Eric Devine Hot Steamed Jazz Videos

Stan McDonald soprano sax/clarinet/vocals, Jeff Stout trumpet, Gerry Gagnon trombone, Ross Petot piano, Peter Gerler guitar/banjo, Al Ehrenfried string bass, Rich Malcolm Drums

The Blue Horizon returned to the Sherborn Inn on the 3^rd Tuesday of the month, September 17th. McDonald welcomed Berklee Professor Jeff Stout back after a two-month hiatus. (The Jeff Stout/Debby Larkin Quintet just came from an appearance at Ryles Jazz Club, in Boston.)

The Blue Horizon had two Berklee Professors here tonight; Stout’s powerful trumpet strongly placed in melody, Rich Malcolm’s tasteful drumming, sensitive and smooth. Playing with Larry Zuk’s bands for ~20 years taught him the true Traditional Jazz Beat.

Jeff Stout and Al Ehrenfried

Rich Malcolm

Stan McDonald and Al Ehrenfried

Stan McDonald, leader, has the knack for hiring the very best musicians. Playing soprano sax and clarinet, he’s proud to be recognized as a Sidney Bechet devotee, and leads the band with exacting Trad Jazz standards.

They started with a lively Here Comes The Band. The front line interweaved in fantastic polyphonic ensemble, Jeff playing solid, steadfast trumpet on Georgia. The dancers were up very quickly! Peter Gerler moved to banjo for Roses of Tripoli, though his favorite instrument is guitar.

Bassist Al Ehrenfried guided Rich through the Blue Horizon stops, presenting a powerful rhythmic foundation on Squeeze Me.

Ross Petot piano, Peter Gerler banjo

Pianist Ross Petot, consistently tinkering in the background, seems to be the guiding force behind the band. He gives the soloists freedom to soar and makes it all look easy.

McDonald likes to sing, scatting on When You And I Were Young, Maggie, Yes We Have No Bananas, All By Myself. He reminded us that Fall was just around the corner, singing the September Song.

Gerry Gagnon trombone, with drum and bass

Gerry Gagnon trombone, with Rich and Al

Drum took the intro to Bechet’s Lotus Blossom, Stan on vocal and playing soprano sax with passion and intensity, holding a long sustained note.

Gerry Gagnon, formerly of the Boiler Makers based in Pennsylvania, has great style, played it on low muted trombone.
Stan brought it to a close with an intense soprano sax flourish.
Running Wild, Kansas City Man Blues, Dardanella, China Boy were blistering hot!

John and Gisela Brunaccini

It was John Brunaccini’s 86th birthday; he was dancing up a storm with his wife Gisela. They’re teaching the rest of us how to age gracefully – they have just celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.

The Band closed with Jelly Roll Morton’s Buddy Bolden’s Blues. Don’t miss a Blue Horizon reprise when they return next month on October 15^th!

1^st Set	2^nd Set	3^rd Set
Strike Up The Band	When You And I Were Young Maggy	September Song
Georgia On My Mind	Lotus Blossom	Yes, We Have No Bananas
Roses of Picardie	Running Wild	Lastic
Squeeze Me	Kansas City Man Blues	All By Myself inThe Morning
Tijuana	Dardanella	Buddy Bolden’s Blues
	Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams
	China Boy

Dave Whitney and “All That Brass” at the Sherborn Inn

Posted on September 10, 2013 by admin

2 trumpets, trombone, piano, guitar, bass, drums

Dave Whitney’s “All That Brass”

Dave Whitney and Jeff Hughes, trumpet and flugelhorn, Dan Gabel trombone/vocals, Steve Dale piano, Jon Wheatley guitar, Dave LeBleu electric string bass, Reid Jorgensen drums

Dave Whitney brought together seven of New England’s finest Jazz musicians and promised some mid-60’s Herb Alpert Tijuana Brass, and maybe a few surprises.

Dave was fortunate to pick up some old Herb Alpert band music at a music store (for $2.95). He kicked this tribute off with Lonely Bull, released in 1962, the debut album from Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass. It was also the first album ever released by A&M Records, founded by Alpert and Jerry Moss. They played many tunes from the “Whipped Cream Album”, starting with Green Peppers.

The first surprise was Dan Gabel whistling Acapulco, backed by Jeff Hughes elegant trumpet and Reid’s rim tapping drums, from the first album. Dan is a brilliant light on the future of our local music scene, whistling as well as Ted Weems on a full chorus of What’s New? He does impersonations, singing Gus Kahn-Isham Jones’ It Had To Be You, like a resurrected Bing Crosby, complete with “ba ba boo”. He even used marimbas to accent the Spanish beat on What Now My Love? He went wild on trombone for Tijuana Taxi, a bossa nova.

Dan Gabel whistles the whole melody

handsome 25-year-old with fantastic smile

Dan crooning Bing Crosby

In November 1966, Alpert released “SRO”, his fourth album to place in the Top 10 in 1966, ultimately reaching the #2 spot. From SRO, I Will Wait For You, two trumpets complemented each other. Also from SRO Dave almost stumped the band playing Wall St. Rag in Dixieland style, ending in a touching fadeout.

85-year-old John dancing with wife Gisela, looking into her eyes.

John and Gisela Brunaccini dance all evening

Dave moved back to his Jazz roots with some ‘good ol’ good ones’, calling all dancers up with one of his favorites, Whipped Cream. John and Gisela Brunaccini were up in a flash.

They danced all night, fox trot, bossa nova, a jazz waltz from the “Whipped Cream” album, A Taste of Honey. They celebrated their 65^th wedding anniversary two days later.

“Going Places” was Herb’s fifth album and one of his most popular releases. Steve Dale was featured on piano with A Walk in The Black Forest.

Steve Dale

Dave Whitney’s trumpet is immediately recognizable. He 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”. He confirmed it on trumpet and vocal with the rhythm section with I’m Confessing”.

Dave Whitney plays “I’m Confessing”

They added more featured players. Jeff doing Kurt Weill’s Speak Low, in a Latin beat on flugel horn, with nice solos from the members of the band. Always the gentleman, Jeff traded 4s with all the others, giving all a chance to shine. LeBleu stretched it out on the electric bass.

Dave LeBleu on electic bass

Jon Wheatley, guitar

Dave usually has Eric Baldwin on guitar, but tonight we had the great Jon Wheatley with a sweet, moody Slow Burning by George Smith, a very well respected studio guitarist. Bert Bacharach’s 1968 This Guy’s In Love With You, let Jon stretch out, with Jeff’s soft flugelhorn behind Dave’s vocal.

Reid Jorgenson

A Portuguese tune, A Banda came from ”Herb Alpert’s Ninth” album; formidable drum solo by Reid Jorgensen.

Good Morning, Mr. Sunshine from their 1969 “The Brass Are Coming” album was a change of pace. Dave and Jeff, masters of tone and phrasing, played it with flugelhorns, then trumpets trading 4s, with fabulous trombone by Gabel. Both trumpets made Georgia Brown a Killer!

Dave Whitney and Jeff Hughes on flugelhorns

Lollipops and Roses was a beautiful arrangement, Herb recorded on the “Whipped Cream” album with his wife, Lany Hall. More And More Amore had everyone reading the charts. For his special, Dan Gabel chose the 1932 Tommy Dorsey theme, I’m Getting Sentimental Over You from “Going Places”, two trumpets modulating, front line splitting one chorus.

Dave kept his promise. They played some music of Louis, Bunny, Bix, but never lost track of Herb. From The Tijuana Brass’s 3^rd album, “South of The Border”, he chose an appropriate Finale – Adios, mi Corazon.

* * *

Herb Alpert, born March 31, 1935, was best known as leader of the Tijuana Brass, but was one of the few who also succeeded playing solo albums. He is now 78 (that’s a great age!) and spends his time creating abstract expressionist paintings and sculpture which are on occasion publicly exhibited. Alpert and wife Lani Hall are substantial philanthropists through the operation of the Herb Alpert Foundation.

Hal McIntyre Orchestra at TCAN

Posted on September 8, 2013 by admin

The Hal McIntyre Orchestra, directed by Don Pentleton

The Hal McIntyre Orchestra, directed by Don Pendleton, played the fantastic swing that was nurtured and inspired by Glenn Miller at TCAN, The Center for the Arts in Natick, on September 8th. It was much appreciated by an enthusiastic audience.

Now directed by Don Pendleton, it is still one of the hottest big bands today. McIntyre was a founding member and played alto sax in The Glenn Miller orchestra for years; Miller thought it was time for him to strike out on his own. With Glenn’s blessing and financial help, Hal formed his own band in 1942.

Hal unfortunately passed away in 1958 in a house fire; Hal McIntyre Jr. (who went to Berklee College of Music) took over. He kept the band going until he also passed away.

: Don Pentleton

Don Pendleton was asked by the McIntyre estate to continue the tradition. Don is a veteran Big Band drummer who performed with the Glenn Miller Orchestra. He also played with the Guy Lombardo Orchestra, Skitch Henderson, Ella Fitzgerald and comedians Phyllis Diller, Pat Cooper, Frankie Fontaine, and Georgie Jessel.

After 17 years, Don finally decided to give up the drums and step up in the front of the band. He’s a skilled, high-energy conductor.

This performance at The Natick Center for the Arts in Natick was their finale of a successful season that started in May at the Amazing Things Arts Center in Framingham.

They began with a rousing instrumental, Stomping At The Savoy. This music swings with energy and vitality!

Tom Ferrante, alto sax

The word is, if you don’t have arrangements, play solos. This band still has the original yellowed, dog-eared, 1940’s McIntyre arrangements, but still features virtuosic soloists.

Tom Ferrante’s rapturous alto sax was featured on I Can’t Believe That You’re In Love With Me, That Old Feeling; a tune made famous by Robert Goulet, On a Clear Day.

Highlighted were Arthur Bakopoulas on baritone sax with Love Walked In, Wayne Branco trombone on Should I Care?

Bill Kane

Paul Elman’s sax, backed by fine string bass on When You’re Smiling, was accentuated by Bill Kane’s drums.

The Latin touch is always popular at ballroom dances. The Band complied with George Benson’s version of the 1941 Masquerade, with Dennis Perriccio’s lead trumpet, Ferrante’s alto sax, and string bass giving them a powerful, rhythmic foundation.

Steve Piermarini smoldering trombone was featured on Yesterdays. Steve takes over directing the band for Steve Marvin’s vocals.

Steve Marvin

Steve Marvin sings in that poignant, touching, Sinatra style. He began with I’ve Got The World on a String. The number one tune Sinatra recorded, Cole Porter – Nelson Riddle’s, I’ve Got You Under My Skin.

From Robin and the Seven Hoods, Chicago, You’re Marvelous, Sinatra’s My Way. (Paul Anka heard it and wrote the lyrics.) Steve is noted for his Tributes to Frank Sinatra

There were many fine instrumentals, Days of Wine and Roses, A Train, What Am I Here For? a barn-burning New York, New York. The Finale was a the tune that always defines the Glenn Miller sound, In The Mood.

The band will pack it up for the winter, and return next spring with more lasting tunes and the same Jack Daniel-stained 1940’s McIntyre arrangements.

yellow, dog-eared arrangements

Seacoast Stompers in 6th year at the Acton Jazz Cafe

Posted on September 7, 2013 by admin

Seacoast Stompers

Scott Philbrick cornet, Craig Ball clarinet, Lee Prager trombone, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Frank Stadler leader/piano, Albie Bernard sousaphone, Bobby Reardon drums

By Marce, Videos by Harold McAleer

The Stompers started right off with an explosive Jazz Band Ball that ignited the Acton Jazz Café, and they were smokin’ the whole afternoon.

Frank Stadler, leader of the Seacoast Stompers

Leader Frank Stadler has a list of every tune they’ve played in those 5+ years. He always brings in a list of new tunes or some they haven’t played lately.

But this is a democratic band, if they don’t like what he calls, they just do something else.

Jimmy Mazz singing, tuba and drums with him

Jimmy sings with Albie and Bobby support

Jimmy Mazzy is something else all by himself!

He sings Nagasaki with Al Bernard on sousaphone and Bobby Reardon raring to go.

The band actually all agreed on that tune, but not the key. Finely tuned ensemble; Craig’s clarinet set the pace, pushing the boundaries. Drums were vibrating off the floor!

Carrie Mazzy sings “Sugar”

Carrie Mazzy flashes a smile, singing Sugar.

They played Three Little Words in triple time, clarinet and cornet squeezing in multiple notes; difficult for trombone, but Prager is resourceful. Al Bernard’s sousaphone drove the band, Craig Ball sneaking in many other tunes – he can do that on clarinet.
Nice brush work by drummer. The musicians really appreciate Bobby Reardon’s drumming. He keeps them going, lays down perfect time, and never gets in the way.

Seacoast Stompers front line – Bob McHenry, former string bass, at right in blue shirt

The inimitable Jimmy Mazzy sings Kansas City. Cornet and trombone have remarkable interplay, but Scotty likes to tease Lee, playing rapid muted passages.
Watch what happens.
Kansas City

Lee Prager played a deep burnished trombone on I Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plans, with Jimmy singing a heartwarming, tender ballad.

Lee Prager on trombone

Lulu’s Back in Town was WILD, cornet trading fours with trombone, challenging Prager with vibrating cornet, Lee responding with vibrating trombone, it was hysterical! They actually gave each other high 5’s when it was over. Lee was having so much fun, he never stopped bouncing, except when he was playing. Great talent – it’s a pity we can’t hear him more often.

They moved on to a rabble-rousing China Boy, clarinet starting in nice low register, then moving up the scale into the stratosphere. Stadler prodded marvelous sounds out of the piano. Éva Balazs was back, listening to her favorite ‘humble piano virtuoso’.

They all agreed on Stadler’s call for the finale, Sweet Georgia Brown,
Bobby set the dynamic level:

The energy level was still high, leaving the audience with an adrenaline rush. We’ll all be back October 5th with more fun and upligting jazz with the Seacoast Stompers.

Tunes played this afternoon:

set 1
At The Jazz Band Ball
Someday You’ll Be Sorry
Squeeze Me
Smiles
Sugar
Kansas City
Tin Roof Blues
Old Fashioned Love
Nagasaki

set 2
I Can’t Get Started
Nobody’s Sweetheart Now
How Come You Do Me Like You Do
Oh Baby
Three Little Words
I guess I’ll have to change my plans
Jelly Roll (Ain’t Gonna Give You None)

set 3
Mandy Make Up Your Mind
Sweet Lorraine
Lulu’s Back In Town
China Boy
Sweet Georgia Brown

Monte Carlo Jazz Ensemble presents a Swell September Songfest

Posted on September 3, 2013 by admin

The Monte Carlo Jazz Ensemble

Monte Carlo Jazz Ensemble at the Sherborn Inn, Tuesday, September 3, 2013 with Bob MacInnis cornet/flugelhorn, Craig Ball clarinet/soprano sax, John Clark alto sax/clarinet, Robin Verdier piano/leader, Al Bernard tuba, Bill Reynolds drums

Bob MacInnis was sitting at the piano when we arrived, playing soft melodies, inviting people to come in and hear how Robin Verdier would once again transport us back to the captivating dances of a fascinating era, the 20s and 30s.

Bob MacInnis, versatile musician, plays every instrument fluently.

Arrangements – hardly anyone ever talks about arrangements, yet they are so important to the sound of a song. Every song changes when played in a different arrangement. This is Robin Verdier’s forte. He takes the original arrangements of the pop dance tunes of 20’s and 30’s, and adapts them to create complex harmonic structures and technically sophisticated melodies. If some sound vaguely familiar that’s no accident – he was also arranger for the Paramount Jazz Band.

Robin has picked a talented crew, with the front line of Craig Ball, leader of the White Heat Swing Orchestra, John Clark, leader of the Wolverine Jazz Band, and Bob MacInnis, who is in a league all his own. We only have him for another month – he heads back to Florida October 8^th where he’ll be playing someplace almost every night.

Bill Reynolds

The Rhythm section consists only of Bill Reynolds drums and Albie Bernard tuba, working together, providing a cushion with just the right chords. Then there’s Robin, who does it all – assisting both front line and rhythm and ensuring that everything is authentic.

The Ensemble opened with the 1926 Clarence Williams’ Candy Lips, Tiny Parham’s 1930 Now That I’ve Found You.

Robin Verdier, leader of The Monte Carlo Jazz Ensemble

Robin is particularly fond of Nullabor – written Dave Dallwitz, a musician from Australia. (They have great Traditional Jazz Bands of their own.)

Nullabor was possibly taken from an Australian aborigine song, with heavy drum accents, the rhythm section driving the front line. Bill Reynolds gave it a heavy drum intro, there were few solos, great ensemble ending in rolling drum.

They did some reminiscing of the fine band directed by Ed Reynolds, The Back Bay Ramblers. Now 95, he was sitting up front, taking pleasure in the music. (Ed is Bill’s Father.) If Dreams Come True, ensemble played in a syncopated pyramid, very refreshing. They also took the 1927 Anabelle Lee from the Back Bay Ramblers.

Front line plays Bechet’s Southern Sunset

Craig unpacked his soprano sax just for Sidney Bechet’s Southern Sunset.

One of the sweetest writers in the Great American Songbook was Walter Donaldson. Albie played the melody on tuba for his I’ve Had My Moments, with front line again in a lovely pyramid.

Al Bernard hidden somewhere behind that tuba

Albie doesn’t just play bass notes – he went WILD on Running Wild.

The Gershwin’s were represented with the 1929 My One And Only. Irving Berlin with Puttin’ On The Ritz, Con Conrad with Moonlight. Robin presented many other composers you’ve never heard of before – check his list at the bottom of this page!
They wrapped up with Ferde Grofe’s Daybreak (Mississippi Suite), their finale theme.

The Monte Carlo Jazz Ensemble brings in a different crowd. Many are musicians who appreciate the quality of the music; Lorrie Carmichael of the former Squirrel Hill Jazz Band, Bob Crane singer, (former Massachusetts Treasurer). Carol Mueller plays piano with Jimmy Mazzy at the Colonial Inn, Bob’s brother Dan MacInnis. It was a reunion of many fans too, some we hadn’t seen in years.

Hear the marvelous sound of the Monte Carlo Jazz Ensemble at https://sites.google.com/site/verdiersite/mcje

Bob MacInnis heads back to Florida soon. You can hear him at the Island Pub and Erin’s Isle in Naples, Florida. He’ll also be doing some Florida cruises this year.

* * * *

Set 1
Candy Lips                           1926 Clarence Williams
Now That I’ve Found You     1930 Tiny Parham
Nullabor                        1951 Dave Dallwitz
Dream Child                          1929 Hank Palmer
If Dreams Come True         ~1938 Edgar Sampson
* Miss Annabelle Lee            1927 Sidney Clare & Lew Pollack
Southern Sunset                   1932~ Sidney Bechet
Variety Stomp                        1927 Waller & Trent

Set 2
Fate                                       1922 Byron Gay
I’m Crazy About My Baby      1931 Hill & Waller
Moonlight                               1921 Con Conrad
I’ve Had My Moments        1934 Walter Donaldson
My One And Only               1927 George & Ira Gershwin
Puttin’ On The Ritz               1928 Irving Berlin
Shake It And Break It           1920 Frisco Lou Chiha & H. Qualli Clark
Big Bear Stomp                1944 Lu Watters

Set 3
I’ll Dance At Your Wedding   1938 Joe Davis [Fats Waller?]
How Am I To Know               1929 D. Parker & J. King
Mine, All Mine                   1927 Stept, Ruby, & Cowan
What-Cha-Call-‘Em Blues     1925 Steve Roberts
Okay, Toots                            1934 Walter Donaldson
Happy Feet                        1929 Yellen & Ager, King of Jazz
Running Wild                         1922 Gibbs, Gray, & Wood
Daybreak (Mississippi Suite, 1926 Ferde Grofe
(final theme)

* New arrangement

Bourbon Street Paraders on Hy-Line’s Cape Cod Canal Jazz Boat

Posted on September 1, 2013 by admin

Tuba, banjo, and clarinet players under the Bourne Bridge

Bourbon Street Paraders on the Cape Cod Jazz Boat. Rick MacWilliams, Michel Lavigniac, Paul Nossiter.

by Marce

September 1, 2013, Final Bourbon Street Paraders Jazz Cruise for this year

It was a cloudy day – Hy-Line’s Jazz Boat was docked at Onset Harbor waiting for the Jazz Fans. Last week they were sold out. This was Labor Day Weekend, there should have been more of a crowd – but the weathermen put a damper on it threatening thunder showers and lightening,

The Viking left late – 1:45pm, waiting for stragglers. Jazz can’t begin until the boat has left the harbor – neighbors don’t appreciate our music. Finally the Viking pulled away from the dock, and The Bourbon Street Paraders started their final cruise of the 33rd season with Bourbon Street Parade, of course.

The Trio took a joyous romp through Hello Central, Give Me Dr. Jazz. If I Had You, tuba playing sweet melody – Rick plays the melody on the tuba on almost every song. The sounds he gets out of that monstrous instrument, with only 4 keys, are amazing.

Michel’s 4-string Gold Star Banjo

The Flying Frenchman, Michel Lavigniac leads the Trio and keeps impeccable time on 4-string banjo. It was a 5-string Gold Star banjo, but he removed one of the strings.

Paul Nossiter has taken over reeds from the late Lee Childs. Paul took the intro to My Gal Sal, upbeat, lilting clarinet, folks up front dancing. Fats Waller’s Ain’t Misbehaving. Passing the Military Academy they played a Fats Waller-Louis Armstrong 1929 big hit, Black & Blue, banjo playing the verse – Michel makes every note count, no hysterics up and down the strings.

Railroad Bridge over the Cape Cod Canal

Passing under the Cape Cod Canal’s Railroad bridge, Found a New Baby, clarinet trading 4s with banjo.

Nossiter was singing Baby Won’t You Please Come Home as the boat sailed under the Bourne Bridge, and went wild on clarinet with Running Wild.

The Viking turned around at the Herring Run, with Michel featured on Avalon, and then they played a barn-burning Indiana. Ernie and his son Joey have been sitting in the front seat every week for 6 years. Ernie plays piano and has a nice voice, so Paul gave him the mic for I’m Going To Sit right down and Write Myself a Letter, fabulous banjo, backed by soft tuba.

They played a medley of Blues My Sweetie Gives to Me, and Everybody Loves My Baby. Reminiscent of New Orleans funerals they featured Closer Walk and Didn’t He Ramble, then moved to When I Grow Too Old To Dream. (Never happen!) At my request – Lime House Blues, complete with verse.

In honor of the last cruise of the season, Bye Bye Blues, and Bye Bye Blackbird. Passing the Maritime Academy we could see their ship, The Kennedy, docked at pier and the tug boat Independence.

passing the Maritime Militry Adademy

Maritime Academy’s Ship, The Kennedy

Another nostalgic blues, Basin St. Blues, clarinet playing warm, melodic lines, ending in a clarinet coda. They took off on Pee Wee’s Blues, written by clarinetist Pee Wee Russell. (He was called Pee Wee because he was so tall!)

Closing in on the dock, When You’re Smiling Paul in low register clarinet for first chorus, slipped in a bit of Swanee River. Farewell Blues. Banjo intro to When The Blue of the Night Meets the Gold of the Day. Only two people knew who Bing Crosby was.

They always finish with When The Saints Go Marching In, as the Viking pulls into the Harbor. Everyone on the boat joins in. That’s Joey’s cue to get up and dance for the last few minutes left of the Sunday Cape Cod Jazz Cruise. A lady in the front row joined him.

No thunderstorms, no rain, great Jazz! We’ll all be back next year, on the last week of June, 2014, for another cruise up and down the Cape Cod Canal with the Bourbon Street Paraders. Hope to see you there!!

Swing Times Five with Debby Larkin and Jack Senier

Posted on August 27, 2013 by admin

Swing Times Five with Debby Larkin by Marce

Happy 75th Birthday Jerry Wadness – at the Sherborn inn August 27, 2013

Photos by Bennett Green

Jeff Hughes trumpet/flugelhorn, Dan Wiener guitar, Pete Tillotson string bass, Dave Didriksen drums, Debby Larkin vocals. Pianist Ross Petot was taking his eldest son to college so Jack Senier filled in. Jack is Boston’s greatest jazz and swing pianist, a seasoned veteran.

All the tunes played this evening came from 1938, the year Jerry Wadness was born. It was a good year – great tunes for a great guy. Jerry and Geri Wadness are ‘regulars’ at the Sherborn Inn. Last week, Jerry filled several CDs with tunes from 1938, complete with details of each tune, and offered them to Jeff Hughes; he made good use of them.

Boston’s Jack Senier (Marce photo)

Special guest pianist Jack Senier kicked it off with Artie Shaw’s Theme Song, Back Bay Shuffle, followed by Benny Goodman’s Don’t Be That Way, Hughes on Elden Benge trumpet, the band soaring with him. Dan Weiner’s guitar began Who Could Ask For Anything More? Indeed!

How about charismatic Deb Larkin singing a popular torch song of 1929, Moanin’ Low. From Young Man With a Horn, I Should Care. Jeff moving to flugelhorn for Gershwins’ Nice Work If You Can Get It.

Jack Senier’s pearly notes and chords were featured with the rhythm boys on two tunes, I’ll Never Be The Same, and Lullaby In Rhythm. No wonder he’s considered one of New England’s finest pianist. And Jack came to realize that this is an extraordinary audience – they LISTEN passionately to the music and support the musicians.

Lynn Sickle

Bob and Lynn Sickle were here as usual, sitting next to the piano. Debby sang Lynn’s favorite song for her, All of Me. Bob’s birthday was coming up, so I Put a Spell On You was dedicated to him.

Jeff Sings “You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby”

The 1938 Harry Warren–Johnny Mercer tune, You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby was dedicated to Sue Lewis’s upcoming birthday with Jeff singing and playing crisp, clear trumpet. Sue is often seen dancing on the Inn’s but fine dance floor. Senier made the piano sing, Tillotson’s string bass trading fours with the drums. John & Gisela Brunaccini have been married for 65 years – they skillfully glided across the dance floor all evening!

Dan Weiner and Pete Tillotson

Tenderly featured Dan Wiener on guitar with the Rhythm Boys. Jeff was into Count Basie’s Lester Leaps In, when Jeff Stout leaped in for fantastic two trumpet interplay. Drummer Dave Didriksen kicked it up, driving the band.

Waitress Sara Green arrived with Jerry’s birthday cake, large enough to share, and we all wished Jerry a happy 75^th birthday.

Young waitress Sara Green brings in Jerry's Birthday Cake

Sara brings in Jerry’s Birthday Cake

Jerry Wadness blows out the candles

Comedian Myron Idelson

The band took a break for our favorite comedian, funny man Myron Idelson. Myron can go on for hours telling new jokes appropriate for mixed company. “My Mother-in-law took a trip to the Thousand Islands.” “Why didn’t she spend a week on each?”

Deb and hubby Jeff Stout

Jeff Hughes played a wistful Kurt Weill September Song.

More 1938 tunes – Bunny Berigan’s I Cried For You, I Wished On The Moon, Artie Shaw’s Begin The Beguine, Duke Ellington’s Prelude To a Kiss.

Deb also did Ms. Brown To You and The Things We Did Last Summer. Dakota Staton recorded a tune that everyone thought came from the 70’s – but it was Irving Berlin’s Late, Late Show.

Approaching the finale, Deb hit lilting rhythm with Billie Holiday’s What a Little Moonlight Can Do, with the two soaring trumpets. We’ll Be Together Again – Senier and the rhythm boys kept playing while Deb and Jeff Stout, Gail and Stan Brown hit the dance floor. Jeff Hughes danced with Sue Lewis. The front line returned to the stage, finishing the tune with swinging piano, flugelhorn and trumpet.

1938 was a very good year for great tunes. Swing Times Five was happy to oblige and performed wholeheartedly for this special birthday. Many happy returns, Jerry! Thanks for a great evening.

Blue Horizon Jazz Band, with Dave Whitney and Dave Didriksen

Posted on August 20, 2013 by admin

photos by Bennett Green

Blue Horizon Jazz Band, with Dave Whitney trumpet and Dave Didriksen drums

Dave Whitney trumpet, Stan McDonald clarinet/sopranos sax/vocals. Gerry Gagnon trombone, Ross Petot piano, Peter Gerler guitar/banjo, Al Ehrenfried string bass, Dave Didriksen drums

It’s Tuesday at the Sherborn Inn, and we’re ready for an evening of our favorite Traditional Jazz. The Blue Horizon began with Meet Me To-night in Dreamland, Dave playing melodic trumpet with a congenial Stan McDonald on subtle clarinet, and Gerry Gagnon’s trombone using broad slides. Peter Gerler was on banjo.

Sidney Bechet and Mugsy Spanier’s Four or Five Times wasn’t raucous, but had a nice easy beat, Whitney playing melody, Stan with intricate counterpoint on soprano sax, Peter on guitar.

Then they revved it up, with a rollicking Honky Tonk Town, with tight New Orleans polyphony, and suddenly they had the listeners sitting at the edge of their seats. The band was on fire, lit by sparkplug Dave Whitney. You could feel it in the air. Save It Pretty Mama, Stan on soprano sax, muted trombone.

They kept the fires burning with Jelly Roll Morton’s Tijuana, with solo by Stan.

Stan had vocals on My Gal Sal and When I Leave The World Behind.

This band plays music of the early 20^th century. Shim-Me-Sha-Wabble, by spencer Williams was published in 1917. Marie Elena was a fine Latin beat. Dave Whitney on propulsive trumpet, If I Could Be With You.

Ross Petot has amazing technical prowess on piano.

There was much discussion about who would start the next tune, Ross won, playing the beautiful verse of When I Leave The World Behind, Dave keeping steady drum beat. Magnificent solos by the front line, with Stan closing in a high cadenza.

Ross introduced What Is This Thing Called Love?

Bechet’s Marchand de Poisson and Blues in The Air were exceptional, with Dave and Stan on a roll.

Dave and Stan with Al on string bass in backgrund

Dave Whitney and Stan McDonald in high gear. photo by Marce

The crowd was ecstatic, responding to the band, and the band was feeding off the crowd.

All listen while Al Ehrenfried plays acoustic string bass

Ehrenfried keeps a full, rich tone, playing proper bass lines, lifting the whole band.

Gerry Gagnon makes fine use of many mutes.

Gerry’s trombone lead into a solid up-tempo Good Ol’ New York. Dave Didriksen let go on drum solo.

Don’t You Leave Me Here Whitney in wa wa, vibrato trumpet, Gagnon on muted trombone.

Didriksen with big smile, giving high sign with fist

Dave Didriksen thoroughly enjoying the band

Time was running short, they were really cookin’ with I Got Rhythm, and everyone knew it.

They closed with Bechet’s Dans Les Rues D’Antibes, with horns holding on to the last note.

Dave Whitney and Dave Didriksen don’t usually sit in with the Blue Horizon Jazz Band, but the chemistry was there from the start; the band worked together with heartfelt solos and ensembles. We were fortunate to have shared this deeply moving evening of fine Traditional Jazz!

Stan McDonald’s Blue Horizon Jazz Band is in its 19th year at the Sherborn Inn, every 3rd Tuesday of the month. See you there September 17th??

Novel Jazz Septet at Boothbay Opera House, August 29, 2013

Posted on August 20, 2013 by admin

Novel Jazz Septet Photo by Peggy McKenna

Novel Jazz TO APPEAR AT THE BOOTHBAY OPERA HOUSE- The Novel Jazz Septet will be in performance at the Opera House of Boothbay Harbor, 86 Townsend Avenue, Boothbay Harbor, at 7:30 PM, Thursday 29 August. They will feature the swinging music of the great American jazz composer, Duke Ellington, plus fellow co-composer, Billy Strayhorn. The band will highlight well-known tunes, plus rare, vintage gems, recently unearthed from original scores at the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. and re-interpreted for you. Tickets may also be ordered by calling the box office at 207-633-5159, or purchased on-line at http://www.boothbayoperahouse.com/.

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“The Novel Jazz Septet”, will be appearing at the Opera House in Boothbay Harbor on Thursday, 29 August 2013 at 7:30PM for a special evening of music by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn, two of the most celebrated pillars of the jazz world.

The band will perform both traditional standards plus some of their lesser-known compositions, transcribed from original scores out of the Smithsonian archives in Washington, D.C. Rich with stories, they’ll transport you behind each tune for the history of the composers who re-shaped all of jazz.

Novel Jazz has been featured multiple times on public radio for both live performances as well as news stories on their mission… to explore this enormous musical legacy. They travel far and wide, keeping the spirit of Duke and ‘Sweet Pea alive and swinging! For more information, check out the Opera House web site: http://www.boothbayoperahouse.com/ .

For more on Novel Jazz, check out the band’s web site at www.mainejazz.net .

The evening of the Novel Jazz concert, the downstairs bar at the Opera House will open at 7:00, serving both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages for a perfect summer evening. There also will be space for dancing during the show, for those who would like to both listen and move! Admission will be $15 in advance, $20 day of show. Tickets are available by visiting the box office at 86 Townsend Avenue, Boothbay Harbor, Tuesday-Friday between 10AM and 4PM. Tickets may also be ordered by calling the box office at 207-633-5159, or purchased on-line at boothbayoperahouse.org.

New England Traditional Jazz Plus

Swing, Traditional Jazz, Dixieland Jazz, Big Bands

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