances with the fans that come out to hear him every year. They come from all over New England – he fills the house.
Neville began his renowned “showing off for the Company”, backed by Steve Taddeo, with Jimmy McHugh’s Doing The New Lowdown, marvelous.
He said there’s nothing complete without Fats Waller, Keeping Out of Mischief Now. He’s known for his rapid left stride, but we like his active right hand toying with the melody.
He once heard Stan and Ross Petot play the Harlem Hotcha, written by James P. Johnson. It was originally done by the Omer Simeon Trio with Johnson on piano, Simeon clarinet and Pops Foster bass. Neville’s lightening left hand was supported by Steve feeling his way on snare drum and hi hat, trying not to be intimidated by the famous Dickie.
Neville invited Stan McDonald and Jeff Hughes to join them, with a piano intro to Rose of The Rio Grande. Neville played chugging, rocking chords, Stan on hot soprano sax also did the vocal, Jeff’s trumpet softly in the background. Neville started with the verse on a Darktown Strutters Ball, fingers floating over the keys. Stan on sax and singing.
Back to the duo of Neville and Steve with I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter, Neville playing in 6ths and left hand patterns like Jelly Roll Morton, giving his playing a “New Orleans” flavor. (I was coached by Ross Petot.)
Neville had several DVD’s for sale, he included a free CD with each one sold. He played ingenious stride on one of the tunes on his Back to Boogie DVD, Bells of St. Marys. He explained how the composer, Douglas Furber, was on a boat leaving South Hampton in England when he heard the Bells of St. Marys as the boat was leaving. It inspired him to write the tune. Dickie ended the piece with dramatic bell sounds on piano. Going back to boogie woogie, he turned to the jazz style of Albert Ammons with his 1940’s boogie, Shout for Joy.
Neville invited Stan and Jeff back. Neville’s right hand played warm, soulful, cascading piano to Jeff’s glorious horn solo on Bunny Berigan’s I Can’t Get Started. Sweet!
Jeff Hughes and Neville Dickie play Bunny “Berigan’s I Can’t Get Started”
Neville said “You won’t hear anything better than that!” We totally agree.
Neville enjoys sharing the stage, playing backup piano in the quartet for Maggie. The Ensemble’s powerful performance, with Stan’s scorching soprano sax turned Tijuana into a barn burner!
Stan’s scorching sax
Our own dynamic pianist, Ross Petot, sat at the piano playing haunting and elegant melodies during intermission. His hands crossed playing stride on I Hate Myself For Being So Mean To You by Isham Jones; Somebody Loves Me, Who’s Sorry Now, But Not For Me, Love For Sale, King of Araby.
New England pianist Ross Petot
In the middle of Araby, Neville returned and took over the treble end of the piano. The two together are remarkable piano pyrotechnicians. The baby grand vibrated with impeccable rhythm! We look forward to this every year!
 Neville Joins Ross at piano |
 They trade places, playing 4-handed piano |
Taddeo joins the pianists
Neville back at the piano with the volatile Finger Breaker. Jelly Roll Morton composed Finger Breaker; Willie ‘the Lion’ Smith called it Finger Buster. Either way, it’s extremely fast and difficult. Harlem Blues went from Blues to intense Boogie. It was the first blues ever published – 1940 – by Blue Note founder, Albert Lion.
Quartet resumes with All By Myself, Jeff backing Neville with soft trumpet; James P Johnson’s Old Fashioned Love, Stan on sax and vocals. Neville boogied with a hispanic tinge on Dardanella.
Steve back with Neville playing marvelous left-hand boogie woogie on Golden Earrings, from the movie with Marlene Dietrich. Swanee River Boogie was ecstasy! We never get enough boogie!
Closing time was approaching; Neville wanted to give Taddeo a chance to play. He said he’d make it easy, started Honeysuckle Rose with a slow, rolling left hand. Steve went along, adding a soft drum roll. By now he was comfortable with Neville, and tore into his Gene Krupa walk-around routine, stepping away from the drums with sticks tapping the beat, tapping on anything within reach, table, glasses, dishes, never missing a note. That caught Neville and the ladies at the nearest table by surprise! He tapped on, back towards Neville and returned to the drums to audience applause.
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George Hannah
Steve has been teaching drums to student George Hannah. George sat in on drums, playing just the right accents and sounds with Neville on Indian Summer. We’ve been watching him grow up with drums – he’s come a long way!
The quartet returned with Wild Man Blues, with trumpet in glissando, staccato phrasing. They closed this evening with sax and trumpet intro to Lover Come Back To Me.
Myron Idleson called this the Mount Rushmore of Jazz Concerts. He said their talent is a gift from God, and their playing is their gift to God. I’ll add ‘to us too’.
Neville headed for New Jersey to play with the Midiri Brothers for the Tri State Jazz Society, then on to Maryland. If you’re ever in England, Neville and wife Pat started the Sutton Jazz Club where he plays monthly at The Thomas Wall Centre, Benhill Avenue, Sutton, Surrey. http://www.jazzpiano.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/advance_dates.htm
Neville doing Pine Top Boogie in 2008 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndAtEgHTiGo
2010 at the UK Festival https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QusM01B4miw
We look forward to having him back here again next year.
Steve will be in concert with the Midiri Brothers here on August 12th. Dick Donovan’s Big Band directed by Steve Taddeo is at the American Legion, 140 River Rd. Middleton MA every Monday evening.
Jeff will be back at the Sherborn Inn with The Wolverine Jazz Band, Swing Times Five, and Debby Larkin, Dave Whitney, Dan Gabel. They all want him. And He’ll still be wearing a hat.
Stan’s Blue Horizon Jazz Band will be back at the Sherborn Inn June 17th.
We are so fortunate to have all this marvelous jazz!! I count my blessings every day!
Marce
Eli’s All-Stars at the Sherborn Inn May 1, 2014
Bob Winter, Jimmy Mazzy, Eli Newberger, Jeff Guthery, Ted Casher, Bo Winiker, Herb Gardner
Eli’s All Stars are not only professional musicians, but friends sharing their favorite tunes, with intricate melodies and counterpoint that resonate with the audience. This is Hot Jazz!
Tonight they were also celebrating three special occasions; Ted and Val marking their 4th wedding anniversary, and Val, who has worked since she was 16 years old, rejoicing in her retirement – today – with a big cake that she shared with everyone.
The third was that vocalist Rebecca Sullivan was graduating this month with her Masters Degree from the New England Conservatory of Music. Rebecca was already a jazz vocalist, songwriter and educator when she returned to NEC a year ago in September, when Eli Newberger was appointed as her mentor.
Jimmy Mazzy kicked this evening off with a vocal on You’re Nobody’s Sweetheart Now. Rebecca stepped in with Duke’s Squeeze Me, Who Could Ask For Anything More, scatting with Eli’s tuba. Her delicate and warm version of Laura was absolutely marvelous, with Ted on tenor sax and Bo on flugelhorn, Herb’s mellow trombone.
Rebecca Sullivan
Carolyn Newberger came in on washboard, taking us to the Bayou Club on Bourbon Street, with When You Wore a Tulip, with the band backing her in stop-time. Everything sparked! When Carolyn isn’t playing washboard, she’s drawing fine sketches of the musicians; some were featured recently at Galatea Fine Art in Boston.
Eli’s All Stars with Carolyn Newberger on washboard
Ted Casher and a robust “Charlie on the MTA”
To remind Rebecca of what she’ll be leaving behind, Ted sang his own version of Charlie on the MTA.
The band took a break while Herb moved to piano for a unique song he wrote, Yonz Gonz Galookis. It caught DJ Jazzbo Collins’ interest some time ago; so that he wrote Herb a letter about the inimitable tune and signed it “Uncle Bozo”.
vocalist Sarah Gardner
Special guest, vocalist Sarah Gardner, Herb’s daughter, took this opportunity to sing her lively version of Mama Don’t Allow No Music Played Around Here. The Gardners are a musical family. Herb often joins his other daughter Abbie with Red Molly, an Americana/Roots FemaleTrio.
The band returned with a romping South Rampart St. Parade, Jeff’s drumsticks striking the wood block and snare drum.
Ted Casher, Bo Winiker, Herb Gardner
Rebecca returned with an all Gershwin concert. I’ve Got a Crush On You. Beautiful! S’Wonderful, Who’s Got The Last Laugh Now, at times backed by Ted’s clarinet or sultry tenor sax, or Herb’s powerful trombone, Bo’s fiery trumpet.
S’Wonderful
The All-Stars then stepped back into the 1920’s with Herb’s exquisite arrangement of Cornet Chop Suey, a joyous romp based on the original Hot Five, with fiery trumpet, Lil Armstrong’s passionate piano.
The one and only Jimmy Mazzy
Time for Ragtime. Jimmy lead on banjo and vocals for Alexander’s Ragtime Band, fantastic front line, Jimmy scatting, drum rim-tapping with both sticks.
Eli Newberger Jeff Guthery ended evening with fabulous interchange between tuba and drum.
Another Jimmy vocal and banjo intro with The Saints. All went silent for Bob’s powerful piano solo, then back to Jimmy vocal. This wasn’t normal fare, extraordinary ending with tuba and drums.
This old music has so much vitality and energy, you can’t help but enjoy it. They’ll be back July 3rd – come see and hear for yourself.
Congratulations to Ted and Val; now she’s finally free to join Ted as he plays all over New England. Rebecca Sullivan will be heading for New York and then Europe in the near future. She will be missed. We wish her all the best!!