Heartbeat Dixieland Jazz Band Jazzin’ with the Stars 2014

Posted on April 16, 2014 by admin

Jazzin’ with the Stars, Saturday, April 12, 2014 at Winthrop Middle School,
Deep River CT, Benefit for Autism Services & Resources in Connecticut

By Sue Finn
Videos by Cinedevine
Pictures by Ray Ross

Heartbeat Dixieland Jazz Band with special guests:
Dave Somerville – lead singer of The Diamonds
Jimmy Jay – DJ to the Stars
Jason Senn

Fred Vigorito – Trumpet
John Clark – Clarinet, saxophone
Noel Kaletsky – Clarinet, saxophone
Skip Hughes- Trombone, vocals
Shari Lucas – Piano
Steve Keeler – Guitar
David Uhl – Bass
Bill Logozzo – Drums

This was the 3^rd annual ‘Jazzin’ with the Stars’ concert, the first at this venue, and was just as much fun as the first two. The first half of the show was Heartbeat at its best with a new twist.

Fred Vigorito talking, and Shari Lewis, keyboard in background

Fred Vigorito, Shari Lewis

Fred Vigorito gave a history of jazz from its birth in the 19^th century to the present; blues, ragtime, spirituals, swing and everything in between, all the way up to rock & roll. He also gave us information on the origin of each of the instruments in the band. And of course, there were examples of most of the genres he discussed:

Tin Roof Blues – Skip, vocal Just a Closer Walk with Thee – Skip, vocal

Tiger Rag

The Entertainer

Original Dixieland One Step

Heartbeat ended with a very energetic medley that summed up the entire history of jazz, starting with ‘Royal Garden Blues’ and ending with Skip singing choruses of ‘Jump, Jive & Wail’, ‘Shake, Rattle & Roll’ and ‘Flip, Flop & Fly’.

After the break, Sara Reed of Autism Services in Connecticut, gave us a brief description of the programs her organization provides and thanked everyone for their support. Then Jimmy Jay gave out the prizes to the raffle winners.

Dave Somerville & Jimmy Jay

Dave Somerville

Then it was time for Jimmy Jay to introduce Dave Somerville. Dave took us all down memory lane with stories about the rock stars he traveled with and their chart-topping songs and, of course, all the big hits of his own group, the Diamonds. He sang many of the songs, some as medleys. Too many to list them all but here are some highlights:

Why Do Fools Fall in Love

Goody Goody

The Stroll

Love Love Love, Little Darlin’, The Stroll, Silhouettes on the Shade, Sweet Little Sixteen, Johnny Be Good, Maybelline, One Summer Night, I’m Walking, Blueberry Hill.

Oh Boy

Through this part, Heartbeat accompanied Dave, all seated and reading his music. Then they went back to their usual band formation and Dave sang ‘Route 66’ and ‘Goody Goody’ with them. He stayed on the stage until the end of the show.

Noel and John did “Running Wild”

Skip sang “Hello, Mary Lou”

Young boy sings his heart out. He has autism, but loves this music.

Jason sang “What a Wonderful World

Freddy and the Band help Jason with his song

And the finale was ‘The Saints’ of course. We all had a great afternoon’s entertainment and there was lots of audience-participation throughout the show.

Somerville and Jay with 2 ladies one gentleman

photo by Sue Finn

After the show there was a ‘meet & greet’ for fans to get autographs, buy CD’s and T-shirts and obtain information on the Autism Programs.

Like us on FB:(https://www.facebook.com/pages/Heartb…

Cinedevine will be providing more videos – come back, often!

Eli’s All-Stars at the Sherborn Inn, April 3, 2014

Posted on April 15, 2014 by admin

7 traditional jazz guys posing in front of piano with big grins

Eli’s All Stars at the Sherborn Inn, April 3, 2014 – Kick-off for regular 1st Thursday of the month

Eli’s All Stars with Bob Winter, the pianist with the Boston Pops; giant of the Boston jazz scene, Bo Winniker trumpet, Herb Gardner trombone, Ted Casher clarinet/tenor sax, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Eli Newberger leader/tuba, Jeff Guthery drums and Rebecca Sullivan vocals.

Eli has gathered seasoned professionals who have made jazz music their life’s work for over 50 years – it’s their first love. They came from everywhere, Herb Gardner from the New Jersey Jazz Society gig the day before, Jimmy Mazzy from a week in Florida with the Williams Reunion Jazz Band, Ted Casher from the Crosby Whistle Stop in Charlestown. Bob Winter – who knows? Bo Winniker is younger, but he was raised listening to his parent’s Winniker Orchestra. With friendly competition and improvisational skills they sound more dynamic with each new appearance at the Sherborn Inn
They connected with each other, and they connected with the audience, right from the start – with Ted on clarinet for 1917 Rose Room, and a fiery At The Jazz Band Ball, first played by the Original Dixieland Jass Band in 1917.

Rebecca in simple white dress with black belt

Rebecca Sullivan, vocalist with Eli’s All Stars

Rebecca Sullivan is already a jazz vocalist, songwriter and educator. She’ll receive her degree this year from the New England Conservatory of Music, and head for Scotland in August. You can hear Billie Holiday inflections in a lovely Stardust, but her voice is attractive wholly on its own. She continued with Bo Winniker’s trumpet and Ted Casher’s tenor sax at breakneck speed on ‘Deed I Do.

Cheek to Cheek:

Summertime provided marvelous solos:

Somewhere Over The Rainbow with fresh and different solos by piano, trumpet and muted trombone.

Eli Newberger on circa 1909 Holton Del Negro CC tuba

Eli embraces his circa 1909 Holton Del Negro tuba as he offers just the right chords behind soloists.

It’s a gorgeous instrument, with an expressive quality unlike other tubas – and no one better to express it!

Squeeze Me

Jeff Guthery on New Orleans Traditional Jazz Drumset

Jeff Guthery provides the propulsion so these All-Stars have the freedom to follow their fancies. New Orleans bands of 20s couldn’t record bass and drums, so they played on wood block and bell. Jeff’s drum set is very simple, just a snare drum, floor tom, wood block, cow bell, 6” cymbal. Not even a high-hat. He added a suspended ride cymbal, just arrived. Fresh out of the box, he brought the 20” Turk Ride Cymbal in for its first trial.

He took an eight-bar intro to I Got Rhythm, Ted following on tenor, Bo’s amazing trumpet solo with band in stop-time, Rebecca vocal, followed by the whole ensemble making rhythm swing. The listeners were sitting on the end of their seats. This enthusiastic audience does listen!

The inimitable Jimmy Mazzy

At the request of the front line, Jimmy gave a demo of when D flat comes in on Fidgety Feet. Jimmy instinctively played the whole thing. They said: “ We’ll keep going ‘till we get it right”. Sure sounded right to us! Jimmy and Eli had a duet on a song that has many names – we’ll stick to Chicago Breakdown, with Jim scatting. They make a great team

Jimmy sings Till Then

Eli says, “Here is a tender interpretation by Jimmy Mazzy, the banjo virtuoso and singer, of a popular song written by Eddie Seiler, Sol Marcus, and Guy Wood to express a World War II soldiers plea to his sweetheart to await his coming home. Its sweetness and uncertainty — and Jimmy’s profound sense of the poetic and musical meaning — is complemented by Bo Winiker’s gorgeous flugelhorn solo and Bob Winter’s sensitive exploration of the melodic line.”

Ted Casher was featured on Body & Soul, using tenor sax subtones like Coleman Hawkins’ masterpiece that makes women swoon. Sensational!

Bob Winter creates a concerto out of Oh By Jingo!

Eli asked Bob for a fast tune. Oh By Jingo became a hit in the post-World War I era, 1919. With prodigious technique, he made this novelty tune sound like a concerto!

Eventually these marvelous videos may end up as a DVD. We hope.

Time for one more tune, an old New Orleans favorite sung by Jimmy, who feels the pain in every word. No pain in the music, it was so hot and heavy, Eli jumped up to join Bob at the piano for a rocketing chorus of St. James Infirmary Blues. Amazing ending.

Bob sitting playing high notes, Eli standing playing low nores

Eli joins Bob Winter on swinging hot St. James Infirmary Blues

We are so fortunate to have these professional musicians playing here for us at the Sherborn Inn. Anyone passing through wonders how come they haven’t heard this before? Because it’s not played on radio or television; you can only hear this fantastic aggregation of musicians right here at the Sherborn Inn. Join us On May 1^st and the 1st Thursday of every month for more Great Jazz!

By Marce
Videos by Kathy Wittman, BallSquare films,
Sound by Frank Cunningham

Plymouth Rock Assurance Jazz Fest, May 24-26

Posted on April 9, 2014 by admin

The Spire Center for Performing Arts

Premieres

Plymouth Rock Assurance Jazz Festival

PLYMOUTH, MA Issued April 9, 2014… Plymouth’s Spire Center for Performing Arts proudly presents Plymouth’s first-ever annual Plymouth Rock Assurance Jazz Festival throughout Memorial Day Weekend, Saturday, May 24 through Monday, May 26, at 25 ½ Court Street, Plymouth. The festival is the final event in their 2-month long opening celebration of concerts and performances, and will be held annually during the holiday weekend. The Plymouth Rock Assurance Jazz Festival has been made possible through the generous sponsorship of Plymouth Rock Assurance Company. Additional support has been made possible through the generosity of Eastern Bank.

Local jazz trumpet legend Johnny Souza hosts a wide variety of jazz inspired acts to launch Plymouth Rock Assurance Jazz Festival. On Saturday, May 24 at 7:30 pm, the world renowned Rebecca Parris Trio performs in concert, along with Berklee-based group The Bebop Guitars and The Johnny Souza Quintet.

On Sunday, May 25 at 2:30 pm, high energy jazz act The Yasko Kubota Power Jazz Unit, the Greg Abate Quartet and The Amanda Carr Quintet appear, featuring interviews and live performances. Several partner social and reception events are in the works with local companies and restaurants.

On Monday, May 26, from 2 to 5 pm, local musicians are welcome to take the stage with the house band during a Jazz Jam Session. Drums, bass and piano are the afternoon’s performance mainstays while local instrumental and vocal musicians sign up at the door to join in on the act, hosted by Johnny Souza. Attendees are welcome to perform or listen in from the audience. Use of a drum set, digital piano, bass amp, vocal mics and house sound system will be available to all performers.

Tickets for the Plymouth Rock Assurance Jazz Festival are $25 per day for Saturday and Sunday’s performances. Tickets for the Jazz Jam Session are $10 for audience members or performers. Advance ticket purchases are recommended, seating is limited due to capacity. Individual and corporate sponsorships are available, benefits include ticketing privileges and more. The Spire is handicap accessible, public parking is available streetside, and in public lots in close proximity. For more information, to order tickets online, or to learn more about The Spire, please visit our website at www.spirecenter.org, call (508) 746-4488, or follow Spire Center for Performing Arts on Facebook.

About Spire Center for Performing Arts

The Greater Plymouth Performing Arts C

enter, Inc. (GPPAC) is a nonprofit organization founded in 2010, dedicated to performing arts and educational programs, supporting the vibrant arts community in the greater South Shore region. The organization founded The Spire Center for Performing Arts, a town-owned venue to serve as a mecca for the arts, dedicated to showcasing music, theatre and dance performances, and arts education appealing to all generations from across the Southeastern Massachusetts region. The Spire’s 225-seat performance hall features superior acoustics, custom state of the art lighting and sound systems and original period architectural details, offering patrons an exceptional performing arts experience. The historic 3-story building resides in the epicenter of America’s Hometown, where the growing arts vibe infuses the historical and cultural district with creativity year-round. The Spire’s lower level is dedicated to classrooms for performing arts education and theater troupes, a state of the art recording studio, rehearsal studios and community activities. A vast variety of music performance and eclectic theater productions fill out the majority of The Spire’s yearly entertainment calendar, including concerts, master classes, theatre events, variety shows and music festivals, offering Plymouth a more diverse entertainment scene than ever before. The Spire is located at 25 ½ Court Street, Plymouth. For more information, to order tickets online, or to learn more about The Spire, please visit www.spirecenter.org, call (508) 746-4488, or follow Spire Center for Performing Arts on Facebook.

Photos: Courtesy, Spire Center for Performing Arts

Top Right: Amanda Carr

Middle Left: Greg Abate

Middle Right: Johnny Souza

Bottom Left: The Bebop Guitars

Novel Jazz at Skidompha Public Library, April 24, 2014

Posted on April 8, 2014 by admin

HOT NOVEL JAZZ TO WARM UP YOUR SPRING

Novel Jazz Septet at Skidompha Public Library photo by Elaine Jones

Jazz up your SPRING at Skidompha Library! Novel Jazz Septet will be performing classic jazz at Skidompha Public Library, Damariscotta, ME, on Thursday 24 April, 2014, 7PM to 9:30PM. The performance will feature Barney Balch (trombone), Mickey Felder (piano), Bryan Jones (alto sax), Dave Clarke (guitar), Michael Mitchell (trumpet), plus special guest Peter DeKlerk (acoustic bass) This evening begins their 2014 Skidompha season, 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.

* * * * *

It has been a cool spring but get ready for some hot jazz! Novel Jazz returns to Skidompha Public Library, Main Street, Damariscotta on Thursday, 24 April 2014, from 7-9:30 PM for a special evening of jazz in the library’s atrium. This will be the band’s first Skidompha performance for 2014. These events began with the observation that lovers of books often are lovers of jazz. Moreover, the superb acoustics of Skidompha’s atrium, plus the seating “in the round”, make it a superior place to see and hear the performance, all in a relaxed, informal atmosphere. 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.

As is their habit, they’ll be playing a wide selection of compositions from the Great American Songbook but they’ll also feature works by jazz greats Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn, their musical “cornerstones”. Performing will be Barney Balch (trombone), Mike Mitchell (trumpet), Mickey Felder (piano), Dave Clark (guitar), Bryan Jones (alto saxophone), Mark Macksoud (drums) and special guest Peter DeClerk (acoustic bass). Peter is an accomplished performer on both acoustic and electric bass, specializing in jazz and musical theater. He has performed regularly in clubs and theaters throughout Maine since moving his gig north from Pittsburgh five years ago. He works as a member of the Maine Jazz Cooperative and the Gerry Wright Trio in addition to freelancing. Peter teaches bass and electronic music at Colby College (and he also composes and does sound design for theater at Colby).

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.

Don’t miss Novel Jazz at Skidompha Library in April (Jazz Appreciation Month). They’ll put jazz in your spring and spring in your step!

Dan Gabel’s TAG Trio at Music at Mendon, April 6, 2014

Posted on April 6, 2014 by admin

TAG Trio: Steve Taddeo, Nikolas Anadolis, Dan Gabel

Dan Gabel’s TAG Trio (Taddeo-Anadolis-Gabel) performed for the second time at Music at Mendon, held at the Unitarian Church in Mendon MA. Thanks to Rev. Ralph Clarke, with a grant from the Mendon Cultural Council and aided by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, Music at Mendon has great performances once a month in the Spring and Summer.

The TAG Trio plays music of the 1920’s from the Great American Song Book, with a varied program of ballads, melodies, and Jazz written by some of America’s greatest composers. Dan started this evening singing the verse of their theme song, Whispering, written by Vincent Rose. It was most famously recorded by Paul Whiteman and his Ambassador Orchestra on August 23, 1920

Dorothy Fields-Jimmy McHugh Exactly Like You, was followed by Cole Porter’s last effort as a composer, a song he wrote for the movie High Society, I Love You Samantha. Dan’s sweet trombone was backed by Nikolas’ magic fingers softly playing harmonies behind him.

A 1921 tune done by the great Jazz singers The Boswell Sisters, Mildred Bailey, Eddy Condon – There’ll Be Some Changes Made was total improvisation, Dan playing trombone, Nikolas watching him carefully and playing counter melody, Taddeo softly tapping choke cymbal, hitting cowbell for emphasis.

Art Hickman pioneered Big Bands; he was the first to include saxophones. In 1917 he had one of his biggest successes with the song “Rose Room“, which was named after the hotel room. In 1919 Rose Room was done by Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw. Nikolas started slowly playing stride piano, then worked up to sophisticated, creative piano. Dan’s trombone played warm and sentimental.

Staying in the 20’s, 1928 I Don’t Know Why I Love You Like I Do, Dan invited the audience to sing along, a few did, while he resumed his “inner Bing”.

The mood changed with a 1950’s Greek tune played by Nikolas. The name of the tune is “Asta ta malakia sou” , in greek “Ασ’τα τα μαλάκια σου”. He says in Greece they play the same song in many of their movies. Translated it means “Let yourself go, feel free.” Fast waltz – absolutely WILD piano!

Leo Robbin & Ralph Rainger wrote Easy Living, done by Billie Holiday with Teddy Wilson on piano. Nikolas enjoyed the drum backup and kept turning around to smile at Steve, softly tapping on choke cymbal. Steve doesn’t always play this softly on drums.

A ‘good ol’ good one’, (there’s one in every performance) that they played recently with Steve’s Swing Senders at the Sherborn Inn – Sweet Sue. It was a GOOD ONE!

Getting back to Cole Porter, they played a tune that Sinatra sang – Your Sensational, Dan singing in his lowest crooner voice. (He’s practicing Sinatra tunes for his next appearance at The Imperial Ballroom just down the street in Mendon on April 25th.)

Closing tune – time to let the Tiger Out – with The Swing Senders’ theme song Dinah. Taddeo let his exulting Gene Krupa loose on drums. Krupa is his idol. Dinah hit the crowd like a bombshell!

Steve Taddeo goes wild on drums

He attempted his famous Krupa walk-around, but was too restricted by the altar’s balustrade, so he just kept drumming on anything within reach.

Steve standing, drum tapping on half-wall.

Steve attempts ‘walk around’ tapping anything in reach

It was an amazing ending to an hour of great 1920’s ballads, melodies, swing and Jazz.

Both Dan and Nikolas will be graduating from the New England Conservatory of Music in May. Dan will be around New England for many years. Nikolas is hoping to join the faculty at the University of Lausanne on Lake Geneva, Switzerland. But he will be playing in Festivals all over Europe. We will miss his smiling face, and he’s promised to return whenever he can. www.nikolasjazz.com/

Nikolas Anadolis graduates from NEC in May.

Dan Gabel and the Abletones, April 4, 2014 by C. S. Imming

Posted on April 4, 2014 by admin

Video excerpts from the First Friday dance held April 4, 2014 at SAC Park in Shrewsbury, MA. Dan Gabel and the Abletones with vocalist Elise Roth.

by C. S. Imming.

“First Friday Swing” – Dancing to Dan Gabel and the Abletones, authentic 18-piece Big Band, SAC Park, 438 Lake St., Shrewsbury MA. Plenty of free parking. Conveniently located between route 9 and route 20. 7:00 dance lesson, 8:00-10:30pm listen and dance to New England’s favorite big band attraction!

$15 per person/$10 students. Singles and couples welcome
Large wooden dance floor, full cash bar, table seating, handicap accessible.
More info: www.theabletones.com Or from Dan Gabel: 774-280-1502

See you at the Imperial Ballroom in Mendon on April 25, and back at SAC again on May 2, 2014.

Steve Taddeo’s Swing Senders at the Sherborn Inn

Posted on April 1, 2014 by admin

Steve Taddeo’s Swing Senders

Jeff Hughes trumpet, John Clark clarinet/bari sax, Dan Gabel trombone, Ross Petot piano, Bill Doyle guitar, John Deardon string bass, Steve Taddeo leader/drums, Caroline Griep vocals.

by Marce
videos by Harold McAleer

You gotta jump, jive, and then you wail! Steve Taddeo’s Swing Senders blew the roof off the Sherborn Inn on April 1st. No foolin’! With three Band Leaders in the front line, and Taddeo’s pulsating drums, who would expect anything less! The musicians were eager to play as soon as they arrived, and hit it off with a swinging Don’t Be That Way; they obviously love what they’re doing.

Caroline Griep

Steve called up the band’s vocalist Caroline Griep, a naturally charming entertainer, with an infectious smile and marvelous voice.

She enjoys listening to this band just as much as singing with them. She knocked our socks off with Jeepers Creepers.

The band was ferocious; Bugle Call Rag was solid swing with updriving tempo.
Pianist Ross Petot’s was featured on a powerful It Don’t Mean a Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing!

Dan Gabel

Sweet Sue, with trombonist Dan Gabel, had the dancers up on the floor. Dan leads The Abletones Big Band that will be playing April 4th at SAC in Shrewsbury and the Imperial Ballroom April 25th.

Steve Taddeo is famous for his drum solo walk-around. Look out – he’s dangerous with those drum sticks: Diga Diga Do

Dan Gabel muted trombone, John Clark baritone sax, with the band forcefully Swinging The Blues

You Are Too Beautiful brought John and Gisela Brunacelli back up on the dance floor – they danced all night. You’re Nobody ‘Till Somebody Loves You, sweet ballad by Caroline, brought out Steve’s Dad, Frank Taddeo and his companion Gladys Aubin.

John & Gisela Brunicelli

Steve Taddeo's Dad dancing with companion

Frank Taddeo Gladys Aubin

Steve introduced a new drummer, George Darrah that freed Steve up for a vocal on Flat Foot Floogie with The Floy Floy. George has been sitting in with The Dick Donovan Band directed by Steve Taddeo since he was 7 years old!

Jeff Hughes on 1953 Selmer trumpet

Jeff Hughes was featured on trumpet with I surrender Dear.

He also sang the vocal made famous by Louis Prima, Slow Boat to China, backed by guitar.

Bill Doyle

Bill Doyle’d arch-top guitar accentuates the rhythm, and backs vocals; he is an essential part of the band.

I Know That You Know was a super trio – clarinet master John Clark passionate, Ross Petot intense on piano and Steve Taddeo playing crazy rhythm on a snare drum.

Caroline returned with All of Me, with the band flaring behind her. Clark on baritone sax competing with Hughes’ trumpet on vibrato. Never gets dull!

They closed with the Swing Senders Theme Song, Dinah. George Darrah back on drums, Steve on floor tom – A Killer Diller drumming duet.

The Swing Senders definitely do not need amplification – the Band Swings loud and clear. They’ll be back here on August 12^th – mark your calendars – with the Midiri Brothers, Joe on reeds and Paul on vibes. WOW!

* * * *

Harold McAleer is in the process of editing many videos. They will be added as they are approved – come back again, and again!

Don’t Be That Way
Jeepers Creepers
Fly Me To The Moon
Sweet Sue
New Kind of Love
Bugle Call Rag
Sunny Side
Diga Diga Do (drum walk around)
Happy Birthday (Bill Doyle & John Clark)
Flatfoot Floogie with The Floy Floy
You Are Too Beautiful
It Don’t Mean a Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing
Swinging The Blues
You’re Nobody ‘Till Somebody Loves You
You Do Something To Me
Slow Boat to China
I Know That You Know (Trio)
I Surrender Dear
All Of Me
Dinah

Dan Gabel and the Abletones at the Imperial Ballroom

Posted on March 28, 2014 by admin

17-piece big band, lead by trombonist Dan Gabel

Dan Gabel and the Abletones Big Band with Elise Roth vocals

The Abletones Big Band debut at The Imperial Ballroom in Mendon MA (formerly Myriad, formerly Nipmuc) was a complete success. The floor was filled with jubilant ballroom dancers, many were Abletones’ fans from SAC in Shrewsbury. There was a wide demographic of ages enjoying the return of a real Big Band at Dinner and Dancing at the Imperial Ballroom.

The Big Band played a variety of dances, swing, foxtrot, rhumba, cha cha. The evening began with a cocktail hour at 6pm; people arrived for a 4-course dinner between 7 and 8pm. $39.95 for dinner and dance, $10 for dancing-only at 8pm.

A smaller combo of the Abeltones played for the diners. What Is This Thing Called Love, Avalon, Let’s Do It.

Ross Petot piano, Bill Doyle guitar, Walther Grieneder bass, Jim Gancarz drums (hidden), Dan Gabel trombone

8pm Dan Gabel and the Abletones Big Band appeared in full force with Whispering, Woodchopper’s Ball, String of Pearls, Dan’s Abletones Jive, he wrote to introduce members of the band:
Ross Petot – piano Greg Blair – baritone sax
Bill Doyle – rhythm guitar/banjo    Doug Yancey – tenor sax
Walther Grieneder – Bass Richard Garcia – tenor Sax
Jim Gancarz – drums Josh Plotner – alto sax
Mike Piepman – lead trumpet Tyler Birchfield – alto sax
Adam Mejaour – trumpet Craig Robbins – trombone
Dan Fleury -trumpet      Joe Burke – trombone
Kai Sandoval – trumpet    Leslie Havens – bass trombone
Elise Roth – vocal                                           Dan Gabel leader – trombone

Bei Mir Bis Du Schoen was one of the many really hot numbers; Moon River – a waltz, Vocalist Elise Roth connects with the mood of a song and gives it her own sound – Nat King Cole’s 1942 hit, L-O-V-E. Lead trumpeter Mike Peipman was featured in Hot-Cha Cha Cha . Stan Kenton and Boots Mussulli established bebop in the Milford area. In their memory, the band played a lovely earlier version of Kenton’s Lullaby of Broadway.

The dance floor was in front of the band, and continuously filled with fancy ballroom dancers, (except for the very fast tunes like Strutting With Some Barbecue).

Dan and Elise sang duet on How About You from a Judy Garland-Mickey Rooney movie. From Sunrise Serenade, a Glenn Miller tune, I Know Why And So Do You. In honor of all servicemen, past and present, and also the two firefighters who died last week in the Back Bay fire – they played a powerfully intense American Patrol.

Glen Miller’s In The Mood topped the charts in 1939 in the U.S. and one year later was featured in the movie Sun Valley Serenade. Dan and Elise combined for The Trolley Song that was sung by Vaughn Monroe and Marilyn Duke in 1944. Dan is a font of information on music from the 20-50’s. He just completed his Masters with a biography of Vaughn Monroe, who wrote the lyrics to their next tune, My Devotion.

Elise Roth and saxophones

Elise sang Tonight, reminiscent of West Side Story. Bennie Moten was a pianist/bandleader who was at the center of the Kansas City jazz scene of the 1920s and 30s. Dan Gable and the Abletones are introducing new generations to the fabulous swing music like Moten Swing.

The ‘boss’, Kevin Meehan, requested a Sinatra tune, so they added Witchcraft, sung by Dan Gabel. We had the good fortune of sharing another waltz, Dreamy Old New England Moon; with George the dance instructor at SAC. He provides dance lessons for many big bands in this area.

Blue Tango, Yes Indeed, Almost Like Being in Love, Mack the Knife, Moonlight Serenade. Marvelous! They closed with the Benny Goodman/Gene Krupa classic at New York’s Carnegie Hall, Sing Sing Sing. It was an extraordinary evening, and we hope to see more of Dan Gabel and the Abletones Big Band at the Imperial Ballroom.

You may dance to the Abletones on the first Friday of every month at SAC, The Scandinavian Athletic Club, 438 Lake St, Shrewsbury, MA 01545, (508) 757-3948. George starts dance lessons at 7:15pm, the band starts at 8pm. Next one is April 5th – hope you can make it!

Kat Gang sings Dream Your Troubles Away

Posted on March 28, 2014 by admin

by Peter DeVeber

Kat Gang sings Dream Your Troubles Away. Holy Smoke! What a record! What a band! Terrific song choices. Terrific musicians. There’s a real neatness to this jazz – a kind of Charlie’s Gone By elegance. Richness in rhythm, voice and plunking. Hey! Mike Renzi is a monster – and there are others on this album. Surely. The horns the strings all there full. Not one of these people mailed in their performance. The solos, the company, yes, flawless. Pros. And Kat Gang sings it. Ellington and Miles would have noticed. And smiled on this singer. And on her Solitude and Bye Bye, my two favorites here. Listen to Kat Gang. In a group of All-Stars, she is the star.

A big cast with Kat: Bucky Pizzarelli, Mike Renzi, Jay Leonhart, Joe Ascione, Harry Allen, Warren Vache and John Allred. Five Stars!

13 tracks standards. Five Stars!

Available at www.amazon.com and visit www.katgang.net <>

Swing Times Five at the Sherborn Inn, March 25, 2014

Posted on March 25, 2014 by admin

Guitar, drums, string bass, trumpet, piano, tenror sax

Jeff Hughes’ Swing Times Five

Jeff Hughes trumpet, Elmer Drotos clarinet/tenor sax, Dan Weiner guitar, Ross Petot piano, Pete Tillotson string bass, Dave Didriksen drums, Debby Larkin vocals.

Every once in a while we are privileged to be at a Jazz Experience that is priceless. You never know when it will happen, you just have to be lucky. This was one of those evenings. (Jeff Hughes is responsible for many of them, bringing in special guests!) Tonight, it was a pleasure to hear for the first time, reed-man Elmer Drotos, even though he’s been around for many years:

“Saxophonist Elmer Drotos is one of the most virtuosic instrumentalists in the business. He has performed with bandleaders Lawrence Welk and Tex Beneke and toured with Artie Shaw, who called him “one of the best saxophone players I’ve ever heard.”

Jeff kicked this evening off with Benny Carter’s When Lights Are Low, and You and The Night And The Music, with Drotos on clarinet, I Thought About You on tenor sax. You could feel the whole band being lifted up by his intensity.

Debby Larkin, embodiment of Swing!

Even Debby Larkin was affected, flashing a gleaming smile, with a delightful I’ll Always Be In Love With You, and You Turned The Tables on Me backed by a tenor sax sounding like Ben Webster.

Richard Rodgers’ Have You Met Miss Jones was fierce, Pete Tillotson’s string bass trading 4s with Dave Didriksen’s drums. The two are always in sync, and push the band. Ross Petot keeps it all together, listening carefully to what each instrument is doing, nudging, filling in any blanks.

Jeff Hughes with 1941 hand-made Elden Benge trumpet

Jeff’s trumpet reached a wide range of resonance and tone on Shine; it was WILD!

John and Gisele

Gershwin’s The Man I Love, with Dan Weiner’s sweet sound on custom D’Aquisto‎ arch-top guitar had John and Gisele dancing. They’ve been married over 60 years and still love dancing here at the Sherborn Inn.

Debby was back with an enchanting Dream a Little Dream of Me. She continued with a tune made famous by Billie Holiday, Yours and Mine.

Drotos was featured in a tune reminiscent of Radio and The Cavalcade of Bands, written by Gordon Jenkins, Goodbye. It is a sad tune. Jenkins actually wrote this when he lost his wife and child in childbirth. Published in 1935, it became well known as the closing theme song of the Benny Goodman orchestra. With Drotos on clarinet backed by the rhythm boys, it was mesmerizing!
(Thank you for the history lesson, Dan Gabel.)

Debby returned with a swinging What a Little Moonlight Can Do, Love For Sale.
Delighting in the melody and words, she swings without a letup!

There were several musicians in the crowd. Vocalist Lisa Yves stepped up with a rousing rendition of I’m Beginning To See The Light. Lisa’s JAZZ FOR KIDS is the result of her dedication to making music exciting, innovative and fun for her young students. www.lisayves.com.

Vocalist Freddy Shaw has been here previously with the Riverside Stompers. He doesn’t need a partner – sings both the male and female voices with Somebody Stole My Gal. He’s a hoot!

Our own Henny Youngman, ie, Myron Idelson, has been here many times. He never repeats a joke, and they can be told in mixed company. This evening he roasted the band, even got a laugh out of Ross Petot! (That’s not easy!)
Debby returned with a song dedicated to Bob Sickles, in memory of our late Rockette, Lynn Sickles. All of Me was Lynn’s favorite song, and all the bands here played it for her. She’s here in spirit!

It was a fascinating evening. Fortunately for us, Elmer Drotos is now playing in Greater Boston and Cape Cod. This was his first time at the Sherborn Inn, and he said he really enjoyed playing here with Jeff Hughes, and was looking forward to returning.

Time was running out. Jeff called in Dan Gabel and his Glenn Miller trombone for an upbeat Undecided. With a full stage of fabulous musicians, Jeff sent us home with our fervent wish: We’ll Be Together Again. I sure hope so! We might get lucky again – you never know.

New England Traditional Jazz Plus

Swing, Traditional Jazz, Dixieland Jazz, Big Bands

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