Pierce Campbell guitar and vocals, Noel Kaletsky reeds, Lauren Evarts piano, Al Bernard tuba, John Rispoli drums
Pierce Campbell on guitar
The Funky Butt Jazz Band was started by his father, Pete Campbell and Bud Gettsinger 36 years ago. Pierce took over the band for playing traditional jazz, has various small combinations, and also performs solo..
He borrowed Noel Kaletsky and Albie Bernard from the Festival All Stars, for Summertime, Georgia, Dinah, One Meat Ball, I’m Confessing, Jelly Roll, Ain’t She Sweet, Buddy Bolden Blues. All great Trad tunes.
The Valley Railroad gave him an opener for Buddy Bolden’s Blues. Noel on soprano sax.
Lauren Evarts
Lauren is a regular member of The Funky Butt Jazz Band.
Noel on alto sax – Georgia
John Rispoli
John Rispoli is a monster on drums!
Al Bernard on tuba
Al Bernard put away the sousaphone and took out the tuba to play melodies for this session.
Ain’t Gonna Give Nobody None of My Jelly Roll
Noel Kaletsky
Noel Kaletsky is a complete band unto himself!
Unbelievable, from the Festival’s start to finish.
Price Campbell said it succinctly,
“Faster than a silver bullet!”
They all went WILD on Ice Cream!
Currently Pierce plays a variety of music which showcase his versatility. He performs solo singing and playing original and Celtic folk, American pop and Jazz classics. He performs Irish and original Celtic folk with The Kerry Boys, traditional Jazz with The Funky Butt Jazz Band, vocal Jazz classics and originals with The Pierce Campbell Jazz Duo/Trio and pop rock classics with Pierce Campbell and the Scramble. During the day, he entertains seniors at venues throughout CT.
Lincoln Traditional Jazz Sextet with Manson Solomon (piano), Bob MacInnes (trumpet), Santo Pullara (clarinet), Dave Rich (tenor sax), Jack Martin (trombone), Tim Eskey (drums), Rob Saunders (U-bass) meets every 1st Thursday of the month at Bemis Hall from 2:30 – 3:30.
Starting in 2016 the Sextet performances are switching to the 1st Fridays of the month, but at 1:00 – 2:30. (Except that in January, the 1st Friday will be New Years Day, so we’ll have it on January 8.)
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THE LINCOLN TRAD JAZZ JAMMERS
3rd Saturday of the Month,
Trad Jazz Jam at Bemis Hall,
15 Bedford Rd. Lincoln MA
1:00-5:00pm
The jam venue alternates between the Lincoln Library and Bemis Hall, A notice is always posted on the door of the other venue in case people go to the wrong one.
Jamborees at CJALL
Trad Jazz Jamsters, with Santo, Ted and more… The stalwarts give their all with a young fan at the CJALL TradJazzJam at the Lincoln (MA) Library in March, 2013. http://youtu.be/V0cgGeB0QcU videos by Harold McAleer
Trad Jazz at Lincoln Library presents a series of live Trad Jazz jams in which local musicians gather in informal ensembles to play traditional jazz.
December 2013:
Every 3rd Saturday of the month from 1:00-5:00 pm a regular core of trad jazz lovers gathers in the elegant Tarbell Room in the Lincoln Library, with its great acoustics, to enjoy an afternoon of jamming and each others’ company. (Sometimes held at Bemis Hall if the Library is busy) http://youtu.be/0y7BVrlbjdg
We see it as a venue where everyone can enjoy playing together, whether they be amateurs looking for an opportunity to leave their lonely living rooms and play in an ensemble, or more professional musicians seeking to play more often in these days of fewer and fewer paid gigs, or audience members just wanting to enjoy listening to old time jazz. We aim to have everyone get fair playing time no matter what their level of musicianship, and for the audience to have a good time.
Dan Levinson is a jazz Historian in New York devoted to Traditional Jazz, with a vast collection of memorabilia going back to the 1900’s. He has at least nine different bands. Fortunately for us, he spends much of his time searching out the newest talent coming out of the music schools and teaching these young NY musicians our kind of music, so it will be preserved well into the future.
He seems to save the Millenium All Stars for us at the Hot Steamed Jazz Festival. We have no idea how many young bands he is responsible for, but he has been bringing new ones here to the Hot Steamed Jazz Festival for 16 years. (He breaks the new ones in with a discerning Traditional Jazz Audience.)
This band was actually from the Millennium Generation, with recent graduates of the Manhattan School of Music. Jack Holkum on trombone is 21. Mike Davis cornet, Rob Atkins bass.
Mike Davis, Jack Holkum
Rob Atkins
Kevin Dorn, drummer
Except for drummer Kevin Dorn. Kevin was a young drummer when he first arrived here with Dan 15 years ago in 1998; now he’s one of the “elders” in the band, and has a great Traditional Jazz Band of his own.
Ian Frankel
Dan invited a fine Connecticut pianist, Ian Frankel, to join the band. Dan promised him there would be no reading, but this is Jazz, and it’s never the same twice. Frankel cleverly breezed through several surprises.
They began with Dan on clarinet with the title tune of an album by his Swing Wing Band, featuring Molly, At The Cod Fish Ball.
It includes Bud Freeman’s Summa Cum Laude Orchestra’s Copenhagen.
Molly has been coming here since 2004 – she is now Mrs. Dan Levinson. Molly also sang some tunes from her own new album, Swing For Your Supper, and I’d Like to Wake Up in the Morning Where The Morning Glories Grow.
Swing for your Supper
The Milleniums presented another tune from the Cod Fish Ball album, originally done by the Rhythm Makers, a mixed band, unheard of at the time. Oh Peter, You’re So Nice. In 1932 it featured PeeWee Russell on clarinet, with Eddy Condon on guitar, Joe Sullivan piano, and Zutti Singleton drums. Dan moved to tenor sax for the 1936 Mez Mezro & Sy Oliver, Hot Club Stomp.
Another from Molly’s Album, done by Bing Crosby and The Bob Cats, You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby. A mellow front line backed Molly on Ruth Ettings 1930 Ten Cents a Dance.
They closed with the Gershwin’s The Lorelei from Pardon My English that opened at the Majestic Theatre, New York on January 9, 1933.
We sure hope Dan Levinson and Molly Ryan are available with more of New York’s new talented musicians for next year’s Hot Steamed Jazz Festival! http://danlevinson.com/ensembles.html
Galvanized Jazz Band, with Jane Campedelli vocals, Fred Vigorito cornet, Russ Whitman reeds, Craig Grant trombone, Bill Sinclair piano, Art Hovey string bass/tuba, Bob Bequillard drums, no banjo.
Freddy Vigorito
As soon as the drum and cornet did the intro to a Hot Hindustan, we knew we were in the right place. The Galvanized Jazz Band has been playing Traditional Jazz on the Connecticut music scene since Freddy started leading it in 1971.
It was Friday night and not all the fans had arrived yet. Some were from their old haunt, the Mill Pond Tavern, some from Aunt Chilada’s, and even some TGCTJF folks like Bob Johnson from Moodus, who sponsored the band.
Jane Campedelli
Jane Campedelli was back for The Galvanized and many other bands in the Hot Steamed Jazz Festival. She can sweetly croon June Night, scat through Lazy River,
or belt out songs like Hard Hearted Hannah and the rollicking Rose of Washington Square.
The band revved it up with Oriental Strut, Sherman on bent soprano sax with Wilbur & Sidney DeParis’s Yamma Yamma Man. They played a really bluesy Blues for Bob Johnson, named it the Bob Johnson Blues.
Bill Sinclair has an incredible feel for this early music, playing W. C. Handy’s Careless Love. He started Hoagie Carmichael’s 1942 Skylark that featured marvelous Craig Grant on trombone.
Art Hovey and Bob Bequillard are the drivers in the band. Drummer Bob Bequillard held a nice steady beat, with a simmering drum roll on his solo on Rampart St. Parade.
Art Hovey
Bob Bequillard
Janie bared her soul with some Billie Holiday tunes, What a Little Moonlight Can Do, I’m Gonna Lock My Heart and Throw Away the Key.
They closed with Bill Sinclair backing Jane on Bring Me Sunshine.
It worked, we had a beautiful, sunny, weekend of fantastic Traditional Jazz!
Wolverine Jazz Band at the Sherborn Inn, August 13, 2013
Jeff Hughes trumpet, Tom Boates trombone, John Clark clarinet/bari sax, Ross Petot piano, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Rick MacWilliams tuba, Dave Didriksen drums
The highly revered Wolverine Jazz Band has been traveling to festivals all over the country this summer, so it was appropriate that they start this evening with Back in Your Own Back Yard. Marilyn Snow was happy to have them back, driving over 100 miles from Maine to hear them.
They played tunes from their many CDs. They recorded a lively arrangement of W.C. Handy’s Memphis Blues a while back. Their new CD has Bob Barta on banjo/vocals (Jimmy was away) Egyptian Ella. Nice one – uses many of Barta’s tunes.
Clarinet and flugelhorn traded 4’s on When Lights Are Low, with a wistful vocal by Jimmy. They gave him the next choice – dangerous proposition. Digging into his vast repertoire of ancient tunes, he picked Elmer Schoebel’s Brotherly Love. They had never played it before, but obviously they’ve heard it. Peppy tune, with Jimmy scatting.
They’ve played around with a Duke tune, but never did as a band, Squeeze Me. They have a unique version. Trumpet and clarinet playing melody, trombone counterpoint. Jeff moved to flugelhorn, playing clipped phrases.
John Clark on baritone saxophone
John Clark broke things up with his clarinet & rhythm section on Clarinet Marmalade. Fantastic. He slowed down for Julie Styne Time After Time on bari sax.
Tom Boates
Tom was featured on Blue Prelude with Jeff on flugel horn, in sync, playing smooth, velvety nuances.
Tom took the opportunity for some vacation time with his family while the band was on the road, so we haven’t heard him for a while. Welcome back, Tom!
Mississippi Basin was recorded by Louis Armstrong on a Victor label in 1933. They followed it with a rousing Oriental Strut. New Orleans Stomp has been on their list for five years, and they finally got around to it.
Jeff Huges on Elden Benge trumet
Jeff Hughes has a vast collection of instruments. Tonight he was on a rare Chicago Elden Benge 1941 trumpet. Benge hand-made the parts and assembled his trumpets in his home workshop. He would be pleased to see it in the hands of this creative musician!
There was a request for Ross to play stride. He picked a Harold Arlen tune, Between the Devil and The Deep Blue Sea. His left hand kept in steady stride while the right hand played chorus after chorus in many styles.
He was backed only by Dave Didriksen’s sensitive drumming.
Stan and Gail Brown
This band has many followers. Stan Brown is back after a lengthy recuperation. It was great to see him and Gail dancing.
Dan Gabel’s beautiful family was here – Mom and Grandma’s two sisters, celebrating Grandmother’s 80th birthday.
l-r, Brenda Gabel (mom) Shirley Zatkalik (from No Carolina – age 81) Doris Manzi (sister – eldest at 87!) Margaret Heide (Grandmother) and Dan Gabel.
The Gabels requested Creole Belle, which is on the Wolverines’ latest CD. Nice tailgate trombone clarinet comping, front line was all singing.
John now gets to sing once in a while -he has a fine voice. He picked a song with a message – I Want to Linger.
Marilyn Snow of Maine
We all did, but our time was up.
Marilyn Snow will have to wait until October 9th and November 6th.
Swing at Sunset just concluded a wonderful series of musical events at The Vets in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. Five world-class performances were presented by the American Big Band Preservation Society, Dan Gabel of the Abletones, and The Vets Inc. They took us on a magical, musical trip to the early 20th century with:
Dan Gable and the Abletones with vocalist Amanda Carr kicked it off June28th with a pre-series concert in honor of our veterans.
We weren’t present at all of them (definitely our loss!!) but Dan introduced us to C. S. Imming, who has become a member of New England Traditional Jazz Plus. Welcome aboard!
Frank Vignola and Vinny Raniolo perform at Swing at Sunset. Dan Gabel joins them for Honeysuckle Rose – video by C. S. Imming
Excerpts and pictures of The Wolverine Jazz Band, led by John Clark (clarinet/baritone sax) Jeff Hughes (trumpet) Tom Boates (trombone/vocals) Ross Petot (piano) Jimmy Mazzy (banjo/vocals) Rick MacWilliams (tuba) and Dave Didriksen (drums.
The Vets – actually Veterans Inc. http://www.veteransinc.org/ provides homes and services for our veterans and their families. “They were there when we needed them. We must be there now that they need us.” Some actually reside here at 59 South St. in Shrewsbury, others at 69 Grove St. Worcester, MA.
Hal McIntyre Orchestra directed by Don Pentleton, with Steve Marvin vocals at the last Swing at Sunset at The Vets Inc., in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts August 2nd, 2013
Leader Don Pentleton
Trumpet: Dave Burdett, Dennis Perriccio, Jerry Seeco, Sax: Tom Ferrante, clarinet/alto sax/flute, Ed Harlow tenor, Sil D’urbano alto,
Paul Elman tenor, Arthur Bakopoulas bari sax trombone: ?, Steve Piermarini, Leslie Havens bass trombone Keyboard: John Acaro String Bass: Stephen Arsenault
Don Pentleton leads this marvelous band with the actual, original, yellow, dog-eared arrangements of the Hal McIntyre band. “It’s a kick for us to be able to play those wonderful swinging charts and those lovely, lush ballads,” he told Christopher Popa www.bigbandlibrary.com/bigbandnewsoctober2010.html
Tom Ferrante, clarinet, alto sax, flute
The band showcased many other bands, Woody Herman Band’s Days of Wine & Roses, Benny Goodman arrangement of On a Clear Day with Tom Ferrante on clarinet, a wonderful old Hal McIntyre arrangement of I Can’t Believe That Your’re In Love With Me. Don’t You Know I Care? – Miller released it in 1941 and it was always a Big Hit.
Ed Harlow
Ed Harlow featured on tenor sax for Duke’s A Train.
Steve Marvin
Pentleton introduced “The best Sinatra going in the country, Steve Marvin.” Steve is an excellent vocalist with great sense of timing. He makes the songs his own.
Steve Piermarini came up front to conduct the band behind Steve for I’ve Got The World on a String, Billy Daniels That Old Black Magic, an early Basie arrangement that Frank did at the Sands, Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me, the most popular Cole Porter recording I’ve Got You Under My Skin.
The band continued with Duke’s What Am I Here For? Les Brown Love Walked In, with Arthur Bakopoulas’ full flowing bari sax. Paul Elman, powerful sax on When You’re Smiling. (Paul and Don go way back!)
Saxophones, Reeds
Latin tunes are always requested at Ballroom dances. The band obliges Masquerade, with solos by Syl D’Urbano and Tom Ferrante alto sax.
They skipped some songs to play On The Street Where You Live. Moved to Stan Kenton territory especially for Charlie Messier of the Worcester Telegram. Charlie was a friend of Leo Curran, Kenton’s road manager.
Trombones and Trumpets
Steve Marvin returned with Chicago, Sinatra’s My Way, great Acaro piano. Ferrante on flute. New York, New York. It doesn’t get any better than that!
The Glenn Miller Orchestra is based in Boston. Hal McIntyre began in the Glenn Miller Orchestra, when Miller told him he could start his own band – and with Miller’s blessing, that’s just what McIntyre did.
So they closed both this evening and this year’s Swing at Sunset with Glenn Miller’s most famous tune, In The Mood.
Don Pentleton, leader of the Hal McIntyre Orchestra
The Hal McIntyre Orchestra, directed by Don Pentleton, with the original dog-eared charts, will be at TCAN, Natick Center for the Arts, Summer St. Natick MA on September 8th.
Many thanks to Dan Gabel and The American Big Band Preservation Society, WICN, and Vets Inc. for presenting a great series this summer. Hope to see you again next year!!
The Vets – actually Veterans Inc. http://www.veteransinc.org/ provides homes and services for our veterans and their families. “They were there when we needed them. We must be there now that they need us.” Some actually reside here at 59 South St. in Shrewsbury, others at 69 Grove St. Worcester, MA.
Compaq Big Band at Swing at Sunset, Friday, July 12, 2013
Director: Al Saloky, Vocalist: Rebecca Holtz, Sound Engineer: Jeff Hagan, Piano: Dennis Cecere, Bass: Gil Bristol, Drums: Rick Hansen, Guitar: Dave King From left to right: Saxes: Chris Hildebrand (1st tenor) John Finocchiaro (2nd alto) Scott Tringali (1st alto) Paul Peeirolo (2nd tenor) Ryan Brooks (bari); Trombones: Paul Cole (2nd) Scott Taylor (1st) Jeff Schiebe (3rd)
Leslie Havens (bass trombone); Trumpets: Bruce McLeod, Jeff Sawyer, Scott Beckman, Michael Peipman, Peter Sokolowski
The sky was threatening, causing some concern when The Compaq Big Band, directed by Al Saloky, played outside at the Vets Inc. in Shrewsbury. The band persevered, presenting a refreshing variety of Big Band styles, starting with Mercy, Mercy, Mercy, the title song of a 1966 album of Cannonball Adderley. Al introduced perky Rebecca Holtz, smiling, singing, and dancing all over the stage, I’ve Got a Lot of Living To Do.
Al announced they would do something different, then get into some some swing. There was space on both sides of the stage for dancing, but there’s no dancing to Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Big Band! Rebecca is comfortable singing in a variety of moods. She started with the Diane Reeves version of Big Phat Band’s Too Close For Comfort.
Rhapsody in Blue – Al called it the “The coolest American piece ever written”, with dynamic trumpet by Mike Peipman, and lead trombone, Scott Taylor.
Ryan Brooks and Leslie Havens
Ryan Brooks Baritone sax did the intro on Straighten Up and Fly Right, from Rebecca’s 2nd Album. They moved to Diane Schuur’s Traveling Light.
Deedle’s Blues, done by Diane Schuur and Count Basie Band, is definitely not a Blues!
Peter Sokolowski on flugel horn
Intricate trombone intro to Tom Kubis’ arrangement of a song that should really be our National Anthem, America The Beautiful.
Peter Sokolowski took out his flugelhorn for Straight, No Chaser.
Chris Hildebrand (1st tenor)
Rebecca returned for Almost Like Being I Love and an old standard, Cheek to Cheek with fantastic tenor sax, Chris Hildebrand.
One of her favorite albums is the Count Basie Orchestra led by Frank Foster, I Caught a Touch of Your Love.
Rick Hansen, drums
Al stepped aside for the Buddy Rich arrangement of Love for Sale, letting drummer Rick Hansen loose; nice solo trumpet by Bruce McLeod.
Rebecca is a treasure, she speaks in tunes: I’ve Just Found Out About Love and I Like It. Why Don’t You Do Right.
The clouds moved on and the rain held off! They wrapped it up with another Diane Shuur – Count Basie Band, You Can Have It with Rebecca scatting, trading 4s with Scott’s tenor sax. “You can have it if you really want it, you can have the music all night long. Tell the drummer that you like his playing, tell the singer if you like the song.” Great! Let’s do it!
The audience called for more, but it was time to close. We left anticipating the Hal McIntyre Orchestra next week at Swing at Sunset.
2006 Tour of Great Britain shirt
(Note – The Compaq Big Band’s shirt shows off their 2006 tour of Great Britain.)
Many thanks to Dan Gabel and The American Big Band Preservation Society, WICN, and Vets Inc. for presenting a great series this summer. Hope to see you again next year!!
The Vets – actually Veterans Inc. http://www.veteransinc.org/ provides homes and services for our veterans and their families. “They were there when we needed them. We must be there now that they need us.” Some actually reside here at 59 South St. in Shrewsbury, others at 69 Grove St. Worcester, MA.
Sticky Wicket Group at Springfield VA with Anna Wahler
Mary Osgood’s All Stars, Sticky Wicket
Eli Newberger at the Sticky WicketSticky Wicket All Star Jazz, 1982 $7 cover charge Janet and Foster Yeadon – Hostess & Host—Emeriti Jack Curran, Producer
