Phil Person trumpet, Ted Casher clarinet.tenor sax, Herb Gardner trombone, Bob Winter Keys, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Eli Newberger leader/tuba, Bob Tamagni drums, Watson Reid vocals.
Primavera Ristorante is their Home Base, where they can bring friends and family, relax and have fun, and try new things. They are an amiable group of very talented musicians who really enjoy each other’s company, constantly improvising and challenging each other.
They kicked it off with an old war horse, Kid Ory’s Muskat Ramble, played with a bossa nova rhythm; powerhouse group of accomplished musicians!
Phil Person
Then Eli featured individual members, beginning with a warm, muted trumpet presentation by Phil Person on Do Nothing ‘Till You Hear From Me.
Bob Winter
Bob Winter dedicated a moving melody, Stars Fell on Alabama, to his brother and his wife who were visiting.
Herb Gardner
Herb Gardner came prepared, singing and playing I Think You’re Wonderful, showing his passion for this music.
Then the fun started.
Bob Winter also brought along his dentist, who just happened to play harmonica. Mel Gluskin, who is a dentist in Brookline, Massachusetts, played a lovely medley of Moon River and Somewhere Over The Rainbow. He said “Bob Winter gets a free cleaning.”
That reminded Jimmy of a tune filled with double entendre called Long John Blues:
“I got a dentist who’s over seven feet tall.
I have a dentist who’s over seven feet tall.
His name is Doctor Long John
And he answers every call..
I went to Long John’s office.
I said, “Doctor, the pain is killing.”
He said, “Don’t worry, baby.
It’s just your cavity needs a little filling.”
That’s enough. Jimmy has all the verses memorized.
Vocalist Watson Reid was called on with a Fats Waller tune that featured a police siren – but without the siren: This Joint is Jumpin’.
Watson Reid
Staying upbeat, Washington and Lee Swing was wild. Ted’s clarinet sounded like a 1700s flute leading a charge of revolutionary soldiers. Eli called for Bob Tamagni and Ted Casher to trade fours, then twos, then ones. Ted’s clarinet antics made Bob break up!
We just caught the tumultuous ending…
It was hard to tell who was having the most fun – the band or the audience!
But it wasn’t over.
Ted returned on gut-wrenching tenor sax with one of our favorites, Blue Turning Gray Over You. Coleman Hawkins, you’ve been replaced!
The Hot Six continued with a blistering instrumental, Rampart Street Parade, that had everyone’s feet tapping.
The finale was approaching. Already?? That was fast!
Eli was featured on a tuba solo that we haven’t heard in a long time. Bob Winter backed him on keyboard as Eli’s tuba went, low, low, low, on Polka Dots and Moonbeams.
Eli Newberger
Touching ending to an enjoyable evening!
They will be back next month. We’re eagerly awaiting another amicable reunion when Eli and The Hot Six return with another dynamic evening September 21st, the 3rd Thursday of the month. Join us??
