Steve Taddeo’s Swing Senders with Ken Peplowski, Bemis May 29, 2016

Posted on June 1, 2016 by admin

Ken Peplowski and Swing Senders

Ken Peplowski clarinet/tenor sax, John Clark clarinet/bari sax, Craig Ball clarinet, Jeff Hughes trumpet, Bill Doyle guitar, Dan Gabel trombone, Ross Petot piano, Justin Meyer bass, Steve Taddeo drums, Caroline Griep vocals.

Ken Peplowski

Ken Peplowski joined the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra under the direction of Buddy Morrow as lead alto. They played one-nighters every day for 48 weeks out of the year. In 1980, Ken moved to New York City, and was soon playing in all kinds of settings, from Dixieland to avant-garde jazz. In 1984, Benny Goodman came out of retirement and put together a new band, hiring Ken on tenor saxophone.

This afternoon with the Swing Senders, Ken Peplowski played virtuosic clarinet. He was very impressed with these musicians.

Caroline Griep

Vocalist Caroline Griep has excellent range and diction. She sang:
All of Me,
Taking a Chance on Love,
Candy,
S’Wonderful
She is the only vocalist we’ve ever heard say “Pick a key, I’ll find it.”

Lionel Hampton’s Flying Home was absolutely incredible with swinging ensembles and concise solos.

Ken listens to our musicians playing ensemble.

Ken listens to Dan Gabel, Jeff Hughes, and John Clark play Poor Butterfly

Taddeo’s Senders’ rhythm section is the best he has ever had, Bill Doyle on guitar, Justin Meyer on string bass, and Ross Petot on piano

Bill Doyle and Justin Meyer

Ross Petot

Clarinet Trio plays Sweet Sue – Craig Ball,, Ken Peplowski, John Clark

Taddeo by Ross's piano on small drum, with Ken on clarinet

Steve, Ross and Ken do a rousing rendition of China Boy

Ken and Steve tom tom duet

They closed the Show with Taddeo’s theme song Dinah, Ken and Steve did a clarinet Tom tom duet and motioned for the whole band to join in and wail, and wail they did!!! .

Taddeo taps on string bass

Taddeo did his famous drum walk around and played a ferrous drum solo on Justin Meyer’s strings. The crowd loved it.

Enthusiastic Crowd

Peplowski was very impressed with the Swing Senders and said several times that he can’t wait to come back. He had one helluva swinging!!! The crowd gave the Swing Senders and Ken Peplowski a standing ovation.

TUNES:
Don’t Be That Way
Moon Glow
All of Me – Caroline
I Would Do Anything For You
Sweet Sue,
Taking a Chance on Love – Caroline
Flying Home (Love it!)
All God’s Chillun Got Rhythm
Candy – Caroline
China Boy – Ken, Steve, Ross
Poor Butterfly – Gabel, Hughes, and Clark
S’Wonderful – Caroline
If I Had You
Dinah

Dixie Diehards at Primavera Ristorante May 12, 2016

Posted on May 14, 2016 by admin

Dixie Diehards

Ron L’Herault – MC – Vocals & Trombone
Carl Gerhard – Trumpet, Vocals – Music Director
Paul Peterson – Saxophone ( Soprano & Tenor )
Bill Kiesewetter – Keyboard
Chris Wadsworth – Tenor Banjo
Steve Shaw – Tuba
Lorrie Inglis – Drums
(absent) Bill Dube – Clarinet & Tenor Sax

The Dixie Diehards made their first appearence at Primavery Ristorante, delivering a heady dose of New Orleans traditional jazz, second line street parade music and early jazz classics. They played many New Orleans Chestnuts, Royal Garden Blues, Avalon, Bill Bailey, Basin St. Blues, San, Struttin’ With Some Barbecue, Curse of An Aching Heart, The Sheik.

Carl and Ron took first vocal

Carl and Ron kicked it off with a duet on Bourbon Street Parade.

Ron plays trombone into metal bowler hat mute

Ron L’Herault first played with Jack Phelan’s Scollay Square Stompers in the 80s, Now he leads the Dixie All Stars and subs with the Canobie Lake Park Dixieland bands, the Bay State Stompers, and the New New Orleans Jazz Band.

He sneaked in a snippet of When You’re In Love on trombone when The Diehards played an old favorite, Bill Bailey. It’s based on “Over The Waves;” He heard a recording of a New Orleans trombonist do it.

Ron sang many vocals; an especially nice one on Spencer Williams’ Basin St. Blues. Carl’s trumpet was resonant with feeling and warmth, with only Chris Wadsworth backing him on banjo.

Carl Gerhard has an extensive musical background

Carl Gerhard is an amazing trumpet player. He recently retired from the U.S. Navy after 30 years of service. He was the Director and Bandmaster of bands in Norfolk, VA, Yokosuka Japan, and Commander of the Navy Band – Northeast Region. His true love, however is playing traditional jazz in the New Orleans style.

Carl did a fine vocal on a ballad from 1928, originally sung by Adelade Hall in “Blackbirds of 1928, Ain’t She Sweet. He took the intro on I Can’t Give You Anything But Love, with Paul on tenor sax; (Ron sang this one using a megaphone!)

Dixie Diehards Front Line

Paul Peterson has been teaching music in the Bridgewater–Raynham School District for the last 34 years. He has been a member of many bands (too many to list), and plays regularly with the Downtown Players, a blues band from Bridgewater.

Bill Kiesewetter

Bill KIesewetter plays excellent stride piano; he was influenced by Fats Domino, Jerry Lee Lewis, Floyd Cramer and the Dukes of Dixieland.

Bill is retired from many years in the computer industry and spends winters in Florida where he leads the Flamingo All-Stars Jazz Band based in the Naples area.

A silent movie era film starring Rudolph Valentino inspired the next tune. They have the original lyrics and some updated ones as well, The Sheik.

The indispensable Rhythm Section……

Rhythm Section, Chris Wadsworth, Steve Shaw, Lorri Inglis

Chris Wadsworth, banjo, was one of Jeanne Kelly’s friends who played at the Colonial Inn in Concord on Tuesday night’s traditional jazz (before Jimmy Mazzy’s time.) Before that he played in New York with Buffalo Banjo Band the Scajaquada Creek Stompers. He’s part of the Stone Street Stummers. Chris gets the spotlight on a tune from 1913 written by “Al” Piantadosi, The Curse of an Aching Heart.

Steve Shaw tuba, was featured on Midnight in Moscow. He’s been their Tuba / String Bass player since 2008. He has been a member of the South Shore Circus Band since 1966, and the United Brass Band (South shore area) since 1978. Since 1995 he’s been a member of the Marion Town Concert Band during the summers, and free lances on the string bass and tuba with many musical theatre productions throughout New England. Steve is also a member of the Peasante Brass, a tuba quartet.

Lorri Inglis has been playing professionally since 1982. She owns her own drum store and recording studio. Her energy and enthusiasm help keep the band going; it’s obvious she’s having the time of her life playing with the Dixie Diehards. In her words, “This music is fantastic!”. She attacked the drums on a tune made famous by Marian Harris in 1918, After You’ve Gone, but used discreet cross sticking on snare drum for Louis’s Strutting With Some Barbecue.

They went back a few years to 1922 for the next piece, Way Down Yonder in New Orleans. Ron conjured up Al Jolson again for this next tune, also from 1922 and first performed in a stage musical by William Frawley, Carolina in the Morning.

Lorrie was featured on their last tune which started its life in a Yiddish Musical comedy production, “I Would If I Could.” In English it’s called “To Me You Are Beautiful,” but we all know it by its Yiddish title, Bei Mir Bistu Schoen.

The Diehards have a full schedule planned for this summer, most of them private. The next public appearance is Sweetberry Farm, Middletown, RI, July 19, at 6:00 PM.

Check out their web site: http://dixiediehards./com

Videos:
Dixie Diehards play Strutting With Some Barbecue at the Blackstone River Theatre https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6axfHxdKjSE

San at the Roarin’ 20’s show at the Marion Art Center https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7F1RzjNE_g

Jeff’s Jazz Jesters at Primavera Ristorante April 28, 2016

Posted on May 6, 2016 by admin

Jeff’s Jazz Jesters

Jeff Hughes trumpet, John Clark clarinet/alto and bari sax, Herb Gardener keys, Hunter Burgamy guitar, Craig Ball (Obediah Schwank) clarinet/tenor sax, Steve Taddeo drums, Sarah Nova vocals

The sextet kicked off with their theme song, a resolutely cheerful, My Lucky Day. It’s always a Lucky Day for us when these good natured musicians come to Primavera Ristorante and speak to us through their music. They are a joy, playing the music of the 1910’s to 1930’s, with their old school musicality, camaraderie and a lot of fun.

They were joined by amiable Sarah Nova, beginning with Everybody Loves My Baby. Everybody loves Sarah! She was joined by John on alto sax and Craig clarinet on a peppy, upbeat You’d Be So Nice To Come Home To. She resurrected memories of Billie Holiday with Miss Brown To You.

Sarah singing with Hughes on trumpet behind her

Sara Nova

Sarah is muti-talented, preserving our jazz for future generations by writing and producing CDs for Little Jumpers and Babes. She sang one of our favorites, It’s Raining Cats and Dogs (and the frogs are angry!) She keeps toddlers jumping and swinging at many local libraries.

Herb Gardner, multi-instrumentalist

Her Dad is Herb Gardner, a rock solid, all around player, whose style on piano or keys is between Dick Hyman and Teddy Wilson. He has played with just about everybody from here to New York. Herb is also first call on trombone. With the Jazz Jesters he’s both front line and rhythm.

Craig Ball

The Jazz Jesters sounded like a New Orleans Street Band with Peter Bocage and Armand Piron’s 1914 Bouncing Around. Fabulous!

Paducah is always a rabbel-rousing favorite. We don’t hear Walter Donaldson’s Little White Lies very often. The band sizzled on Deep Henderson with John and Craig on alto and tenor sax, then the two changed with John on smoking bari sax and Craig on clarinet hitting the stratosphere!

Hunter Burgamy is now the youngest member of the band.

Hunter Burgamy’s guitar presence was felt in every tune that the Jazz Jesters played. He’s a student at Berklee. His solos were impeccable, and he adds to the solid rhythm section with Bernard, Taddeo and Gardner, all complementing each other.

Benny Moten’s Jones Law Blues was sung by Annette Hanshaw, an American Jazz Age singer and one of the most popular radio stars of the 1930s. This was a first for us.

There was breathtaking ensemble on Blame It On The Blues, arrangement by Robin Verdier. He was the Paramount Jazz Band’s pianist and arranger, and the Jazz Jesters play many Paramount tunes.

Jeff Hughes plays fabulous Bix

Bix wrote a Debussyian piano piece in a tribute to his home town, Davenport Iowa. John Clark arranged this one, Davenport Blues. Excellent trumpet, piano and guitar.

Time for a spiritual, remembering Louis with Dear Old Southland (based on Deep River.) Jeff took the first chorus playing solemn trumpet, then the whole band entered, with both reeds on clarinet. Fine solos on tuba and guitar.

John Clark sings Zonky

Black Maria, a quintessential Clark arrangement, was a WILD one!

He sang another of his arrangements, Duke’s Zonky. Marvelous! This was the first time we ever heard the words.

Jeff said his Dad loved Empty Saddles in the Old Corral, a classic American cowboy song written by Billy Hill. It became widely known to the public in July 1936, when Big Crosby sang it. Herb on keys and Steve on drum provided the Cowboy ‘clip, clop’.

Steve Taddeo on new set of Slingerland Drums

Steve Taddeo is well known as a slam-bang Gene Krupa drummer, but he has adapted to the early 30’s drumming made famous by Krupa, Vic Berton, and Stan King.

He keeps time tapping rims, the cow bell or wood block, choking cymbals and playing press rolls.

Sarah returned with another Billie traditional, My Mother’s Son-in-Law, with the backing of her Dad. She followed with Billie’s Me, Myself and I, with John’s soulful bari sax.

Sarah Nova, Hunter Burgamy, Herb Gardner (hidden behind him) and John Clark on bari sax

Al Bernard pushes the band with his large tuba

They closed with a live-wire tune, ‘Leven Thirty Saturday Night, followed by Albie’s tuba sneaking in a departing snippet of the theme from The Little Rascals, Good Old Days.

The Jazz Jesters originated when the General Manager at Public Radio WGBH asked Jeff Hughes to recreate tunes similar to the late Ray Smith’s Paramount Jazz Band. Ray played Traditional Jazz every Sunday night on WGBH, and his tapes are still streaming. The Jesters have since created their own sound, without losing the exciting optimism of the Roaring 20’s. The joy is contagious!

They will return sometime on the last Thursday of the month at Primavera Ristorante. That particular month is committed to Jeff Hughes and any one of his many bands! Check our Calendars!

Marce

Novel Jazz springs back to Skidompha Library for some Hot Jazz

Posted on May 5, 2016 by admin

Mike Mitchell, Elaine Jones photo

NOVEL JAZZ RETURNS TO SKIDOMPHA LIBRARY-
Novel Jazz will be performing classic jazz at Skidompha Public Library, 184 Main St., Damariscotta, ME, on Thursday 19 May, 2016, 7PM to 9:30PM. Michael Mitchell (pictured right) of Novel Jazz plays on a jazz riff. The performance will also feature Barney Balch (trombone), Bryan Jones (alto saxophone), Herb Maine (acoustic bass), David Clarke (guitar), Mickey Felder (piano) and special guest, Chris Rogers (drums) This evening will be the third Skidompha Novel Jazz evening of their 2016 season, their 12^th year at Skidompha. If you have never attended, come check them out to see why the Novel Jazz evenings at Skidompha have been so popular for so long! Admission is $14 for adults, $12 for seniors, $6 for young adults 12-18, under 12 accompanied by a parent go free. For more info, call 207-563-5513 or point your web browser to http://www.skidompha.org/ or the band’s web site www.mainejazz.net.

Novel Jazz will be back at the Skidompha Public Library atrium on Thursday, 19 May 2016, from 7-9:30 PM, Damariscotta, for an evening of music from the Great American Songbook. The musicians of this group have been playing straight-ahead jazz for audiences throughout Maine (and beyond) for several decades. Collectively, they share over two centuries of experience in the jazz idiom.

This month includes the birthday of legendary jazz trumpeter, Miles Davis, so Novel will do some extra featuring of their own trumpeter-extraordinaire, Michael Mitchell. Michael is a great practitioner of Miles’s style; he has been playing jazz trumpet in Maine for over thirty years with a number of groups. Mike studied at the University of Maine at Augusta jazz program as well as the University of Miami jazz studies program. He brings his love of jazz, together with his soulful trumpet style and many jazz compositions that he contributes to the group.

The band will also be welcoming guest drummer, Chris Rogers. Chris Rogers has been performing in Maine for more than 40 years. He is a versatile drummer, playing a myriad of different styles; he has toured throughout New England, Canada and overseas to England. Chris’s music is his vocation and he strives for simplicity, purity, and precision in his playing. He has two major label recordings to his credit, and is a requested studio player. The rest of the group performing on 19 May will be Herb Maine (bass), Mickey Felder (piano), David Clark (Guitar), Bryan Jones (alto), and Barney Balch (trombone).

Novel Jazz events at Skidompha began with the observation that lovers of books often are lovers of jazz. The superb acoustics of Skidompha’s atrium, plus the seating “in the round”, make it a superior place to see and hear jazz, all in a relaxed, informal atmosphere. It was while performing at Skidompha that the band decided to forge deeper into the music of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. Trombonist Barney Balch began regular visits to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. to work in the Duke Ellington collection, digging out gems by both Ellington and Strayhorn, bringing them back to life in summer time concerts.

Admission is $14 for adults, $12 for seniors, $6 for young adults 12-18, under 12 accompanied by a parent go free. We encourage parents to bring their children, the future of this art form. The library is located at 184 Main Street in downtown Damariscotta. Call207-563-5513 during business hours for more information. For more info, point your web browser to http://www.skidompha.org/ or the band’s web site www.mainejazz.net .

This promises to be a special night of jazz as the band continues their twelfth year of performances at Skidompha. If you have never attended a Novel Jazz event at Skidompha, check them out on 19 May and see why the Novel Jazz evenings at the library have been so popular for so long. Join Novel Jazz and let them warm-up your toes (indeed your soul), this cool Maine spring!

Wolverine Jazz Band at Primavera April 21, 2016

Posted on April 23, 2016 by admin

by Marce

Jeff Hughes trumpet, John Clark clarinet/baritone sax, Tom Boates trombone, Ross Petot keys, Jimmy Mazzy banjo, Rick MacWilliams tuba, Dave Didriksen drums.

There was never a dull moment with the Wolves at Primavera Ristorante preparing for the Capital City Jazz Fest in Wisconsin next weekend. The audience fed off the energy of the band and the band was invigorated by the responsive crowd. The band was so HOT it even provoked the infamous Mazzy ‘holler’.

four fans at front table (minus me) listening to Band

Fans treasure The Wolverine Jazz Band!

They started with a roaring take off on Shake It And Break It, then immediately changed the mood with a nice dance tune King Oliver released in 1923 Mabel’s Dream.

Jimmy Mazzy was featured with a sublime melody, When. Then John asked Jim what he wanted to do next – dangerous move; he has an enormous array of old tunes embedded in the recesses of his brain. You never know what he’ll come up with! He picked away at the banjo until they finally recognized River, Stay Away From My Door, and the band joined him.

John Clark on baritone sax

They practiced Sunset Café Stomp, a great tune of Chicago Jazz, It was as much of a show stopper as Louis’s Hot Five! Tuba intro, each instrument accenting with one note, and then they soared! Clark injects highlights with bari sax. This is real camaraderie and classic musicianship.

Tom Boates demonstated his singing prowess on With Plenty of Money and You, from Gold Diggers of 1937, backed by Jimmy on banjo, Dave Didriksen softly tapping the cymbal with brushes.

John Clark creates many of their arrangements, taken from the original charts. He’s been playing a great deal of swing with Dan Gabel’s Abletones Big Band for young dancers from the Greater Boston Vintage Society. (GBVS – they will keep our music alive way into the future with their Lindy Hops and Swing Dancing!)

How High The Moon was a real swinger! It will be on their next CD – the 15th? Jim on vocal, he knows them all! The band engaged in more superb ensemble. Prepare those dance floors!

trombone, trumpet, Jimmy banjo and Clark clarinet

Once in a While (not the ballad) was a barn burner, with hot clarinet and the Front Line in outstanding polyphonic ensemble

Betty Weaver, #1 Jazz Fan from the Band’s inception, has been pushing John Clark to sing for years. He followed through with My Gal Sal and a nice, bluesy 1911 Oceana Roll, about the ragtime player Jimmy McCoy on the Confederate Navy Sloop Alabama during the Civil War. There are innumerable stanzas; John had ALL the lyrics memorized!

Jimmy introduced another heartwarming ballad, That’s My Desire, made famous by Frankie Laine. Jimmy’s ballads are uniquely emotional and touching!

A good ol’ good one – Panama, was incredible! Jeff was playing a hand crafted, beautifully engraved trumpet by Joe Marcinkiewicz out of Chicago. From soft and mellow jazz to screaming lead, he pushed the band into a new high. Fans in Wisconsin will love this!

The Wolves soar on Panama!

They had to break after that one, and took the time to chat with their New England fans. They returned with a barn-burning High Society with Tom on growling trombone that had everyone paying attention!

Tom Boates

She’s Crying For Me was written by a trombone player. Tom enhanced it with a funnel mute.

Like Jack Teagarden, he has the ability to interject a blues feeling into virtually any piece of music.

Jeff Hughes on new (for him) engraved trumpet

Bix Beiderbecke did San Antonio Shout on cornet when he was with Frankie Trumbauer. Our Bix ‘shouted’ on trumpet.

There was a marvelous exchange between trumpet and clarinet trading fours and twos on a peppy There’ll Come a Time.

Tom was featured on a tune they learned from banjo player Bob Barta, Here Comes The Hot Tamale Man. Original Jelly Roll Blues was a slow bluesy number that Morton wrote in 1903. John started it on low register clarinet, then the band charged it with explosive ensemble!

Ross Petot, extraordinary pianist

Ross was featured on Sing You Sinners; Lillian Roth introduced it in the 1930 film “Honey”. His amazing notes and harmonies are all his own.

Ross detests playing keyboard. (It really doesn’t do him justice!)

The rhythm boys backed him with Dave tapping on cymbal and snare drum for accents. Jim took the vocal with Jeff backing on muted trumpet. Ross was appeased. He’ll be glad to have a real piano in Wisconsin!

Dynamic Rhythmic Duo:

Dave Didriksen knows his Traditional Jazz Beat

Rick behind big Tuba set on chair between his thighs

Rick MacWilliams pushes the chords.

Jim playing banjo and singing backed by tuba

Jimmy lets out the “Mazzy Holler” with Rick MacWilliams behind him.

The Wolverines will be playing the Sunday morning service at the Capital City Jazz Fest, so they practiced a pious spiritual, This Train is Meant For Glory. Jimmy got carried away, invoking the famous Mazzy shriek that we haven’t heard in a long time!

Fans from the Midwest will relish this septet of brilliant players, playing cherished tunes from the 1920’s. They closed with stirring solos on a song done by Albert Brunies and the Halfway House Orchestra in 1928, Let Your Lips Touch My Lips.

It was a splendid evening. Fans of Traditional Jazz were not disappointed. We wish them a successful weekend in Wisconsin – please take care of our guys! We need them back because May 15th, 4-7pm, The Wolverine Jazz Band will be at Ken’s Steakhouse, 95 Worcester Road, (Rt. 9 W) in Framingham, Massachusetts.

Eli and The Hot Six with Elaine Woo and Sarah Nova at Primavera Ristorante, April 14, 2016

Posted on April 20, 2016 by admin

Eli and The Hot Six

Bo Winiker trumpet/flugelhorn, Ted Casher clarinet, tenor and soprano sax, Herb Gardner back on trombone, Bob Winter keys, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Eli Newberger tuba, Bob Tamagni drums.

by Marce

Eli and The Hot Six presented a delightful evening of great Jazz, introducing new tunes with inspired playfulness and skill, making it up as they went along. They enjoyed it as much as the appreciative audience. Eli included two fine vocalists, Elaine Woo and Sarah Nova, and Carolyn Newberger on washboard.

Honoring Benny Goodman and Gene Krupa, Bob Tamagni introduced Swing, Swing, Swing, His unique methods of maintaining the Trad beat on drums are priceless! After the intro, the Hot Six went WILD!

Don’t Get Around Much Anymore, Bo moved from trumpet to flugelhorn, Jimmy scatting, trombone and tuba trading 4’s.

Poor Papa, written by Hoagie Carmichael, was new with Jim singing the sad vocal, backed by tuba.

Mama’s got shoes, Mama’s got clothes
Mama’s got these and Mama’s got those
But poor Papa, poor Papa, he’s got nothin’ at all

The mood changed with a roaring take off of Alexander’s Ragtime Band

Bob Winter

Bob took a solo on Ida, with stunning harmonies and sudden key changes that took our breath away. He would suddenly pause, leaving all of us anticipating the next note.
He loves playing with this band!

Eli introduced Elaine Woo, another Doctor, who is a Primary Physician in Geriatrics. She captivated the audience with It’s All Right To Me, and reading the lyrics to Body and Soul off a telephone without missing a beat!

Carolyn was a vital spark on washboard, She joined Elaine on an upbeat Darktown Strutters’ Ball. What an amazing duo! They returned with the band for an exilarating Route 66.

Carolyn on washboard, the band, and Elaine Woo singing

Carolyn Newberger and Elaine Woo – two captivating ladies!

Artist Carolyn Newberger keeps busy sketching the musicians, when she’s not performing. Her drawings, paintings and collage have achieved recognition and awards in juried and solo exhibition. Here’s Jimmy:

Everyone was having fun! But we had more surprises.

Eli joined Elaine on vocal!!

Eli and Elaine got together for
I Can Give You Everything But Love. (No mistake in the title.)

Who knew Eli could sing, too?

Vocalist Sarah (Gardner) Nova teaches Jazz for kids at libraries and Kindergardens all over New England. She has several CD’s, Jazz for Lil Jumpers and Jazz For Babies; Its Raining Cats & Dogs!

Having been raised with this music, she has an intuitive grasp of musical dynamics, The band backed her in stop time with the warning, Keep Your Hands Off It! Sarah was invited to stay on for another tune, Me Myself & I, with Dad backing her on trombone.

Sarah singing with Herb on front line playing trombone

Father and daughter make a great Jazz combination!

Herb was featured on the Platters’ Only You, singing, and playing rich, burnished tone on trombone..

Eli and The Hot Six continued with a rip-roaring Instrumental, Dinah, with Ted on tenor sax, and Bob Winter playing astounding keyboard. This was pure joy!

Bo with trumpet in the air holding a large handkerchief

Bo Winiker conjures up Louis Armstrong

Bo Winiker was featured on What a Wonderful World, playing trumpet and evoking Louis Armstrong with his vocal.

looks like a piece of cork near the clarinet's mouth piece

Ted and his new moose clarinet

Ted took the breaks on clarinet with a new addition – an actual piece of moose horn that gives it a distinctive sound – as if he needed it!

Bob hides the tambourine.

Our favorite was a lullaby that Eubie Blake wrote for his wife, Good Night Angeline. Jimmy puts heart and soul into this melody, like no other. We could hear a soft dinging in the background. It took some time to realize that Bob Tamagni was softly tapping an unseen tambourine on his bass drum.
His drum set is comprised of two drums and a hi hat (that he hardly used, except to tap the cymbal).

Jimmy Mazzy and Eli Newberger have played together for years.

Basin Street was an instrumental with marvelous tuba by Eli and Jimmy scatting throughout the whole song. The two are always in sync!

The repertoire and caliber of these musicians has made this a classic band. Fortunately for us, Eli and The Hot Six will be here regularly at Primavera on the 3^rd Thursday of the month. Spread the word and mark your calendars!

Check out their CD:
Eli & The Hot Six LIVE, Contemporary Classic Jazz $17 Purchase

New Black Eagle Jazz Band at Ken’s Steak House April 17, 2016

Posted on April 19, 2016 by admin

New Black Eagle Jazz Band

Tony Pringle cornet, Stan Vincent trombone, Billy Novick clarinet/alto sax, Herb Gardner piano, Peter Bullis banjo, Pete Tillotson string bass, Bill Reynolds drums

The NBEJB is in its 44^th year, but they’re still called ‘New’, and still playing to a full house as they did at the Sticky Wicket in 1971. Original members still with the band are Tony Pringle, Stan Vincent, and Peter Bullis. They kicked it off in tight ensemble with Sweet Fields.

Tony Pringle

Leader Tony Pringle sang Willie The Lion Smith’s The Old Stomping Grounds. (Tony’s old stomping grounds were in Liverpool.) The band hasn’t played a Duke Ellington tune in a long time; they amended that with Black and Tan Fantasy, Tony on muted cornet. Bill ended it with his famous drum roll.

Billy Novick has had considerable influence on the band for over 30 years. He was featured on exhilarating alto sax on If Dreams Come True, trading 4’s with Reynolds’ drum.

Billy Novick Alto Sax with Rhythm Section

Bill Reynolds

Original drummer Pam Pameijer relishes retirement in Florida with wife Huguet. He sometimes returns for special occasions. Meantime, Bill Reynolds enjoys maintaining the Traditional Jazz Beat on snare drum, body weaving with the rhythm. He often taps on choke cymbal, as when the band let loose on Georgia Camp Meeting, Herb’s piano playing riffs.

Herb Gardner

The band plays so tight that they leave no ‘holes’ for the pianist – it’s a real challenge. Bob Pilsbury retired after 43 years, then Herb Gardner joined the band.
He says he gets a real “High” playing with them. He cleverly weaved in fine stride piano on Hear Me Talking To You, and played elegant solo on Jabbo Smith’s Sweet And Low Blues, with Peter strumming banjo.

Peter with mouth open, wearing red sox, strumming banjo

Peter Bullis

Manager Peter Bullis keeps the flame of Traditional Jazz alive strumming, as in Bouncing Around, with Billy Novick interweaving clarinet on Stan’s trombone solo. Pete is still wearing his red sox especially woven for him by a fan.

Stan was featured on Shine, remembering Preservation Hall trombonist, Jim Robinson. Robinson played Short Dress Gal as a spiritual – this band played it with spontaneity. They kept a spiritual for the last set, In The Sweet Bye and Bye, from the Raymond Navarro movie, using chords changed by Billie & DeDe Pierce.

Stan Vincent plays Shine with the rhythm section

Pete Tillotson

The band has had several string bass players over the years. Pete plays regularly with Swing Times Five. This was his debut with this band, his chords steering the band and keeping it in time. He also is adept at bowing the bass.

Groupie Ron L’Herault has been following the band since its inception and is still selling their CDs. They have some copies of their 40^th anniversary CDs with their former members playing Traditional Jazz from 1971 to 2011.

They closed with a breathtaking Love Song of the Nile, in tight ensemble, with Billy Novick adding body language, shoulders swaying with his saxophone. It finished with another of Reynolds’ notorious drum rolls.

The New Black Eagle Jazz Band is determined to keep this uniquely American Art Form alive. They recently returned from playing in Vermont, and have an active schedule planned for this year. Watch for them!

Eli and The Hot Six at Primavera Ristorante, March 10, 2016

Posted on April 14, 2016 by admin

by Marce

Bo Winiker trumpet/flugelhorn, Ted Casher clarinet/tenor and soprano sax, Kenny Wenzel trombone, Bob Winter keyboard, Jim Mazzy banjo/vocals, Eli Newberger tuba, Elaine Woo vocals

The Hot Six were full of surprises last month! Substitutes tend to make changes in the sound of a band; even one sub makes a difference. But we had two subs and a delightful addition this evening! Bob Tamagni was on drums for Jeff Guthery. Herb Gardner was out with a broken hip so trombonist Kenny Wenzel filled in.

The delightful addition was vocalist, Elaine Woo (another Doctor) who immediately captured us, picking just the right tempo and interacting with the audience.

The band started with a Bossa Nova on Muskrat Ramble, setting the mood for an evening of delectable, hot music.Their livewire ensembles were spontaneous and creative!

vocalist in bright red sleeveless blouse

Elaine Woo

Eli introduced Elaine Woo, who is a Primary Care Physician in Geriatrics.She was a joy! She seemed delighted to be here and her pleasure came through, captivating us with fine vocal on Who Could Ask For Anything More, Embraceable You; with Ted on tenor sax and Bo on flugel horn. This was a killer! Elaine couldn’t stand still, and was dancing and quietly humming along behind the soloists.

Do Nothing ‘Till You Hear From Me featured Bo playing warm melodic lines on muted trumpet, Bob Winter playing rich tones on keyboard, with soft drumming by Tamagni. Winter suddenly jumped the beat, setting the band into breakneck tempo!

Jimmy sings C’est çi Bon

They slowed the pace Jimmy singing a beautiful ballad made famous by Eartha Kitt, C’est çi Bon.

Elaine returned with Just in Time, picking up just the right tempo. She was softly humming behind soloists, and ended it with expert scat singing. She continued with Cole Porter’s It’s All Right With Me, with Tamagni softly slapping a tambourine in the background.

Bob’s drum set is very sparse; bass, snare, small tom and one cymbal. But his drumming and expressions are priceless! He says drums are just as musical as any other instrument, and demonstrated by playing melody on drums on San.

Tamagni hitting one drum stick with another held on drum

Kenny on trombone and Bo on trumpet played an amazing duet on Limehouse Blues.

Jeannine James birthday surprise.

The tune was cut short so they could play Happy Birthday for Jeannine James, who was celebrating here with her daughter. and some friends.

Jeannine is one of the ‘regulars’, here every Thursday at Primavera.

Ted Casher has to be the busiest musician in New England – he’s playing almost every night! He was at his best tonight playing a breathtaking solo on Stardust, with Kenny Wenzel on trombone.
Stardust

Kenny Wenzel is at Martini’s in Plymouth every Tuesday.

Bob Winter loves to play piano.

For the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day, Bob Winter played Little Town in the Old County Down.

Bob loves to play piano (or in this instance, keyboard) and takes absolute rapture in making music. He followed with When Irish Eyes Are Smiling with everyone joining in singing.

Medium-fast, Get Happy, his keyboard was backed by tambourine; smooth flugelhorn, with Tamagni taking a romping drum solo. Eli closed it with a curt tuba phrase: “Shave and a haircut, two bits.”

Bo was on smokey flugelhorn again on Errol Garner’s Misty, with trombone and tenor sax playing harmony, followed by Jimmy’s inimitable vocal. We never get tired of listening to Jimmy sing ballads.

With time running out, Eli surprised us on Royal Garden Blues, with a rousing tuba solo backed only by the front line playing in stop time.

Hot Six front line, Ted Casher, Bo Winiker and Kenny Wenzel

All of these seasoned veterans have the expertise gained from years of experience. They have a special passion for the music, respectfully listening and supporting each other – playing as much for each other as for the fans.

They returned April 14th, and it was even more fun! We’re working on that one now.

They will be at Primavera regularly for your listening pleasure on the 3rd Thursday of every month – next one is May 19^th. Come join us for some matchless, timeless music!

Dave Whitney Big Band at Ken’s Steak House, April 3rd 2016

Posted on April 8, 2016 by admin

14-pc Big Band, 4 saxes, 4 trumpets, 2 trombones, guitar/vocalist, piano, string bass, drum

Dave Whitney Big Band

By Marce
Videos by Harold McAleer

Saxophones
Lou Stamas alto sax
John Clark tenor sax/clarinet
Bob Drukman alto sax
Ted Casher tenor sax/clarinet

Trumpets
Dave Whitney, leader
Joe Musumeci
Jeff Hughes
Gary Bohan

Trombones
Scott Hill
Mike Strauss

Guitar: Karen Quatromoni,
Piano Steve Dale,
Bass Dave LeBleu,
Drums Reid Jorgensen

Because of two bands playing at the same time, we arrived late – just in time to catch a memorable arrangement of Duke Ellington/Juan Tizol’s straightahead swing of Perdido.

Dave Whitney started the second set with a Dixie Band, playing a superb Dixieland arrangement of Ain’t Gonna Give Nobody None of My Jelly Roll..

Dixie Band

He continued with a tune from Louis’s Hot 5, Struttin’ With Some Barbeque.
Harold McAleer took a break from videotaping to enjoy a dance with Sue Lewis.

Georgia on my Mind had a unique beginning, with just Dave’s trumpet and LeBleu’s string bass. Dave LeBleu has been with this Big Band since it’s inception and consistently offers up an earthy tone, flawless intonation, and fluid finger work. Joe Musumeci has been with the band close to 20 years and is now lead trumpeter.

John Clark was on hot clarinet for Fletcher Henderson’s Stealing Apples, with Steve Dale on piano and Jeff Hughes trumpet.

Karen Quatronomi

The Band’s new vocalist, Karen Quatromoni gives an indomitable singing performance, with clear voice reminiscent of Anita O’Day. Her vocal on East of the Sun was followed by fine solos. She aced the Benny Goodman arrangement with Peggy Lee, Let’s Do It, and Johnny Mercer’s Harlem Butterfly.

Ted Casher was on clarinet for Karen’s version of You Turned The Tables on Me.

The band continued with Harry James & His Band, The Music Makers, with a tune of the same name, featuring the saxophone section. Lou Stamas led on alto sax with Moment to Moment.

Sax leader Lou Stamas

Keeping them on their toes, Whitney pulled a switch on the group with Les & Larry Elgart’s Paradise.

This was John Clark’s birthday weekend, and he had the good fortune of fulfilling an item on his ‘Bucket List’, playing tenor sax with our living legend, Ted Casher. Lionel Hampton’s Flying Home was the highlight of this evening!!

Leader Dave Whitney

The Dave Whitney Big Band continued with Horace Henderson’s Big John Special that Benny Goodman played at his Carnegie Hall Concert, with Dave’s majestic trumpet and John Clark’s rich and mellow clarinet.

Billie Eckstein’s Band did Blues For Sale; Chris Powers wrote it. Dave gave the band extra solos and completed it with his own fine vocal.

Will Hudson, Eddie De Lange’s Sophisticated Swing was popular in the 1930’s, Jimmy Dorsey had nothing on this band!

Mike Strauss was featured on trombone on an up-tempo, bouncy swing from the postwar Les Brown orchestra, Lover’s Leap.

Time for some fun – with Karen and Dave singing together on Daddy. This was Bobby Troup’s first hit in 1941, done by The Sammy Kaye Orchestra.

Dave and Karen duet on “Daddy”

Dave makes good use of the musicians – Stomping at the Savoy featured John Clark on clarinet, Gary Bohan trumpet, and Steve Dale piano.

The Rhythm Boys were tucked into the right corner. Dave LeBleu string bass, Steve Dale piano, and Reid Jorgensen drums are the foundation of the Dave Whitney Big Band.

The Rhythm Boys

They wound up this fabulous evening with their closing theme, a Steve Dale arrangement, nice and slow, with Dave Whitney’s trumpet on Pete Kelly’s Blues.

Dave made this a 14-piece Big Band for a reason – like Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw, it’s all about SWING! Their next gig is Sunday June 5th 1-3pm at Canobie Lake Park, 85 N Policy St, Salem, NH 03079.

Marce

Seacoast Stompers at Berlin’s 1870 Town Hall, April 3, 2016

Posted on April 7, 2016 by admin

The Seacoast Stompers

by Marce
Videos by Vern Welch

Scott Philbrick cornet, Lee Prager trombone, Craig Ball clarinet, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Frank Stadler keyboard, Al Bernard tuba, Bobby Reardon drums.

The Seacoast Stompers were back for the first time since October and obviously happy to be playing together again. The new venue is the renovated 1870 Town Hall at 12 Woodward Avenue in Berlin MA. Berlin is a scenic town with acres of orchards set in a low range of hills between the Nashua River and Assabet River Valleys, easily accessible on I-495.

Under the watchful gaze of the Rev. William A. Houghton, who dedicated the Town Hall in 1870 and Chandler Carter who paid off the municipal debt, the band entertained a full house of Berlin residents eager to hear good jazz and support their neighbor, trombonist Lee Prager. He said “This is the nearest venue I’ve played In 55 years.”

Hall from the rear, with all aluminum chairs filled

Berliners filled the 1870 Town Hall

Frank Stadler, leader

Frank Stadler is leader of the Band, and his playing is based on a masterful respect for the melody.

Scott is the conductor, delegating players for each tune, varying solos between them.

They began with a joyous romp on their theme song, At The Jazz Band Ball, and Mama’s Gone, Good Bye reverberating off the high steel ceiling.

on muted cornet and trombone (with Al's tuba behind them)

Scott Philbrick and Lee Prager

Lee requested Strutting With Some Barbecue. Scott and Lee challenge and inspire each other on trombone and cornet. We’ve missed the riveting interaction between these two!

Jimmy Mazzy and Al Bernard

Jimmy Mazzy sang many songs, and was featured on After You’ve Gone with his inimitable vocals.

He scatted on Some Of These Days while trading 4’s with Albie’s tuba. They keep the music fresh with their amazing creativity!

Lee led on a melancholy Basin St. Blues and added to the sweetness of the song by ending it with a virtuosic flourish. He was featured on I Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plans, on smooth open bell trombone, with Bobby softly backing with brushes across snare drum.

Bobby Reardon

Bobby Reardon plays drums with marvelous precision, He keeps the band in time by tapping on the snare drum and ride cymbal, only letting loose on a couple of tunes when Scotty directs him.

Frank took the intro when they moved up tempo on Ain’t Gonna Give You None of My Jelly Roll, the band in livewire ensemble.

Craig Ball

Craig’s clarinet was featured with his sky-writing stratospherics on Stealing Apples. Bobby backed him on hi hat, then let go on drums!

This was just the first set! There were only two sets, short evening, so the band kept the program moving along without needless delays. It’s been way too long since we’ve heard this powerhouse group of musicians playing together!

For six years, they played monthly at the Acton Jazz Café, with a repertoire of tunes from the 20’s and 30’s. Arrangements were spontaneous and ad lib with a variety of styles and tempos from smooth swing to groovy blues and hot driving Dixie. Check them out.

This event was sponsored by The Friends of the Berlin Library. We hope they will consider bringing the Seacoast Stompers back!

New England Traditional Jazz Plus

Swing, Traditional Jazz, Dixieland Jazz, Big Bands

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