Jazz Tuber Trio + at the Sherborn Inn, August 6, 2013

Posted on August 6, 2013 by admin

Ted Casher reeds, Jim Mazzy banjo/vocals, Eli Newberger tuba/piano

Tuber Trio photo by Marce

photos by Bennett Green and Marce

The Tuber Trio Plus Three were back exploring the roots of Jazz at the Sherborn Inn Tuesday, August 6, 2013, with Ted Casher Reeds, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Eli Newberger tuba/piano, Jeff Guthery drums, Carolyn Newberger washboard, Carrie Mazzy vocals.

Eli Newberger was back on tuba and piano, with an expanded Jazz Tuber Trio. They started with Jimmy singing a melancholy vocal on Rocking Chair – we’re hoping it never gets him, Jeff swirling soft brushes on snare drum, Ted on smooth slow tenor sax. It wasn’t melancholy for very long.

Eli on piano for fabulous Black and Blue. His expressions are priceless.

Concentration

He loves playing the piano.

Jimmy – Ain’t Gonna Give Nobody None of My Jelly Roll. Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah. Jimmy sings almost every song when he’s with the Trio, and we never get enough of him.

Carrie Mazzy

Carrie Mazzy was on stage for When You Wish Upon a Star and a sweet and sentimental Can’t Help Loving That Man of Mine, backed by Ted’s gut-wrenching tenor sax. Go Back Where You Stayed Last Night, with Jimmy’s banjo support.

Carolyn Newberger was a whirlwind on Coney Island Washboard Rondolay.

Carolyn Newberger Carolyn Newberger on washboard, photo by Bennett Green

Carolyn Newberger photo by Bennett Green

Carolyn with wild expression playing washboard

Carolyn, by Bennett Green

Ted Casher, mainstay of the Tuber Trio, by B. Green

Indiana was a barn-burner. Wonderful World.

Saints – fine drummer. Jeff once won a fastest drummer contest.

Jimmy was singing, scatting in Mazzy style on Chinatown with Eli supportive on his spectacular tuba. Laughing at Life was new to us, but it’s a great idea!

Jimmy and Eli photo by Bennett Green

They closed with a hot That’s a Plenty, Ted leading into it with a bit of Klezmer, Jimmy scatting while trading 4s with Eli’s exhuberant tuba. Excellent trad time-keeping by Guthery; with rhythmic whispering brush strokes and accents. (Video is dark because this isn’t a video camera and it’s being recorded by an amateur, me.)

It’s always a pleasure to reunite with Eli and Carolyn and get caught up on their multiple lives. They just hosted a wedding at their home in Lenox with the music of the Tuber Trio. Eli is consulting, promoting his book on how to build boys with Character – The Men They Will Become. elinewberger.com

Carolyn is a semi-retired Psychologist, plays flute and washboard, and enjoys the art of painting. She will have a showing September 10^th, 2013, “Art Opening for IN THE MOMENT, Paintings and Drawings by Carolyn Newberger, at Harriet Tubman House/Gallery, 566 Columbus Avenue, Boston MA 6-8pm”. carolynnewberger.com

Jeff Guthery, by Carolyn Newberger

This is a sketch Carolyn made of Jeff Guthery while listening to the Tuber Trio.

Jeff is still in school at Berklee College of Music, and playing with the Tuber Trio and other bands around Boston.

Ted is playing clarinet, tenor sax or flute almost every day someplace. Jimmy and Carrie are constantly traveling. The Jazz Tuber Trio (expanded) will return to the Sherborn Inn on October 1, November 12, and December 1. See you there.

Marce

Seacoast Stompers celebrate 6th Anniversary at the Acton Jazz Cafe

Posted on August 3, 2013 by admin

Full Band with Maureen in bright red jacket

Seacost Stompers with Maureen Benson

Videos by Hal McAleer

August 3, 2013, The Seacoast Stompers were back at the Acton Jazz Café with Dave Whitney trumpet, Craig Ball clarinet, Lee Prager trombone, Scott Philbrick guitar/cornet, Frank Stadler piano/leader, Al Ehrenfried string bass, Bobby Reardon drums, and Maureen Benson vocals.

The Seacoast Stompers are celebrating their 6^th year of appearing on the first Saturday of the month at the Acton Jazz Café. This was an exceptionally enjoyable afternoon, with Scott on guitar (which he prefers) and charismatic vocalist Maureen Benson. The venue sound system was shut down, with musicians controlling their own amplification, much better Traditional sound.

Whitney’s solo horn was free to interweave all kinds of tunes because Scott Philbrick was tied up on guitar, subbing for Jimmy Mazzy – most of the time.

Al on string bass, Scott guitar, and Bobby drums

The Rhythm Boys

Al Ehrenfried, was all smiles, picking at the string bass. Lee Prager happy to be back on trombone, bouncing with the music. Bobby was pulsating and alive. They all treasure his timing. It was infectious.

Craig Ball’s hot clarinet set the opening with All That Jazz, their theme song, and after that it was all improvised, with quick discussions over what and how they would play next.

Maureen Benson

A natural charmer on stage, Maureen came up for Slow Boat to China, If I Had You, Dave backing on muted trumpet.

Lee Prager

Lee Prager was featured on
I guess I’ll Have To Change My Plans.
We were happy to have him back.

Maureen returned for I Cried For you – usually done in a slow tempo, but there was nothing slow about this afternoon! There was no holding them back!

Bix time, Scott Philbrick moved to cornet with Dave Whitney trumpet duet for Singing The Blues. Fabulous!

Scott Philbrick and Dave Whitney

Piano took the intro to Claude Hopkins I Would Do Most Anything For You. Scott was back on flaming hot guitar for this barn-burner!

Dave’s version of Back O’ Town Blues is one of Frank Stadler’s favorites. Dave invited Maureen to join him. But she’s never heard the song before, didn’t even know the words. “I can handle Blues.”
This video shows her incredible spunk as she makes up her own words:

Frank and Al got together for an abbreviated Jitterbug Waltz, just piano and acoustic bass. Lovely – but too short, left us wanting more!

Whitney remembered Laurel & Hardy. Most people don’t realize that Oliver Hardy was also a good singer. He sang Lazy Moon in the 1932 Pardon Us, sensitively reprised here by Scott on guitar and Dave on trumpet and vocal.

Neil Moret wrote many beautiful tunes, including Chloe, and Song of the Wanderer, Ray Smith liked him so much he did a whole program on him.

(FYI, Ray Smith’s Jazz Decades is still playing Sundays 8-9pm on www.wgbh.org – even though we lost him a few years ago. Listen and learn about Our Kind of Music.)

Scott on guitar, Whitney on crystal clear trumpet on Song of the Wanderer.

The Saints prompted Alice Brunton to lead the a Parade, sans parasol. We’ll have one next month!

Alice Brunton leads the ‘Saints’ parade – no parasols!

Gray haired lady in bright red flower jacket, nice singer

Betty Countie

Surprise vocalist – Maureen introduced her Mom, Betty Countie, to sing a tantalizing Blue Moon. It’s obvious where Maureen gets her voice and charm!
The mood changed back to Bix and the normal four-piece front line. Their passion for this music is evident, they were really having fun with Since My Best Friend Turned Me Down.

Maureen with Scotty on guitar and Al on string bass

Maureen Benson and the Rhythm Boys

It Had To Be You, Maureen singing Bob Sickles’ favorite song made him happy; An explosive Swing That Music was dedicated to Vern, with Whitney on vocal.

Al Ehrenfried

Buddy Bolden’s Blues was the best Trad tune of the evening with Al’s tender bass solo.

Found a New Baby, found Al all smiles, bass in constant dialogue on this up-tempo tune. Lee bouncing up and down, slipping in some tunes of his own, Scott slipped in a bit of the Russian Ochi Chernye on guitar.

Frank Stadler softly touching keys

Approaching the finale, Maureen was called up for S’Wonderful, backed by Stadler, hands barely skimming over the piano.

They wrapped up this month’s session with Limehouse Blues. Piano rules – with energy and syncopation, setting the pace. Dave finally managed to sneak in Stumbling – he always gets that in somewhere.
This old music has so much energy and vitality, especially played by these accomplished musicians – it’s enlivening, . We’ll all be back, enjoying more of the Seacoast Stompers 6^th Anniversary at the Acton Jazz Café. See you there!

Maureen Benson lists Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, and Carmen McRae as her major musical influences. She is a mainstay on the North Shore jazz scene, and appears monthly with Jazzport at the Seaport Restaurant in Salem.

Hot Steamed Jazz 2013 – Bob Seeley

Posted on August 1, 2013 by admin

Boogie Woogie Bob Seeley at the Yamaha

Bob Seeley, 85 years old in September, is a “National Treasure,” an exponent and proponent of Boogie Woogie. He grew up when Boogie was popular music, never forgot Meade Lux Lewis, Albert Ammons, James P. Johnson. He remembered when Albert Ammons and Pete Johnson played a duet at Carnegie Hall in 1938, from spirituals to boogie – it was a Boogie Woogie Dream!

A natural entertainer, he speaks about all the great pianists of the past, including some we’ve never heard of, like Freddy Slack, who wrote Strange Cargo.

Bob Seeley teaches us about past masters

Bob started out with Seeley’s Boogie. He played W. C. Handy’s St. Louis Blues first in boogie, then switched to stride – first slow, then at a thundering pace, sounding as if there were three pianists. Unbelievable!

He was having a problem with the piano – the ‘sustained key’ pedal on the Yamaha piano was hard, and stride has many sustained notes. He just pushed harder.

He asked for requests and unfortunately got one – Jay was having his 70^th birthday and his wife asked for Happy Birthday. Jay got his Happy Birthday Boogie. (Fortunately there were no copyright police around to collect the royalties on it.)

Seeley with a big smile playing Happy Birthday Boogie

Seeley loves what he’s doing!

Amazing Grace began very slow and reverent as a spiritual and quickly turned into a fast boogie – audience loved it, and he loved the audience. “Mature audience – thank goodness!!”

This is from the 2012 Hot Steamed Jazz Festival:

Hot Steamed Jazz Festival is located at a Steam Train Museum – he had to play something about railroads – he chose Honky Tonk Train. This was Meade Lux Lewis’ special tune that requires a muscular left hand. It has a repetitive bass that sometimes gives the left hand cramps. He was ferocious and wild! From there he continued with Pete Johnson’s JJ’s Boogie – at an exhausting pace!

He gets together with another fine piano player whenever he’s here at the Hot Steamed Jazz Festival. They generally start out peacefully. But with Barnhart, one never knows…

Seeley and Barnhart at piano

Barnhart and Seeley, peacefull playing 4 handed piano

Jeff Barnhart and Bob Seeley

When Barnhart plays – Seeley can’t sit still – no way! Loves to prance around.

And he never misses a parade!

Always has his tambourine with him…

He is a Happy-go-lucky Treasure!

“Boogie Woogie demands precise fingering and split second timing. It’s one of the most demanding and dangerous pieces of music to perform and only a handful of people left on earth possess it.”

Here he was on June 11th at the Blind Boone Ragtime & Early Jazz Festival in Columbia,Missouri ~ June 11, 2013. Video by Tom Warner (tdub1941) http://youtu.be/M8fz6jLnLr0

We are indeed fortunate to have Bob Seeley here in Connecticut to show us how its done. See you next year!!

Bob Seeley – Detroit

Ed and Sharon at NJJS presentation in Morristown N.J.

Posted on July 30, 2013 by admin

by Ed and Sharon Ohr

We attended the New Jersey Jazz Society concert presented by Bruce Gast on July 30th in Morristown, New Jersey, and thought it might be of interest to you as two of our favorite NE musicians were involved.

The concert featured one musician from each of five states. Jeff Hughes (MA) lead the group with his marvelous understated trumpet style. Joining him were two fantastic reed men Noel Kaletsky (CT) and Joe Midiri (NJ). Although we’re used to hearing Herb Gardner (NY) on trombone and Paul Midiri (Del) on vibraphone they provided superb support on piano and drums, respectively.

The Bickford Theater at the Morris Museum was nearly filled to capacity with an exceptionally appreciative audience. They were treated to solos by Jeff and duets by Noel and Joe which brought down the house. The enjoyment it seems was shared by the musicians who treated all by extending the program (to the delight of the attendees.) Simply stated it was a great concert. Thanks again to Bruce Gast for arranging these events.

Thank you Ed and Sharon for sharing this with us!!

Steve Taddeo’s Swing Senders at the Sherborn Inn

Posted on July 28, 2013 by admin

Steve Taddeo’s Swing Senders

Steve Taddeo brought this version of his Swing Senders to the Sherborn Inn on July 9, 2013. Jeff Hughes cornet, Craig Ball clarinet, Dan Gabel trombone, Eric Baldwin and Bill Doyle guitar, Ross Petot piano, Al Ehrenfried string bass, Steve Taddeo drums, Caroline Griep vocals.

Steve Taddep

This was a nine-piece swinging band led by drummer Steve Taddeo, who was outstanding this evening.

Jeff Hughes and Al Enrenfried go back to the late 70’s. The kicked off with a swinging Don’t Be That Way.

All the bands, including the recent pianist Neville Dickie, honor Ms. Lynn.
Caroline sang All of Me for her, sitting in her weekly reserved seat near the piano.

Caroline sings All of Me for Lynn Sickle

Two guitars worked together, with Eric taking most of the melodies while Bill played soft chords. Al Ehrenfried has an infectious, relentless pulse on string bass.

Bill Doyle, Eric Baldwin, and Al Ehrenfried acoustic string bass

Ross displayed his prodigious stride technique on Crazy Rhythm, on the Yamaha Baby Grand piano.

Caroline Griep

Caroline Grief is a gifted vocalist who can sing blues, jazz, swing or pop as Ethel Waters did with Jeepers Creepers in 1938.

Steve’s tom tom drums took the intro featuring Craig’s clarinet on a lightening fast Marie.

Craig Ball featured on clarinet

Dan Gabel

Dan Gabel’s fine trombone was featured on nice slow dance tune, If I Had You.

Jeff Hughes

Jeff Hughes fine tone trumpet was riveting on Don’t Blame Me. Bill Doyle played this melody on guitar, Taddeo keeping beat with soft brushes.

Tea For Two – Steve does his famous Walk Around, drumming on anything in sight – notice Jeff protects his valuable trumpet:

Stan McDonald stopped in to show his support. This music embodies a joyful, timeless spirit. It was a celestially swinging evening.

Jeff Hughes, Ross Petot, Steve Taddeo, Stan McDonald

Steve Taddeo also leads Dick Donovan’s Big Band every week at the American Legion, 140 River Rd. Middleton MA 978.745.0211 7-9pm

Hot Steamed Jazz 2013 – Festival All Stars, led by Jeff Barnhart

Posted on July 28, 2013 by admin

Barnhart piano, Kaletsky clarinet, Palinko drums, Bocciarelli string bass

Beginning of the Hot Steamed Jazz Festival All Stars….

Jeff Barnhart led the Festival All Stars, starting out with four people on Friday night, including indefatigable Noel Kaletsky, who never stopped playing until the last note on Sunday! Tom Palinko was on drums, Lou Bocciarelli on string bass. Jeff said they were “happy to take requests, to keep the band riled up.” As the festival progressed, more All Stars sat in.

Noel Kaletsky on soprano sax

Back Home Again in Indiana, Noel plays soprano sax and clarinet with a passionate intensity.

Jeff said “This is an ironic name for a JRM tune in a tempo that Jelly Roll Morton called: Tempo Disturb the Neighbors.” Sleep.
Barnhart, Palinko, Bocciarelli, and indefatigable Noel in complete control on wild clarinet
Sleep. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiKdRIWGbNA

Winin’ Boy Blues accidentally started as Buddy Bolden Blues – Stop! Rewind! They decided on Winin’ Boy, Jeff proving that less is more on piano, leaving silent pauses – silence can be more important than sound to put over a tune; (Who said that?) Noel Kaletsky soared through the stratosphere on clarinet.

Al Bernard arrived from Rockport, MA, wrapped in sousaphone. Lou and Al took turns pushing the basses on Swing That Music. Jeff Barnhart gave us a lesson in Jazz History, explaining the difference between the music of the 20’s and 30’s. He played one chorus of the 20’s Sousa-feel with Al on sousaphone, and a second chorus with the 30’s two-beat Swing feeling with Lou walking the bass and Noel on swinging soprano sax.

China Boy (PC: East Indian Child) was a barn burner, Jeff tore into the piano, fabulous bass, they let Palinko loose on drums. JRM’s Ain’t Misbehaving.

Tom Palinko, Al Bernard, Lou Bocciarelli

What does one do with two basses? They experimented with having both a sousaphone and bass on the same band, taking alternate choruses. Never gets dull!
Bob Barta sang a poignant My Gal Sal with the 8-pc All Star Band:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JjfHEiUbMY

Eric Devine presents an excellent split-screen view of Barnhart/Barta scatting on:
Sweet Sue

More musicians appeared over time, Kaletsky on alto sax, Steve Taddeo drums, John Clark soprano sax, Fred Vigorito cornet, Lou Bocciarelli string bass, Ben Griffin trombone, Al Bernard sousaphone, Jamil Jorge, fresh out of Connecticut College, on trombone.

More All Stars

On Avalon, Jeff Hughes trumpet, Craig Ball sharing reeds with Noel, Bob Barta banjo, Jamil Jorge on trombone; two basses trading 4s.
Avalon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJXQF-3luB4

Jeff plays The Entertainer:

“1910 Shine, when there was nobody around except Noel Kaletsky; dedicated to me.” Jeff B. Barnhart’s hands blur playing stride, Kaletsky & Craig Ball reeds, Hughes, Barta, Jamil, Bocciarelli, Palinko WOW!
Shine

We caught the Festival Band again on Sunday, with Fred Vigorito on cornet, Albie Bernard sousaphone, Jeff Hughes trumpet, Ben Griffin Trombone, and Jamil Jorge on trombone for a barn-burning That’s a Plenty, with Noel, Fred, and Ben, both basses – complete insanity!

soprano saxes

Dans Les Rues D’Antibes – Steve Taddeo (Swing Senders) joined Palinko on drums, two basses, John Clark AND Noel Kaletsky on soprano sax. It just got wilder. Who made that request? Thank you!

John Clark and Noel Kaletsky are an orchestra unto themselves, mixing and matching all those reeds.

Fred Vigorito and Ben Griffin

Moving from all reeds to all brass, Jeff Hughes trumpet, Freddy Vigorito cornet, two trombones, Someday Sweetheart. Griffin plays a really sweet trombone!

Jeff Hughes’ golden horn led with Barnhart on vocal, Kaletsky & Craig Ball reed duet, Barta & Bocciarelli trading 4s on If I Had You.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhKrOBq7GFw

Everybody was wired for the Finale, High Society, everyone taking a shot at Alphonse Picou’s soliloquy, even Albie on sousaphone. Albie & Lou shared bass lines. Palinko and Taddeo shared drums. It was a wild ending to a fabulous weekend!

Thank you Shirley Bombaci and Crew for persevering and giving us another weekend of great Traditional and Dixieland Jazz. There will be more great bands next year – we’re looking for an appropriate date when they will all be available. We hope more volunteers will step up. How about it??

Hot Steamed Jazz 2013 – Midiri Brothers

Posted on July 25, 2013 by admin

Joe and Paul Midiri

Joe Midiri – Clarinet, Saxophones, Paul Midiri – Vibraphone, Trombone, Pat Mercuri – Guitar, Ed Wise – String Bass, and Jim Lawlor – Drums.

The Midiri Brothers, identical twins, graduated from Glassboro State College in the mid-1980s, and have been keeping Swing alive all over the country ever since.

Joe Midiri’s creativity, technique of breathing, and sound – as with his clarinet in D over High C, is unsurpassed. Paul does many of the arrangements, and his vibes remind us of the great Red Norvo in the Benny Goodman Sextet.

Shine:

Joe used the circle breathing technique for holding a note forever on After You’ve Gone. Ed Wise used his voice mike, humming along when he’s bowing that marvelous string bass.

Joe Midiri on soprano sax

Always, the song I sang to my grandchildren when they were babies. Joe moved to soprano sax, again holding long notes, for The September Song – sweetest soprano sax you ever heard!

Ed Wise Humming along with his string bass

Paul did the arrangement for a tune he heard on a Count Basie recording, Let’s Go – clarinet and vibes playing together in sync, with Ed humming in the background.

Joe Midiri sings Louis A.

Joe’s Louis Armstrong imitation is precious, sometimes on Wonderful World.

Here he’s Louis on Pennies From Heaven. Joe on alto sax, Paul trombone.

Pennies From Heaven

Pat Midiri

Pat Mercuri, guitar, plays catchy riffs, fills in any spaces.

Avalon:

Together:

Paul joins drummer Jim Lawlor for Lime House Blues

The Midiri Brothers are entertainers as well as virtuoso swing musicians. They keep the crowd laughing with their sibling rivalry banter. The Midiri Brothers Sextet keep dancers Swinging! Check out their schedule at The Midiri Brothers – New Jersey

Hot Steamed Jazz Fest 2013-Rt 17 Stompers

Posted on July 21, 2013 by admin

Route 17 Stompers

The photo shows (from left to right) J.T. Lincoln (piano) Caleb Jackson & Nathaniel Weir (trumpets) Jake Brunelle & Sky Hagner (sax) Kevin Bjarnason (clarinet) Emma Sayles (trombone) Andrew Zych (bass) Sam Gosner & Mike Schober (trombones) and Art Hovey on tuba. Not shown are Robert Young (piano) Ben Shorten (guitar & banjo) Brendan LeMieux and Molly Sayles (drums).

Sugarfoot Philharmonic (The Route 17 Stompers)

Most of Art Hovey’s Sugarfoot Youth Jazz Band http://nejazz.com/oldsite/HotStm12_Sugarfoot.htm members have graduated and moved on to higher education, many on their way to becoming professional musicians.

Art is now breaking in a new, much younger group – The “Route 17 Stompers” – mostly from Durham, which is just up Route 17 from the site of the old Millpond Taverne.
Some Sugarfoot alumni returned to assist the new band at the 2013 Hot Steamed Jazz Festival.

Mollie Sayles

Robert Young

Sky Hagner reeds

Emma Sayles

Molly Sayles started them out on drums on “By and By” and “Joe Avery’s Piece”, Robert Young sat in on piano, Sky Hagner on clarinet and sax, Emma Sayles on trombone, and Ben Shorten on banjo and guitar. They each contributed some unrehearsed solos and powerful additions to the ensemble.

Short African American Caleb and Tall Caucasian Nathaniel

Caleb and Nathaniel

In the new band, which has been rehearsing monthly for about a year, Nathaniel Weir is King Oliver, Caleb Jackson is Louis Armstrong. Jake Brunelle plays alto sax, Kevin Bjarnason plays clarinet, Mike Schober and Sam Gosner play trombone, J.T. Lincoln is on piano, Andrew Zych is on bass, and Brendan LeMieux was on drums.

Brandon Lemieux

The group kicked off with the old Sugarfoot arrangement of “Arab Strut”, with J.T. Lincoln soloing on piano.

J. T. Lincoln

Next was “By and By”, with Emma Sayles on trombone, a trumpet duet chorus by Nathaniel and Caleb, and a clarinet-sax duet by Kevin and Jake.

reeds” Jake, Sky, Kevin

King Oliver’s “Camp Meeting Blues” featured the famous trombone solo (harmonized) with Michael, Sam, and Emma, followed by the theme which Duke Ellington borrowed and re-named “Creole Love Call” played by Kevin and Jake.

Oliver’s “Canal Street Blues” featured improvised solos by Nathaniel, Kevin, Caleb, and J.T. “Careless Love” included a piano solo by Robert Young, a guitar solo by Ben Shorten, a trombone solo by Michael Schober, and a sax chorus by Sky Hagner.

Ben Shorten

Ja-Da – Sonny Rollins ‘re-invented it’ using the Ja-Da chords for his composition “Doxy” in 1954. Our arrangement begins with Doxy, reverts to Jada with half-chorus solos by J.T., Jake, Nathaniel, the trombone section and then returns to Doxy for the ending.

Jazz Me Blues, 1921 featured a trumpet duet chorus and a clarinet-sax duet. Joe Avery’s piece featured Molly, Nathaniel, Jake, and Sky. Melancholy was short and sweet.

Andrew Zych

Red Wing is a popular song written in 1907 with music by Kerry Mills and lyrics by Thurland Chattaway. Mills adapted the music from Robert Schumann’s composition for piano “The Happy Farmer, Returning From Work” from his 1848 work Album for the Young, Opus 68. The song tells of a young Indian maid’s loss of her sweetheart who has died in battle. In 1940 Woody Guthrie wrote what are probably the most familiar lyrics “Union Maid”. The Stompers version featured a short piano solo, another clarinet-sax duet, a trumpet solo, and a trombone duet.

Working Man Blues is another King Oliver number featuring duet breaks for the trumpets and for the clarinet and sax. Sugarfoot Jazz Band alumni showing off their sight reading skills on Lu Watters’ “Sage Hen Strut”. Lu was a leader of the Yerba Buena Jazz Band in San Francisco in the 40’s and 50’s. Turk Murphy started with this band.

There are some amazing budding musicians in this “Sugarfoot Philharmonic” Jazz Band. We’re looking forward to hearing what they’ll be playing next year!

Meantime, Art will help you keep track of their progress on this site http://greatctjazz.org/Sugarfoot/

Hot Steamed Jazz Festival – Heartbeat J.B.

Posted on July 21, 2013 by admin

Heartbeat Jazz Band (from video)

Bill Logozzo’s Heartbeat Jazz Band, “New England’s Most Lovable Jazz Band”, has many variations, but always plays great Traditional and Dixieland Jazz, and even some Rock & Roll. Bill picks the best musicians from Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, and Florida — they are all eager to be in this band.

This session, recorded by Eric Devine, has Sherman Kahn and Noel Kaletsky reeds, Tom Brown cornet, Skip Hughes trombone/vocals, Ben Griffen trombone, Steve Keeler guitar, Shari Lewis piano, Al Bernard sousaphone, Bill Logozzo drums, Jane Campedelli vocals.

Jane Campedelli

You can feel the camaraderie between the members. Skip Hughes starts the vocals on this one, Louisian-I-A; he motions Jane to join him. Albie backs them.

Jane, Albie, and Skip. (Marce photo from other session)

Skip Hughes is a gregarious singer, belts out the tunes, and really connects with the audience. But here in Georgia he reveals another, softer, side.

Roll the Patrol is usually Skip’s tune, but he let Janie start this one.

Ben Griffin takes the intro on When You’re Smiling. Marvelous! Bob Price couldn’t be here, Steve Keeler filled in, focused on guitar. You’ll be hearing more from him!

Stevedore Stomp is strictly instrumental, with two trombones, and Noel on alto sax, Sherman clarinet, Tom Brown on growling cornet.

Second session, multi-instrumentalist John Clark stepped in for Noel. Clark and Kahn work together and play off each other – superb craftsmanship.

John Clark joins band on bari and soprano sax

John Clark joins Heartbeat Jazz Band

Sherman Kahn alto sax and clarinet, John Clark bari sax, soprano sax, clarinet, Tom Brown cornet, Skip Hughes trombone/vocals, Ben Griffin trombone, Steve Keeler guitar, Shari Lewis piano, Al Bernard sousaphone, Bill Logozzi drums, Jane Campedelli vocals.

They opened with a good ol’ good one, New Orleans, and ended up with some Rock & Roll. With Skip and Jane singing, Clark took out the baritone sax for Goody Goody. They asked him to call the next tune, he chose Sweet Georgia Brown that featured two trombones.

Steve, Ben Griffin, Albie, Skip Hughes

Down in Honky Tonk Town, powerful, with Sherman on tenor sax, Clark on soprano sax, hot dazzling solos buoyed by propulsive rhythm section. Both on clarinet, they ‘worked like government mules’ on Avalon.

Sherman Kahn and John Clark

Jane and Skip are a show by themselves. Big discussion on who will start Just a Closer Walk With Thee, Jane says to Skip, “You start, like you always do”. Skip replies “And you’ll get the last word in, I’m sure”!

Jane and Skip go at it

Jane got the last word in, softly backed by Ben on trombone.

Tom Brown cornet

John Clark beat out a hard driving tempo for a scorching Running Wild. Clark’s soprano sax traded 4s with cornetist Tom Brown setting sparks flying.

Steve Keeler

Steve Keeler made the guitar intro to a Dolly Parton tune, Pretend, and pushed the beat on Hey Good Lookin’ Jane and Skip scatting. Please Don’t Talk About Me When I’m Gone.

Bill Logozzo is a most unique individual. This world needs more like him! Besides being a fine musician with a great band, he drums up charitable support for the needy with his high-powered Heartbeat Dixieland Jazz Band and Musical Dreams for Human Harmony.

Bill Logozzo

His mission: “To solicit and earn funds through musical productions and programs for the purpose of helping people from all religions, races and ages, with specific medical needs and/or handicaps. To achieve the highest donation rate possible, through minimal expenses and volunteer labor.”

Karen Senn is now letting the world know where they’re playing by emailing The Heartbeat Weekly Pulse and posting on Facebook.

Website: Heartbeat Dixieland Jazz Band – Connecticut

Sophia’s is closing!

Posted on July 20, 2013 by admin

July 31 – Wall Street Journal, Will Friedwall Article

From Vince Giordano, July 20, 2013:

Dear Friends,

Most recently we were told that Sofia’s Restaurant will be closing. Our last night will be Tuesday, August 13th, 2013. Sofia’s has lost their lease after 37 years and the Hotel Edison has other plans for our space. We feel fortunate that Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks have had a home for over 5 years playing music from the 1920’s and ’30s on both Monday and Tuesday evenings. We know, in this day and age that this is indeed rare.

As a band leader, I have had the opportunity to experience a truly world-class band. Playing together frequently has refined each Nighthawk and their talents. This has led to a cohesive unit beyond my imagination. We have actually won a Grammy for our work on HBOs Boardwalk Empire and have played for Queens and Presidents and dancers and all of you!

I personally want to thank the staff and every musician and most of all the audience that has filled Sofia’s these past 5 years.

We thank you for your unwavering devotion and hope to see you from the bandstand some day soon! We are ferociously looking for a new home. If you know of a restaurant that would be open to having us on a regular basis, please call me!!!

And most of all, keep supporting live music ~

Best wishes,
Vince Giordano
Ph: 718-376-3489
www.vincegiordano.com

Below is a list of just some of the renowned guests in our audience.

George Avakian

Margot B.

William Bolcom

Mel Brooks

Carole J. Bufford

T-Bone Burnett

Rich Conaty

Didi Conn

Anton Coppola

Elvis Costello

Robert Crumb

Amber Edwards

Mercedes Ellington

Connie Evingson

Michael Feinstein

Bryan Ferry

Joe Franklin

Will Friedwald

Jason Graae

Adrienne Haan

Jeff Harnar

Celeste Holm

Dick Hyman

Bill Irwin

Joe Jackson

Robert Kimball

Steve Konow

Dave Koz

Diana Krall

Pokey LaFarge

Stewart Lerman

Joanne Lumley

Maude Maggart

Leonard Maltin

Andrea Marcovicci

Marilyn Maye

Howard McGillin

Nellie McKay

Liza Minnelli

Peter Mintun

Mick Moloney

Joan Morris

Marty Napoleon

Laura Osnes

Max Raabe

Stephen Rarlow

Leon Redbone

Jimmy Roberts

Tony Roberts

Catherine Russell

Mark Rylance

Justin Scott

Sue Scott

David Shire

Meg Steedle

Phil Schaap

Ron Swoboda

Tommy Tune

Mark Vietor

George Wein

Robert White

Bob Wilber

Terence Winter

Sol Yaged

New England Traditional Jazz Plus

Swing, Traditional Jazz, Dixieland Jazz, Big Bands

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