Wolverine Jazz Band at Heritage of Sherborn, August 23, 2016

Posted on August 25, 2016 by admin

Wolverine Jazz Band

Jeff Hughes cornet, John Clark clarinet/tenor and baritone sax, Tom Boates trombone, Ross Petot piano, Jimmy Mazzy banjo, Rick MacWilliams tuba, Dave Didriksen drums

The Wolves were elated to return to the former Sherborn Inn, now known as The Heritage of Sherborn. They first played here in 1998. They played with lyricism and passion! It was a full house, with their many fans returning and happy to hear them again.

The seating has been changed, with the band set up in the right hand corner of the “T”, now playing directly to the 50+ listeners in what was the dead-end left corner. No problem hearing the band now!! This was taken during the break from what had been the ‘dead end’ left corner of the “T”. Our ‘music family’ was getting re-acquainted.

picture from rear of room showing tables and people talking

New Seating arrangement

The viewing tables inside the front door were replaced with a very active bar, and a tall table with tall chairs just inside the door, and a fine dance floor.

tall table to left, bar to right, shiny wooden dance floor in front

inside the front door

The Front Line was HOT right from the beginning, with At Sundown

Front Line: John Clark, Jeff Hughes, Tom Boates

Canal St. Blues is an old war horse, with Tom Boates’ growling trombone. He was just back from a well deserved vacation in Florida. He’s been teaching music for 40 years! He’ll be back at Guilford CT High School.

Jimmy was featured with a tune done by the Blue Steele & His Orchestra, in 1927, Sugar Babe I’m Leaving. John took out the baritone sax. RaeAnn video taped this with the Wolverines on November 7, 2015 at the 26th Annual Arizona Classic Jazz Society in Chandler AZ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWVjyTqKv28

Jimmy has a wealth of tunes and introduced one to the band this week, pianist Joe Robichaux’s 1933 After Me The Sun Goes Down.

Once In a While was a barn-buster! It’s on their new CD. They slowed down for a tune of Jeff’s choice, he picked Django’s Nuage, ending in a flamboyant cornet coda.

John and Gisela Brunaccini took advantage of the dance floor for the 1931 Pop tune, Strangers, and for the first blues ever recorded, Memphis Blues – nice fox trot. They’re in their 90’s and fabulous dancers.

John and Gisela Brunaccinis

Jimmy sang the vocal, Rick’s tuba had a great solo on Sunset Café Stomp. John took out the tenor sax for Robin’s Nest with Jimmy Scatting. John was still in good form from playing Sunday Brunch at the Griswold Inn Sunday with the 90-year-old Bob Card and The Freight Train Five, where they also played On a Clear Day You Can See Forever.

The Wolverines recorded Wolverine Blues on their first CD, without a trombone, because John hadn’t found one good enough. Tom Boates definitely has filled in that gap!

Jimmy Mazzy has been playing almost every night with one band or another. Last Sunday he was with the New Orleans Trio on the Jazz Boat up and down the Cape Cod Canal. There’s only one cruise left this year, folks – September 4th. They board at 1:15pm.

Jimmy Mazzy and Dave Didriksen

Behind Jimmy is drummer Dave Didriksen, who has been with John Clark for years. Dave Didriksen knows his Jazz, and is booking Ken’s Steak House every Sunday afternoon 4pm starting in September. Ken’s Steak House

Rick MacWillliams

He and Rick MacWilliams have lead the rhythm section for John Clark ever since he started here in New England.

Rick leads the Commonwealth Jazz Band that includes John Clark or Noel Kaletsky on reeds and Jimmy Mazzy banjo and vocals.

There was a request for Let Me Call You Sweetheart, The Wolves played it in Dixieland style like the Halfway House orchestra in 1927. (They were named after a dance hall called the Halfway House that was halfway between New Orleans and Lake Pontchartrain.)

Robin’s Nest was in remembrance of Sir Charles Thompson, a jazz pianist of supple power who bridged the swing and bebop eras. He died June 16 at age 98.

John Clark sings too

John sang a rambunctious Happy Feet, from the 1929 King Of Jazz (named for Paul Whitman.)

Tom Boates gives it 150%

Tom sings on the new CD, Now & Then, Hello Central, Give Me Dr. Jazz, with Jeff adding some cornet vibrato.

Jeff uses strange mute

A slow bluesy blues had many names, they stuck with Audrey, banjo intro, tenor sax, trombone, cornet muted with a wine glass.

Ross Petot, widely known and respected pianist

Ross Petot is an essential part of this band, playing his excellent stride piano. He was featured on a WILD Birmingham Breakdown. John on bari sax. CineDevine recorded it at the 2013 Hot Steamed Jazz Festival.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iabyXz3ODM

John blew us away on bari sax!

John returned to tenor sax with Jimmy Singing September in The Rain, Tom’s trombone sneaking in a bit of In My Solitude. They inspire each other; when they get together it’s magic!!

They closed with dynamic solos on an exciting, freewheeling, Strutting With Some Barbecue. Fabulous!

The Wolverine Jazz Band and its individual members will be kept busy next year, including many festivals. We try to keep up with them, but it isn’t easy!! Their Gatsby Weekend on Star Island off Portsmouth NH Aug 27-28 is sold out!
Keep an eye out for them on our Calendars at nejazz.com.

Their new CD, Now & Then is out. Number 14? It has some tunes they recorded in the past, including a couple from 1998!

Now & Then

You can get them wherever John or the Wolverines appear, or at their website.

For their appearances, keep an eye on our Calendars at www.nejazz.com.

Eli and Hot Five at Primavera August 18, 2016

Posted on August 21, 2016 by admin

keyboard, tuba, drum, sax, trumpet, trombone, no banjo

Eli and The Hot Five

Eli and Hot Five, (Plus Four) at Primavera August 18, 2016 by Marce

Ted Casher clarinet/tenor sax, Bo Winiker trumpet, Herb Gardner trombone, Bob Winter keys, Eli Newberger tuba, Bob Tamagni drums, Carolyn Newberger washboard, and special guests Elaine Woo, Sarah (Gardner) Nova, and Watson Reid on vocals.

Eli and The Hot Five are a Powerhouse group of accomplished musicians, playing music like you will hear nowhere else. Relaxed and with honest camaraderie, they thoroughly enjoy themselves, and so inspire the audience.

An upbeat Jazz Me Blues started the evening, then leader Eli Newberger immediately asked individual musicians to play tunes of their choice.

Bob Winter

Bob Winter tore into a joyous romp on Margie, reaching down and creating music with almost a classical approach to the melody (but with elegant, surprising harmonic choices beneath).

Herb Gardner

Herb played superb trombone and sang It’s Almost Like Being In Love, with Ted supporting on clarinet and Bo on flugelhorn.

He later returned for one of his favorites Hoagie Carmichael’s Old Rocking Chair”

There is free interplay in this amazing front line; they inspire one another, and are backed by brilliant rhythm accompaniment.

Front Line

Eli called on Elaine Woo for her choice of songs. She took over the band for an inspiring Body and Soul. She is vibrant bundle of energy, (She is also an MD in Internal Medicine.)

Elaine Woo

Watson Reid

There was another MD in the audience, an internist and a psychiatrist who retired from medicine after 29 years to pursue his love of music full time. Watson Reid joined the band singing Ain’t She Sweet.

Just for the fun of it, the vocalists formed a quartet and resuscitated an oldie, You Are My Sunshine.

Carolyn sitting at keys, Sarah, Watson and Elaine standing in front of her

Quartet has a conference on what song they will sing.

Bob Winter’s keyboard introduced one of our favorites, an instrumental on Limehouse Blues.

Bob Tamagni

Bob Tamagni, a Professor at Berklee, puts heart and soul into it. He articulates and phrases drumming with the same expression as any other instrument. Eli said“He’s one of the most musical drummers in the world!”.

Carolyn Newberger joined the band on washboard with a bouncy Miami Rhumba that had the audience swaying in their seats. The energy was far from flagging!

Elaine returned with Taking a Chance on Love. The two came together for a foot stomping Darktown Strutters’ Ball.

Carolyn Newberger and Elaine Woo make a great team!

Route 66 started with a tuba line, then Elaine on vocal. Eli could not resist joining Bob for Four Handed Piano. They do have fun!

both with hands suspended over the keyboard

Bob Winter and Eli Newberger play four-handed piano

Sarah Nova’s warm voice caresses the melody and lyrics

Sarah Nova’s deep feeling takes us inside each song, I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter and Everybody Loves My Baby. She writes and sings songs for Babies and Children and has many CDs – passing on good life lessons.

Principle vocalist Elaine Woo also sang Sentimental Journey, Embraceable You, and Getting Some Fun Out Of Life, (good motto for a life lesson), .

Bo front and center with trumpet and handkechief

Bo does Louis Armstrong

Bo was featured with soaring trumpet on Louis’s Hello Dolly. He dedicated When You’re Smiling to a member in the audience, Matt Robino, who went to High School with him – they haven’t met since 1970!

Eli Newberger solo tuba

Eli was featured, alone on Somewhere Over The Rainbow, an incredible, awesome solo on tuba.

There was more instrumentals, Midnight in Moscow, Muscat Ramble, Savoy – with Ted on tenor sax. Wow!

Carolyn was sketching away throughout the evening. . (She is also a Dr. and clinical and research psychologist, artist, musician, and essayist. Maybe we’ll see some of them.)

They closed with a sensational Strutting With Some Barbecue.

Nowhere else will you hear such accomplished musicians relaxed and having fun playing classic, contemporary jazz and swing. They are here at Primavera on the 3rd Thursday of every month. Next one will be September 15th – come see abd hear for yourself!

Midiri Brothers join Swing Senders at Bemis Hall, August 13, 2016

Posted on August 13, 2016 by admin

Midiri Brothers with Steve Taddeo’s Swing Senders

videos by Harold McAleer

We were thrilled to have the Midiri Brothers back, and they were happy to return to Bemis Hall in Lincoln, Massachusetts with Steve Taddeo’s Swing Senders:

John Clark director on reeds, Paul Monat cornet, Gerry Gagnon trombone, Ross Petot piano, Bill Doyle guitar, Justin Meyer string bass, Steve Taddeo drums, Caroline Griep and Paul Agnew vocals, and of course Joe Midiri on reeds and Paul Midiri on vibes (and drums).

Steve Taddeo’s Swing Senders opened their Aug 13, 2016 concert with the Midiri Brothers with this 1928 classic Crazy Rhythm – Harold McAleer’s videos tell the story best:

The next tune shows the band’s great solos by each musician, as well as the Midiri Brothers together, and portrays the fabulous afternoon of Swing and Jazz that we witnessed here today:

When I Grow Too Old To Dream

Bemis Hall was filled with avid fans, and they were not disappointed.

There were more tables in the rear.

Caroline Griep

Caroline Griep joined the band for Out of Nowhere, Slow Boat to China, Taking a Chance on Love. She’s always a joy to hear!

After You’ve Gone was WILD! Joe Midiri HOT clarinet. Paul Monat holding a long note on cornet, Paul on vibes and John Clark on bari sax playing innumerable notes on that onerous instrument. It just couldn’t get any better than this!

But there was much more!

Paul Agnew

Paul Agnew sang All By Myself.

Paul is a local vocalist (Braintree) who interprets the timeless music of the Great American Songbook with meaning and authority.

Steve let Gene Krupa loose on Don’t Be That Way, with everyone stopped and focused on Taddeo.

Steve Taddeo solo

Joe Midiri singing Louis

Joe Midiri does a great Louis Armstrong, singing Pennies From Heaven, and playing a duet with Gerry Gagnon’s fine trombone.

Our favorite is always when Joe does Sidney Bechet on soprano sax, – Si tu Vois Ma Mère:

Avalon was over 18 minutes long, with many great solos and the marvelous Midiri Brothers playing together. Steve Taddeo was featured in an 11 minute drum presentation, including his ‘walk around’; Justin joins him on string bass at 10, and Paul Midiri joins him for a drum duet at 13. They do enjoy this!

They closed this superb evening with Russian Lullaby.

The Midiri Brothers enjoy being here and promised they would return; we’re certainly looking forward to them next August 13th, 2017 at Ken’s Steak house, Rt. 9 Framingham MA – The Big Four, with The Midiri bros,Paul Midiri vibes, Joe Midiri reeds, Jeff Barnhart stride piano and Steve Taddeo drums, and With Caroline Griep vocals
Stay tuned to our calendars at www.nejazz.com.

Marce

Eli and The Hot Five at Primavera Ristorante, July 21, 2016

Posted on July 22, 2016 by admin

Eli and The Hot Five

Bob Winter keyboard, Eli Newberger tuba, Jimmy Mazzy banjo, Bob Tamagni drums, Bo Winiker trumpet, Herb Gardner trombone.

Jimmy Mazzy and Eli Newberger have performed together for years.

Jimmy opened singing a beautiful melody, C’est Ci Bon; he was right – this evening was SO good!

He and Eli later played the banjo’s National Anthem, The World is Waiting for the Sunshine – they’ve done this often with The Tuber Trio.

Eli standing next to Bob playing keyboard with him

Eli and Bob

Eli joined Bob on Sentimental Journey for amazing four-handed piano.

Bob Tamagni, teaches drumming at Berklee

Bob Tamagni is a unique drummer, capable of interweaving beautiful melody on drums. especially when he let loose on Sentimental Journey.

Bob with right arm way up high over keyboard

This isn’t the Boston Pops – Bob winter explodes on a fast Sing, Sing a Song, You could have heard a pin drop when he played sweet and soft on Duke’s Sophisticated Lady.

Bo, sporting a big smiel, at mic holding trumpet and handkerchief

Bo Winiker

Bo sings Louis’s Wonderful World.

He was featured on Lady Be Good on sublime muted trumpet, then trading 4’s on open bell with Eli on tuba. They do have fun!

He takes out a smokey flugelhorn when backing vocals.

Herb Gardner

Herb played and sang Walking Stick — tribute to the cane he’s not using anymore since he broke his hip in March.

He’s playing in MANY bands, here and in New York!

Elaine Woo

Elaine Woo is a spitfire on vocals, singing down and dirty on Route 66. She also sang Billie Holiday’s Getting Some Fun Out of Life, a sweet Embraceable You, and It Might as Well Be Spring. She joined Carolyn later.

Carolyn joins Hot Five for Washboard Round-o-lay.

…..and we loved Miami Rhumba!

Carolyn and Elaine brought the house down on Darktown Strutters Ball.

These world-class musicians really enjoy playing together every chance they get.
We really missed our favorite tenor sax, Ted Casher, and look forward to hearing him again.

It was a fun, unforgettable evening!! Hopefully, Eli and The Hot Six will be back August 18th. See you there?? Mark your calendars!

Marce

“Ragtime” Jack Radcliffe at Primavera Ristorante, July 14, 2016

Posted on July 18, 2016 by admin

“Ragtime’ Jack Radcliffe

“Ragtime Jack” came to Primavera solo for the first time, to give us a history and samples of Ragtime Piano, but interjected many fabulous tunes of the 1920’s.

He began with a vocal on W.C. Handy’s St. Louis Blues.

He said that noted musicologist and Morton biographer Alan Lomax first wrote that Jelly Roll Morton claimed to invent jazz.

“JRM played at Tipitina’s in New Orleans. He wrote Sweet Substitute, “ Jack’s fingers floating over the keyboard. He just returned from New Orleans and said “Tipitina’s has reopened”. http://www.tipitinas.com/

He began Up a Lazy River in a slow tempo, moving into triple time, then back to slow.

“Andy Razaf wrote lyrics for Fats. S’posin’ he wrote himself. “ Radcliffe interjected a ‘vocal trombone’ into the piece.

Jack talked about Andy Razaff when he was here previously, backing Bonnie.

He continues:
“Billy Strayhorn was a 19 year old country boy, living in Iowa, when he was asked to join Duke Ellington. On his way to New York, he wrote the lyrics to Take The A Train. “

Jack wanted to do something in French, adding some French lyrics (in a perfect accent ) to Do You Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans.
Going back to ragtime, he played Scott Joplin’s Easy Winners, one of Joplin’s most popular works.

He explained the fingering on Boogie Woogie, saying “The left hand played the rhythmic ‘Boogie’, while the right hand played ‘the Woogie’. “

He sang the verse to Georgia, holding an elongated note on vocal that seemed to take forever!

Back Home Again in Indiana was played instrumental – making the keyboard yell for Help!

“Richmond, Indiana was the birthplace of Glenn Miller. “ Radcliffe gave us his beautiful version of Sentimental Journey.

“Lazy Bones was written at a time when it was too, too hot to go fishing. “

“James P. Johnson wrote stride piano“. Jack has his Hungry Blues on one of his Wepecket Island CDs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avs20g901Fs

He closed with the 1924 Andy Razaf’s Porter’s Love Song to a Chamber Maid.

This was an interesting evening, filling in blanks on our knowledge of Jazz History, and backing it up with fine playing. Then he got away back to Newport, where he moved recently.

You can learn more about “Ragtime” Jack Radcliffe at http://www.wepecket.com/radcliffe.htm

Steve Taddeo Big Band at Bemis Hall, June 25, 2016

Posted on June 28, 2016 by admin

Steve Taddeo Big Band

by Harold McAleer

Trumpets: Larry Panzeri, Skip Gummoe, Bill Cable and Joe Hostetter.
Trombones: Chris D’Senzo, Kurt Thaler, Rick Ongoing and Bob Sinclair.
Saxes: Steve Gold, Maureen Ameral, Bob Tyler, Ben Petrucci and Dick Hieman.
Piano: Dave James, Guitar: John Deardon, Bass: Paul Brann
with Caroline Griep vocals and Steve Taddeo Drums and Leader.

Steve Taddeo has had a big band off and on since 1978, as well as The Swing Senders. He brought this 18-piece Big Band to Bemis Hall to a good appreciative crowd on June 25, 2016.. They opened the concert with Don’t be that way. Great band!

Highlights were the give and take between Caroline Griep and Steve about the origins of the songs. Caroline sang many songs that afternoon including, I’ve got the world on a String, Massachusetts, from the Gene Krupa book, Tangerine, How ‘bout you, Orange Colored Sky.

Trumpeter Larry Panzeri reprises this Sinatra special Luck Be a Lady!

The band roared thru a Count Basie tune, Freckle Face, Orange Coast (Bill Holman chart).

Caroline Griep is dedicated to her music. The whole spirit of the room perks up perceptibly when she sings.

I’ve Got The World on a String

They closed with the 1939 Gene Krupa Classic Drumming Man which featured both Caroline and Steve.

Steve has plans for bringing more musicians to Bemis Hall – Midiri Brothers and Dan Levinson:

Steve Taddeo’s Swing Senders with special Guests the Midiri Bros at Bemis hall Aug.13th, 2016. 2pm-5pm

Steve Taddeo’s Swing Senders with special guest Dan Levinson,Sept.24th 2016 at Bemis hall 3pm-5pm.

Bemis Hall is at 15 Bedford Rd. Lincoln MA 01773

Ray Conniff 100 FREE Concert at Capron Park in Attleboro, MA

Posted on June 27, 2016 by admin

Rau Conniff

by Rick Foster

ATTLEBORO, Ma. — As a noted big band era musician and arranger, multi-million album-selling orchestra and chorus leader and Grammy winner, the late Ray Conniff stands alone among musical greats who got their start in the Jewelry City.

Beloved by audiences from Rio to St. Petersburg, Russia, Conniff blazed a musical trail through the 1950s and 60s and received a Grammy Award for his version of “Somewhere My Love” (Lara’s Theme) from the movie blockbuster Dr. Zhivago. He also orchestrated hits for many of the postwar era’s brightest stars and played a major role in launching the career of Johnny Mathis.

Now, Conniff lovers will get a chance to celebrate what would have been the great bandleader’s 100th year with a free outdoor concert 2 p.m. Sunday, July 17 at Capron Park.

Back by popular demand this year will be trombonist-bandleader Dan Gabel and the Abletones Dectet playing big band hits associated with Conniff and his contemporaries. The knowledgeable Gabel will also flesh out the story of the young Conniff whose musical career started with a band made up of his Attleboro High School classmates and rose to the pinnacle of stardom.

Born in Attleboro in 1916, Conniff became a mainstay of the swing era playing with bands ranging from Bunny Berigan to Bob Crosby and Artie Shaw. After service in World War II, he became a noted arranger, orchestra leader and hit-maker who ultimately sold an incredible 70 million records as leader of his orchestra and chorus.

Dan Gabel and The Abletones have blazed their own trail to the height of musical excellence, having played for Gov. Charlie Baker’s inauguration, former Gov. Deval Patrick and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh as well as countless concerts, town commons and special occasions.

The once-a-year free Ray Conniff Memorial Concert is funded by a generous anonymous donation and held with the cooperation of the Attleboro Park Commission.

Galvanized Jazz Band at Aunt Chilada’s June 19, 2016

Posted on June 24, 2016 by admin

Aunt Chilada’s

Galvanized Jazz Band at Aunt Chilada’s, Hamden, CT, June 19, 2016, celebrating Holman and Fran Rice 70^th Wedding Anniversary, 1946 – 2016!

by Jean Hadley
photos by Angelo

The Band: Freddy Vigorito, Russ Whitman, Noel Kaletsky, Bill Sinclair, Joel Schiavone, Bob Bequillard, Art Hovey, Tom Artin, Cythia Fabian

Holman and Fran with daughter Donna and her husband

Rice Family

As the Galvanized Jazz Band arrived, friends, fans and family gathered. It appeared we were going to have a packed house and an evening of much celebrating.

Balloons, posters, beads, cards, flowers, gifts, and parasols filled the room. Cameras were in abundance everywhere. This was going to be a night to remember.

Fran and Holman’s life started as youngsters in Maine, married after WW2, eventually finding their way to Connecticut, raised two boys and two girls. Their two girls live here in Connecticut and the two boys live in Arizona.

Holman and Fran Rice Singing,

Fran and Holman are proof that through good times and bad, a positive attitude, perseverance, the importance of family and friends and, above all, love and prayers have kept Fran and Holman together for SEVENTY years.

They sang If I Had My Live to Live Over.

I met Fran and Holman when I was first introduced to OKOM, at the Millpond Tavern, here in Connecticut (Galvanized Jazz Band’s Sunday night gig.) Holman was 65 (on Medicare) and Fran was about to catch up the next year. Do the math! Holman will be 90 this year and next year Fran will enjoy her 90^th.

Holman continues playing banjo and piano and belongs to the Elm City Banjo Society in his hometown of Wallingford, CT. Fran accompanies Holman at all his gigs and is his consummate supporter

Fran and Holman dance. Photo by Donna Rice

The room was filling, with family and friends, gathering to celebrate Fran and Holman’s union of 70 years and, listen and dance to music of 1946. Indeed, Fran and Holman still cut a rug. Freddy did a splendid job in selecting the music and the band performed top shelf!

Here are some of the songs that brought back memories for so many sitting in the audience.

Old Fashion Love, A Sunday Kind of Love, Blue Skies, If I Had My Life to Live Over (sung by Fran and Holman,) Beale Street Papa, There are Smiles, When Your Old Wedding Ring Was New (sung by Holman to Fran) and, a very touching moment. There were many more numbers and some beautifully delivered by Cynthia Fabian.

It was time for the band to take a break and bring out the cake. What a cake! During this time, friends and family from as far as Arizona, surrounded the happy couple’s table to congratulate them on such a memorable achievement; a very special “moment in time” to remember.

After the well-wishers played tribute to Fran and Holman, the band resumed; playing numbers that brought parasols front and center. The audience went mad!! So many wanted to take part in the parasol parade, we ran out of parasols and space. Even Freddy joined us.

Freddy chose some great songs for the second set. Cynthia belted out You Gotta See Mama Every Night, Walkin’ After Midnight, Is You Is or Is You Ain’t and, several others; ending with Zippity Do Da just for Fran and Holman. And, of course, the standard closing number When the Saints Go Marching In….which brought out the parasol parade once again. The fans went wild and didn’t want the evening to end. What a wonderful evening….thank you band, Aunt Chilada’s, wait-staff and friends. It would not have been possible without you.

Remember, it is not how long we live but how well we live our lives. Fran and Holman are certainly a wonderful example of this.

Jean Hadley

Back Bay Ramblers at Ken’s Steak House June 12, 2016

Posted on June 14, 2016 by admin

Bill Reynolds’ Back Bay Ramblers

Dan Gabel trombone, Bill Drake guitar, Mike Peipman trumpet, Bill Reynolds leader/drums, Billy Novick alto sax and clarinet, Stu Gunn tuba/string bass, John Clark clarinet, tenor and baritone sax, Ross Petot piano, Nancy McGhee vocals.

Bill Reynolds has revivified his Dad’s band, The Back Bay Ramblers, playing hot dance and jazz from the 20’s and 30’s. Four members remain from a previous band: Billy Novick and John Clark reeds, Ross Petot piano, and of course, Bill Reynolds drums. Filling in some very big boots are Mike Peipman for Jon-Erik Kelso, who now plays every Sunday at the Ear Inn in NY; Dan Gabel for Bob Connors, who moved to Florida and is collecting old movies; Bill Drake guitar for Peter Bullis banjo who is Manager of the New Black Eagle Jazz Band; and Stu Gunn for Vince Giordano, who needs no explanation.

Ed’s Back Bay Ramblers

They started with their theme song, Dream Sweetheart, and played many of Ed’s favorite songs and vocals, aptly sung by Nancy McGhee.

Nancy McGhee

Nancy gave a strong, effervescent singing performance, beginning with Daddy, Won’t You Please Come Home. Nancy is a graduate of Berklee and is Choral Director at Lawrence High School Performing Arts. She sang songs of the Boswell Sisters, An Evening In Caroline, Eva Taylor’s 1937 Clarence Williams’ Top of The Town, Mildred Bailey’s Commentating on You. She also touched on Ed’s favorite vocalist, Annette Henshaw, with The Right Kind of Man.

The Band played Little By Little done by the Louisiana Rhythm Kings in 1929. Tiny Parham’s dark, somber Congo Love Song, arranged by Bob Connors. Cho King was arranged by pianist Robin Verdier.

Dan holds megaphone with left foot

Alcoholic Blues, 1929 by Doc Daugherty, Dan Gabel with a slow, moaning muted trombone.

Dan was featured on The River and Me, playing trombone into a 4-foot megaphone braced on his left foot.

He took the first chorus on Red McKenzie’s 1929 Hello Lola, done by the Mound City Blue Blowers. It featured all the guys with many marvelous solos by the front line.

Front Line, Dan Gabel, Mike Peipman, Billy Novick, John Clark

Mike Peipman

The 1951 Nullabor was the most recent tune, an Australian Band jazz revival. It probably means ‘null arbor’, or no trees; a grassy plain, or desert? No one knows for sure. Bill ended it with a pulsating tom-tom drum beat.

Mike Peipman is Australian. His crystal-clear trumpet led many of the tunes.

Riding But Walking – My Wonderful You, arranged by Steve Wright, the interaction between the saxes was mind boggling!

Billy Novick on alto sax, John Clark on baritone sax

Stu holding tuba with string bass beside him

Stu Gunn had big boots to fill!

Fat’s Waller’s Vipers Drag was a knockout! Virtuoso bassist Stu Gunn gives the band energy and drive. He brought two instruments, string bass and tuba, excluding Vince’s bass sax.

A full time musician, Stu Gunn plays fine classical music in local symphonic orchestras, and is fantastic on Jazz and Blues.

Bill in black tux and bow tie, as are all members of the band.

Bill Drake on guitar

Bill Drake’s acoustic rhythm guitar is barely heard by the audience. You can ‘feel’ him more than hear him, but he adds depth to the music that would definitely be missed!

couple in their early 90's dancing, and they're good!

John and Gisella really enjoy dancing!

John and Gisella Bruneccini couldn’t resist dancing!

Ross smiling at camera - Ross Never smiles when he's playing!

Ross Petot is renowned for playing stride piano.

Ross played a solo on Clarence Williams Longshoreman’s Blues, improvising but never straying far from the melody. It was arranged by Billy who was on clarinet.

Shadows on The Swanee also had Ross’s fine piano.

Duke Ellington’s Red Hot Band was played by the Cotton Club Orchestra in 1927.

They closed with Joe Steele’s Top and Bottom, front line playing in staccato, saxes interweaving, twining around each other.

Bill Reynolds closes his eyes and listens

Bill Reynolds has a passion for this music. Ed Reynolds is looking down and smiling.

The Back Bay Ramblers brought a level of style and sophistication of jazz that is rarely heard today. We would like to hear them more often!

Bill has many CD’s of the various Back Bay Ramblers available for sale.

CD: The original band’s first album was in 1986, with Scott Philbrick, Johnny Battis & Billy Novick (no trombone), Robin Verdier, Jimmy Mazzy, Stu Gunn and Bill Reynolds
(Thank you for this, Steve Wright. He and Bob Connors joined the band when Johnny Battis left.)

There will be no Sunday afternoon Jazz at Ken’s Steak House for the summer. Stay tuned – we’ll definitely let you know when it’s back!

Blue Horizon Jazz Band June 2nd 2016 Primavera

Posted on June 4, 2016 by admin

Stan McDonald’s Blue Horizon Jazz Band

Phil Person trumpet, Stan McDonald soprano sax, Gerry Gagnon trombone, Stu Gunn string bass, Jack Soref guitar, Rich Malcolm drums

The Blue Horizon Jazz Band revived the passionate style and exuberant melodies of the New Orleans musicians of the 20’s and 30’s with tightly arranged solos and fine ensemble. They played many Sidney Bechet compositions, brought to life by leader Stan McDonald on the instrument that Bechet made famous, the soprano saxophone.

They began with I Can’t Believe That You’re In Love With Me, followed by a guitar intro to Georgia On My Mind, with fine ensemble and solid rhythm.

Phil on muted trumpet with Jack Soref behind him

Phil Person

Phil Person played powerful trumpet on Blue Turning Gray Over You. He and McDonald took turns taking the lead. Phil is a true gentleman, listens carefully, and plays with a light touch – until the tune calls for a powerful trumpet, then look out!

My Gal Sal showcased the band’s fine ensemble. Some Sweet Day was a rabble rouser!

Gerry Gagnon growling trombone

Bechet’s Blues In The Air brought out Gerry Gagnon’s growling trombone. Gerry has been with this band for about 17 years. An essential part of the front line, his trombone also fills in the “holes” in a tune with extensive use of the slide.

Jack Soref plays the same round hole guitar with very high action as Django Reinhardt.

It was great to have Jack Soref back from his Colorado tour with the Future Rhythm Quartet.
Jack was featured on Ochi Chernye (Dark Eyes), a Russian Folk Song.
Our Birthday Girl, Tina Cass, 80 years old today, surprised the band with the lyrics in Russian.

Stan said that Irving Berlin summed up Life with All By Myself, and did the vocal. He was featured on Bechet’s Petite Fleur, ending it in a flourish!

Stan on soprano sax with string bass and guitar

Stan McDonald featured on Petite Fleur with Stu Gunn and Jack Soref

Stu Gunn also plays classical music in local Symphonies.

Stu Gunn’s very deep, rich, “woody” sounding tone on string bass gives the music support and maintains that solid Traditional Jazz Beat. He played a superb solo on Dear Old Southland. His bass is always in sync with Rich Malcolm’s drum.

Rich on drums, bass, snare, top hat, two small cymbals and a bell

Rich Malcolm

Rich is the new drummer with The Blue Horizon Jazz Band, though he has played with the band in the past. He understands this music.

He gave Tijuana a sweet Latin beat. Steve Straus of the Riverboat Stompers says “You feel the rhythm rather than hear the drum beats by Rich Malcom”.

They played one of Malcom’s favorites, When I Leave The World Behind.

Stan’s soprano sax took the intro to Bechet’s I Remember When (Si Tu Vois Ma Mere). Beautiful!

There was a slow beginning on After You’ve Gone, then with a 4-bar drum pulse, the band went WILD! The distinctive front line and strong heartbeat of the bass and drums supported by Jack’s guitar prompted Jeannine, a ‘regular’, to say “This is the best I’ve ever heard this band play!”

The Blue Horizon Jazz Band plays at Primavera Ristorante on the first Thursday of every month; next one will be July 7th. Join us!

New England Traditional Jazz Plus

Swing, Traditional Jazz, Dixieland Jazz, Big Bands

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