The Hot Cat Band is playing once a month on Sundays at Donahue’s Madison Beach Grille, 1320 Boston Post Rd. Madison Ct. 06443. (203) 318-8362
This Sunday was a moment in time!
The HOT CATS never sounded better. Donahue’s was packed to capacity and space on the dance floor was at a premium. The beautiful spring-like weather brought people out of hibernation. Of course, anyone who follows the HOT CATS will come out rain or shine. The age of fans ranged from 40-90 years old and their enthusiasm for the music was exciting!
The HOT CATS have moved on with the times and play to their audience in a way that encourages their return to Donahue’s each month. Their repertoire has gone from strictly Trad Jazz to a wide range of music. They include Dixieland, Big Band, Swing, Beatles, classic Rock from the 50’s to the 80’s and more.
Selections such as….Bourbon Street Parade, Bill Bailey, Jump, Jive and Wail, In the Mood, Brown Eyed Girl, Johnny B. Goode, Soul Man, Pick Up the Pieces, and so many others thrilled the audience. Not only did they play for our listening and dancing pleasure but many of us reminisced and sang along with the band.
I might note that not only are the band members fine musicians who effortlessly play to and for the audience but, also are one of the best bands technically. This combination is what makes them so popular. Thanks to Ross Tucker, their leader, his insight and knowledge of music has brought together one of the best bands in the area.
Donahue’s offers a varied menu of fine cuisine at prices to accommodate everyone and, their bar flows with a variety of libation. Many thanks to the staff who are always helpful. http://donahuesmadisonbeachgrille.com/
If you have not recently heard the HOT CATS, plan to hear them at Donahue’s Sunday, March 30th at 5:30pm and you will see people you know and even make new friends.
The HOT CATS play once-a-month at Donahue’s Madison Beach Grille, 1320 Boston Post Rd, Madison, CT 06443 Phone: (203-318-8362). To get their schedule email: ross@hotcatjazz.com
Adam Majour trumpet; Dave Burdette cornet, Dan Gabel trombone; Maureen Amarol alto sax/clarinet; John Clark alto & bari sax/clarinet; Tyler Burchfield tenor sax/clarinet; Bill Doyle banjo/guitar; Ross Petot piano; Rick MacWilliams tuba; Steve Taddeo drums
They opened with their Theme Song, Whispering, then quickly launched into a peppy period pop, The Charleston, and played tunes from the 1920’s and 1930’s all evening; Duke Ellington, King Oliver, Paul Whiteman, Vaughn Monroe, Henry Bussy.
Dan is a naturally charming entertainer, and a perfectionist. He sang Alexander’s Ragtime Band with an old megaphone as they did in the 20’s and 30’s, before amplification.
Dan Gabel on old fashioned megaphone
He dedicated Write Myself a Letter to his friend and mentor, Bud Trou. We all know the lyrics; he invited everyone in the audience to sing along. Appropriate for upcoming Valentines’ Day, I Don’t Know Why I Love You Like I Do, with three superb clarinetists. This extraordinary 3-piece reed section sounds like a whole orchestra!
Maureen Amarol, John Clark, Tyler Burchfield
The Dixie Syncopators’ laid back, romping sound was well represented by Maureen, John, and Tyler playing Wa Wa Wa.
Bill Doyle on banjo and custom archtop jazz guitar (signed by Les Paul.)
He is Band Manager, Site Manager, Vice President of the American Big Band Preservation Society, and the all-around Go-To guy.
Dan will be lecturing on the American Songbook soon. He chose five composers. (He’s a busy guy.) Appropriate for Valentines’ Day, he crooned Cole Porter’s What Is This Thing Called Love. Move over, Crosby! Dan croons with the best of them!
Rick MacWilliams
High Society plays many styles, fabulous polyphonic ensemble swing, marvelous solos, including tuba player, Rick MacWilliams.
(You can catch him every Sunday in the summer with the Bourbon St. Paraders on the Jazz Boat on the Cape Cod Canal.)
Steve Taddeo’s drumming encapsulated pieces of Baby Dodds, Zootie Singleton, Chick Webb, Sonny Greer, Gene Krupa. He specializes in Swing, and leads the Dick Donovan Big Band every week in Middleton, MA.
Steve Taddeo and Ross Petot
Ross Petot. the predominant stride piano player in all of New England, was featured on one of Dan’s arrangements, Cinderella Girl supported by trombone and baritone sax, closing with ingenious exchanges between piano, and Tyler’s trumpet.
The Inn has an excellent dance floor. Especially for the dancers, the orchestra played a beautiful waltz, Vaughn Monroe’s Carolina Moon. Dan has been busy writing Vaughn Monroe’s biography. (See below.)
Dave Burdette
From their upcoming CD, Dan crooned Because My Baby Don’t Mean Maybe Now, John Clark on vibrant alto sax, Burdette cornet.
Burdette’s fabulous cornet was also featured on an early version of Georgia Jubilee
The complete collection of Henry Bussy’s works were donated to the American Big Band Preservation Society, started by Dan Gabel and Amanda Carr. Bussy was represented here with Paul Whiteman/Freddy Ferde Grofe’s Three Little Words. The High Society could have had eight solos, instead they put “Hot Lips” Adam Majour’s blistering trumpet to work. Actually, you can’t call it work – they all love what they’re doing. Their music is expertly played and much appreciated by this astute audience.
Our favorite was a great old tune, also a Gabel family favorite, from Duke’s Book, Black & Tan Fantasy. They nailed it, with our Harry Carney – John Clark on bari sax, Burdett’s cornet, Ross piano, Taddeo’s Sonny Greer – absolutely perfect reincarnation of the Cotton Club’s “Jungle” sound, with all of Duke’s orchestral colours. Unbelievable!
A new transcription of Fletcher Henderson’s Stampede, also had Clark on great bari sax.
The Seven Gabels, a lively band-within-a-band, played a sizzling Royal Garden Blues, Dan featured on trombone. Another favorite!
The Coon Sanders Orchestra recorded The Brainstorm on a Victor Orthophonic Victrola at the Webster Hotel in Chicago Illinois in 1926. It was the first consumer phonograph designed specifically to play “electrically” recorded disks. The band was unfamiliar with the tune, but breezed through it as if they were there!
Frank Skinner’s 1928 arrangement of Button Up Your Overcoat was appropriate for this frigid winter’s weather. Clever conversation between horns and reeds, with a tumultuous ending!
They took it out with a breathtaking Sugar Foot Stomp, a Joe King Oliver tune that was done by Fletcher Henderson. The delights of this High Society Jazz Orchestra performance are many. We suggest you try to keep up with it, or Dan Gabel and the Abletones by checking out their website at www.theabletones.com.
NOTE: Dan has rescued the whole Vaughn Monroe collection that has been sitting in the basement of the New England College of Music for 60 years for his Master’s Recital on March 2nd. He’ll be doing a “Vaughn Monroe Tribute” at New England Conservatory’s Jordan Hall, Boston, MA, a FREE concert, open to the public. In addition to The Abletones’ 18-piece big band, there will be a full 20-piece string section, a vocal group and a special guest singing the part of Vaughn. The Vaughn Monroe family is even coming up from Florida for the show.
Eli’s All Starswith Bob Winter,the pianist with the Boston Pops; giant of the Boston jazz scene, Bo Winnikertrumpet, Herb Gardnertrombone, Ted Casher clarinet/tenor sax, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Eli Newberger leader/tuba, Jeff Guthery drums and Rebecca Sullivan vocals. Over the past year the band has incrementally morphed from a trio to an octet and sounds more dynamic with each new appearance at the Sherborn Inn. (stay tuned – for more photos and videos)
The original Traditional Jazz bands of Joe “King” Oliver, Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong and W.C. Handy included banjo and tuba in their rhythm sections. Eli Newberger follows their style of Traditional Jazz, playing tuba while leading a band of outstanding musicians.
The music room at the Sherborn Inn was filled with a crowd from Greater Boston, who appreciate Traditional Jazz and Swing. There were many musicians in the audience; even Bill Winiker was here to back his brother Bo.
The All-Stars kicked it off with Ted Casher’s 16-bar clarinet improvisation on Lady Be Good. Winter led vocalist Rebecca Sullivan with a piano intro on I’m In The Mood For Love. Rebecca did many fine vocals, manipulating the phrasing and tempo. On ‘Deed I do, Rebecca performed wonderful scatting conversations with clarinet, trumpet and trombone. My One And Only Love, sung with soul, was performed as a duet with the piano. Lovely.
Ted Back’s Rebecca with soft tenor sax
Ted was featured with Klezmer clarinet intro, singing in growling voice on multiple verses of Bei Mir Bis du Schoen, a tune thatcaught people by surprise. He settled into the Ted we know while singing the chorus. Jeff kept time tapping the rims of his simple Traditional Jazz drum set where he has recently removed the hi-hat, excess cymbals, and tom toms to achieve a more authentic Trad Jazz sound. Excellent.
Eli turned the page to Ellington, with Bob Winter featured on Sophisticated Lady. Bob plays from the heart; constructing deeply moving music. He has extensive performing experience in clubs, television, radio, and theaters, including performances with Henry Mancini, Teddy Wilson, Buddy DeFranco, Mel Torme, Luciano Pavarotti, Eddie Daniels, Stan Getz, Cleo Laine/John Dankworth, and Airto Moreira.
Rebecca returned with Jazzy scatting on S’posing – including a great section of tuba trading 4s with drums, followed by one of Jimmy’s meticulous banjo solos. The More I See You had Rebecca start with melody backed by Ted’s soft tenor. Ted Casher (our own Coleman Hawkins), plays sweet tenor sax. They moved upbeat, with Rebecca singing and scatting along with Winter’s piano.
Chinatown featured Jimmy on banjo and vocal, with Ted on soprano sax solidly amplifying the front line. Jeff let loose on drums, turning it into a swinging tune; Eli had everyone clapping the beat. Delightful performance!
When the band took a break. Herb Gardner sat at the piano and delighted the audience with his skill on the keys while Bob Winter looked on with a gleaming smile. Resilient spirit, Herb was supposed to be in New Jersey the night before, playing for the New Jersey Jazz Society. Our sympathy goes out to them – their concert had to be cancelled because of heavy snow – as were airplane flights, so WE were fortunate to have Herb Gardner here! Sorry, NJJS.
Herb Gardner during the break
Herb played and sang his own version of “The Ground Hog Song”. “I want to hibernate with you until it’s Ground Hog Day”. That’s all we’ll say about that. A solid entertainer, he is a fine piano player and vocalist, as well as famous for his trombone work, and his daughter, vocalist Abbie Gardner.
Bob and Eli on baby grand
The emotional register switched to sunny and warm with Ted featured on a special rendition of Night Train with gut-wrenching tenor sax playing. Fabulous! Jimmy took this vocal scatting, while Bo Winiker played smokey flugel horn. Eli joined Bob for that last, eight-to-the-bar, rocketing chorus of “Night Train.” It doesn’t get any better than this!
Rebecca returned with a swinging, rousing vocal Them There Eyes, with Eli in background. Eli plays tuba behind everyone – but it’s so smooth, you don’t even realize he’s there – the music is subtly enhanced, intensified.
Something new – they played Brubeck’s Take Five; first time they’ve ever played it, and it was the first time Eli played a jazz tune with a 5/4 time signature.
Jeff Guthery on authentic Traditional Jazz Drum
Jeff handled it brilliantly. He was an international businessman – now he’s finally following his dream as a student at Berklee, and playing drums regularly with the All-Stars.
Eli gave Jimmy a choice of songs – that’s always dangerous, as he has a repertoire that goes back to the late 1890′s. He only revisited the early 1930’s for this one – I’ll Never Be The Same; a performance of just Jimmy backed by soft tuba.
Pianist Teddy Wilson used this tune to bring vocalist Billie Holiday and tenor saxophonist Lester Young together at a 1937 session. They would have loved Jimmy and Ely’s version!
Friends and compadres, Jimmy Mazzy and Eli Newberger
What a Difference a Day Makes, Rebecca returned for another nice ballad. She got things moving with up-tempo scatting on Oh, Oh, Oh, What a Little Moonlight Can D, with clarinet, trumpet and trombone bouncing off each other. Bo’s left leg kept jumping up and down with the beat – it was such a barn burner!
Closing time approached, and they closed this marvelous evening with another Dixieland War Horse, South Rampart St. Parade. They did justice to its infinite references to many songs, with Jeff going wild on drums!
Usually it ends in a trumpet flourish, but veteran Herb Gardner took it on trombone, leaving all of us asking for more, more!
There will be more. This was an evening filled with great Jazz played by the best. For those of you who missed it, there will be many more.
Eli’s All-Stars will begin a regular gig the 1st Thursday of every month 7-9:30pm with this same group at the Sherborn Inn. Come join us for some outstanding Traditional Jazz and Swing!
Videos by Kathy Wittman, BallSquare films, sound by Frank Cunningham
Seacoast Stompers at the Acton Jazz Café by Harold McAleer
Frank Stadler – piano and leader, John Clark – reeds, Scott Philbrick – cornet and vocal, Lee Prager – trombone, Jimmy Mazzy – banjo, Al Bernard – sousaphone, Bobby Reardon – drums
It’s wonderful when a group of consummate jazzers like this get together to swing the oldies.
Needing no practice, they dive right in after deciding the number, and pass the solos back and forth smoothly with a slight nod or motion from Scott or whomever, and then decide on the fly how to take it out – whether with a drum burst or an ensemble cadenza or what.
When I video, I zoom in on the players and can concentrate on the playing undisturbed by the audience around me or distracting sights. It makes me feel part of the band and sensitive to the ebb and flow of the performance.
I was especially impressed during Tishomingo when Scott and Lee traded fours with their mutes on the brass horns – and also when John Clark and Albie did the same.
Scotty takes off his skin – and dances around in his bones
Carrie Mazzie warbles this sweet 1929 ballad:
John Clark on alto sax
Stompers boogie down to 12th St. & Vine in this swinger.
Kansas City
Can’t help dancing at Acton Jazz to the Seacoast Stompers:
It was a great session of true professionals. It doesn’t get any better than this!
The Seacoast Stompers will return to the Acton Jazz Cafe on March 1st.
Harold McAleer
Tune List
Set 1
1 At The Jazz Band Ball
2 All of Me
3 I’m Getting Sentimental Over You
4 Jada
5 Lulu’s Back In Town
6 Louisi-An-I-A
7 Tishomingo Blues
8 Song of the Wanderer
9 Wolverine Blues
Set 2
1 Tain’t No Sin to Take Off Your Skin…
2 When You and I Were Young Maggie
3 You Brought A New Kind Of Love To Me
4 Mandy Make Up Your Mind
5 As Long As I Live
6 Kansas City
7 Louisiana
Set 3
1 Moten Swing
2 Mean to Me
3 Who’s Sorry Now
4 Someday Sweetheart
5 I Got the Stinger
6 Limehouse Blues
Blue Lights at Giant Valley Polo Club, February 1, 2014, by Jean Hadley
On Saturday evening, Hamden’s Giant Valley Polo Club held their annual meeting to announce the 2014 schedule and special events. After the meeting, cocktails and a delightful buffet were served; followed by three hours of entertainment by the BLUE LIGHTS.
The BLUE LIGHTS (formerly Washboard Slim & The Blue Lights) winner of the 2008 Connecticut Blues Society Blues Challenge, have appeared for over 35 years playing early Jazz, Blues, Swing standards, Jug, Gospel, Rock & Roll and Pop music.
Jug band music was first heard on the sidewalks of Louisville and Memphis in the late 1920’s. The use of both conventional and homemade contrivances like jug, washboard, gut bucket, kazoo, guitar, keyboard, ukulele, drums, mandolin, banjo and accordion, to name a few, created the music we heard tonight. In her dialogue, Cynthia mentioned the use of 32 “instruments” for tonight’s performance.
The band opened with JACKSON STOMP and, from then on, it was non-stop. The club-house floor was packed with dancers. Dave Harden (Giant Valley’s EMT) was first on the floor to encourage people to dance. Dave loves to dance and his “artistry” shows.
Cynthia Fabian
Our talented Cynthia Fabian entertained us with her renditions of such songs as BUTTER and EGG MAN, I WANNA BE BAD, EVIL BUMBLE BEE and the list, familiar to the audience, continued. Along with Cynthia’s vocal talent, she is equally talented on the washboard and kazoo.
Peter Menta (leader) always proves his expertise on the washboard, drums and harmonica. Add Howard Horn on the jug and gut bucket and the rest of Peter’s talented guys (Brooks Barnett, Mark Kostner, Mark Crofutt) and you are always in for an evening of great entertainment. Peter played with Duke….”CUSTARD PIE BLUES”.
During the performance, the band played “I Don’t Want Your Millions, Mister” a tribute to PETE SEEGER an America folk singer formerly with The Weavers who recently passed away.
Sarah Heath, who always sings the national anthem before the Polo games, sang Gershwin’s “Summertime.” Later, she and her husband, Duke Douskey (harmonica), played a duet. Both are very talented. Interesting enough, Duke’s book “Sinatra and Me” came out a year ago this past November 2013.
Thank you Butch and Leigh (owners of Giant Valley Farm and Polo Club) for bringing us good music and fine talent.
Polo season is every Sunday late May to late Sept. Butch and Leigh invite you to join them every Sunday for an afternoon of Polo. Polo is open to the public for a nominal charge of $5.00 pp or $10.00 per car load. Parking is free. Enjoy the game and tailgating!
CAROLYN NEWBERGER: IN SEARCH of the MUSE
January 2-29, 2014
Reception: January 3, 6-8pm
GALLERY III
“I love to draw in dark concert halls, where the challenge is to capture both performer and sound; its rhythm, flow and intensity. When the moment is right the music flows through my fingers.
Drawing from life, and especially life in motion, presents special challenges. I am in search of the muse. Sometimes I feel that I have caught her as images emerge under my fingers that express the excitement of both the living moment and the thrill of its capture.” – Carolyn Newberger
Carolyn Newberger, “Wynton Marsalis in Concert”, Graphite on Paper, 9 x 11 inches
Monument Music, the Concert Series at the Church of the Holy Name, 60 Monument Ave, (at the corner of Thomas Rd. and Monument Ave.) in Swampscott, MA, presents jazz vocalist, Debby Larkin in an afternoon concert on February 16, beginning at 4PM. Come join us and bring your valentine to enjoy the romance of the season. There will be a “Meet-The-Band” reception following the concert and you will still have time to take your valentine out for a romantic dinner. Monument Music is very kid friendly, so along with your valentine, you can even bring the whole family. The concert will feature:
Debby Larkin – Vocals
Jeff Stout – Trumpet
Tim Ray – Piano
Mark Carlsen – Bass
Dave Mattacks – drums
Monument Music is celebrating its sixteenth season of bringing live performances of stellar musicians to the North Shore. The suggested donation is $5 at the door, children under twelve are free. For more information, please call 781-771-3286.
Eli’s All Star Septet at the Sherborn Inn, January 14, 2014 Randy Reinhart trumpet, Ted Casher Reeds, Herb Gardner trombone, Bob Winter piano, Jimmy Mazzy banjo, Jeff Guthery drums, Eli Newberger tuba, Rebecca Sullivan vocals, Caroline Newberger washboard.
This was delectable hot jazz by musicians playing from the heart, enjoying the challenge of improvising, never quite knowing what was coming next, deeply listening to each other and responding in lively, pulsating jazz.
The All Stars opened with At the Jazz Band Ball, a jazz instrumental first recorded by the ODJB (Original Dixieland Jass Band) in 1917. Eli introduced Randy Reinhart , a celebrated virtuoso on cornet, trumpet and slide trombone, just back from playing in Japan. Randy played lyrical cornet on You Can’t Take That Away From Me, setting the tone for this splendid evening.
Randy Reinhart
Rebecca Sullivan’s phrasing adds to the sweetness of the songs. BlueSkies, Lullabyof Birdland, Them There Eyes sung in her own unique expressive nuances. She has an extraordinary broad range, and uses it to the fullest. Jimmy took the final vocal, with Ted on tenor sax, cornet interweaving with trombone. Fabulous!
Rebecca Sullivan
Rebecca was backed by all the instrumentalists in a poignant Georgia, with tuba solo that shows why Eli was voted best Traditional Jazz Tuba Player in polls by the Mississippi Rag and Jazzology Magazine.
Bob Winter loves playing piano!
Bob Winter has played with the Boston Pops and supported vocalists for over 30 years. He obviously enjoys making fine music and sharing it with us. His stunning harmonies and sudden key changes on Over the Rainbow took our breath away. Some of the band literally gasped. He was featured with a passionate and riveting Satin Doll and backed Rebecca’s capricious DancingCheekto Cheek with smooth walking bass notes.
Jimmy Mazzy plays and sings “Tomorrow Night”
Jimmy dug into his storehouse of great early 1900’s tunes and came up with Tomorrow Night. Just Jimmy and banjo; soul warming, he really gets his head around the lyrics:
Ted Casher, powerhouse tenor sax
Ted Casher is a precious gem. He’s a powerhouse on tenor sax, and was featured on a Lady Be Good that raisedgoose bumps. Let’s hope we get a video of this one! Eventually there will be a DVD,
Dynamic Front Line
What a Difference a Day Makes – the front line was a combustible combination, brilliant polyphonic improvisation with extraordinary give and take. They toned down for the piano solo backed only by Jeff’s fine brushing on the snare drum.
At times Randy’s cornet executed clever embelishments all around Eli’s tuba. Randy was relaxed and enjoying himself. So was the audience, intently listening to this fabulous music.
Only ten minutes left, Randy approached the close with an unforgettable Someday You’ll Be Sorry, a tip of the hat to his idol, Louis Armstrong.
Introducing Special guest, Carolyn Newberger, adding spice to the All Stars with her washboard on Jelly Roll Morton’s Ain’t Gonna Give Nobody None of My Jelly Roll.
Carolyn Newberger adds zest to the All Stars with washboard
They closed with a quick Tiger Rag, originally played by the ODJB in 1917. Eli’s All Stars played it with equal fiery enthusiasm, with a roaring tuba tiger, great solos – drummer let loose, nice muted trombone by Herb Gardner. Another barn burner! We’re looking forward to more lively New Orleans Jazz in the next version of Eli’s All Stars with Bob Winter, piano (Boston Pops) and Rebecca Sullivan, vocalist (New England Conservatory), and Bo Winiker, trumpet, with Ted Casher, clarinet and tenor sax, Herb Gardner, trombone, Jeff Guthery, drums, Jimmy Mazzy, drums, Eli Newberger, tuba, and guest washboard wizard, Carolyn Newberger at the Sherborn Inn, 33 N. Main Street, (inters. of Rts. 16 & 27) Sherborn, MA Reservations: 508-655-9521 or info@sherborninn.com. Hope to see you there!!
Videos by Kathy Wittman, recorded by WGBH’s Frank Cunningham
Tunes:
1. At the Jazz Band Ball
2. You Can’t Take That Away from Me
3. Blue Skies
4. Georgia on My Mind
5. Satin Doll
6. Stardust
7. Cheek to Cheek
8. Tomorrow (Jimmy’s banjo and vocal)
9. Ain’t Gonna Give Nobody None of My Jelly Roll
10. Them There Eyes
11. Our Love is Here to Stay
12. Lady be Good
13. Over the Rainbow (piano solo)
14. Lullaby of Birdland
15. What a Difference a Day Makes
16. Some Day You’ll Be Sorry (cornet feature)
17. Tiger Rag
Selections such as….Bourbon Street Parade, Bill Bailey, Jump, Jive and Wail, In the Mood, Brown Eyed Girl, Johnny B. Goode, Soul Man, Pick Up the Pieces, and so many others thrilled the audience. Not only did they play for our listening and dancing pleasure but many of us reminisced and sang along with the band.
Carolyn Newberger, “Wynton Marsalis in Concert”, Graphite on Paper, 9 x 11 inches
