Funky Butt Jazz Band – 1 set – 4 pieces – created by Pete Campbell-cornet 30 plus years ago and now in the hands of his son Pierce/guitar/vocals, with Paul Boehmke-clarinet/sax, Tony Pasqualoni-bass and John Rispoli-drums, it’s trad jazz with a whole new almost folky sound and feel. Pierce’s vocal voicing has an interesting musky tone to it that draws the listeners attention. Backed by the quality of the local pro’s and the selections and keys selected made that one set a most memorable experience with the desire to hear more. Lauren Humpage
Funky Butt is a bit more modern than Traditional Jazz, nevertheless they had a fine choice of tunes and were a pleasure to hear. Pierce opened with I Can’t Give You Anything But Love (for his wife’s birthday), and Billie Holiday’s Come Rain or Come Shinewith Paul’s sophisticated alto sax, and dynamic drumming by Rispoli.
A perfect description of this whole weekend – Summertime, nice and warm.
The first time Pierce ever heard this tune was at his grandmother’s in St. Louis – where it gets REALLY HOT!
Driven by an intense, rambunctious drummer, they picked up the beat for a sizzling Dinah, then followed with a mellifluous Wonderful World.
Pierce introduced the next tunes – “In New Orleans, folks want to walk in the shade – not the Sunny Side of the Street.”
And what could 15¢ in N.O. get you? One Meat Ball.
Wish I Could Swing Like My Sister Kate, superb string bass solo.
A change of pace – St. Louis Blueswas the first blues Pierce heard, done by Sammy Rimmington.
Cute song, funky Ain’t She Sweet segued into Nancy.
One of his favorites, written in 1861, the Battle Hymn of the Republic“Glory Glory Halleluiah”.
Combining fine jazz, humor and history, Pierce and the Funky Butt Jazz Band are pure, unreserved entertainment.
Bob Seeley welcomed everyone at the piano, beginning with a slow, reverent Amazing Grace, then moving upbeat, with a little bit of Amazing Grace Boogie Woogie! He was AMAZING! The Good Lord Above could not help but here this!
Check out Jeff Barnhart, bowing in adoration at the end!
The Sunday band consisted of Jon Seiger cornet, Ray Skalski trombone, Jeff Barnhart piano, Albie Bernard tuba, and Bob Bequillard drums.
Rev. Josh Cromwell, our usual Pastor of the Hot Steamed Jazz Festival, notified Karen Senn that he was very sorry, but could not make this festival.
Jon Seiger was pressed into service. His resume: invocation with Wayne Pauli at the Jazztime-Ragtime Festival, 16 years as an organist at Allen’s Hill United Methodist Churchin Bloomfield NY, worked with the Oak Ridge Boys, though he favored no particular denomination.
He was nervous because this was his first sermon, so he kept it short and sweet. Speaking from the heart, he said. “God had a sense of humor – left us some basic instructions in the bible before leaving earth. There has to be a God – he gave us music, brought us all together here for the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp.”
Janie Campedelli came forward with a solemn rendition of Lead Me Saviour. The Band continued with Old Rugged Cross.
Jason Senn took up the mike for Louis’s Wonderful World. Louis must have been smiling! This little fella is a great entertainer and can really put a song across!
Can’t hold entertainers down!
They closed with a Jon and Janie duet on The Saints.
Seeley started the Parasol Parade that signifies the end of the Sunday Gospel – on to the rest of the jazz!!
Sugarfoot Youth Jazz Band – 1 set – 13 pieces – Created in 2006 by Art Hovey (GJB bass/sousaphone) and interested supporters, this grade 8 to12 youth performing trad band has taken CT by storm. With a few CD’s and many performances throughout CT, most of these kids have had opportunities afforded them that some adults only dream of. A couple of these youth have real professional music potential. Lauren Humpage
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Trumpets: Alex Owen and Anne Michaud Clarinet: Emily Selzer Trombones: Emma Sayles and Louis Nocera Piano: Robert Young Banjo: Ben Shorten Sousaphone: Danny Selzer Tuba: Matt Jennett Vocals: Alanna Burke
Art Hovey’s students have grown into talented musicians, and absorbed his fondness for the music of the 20’s and 30’s. It’s obvious that their hearts are in this music – they keep returning, years later, to play with his new students.
The band set sparks flying with their opener, Fidgety Feet, their theme song, and moved to a favorite, Night Train.
Molly Sayles on drums, perfect control, great technique. Alex Owen from New York on trumpet. Alex recently graduated from Connecticut College.
John Clark, leader of the popular Wolverine Jazz Band, played with one of Art’s earlier bands when he was attending Connecticut College. John is seen here (with the hat) with Louis Nocera and Emma Sayles on trombone.
Molly started Black & Tan Fantasy with a fine intro on the tom-tom.
Matt Jennett tuba, Danny Selzer sousaphone Robert Young, piano
Alanna Burke, now a charming young woman, returned from college with a couple of her special vocals, All Of Me and After You’ve Gone, backed by Emma Sayles trombone, and John Clark alto sax.
Emily Selzer (clarinet) was featured on Melancholy, with John Clark, Louis Nocera, and Emma Sayles.
The Original Dixieland Jazz Band’s Teasing Rag, was an OD one-step. They concluded with a beautiful Blue Bayou.
One of Art Hovey’s earlier youth bands, 1993, was called the “Squabble Hill Intercollegiate Backyard Band”, with Jeff Barnhart assisting on piano, his sister Jen on trombone, and John Clark, then a senior at Connecticut College. (photo courtesy of Art Hovey.)
Thank you, Art Hovey, for your many years dedicated to teaching young people the appreciation of Jazz History and our kind of music!
Wolverine Jazz Band – 3 sets – 7 pieces – Dr. John Clark, master of the reeds, leader and so much more with musicians who have graced us for most of the 20 years, with beautiful trad jazz. Of late he has taken tunes written in the 80’s and remodeled them into the trad jazz format. A wonderful experience to hear these fantastic new arrangements and how well they work. On board was the incomparable Jimmy Mazzy, the person and musician that most trad lovers just can’t get enough of hearing, plus Jeff Hughes-cornet, Tom Boates-trombone, Ross Petot-piano, Rick MacWilliams-tuba and Dave Didriksen-drums. Lauren Humpage
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The Wolverines have been playing together since 1995 and have become one of the top New England Bands, with invitations to Festivals all over the country, playing their hot, blistering jazz!
We first heard Clark, one of the youngest band leaders of this genre, when he stepped in for Steve Wright and Gary Rodberg in Ray Smith’s Paramount Jazz band. He has since reached the pinacle of reed-playing, with clarinet, alto, bari and bass sax. Jeff Hughes’s music comes straight from the heart, whether on Bix, Berigan, even Harry James. Boates trombone is second to none. This front line plays some of the finest Trad/Dixieland Jazz in the country.
This day was no different. They started with South Rampart St. Parade that left the crowd flabbergasted.
When My Dreamboat Comes Homefeatured Jimmy on vocal, with John Clark on bari sax, and Ross’s fabulous stride piano.
From Duke Ellington’s Cotton Club, The Mooche, fantastic with muted cornet and trombone trading fours. From their new CD, Street Beat, a sweet ballad, How Can I Be Blue?
Larry Conley’s composition made famous by Jelly Roll Morton, their favorite Tijuana, gave Rick MacWilliams a fine tuba solo. W.C. Handy’s Memphis Blues, was accentuated by Jimmy’s infamous scatting.
The dynamic duo, Dave Didriksen drums and Rick MacWilliams tuba drive the band with a steady beat.
Some swing, especially for the dancers – Jive At Five, trombone and cornet playing arresting sounds on open bell.
Ross was featured on his own arrangement of Caravan (clarinet interweaving in Arabic style) the front line comping.
Ross Petot is one of our secret treasures. He is a composer, arranger, teacher; a great pianist, specializing in stride piano.
A family man, his stride piano is heard all over New England.
No need to describe Jimmy – he’s known all over the world. In his own unique style, Jimmy rekindled memories of Old Cape Cod.
They closed with the title tune from one of their best selling CDs, On The Mall.
It’s been a privilege watching this band grow, and now sharing it with the rest of the world.
Videos added:
8/19/12 Chinatown, My Chinatown
9/5 Red Hot Mama
Ben Mauger’s Vintage Jazz Band – 3 sets – 7 pieces – Primarily from PA and their 3rd return to THSJF, this swing Chicago style jazz band is always a joy to watch and hear, reminding many of their younger days when jazz and pop was synonymous one with the other. The surprise this year was Ray Skalski, fine arts painter from Buffalo on trombone. Superb musicians all! Lauren Humpage
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This Vintage Jazz Band plays happy, foot stomping, Hot Traditional and Dixieland Jazz from the 20’s to the revivals of the 60’s. This year they were joined by Ray Skalski trombone, from New York, and Rick Lewis drums from Fort. Myers Florida.
Ben Mauger, cornet/leader
Ben brought along some new material, completely different from what they played last year.
They started with a high-spirited Found a New Baby, before he introduced the members of the band.
He said they were happy to be at this great event, especially because it’s for a good cause. “And you have fun when you enjoy what you’re playing.”
Piano took the intro to Leo Wood’s 1918 Somebody Stole My Gal– everyone gets a solo, then they perform fabulous intricate ensemble, polyphonic jazz.
Doug LaSala, clarinet
Ray Skalski, trombone
Doug LaSalle clarinet was featured on Sweet Georgia Brown. Fantastic!
Milton Ager’s Big Boy, 1924, excellent interchange between cornet and trombone. Ray Skalski was featured on the classicSheik of Araby, with Ben on vocal, changing the words to “I’m the Sheik of Araby, your OIL belongs to me!”. Ron featured in 1946 Louis Alter’s Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans, capturing the polyphony and spirit of Preservation Hall.
Ray thanked the audience for being here. He said it was an honor to play for such a great cause. He donated his larger-than-life acrylic and oil painting of Bix Beiderbecke to be auctioned, proceeds going to the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp.
Chinatown, My Chinatown
Rick Lewis, drums
Bruce Campbell, string bass
They continued with Duke Ellington’s Stevedore Stomp, and then their version of Royal Garden Blues.
Chuck Oettel, guitar
Bob Kreitz,piano
This band is always at the top of our list at the Hot Steamed Jazz Fest! If you’d like to hear them for yourself, The Vintage Jazz Band has just recorded a new CD titled “Swing That Music”. Click here for details and sound clips.
Swing Times Five– 2 sets – 6 pieces – A creation of Jeff Hughes, Leader, Cornet-Flugelhorn, Ross Petot-piano, Lou Bocciarelli-bass, Dan Weiner-guitar, Dave Didriksen-drums, -Debby Larkin-vocals, bringing back the very tastefully and rarely heard 30’s and 40’s works of the likes of Duke Ellington, Cole Porter, Victor Young, Jerome Kern and others. To my ears Jeff, a follower of Bix, has been a welcome musical source of this festival with one band or another for 18 out of twenty years and is always surrounded by the very best.
Lauren Humpage
Swing Times Five was a new band feature at the Hot Steamed. A mellow quintet led by Jeff Hughes They opened with their theme, Benny Carter’s When Lights Are Low.
Deb Larkin can be heard all around Boston, with hubby, trumpeter Jeff Stout. She began with her fine rendition of Dakota Staton’s It Started With The Late, Late Show.
Her saucy performance of Get Out of Townwas surprisingly backed up by the shrill whistle of the train leaving the station at the Essex Train Museum.
The band continued with a sparkling Night and Day, Dave Didriksen keeping steady beat on the drum, Ross’s left hand slipping into stride, his specialty, while his right hand did all the ‘talking’. Ross is the inspiration for much of their repertoire.
Richard Rogers, Surrey With The Fringe On Topgreat drumming, Dave trading fours with Lou’s string bass.
Lou Bocciarelli
Dave Didriksen
Jeff said the next tune had a Bix feeling, though he never recorded it – He played sweet, mellow flugelhorn on Skylark.
Jeff Hughes
Deb returned with another Richard Rogers, A Fine Romance. They have a lot of fun with this, Jeff adding quick, repetitive notes on cornet. There’s a word for that, what is it?
Dan Weiner resonates energy and gives the band extra tempo and swing.
Did I Remember To Tell You That I Love You?
Everything I’ve Got Belongs To You, Lyrics by Lorenz Hart, music by Richard Rodgers. This is definitely not a love song! And Deb put it across perfectly –
I'm not yours for better but for worse,
And I've learned to give the well-known witches' curse.
I've a terrible tongue, a temper for two,
And everything I've got belongs to you.
Harold Arlen’s Get Happy, string bass, and piano.
They closed with We’ll Be Together Again, with Jeff on flugelhorn. And we will. Fortunately, we live close to the Sherborn Inn. Join us sometime!
Ed Wise bass, Jim Lawlor drums, Pat Mercuri guitar, Joe Midiri clarinet, Paul Midiri vibes
The Midiri Brothers – 3 sets – 5 pieces – Always the outstanding performers advancing perfection. The more they perform the better they get. I’m continually overwhelmed by the length, beauty and variety of ideas in their innovative choruses, never mind their superior ensemble work. Even the tunes that we anticipate will be played in their basic program, always have something new added to them. Performing this time as a septet sans trumpet for whatever reason were Joe and Paul, Pat Mercuri-guitar, Ed Wise-bass and Jim Lawler-drums. Lauren Humpage
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They started with Just You, Just Me, Ed Wise expertly bowing and humming the tune, as Slam Stewart did in the late ’30s.
An educator, he sometimes lectures on the early history of jazz in turn-of-the-century New Orleans
When he’s not traveling with the Midiri Brothers or other bands, Ed has his own band that plays extensively in the Pennsylvania environs, Ed Wise and His New Orleans Band.
Nice clarinet intro to Poor Butterfly, fabulous vibes. Runnin’ Wild has Pat Mercuri’s and Ed Wise’s fingers running wild!
Pat Mercuri is one of the Philadelphia area’s most active free-lance musicians playing jazz, pop and classical music. He teaches music in N.J. and performs with the Midiri Brothers in concerts, private events and in appearances at hotels and casinos at the New Jersey shore.
Jim Lawlor started playing drums at 20, He has been mainly with the Midiri Brothers small groups and big band since 1989. And he sings also – on their 2nd set, fine rendition of Choo Choo Choo ch’ Boogie.
Paul brings reminiscences of Lionel Hampton – he tortures those vibes! He is multi-intrumental, also playing trombone on On The Sunny Side Of The Street, and challenging Lawlor on drums onLimehouse Blues. He composed Lapis Lazuli, where Joe’s clarinet and Ed’s string bass play a beautifully synchronized duet. Paul goes wild on vibes, while Joe holds a really long, extended note on clarinet.
Joe acts as interlocutor, comedian, and sometimes a one-man front line. Irving Berlin’s Russian Lullaby has the sweetest soprano sax you’ll ever hear, softly backed by guitar. He gives his own extraordinary spin to Bechet’s Si Tu Vois Ma Mere.
He has Louis Armstrong down perfectly, with his scatting and that perpetual smile on Wonderful World.
In New Orleans tradition, they added a spiritual, What A Friend We have in Jesus.
This exciting band is invited to every festival, and travels extensively – especially the twin brothers. Find them here: http://www.midiribros.com/main.php
Heartbeat Dixieland Jazz Band – 3 sets – 14 pieces* (not all at the same time) – under the guidance of drummer / leader Bill Logozzo, a master at bringing the best local musicians together and without asking them, receiving a musical pouring out of their very souls, all the music they have in them. He has been given a gift and uses it to the benefit of all within earshot. And from the audiences reactions… they are well pleased. Lauren Humpage
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Bill Logozzo, leader/drums, Albie Bernard tuba, Ben Griffin trombone, Charlie Freeman piano, Shari Lucas piano, Gim Burton banjo, Skip Hughes trombone/vocals, Jeff Hughes cornet, Sherman Kahn sax/clarinet, John Clark clarinet/sax, Andy Sherwood sax/clarinet, Jane Campedelli vocals, and last, but certainly not least, Marshall Lytle bass.
They started out with special guest, Marshall Lytle, one of founders of Bill Haley and the Comets (1951). You’re The Greatest. With his happy-go-lucky demeanor, singing, smiling, and playing the acoustic bass, he quickly won over the crowd (many of whom, like me, were in High School at the time!) The 1954 hit record – Shake Rattle and Roll – sold over a million copies.
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Avalon – was HOT, HOT, HOT fantastic clarinet duet with Sherman Kahn and John Clark!
Janie was everywhere all weekend, adding her congenial personality and rousing vocals to almost every band. We never get enough of hearing her when she’s back in New England!
Jane’s vocal on Who’s Sorry Now? with the Heartbeat JB concluded with wild scatting between Jane Campedelli, John Clark, Jeff Hughes, and Ben Griffin.
Jane’s vocal on Exactly Like you features a solo from one of our finest tuba players, Albie Bernard – and we finally get to see his face! Skip Hughes has been mostly in the background, but is featured on a reverential Amazing Grace. Jeff Hughes featured on his long-model Conn cornet, it’s not a trumpet, with Glory, Glory Halleluiah, backed by Lytle on string bass.
John Clark on alto sax engages trombonist Ben Griffin in a formidable duel.
Shari Lucas, listening carefully, backing the band, filling in the spaces, and playing just the right chords behind the soloists.
Bill Logozzo is like a magnet – he constantly attracts the finest musicians. You can catch the Heartbeat Jazz Band’s Jazz Lunch every Wednesday at the Yankee Clipper Restaurant, 157 West Main Street, Niantic, CT (860-739-9634). You never know who will show up!
Festival All Stars – 2 sets – 4 to ? pieces – with Buffalo’s Jon Seiger as leader-trumpet-piano-vocalist-mc, Albie Bernard-sousaphone (we could actually see his face!) Bob Bequilard-drums and Jeff Barnhard-piano… and any other pro that wanted to sit in. It was two rolicking, hot, hard driving, fun loving sets with talent dripping from the stage. “The quartet of four that drew in more!” Two of the best all star sets I’ve ever seen. Lauren Humpage
The All Stars are just that – Stars in their own right, and Jon Seiger was a shrewd choice to lead them. He is known all over the world and even has his own All Star Band. A charming entertainer and unique performer, he loves preserving the legacy of Louis – sounding unbelievably like Louis whether he’s playing trumpet or singing.
In this set, they recruited a few younger musicians who are well on their way to becoming All Stars. They opened with Indiana. Shake That Thing, Georgia. The crowd joined in with Jon leading the Hi De Ho on Cab Calloway’s Minnie The Moocher. Jon and Ray Skalski challened each other over who was the best ‘Louis’ on Armstrong’s Old Rocking Chair’s Got Me.
Darktown Strutters’ Ball Jon quoting snippets of Ipanema, and A Train, featuring Ben’s fabulous trombone trading twos with each instrument.
Ben Griffin puts heart and soul into his playing, energizes the band. He’s been playing all over Connecticut and environs since leaving the Coast Guard Band a couple of years ago.
Basin St. revealed his lightening dexterity on trombone!
A quiet, 21-year-old unassuming young man, Frank LiVorsi has a fondness for Ragtime, a knack for picking up tunes from the old masters by ear. He’s played at West Coast Ragtime Festival, Scott Joplin Ragtime Festival, Sacramento Jazz Festival, and many others.
He slipped into fine stride piano for Sweet Georgia Brown, and took the intro for The All Stars on a blistering King Porter Stomp. This is Frank’s version on YouTube. Frank is enrolled at URI in Mechanical Engineering. We may have him around for a few more years!
Ben Griffin and Ray Skalski played scorching duet on trombone.
The All Stars covered other genres of music, moving into Rock and Roll with Rocking Is My Business, with Jeff Barnhart playing some mean boogie woogie, and everyone in the band started dancing out of Jon’s control!
except for New York’s Alex Owen. Another promising young trumpet player, he not only played with a crystal clear tone, he maintained his composure when everyone else was goofing off!
Bob Bequillard kept this unruly troupe on time, with the help of Albie Bernard on tuba. Great tuba solo on Darktown Strutters’ Ball.
Jon Seiger finally coerced them back into some kind of sanity with Show Us The Way To Go Home.
In spite of all the tomfoolery, and maybe because of it, these All Stars consistently play exciting, outstanding jazz!
Riverboat Ramblers – 3 sets – 5 pieces – Formerly a Coast Guard band director, extremely skilled in brass instruments and about any other instrument he wishes to play… and a vocalist. John Banker is one talented performer and entertainer. His hand picked side men were, Al LaPorte-synthasizer-vocals, Sal Ranniello-drums, Sherman Kahn-reeds and Bob Barta-banjo. John always guarantees a non-stop high energy performance that more often than not includes audience participation. This weekend was no exception! Lauren Humpage
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The Riverboat Ramblers have been playing New Orleans Jazz, Gospel and Mardi Gras music throughout the East Coast since the 1980s. Five talented Connecticut musicians who sound like a full orchestra, but you never know what they’re going to come up with! This set consisted of some of the oldest tunes they could find.
Raniello began with a loud drum intro to Why Don’t You Go To New Orleans? John on cornet playing Louis, Sherman Kahn wild tenor sax, LaPorte’s lightening left hand on piano.
Banker has an array of instruments – cornet, trombone, tuba, washboard. He plays piano and just about anything else he can get his hands on.
Egyptian Ella, Barta on vocal. “Ella must have weighed 320 pounds, but the boys liked her that way out there.”
Sherman Kahn on clarinet and tenor sax, patiently puts up with much nonsense from Banker.
A journeyman clarinetist, he was featured on an inspiring, passionate Begin The Beguine.
Banker and his wife celebrated their 32nd anniversary the day before the festival. It happens every year – she gets to celebrate their anniversary with all of us at this festival. Fun.
Every year he dedicates this song to her. I Don’t Know Why I Love You Like I Do. But it’s no sweet love song. He recreates the high-pitched voice of a 1930 crank-up Victrola, with LaPorte replicating the scratches. Inevitably there’s a crack in the record, with the repeat, repeat, repeat. Then Banker sings the complete song – backwards!!
They went even farther back to 1814 with Colonel Jackson and The Battle of New Orleans, sung by Johnny Horton, and played from Bismarck to Alaska! “We fired our guns but the British kept a-comin’. There wasn’t not as a many as there was a while ago. We fired once more and they began to running, down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico.”
Al Laporte is a resourceful pianist. One has to be to play with Banker!
He played keyboard for all of the tunes. We missed the fantastic Boogie Woogie he did on real piano last year.
An Infamous Trio – LaPorte took the vocal on the1890 love song, Bill Bailey. Sherman took the vocal on Just Because, John took the Dummy Song, and they sang them all together – at the same time!
The Mardi Gras song had everyone clapping in the wrong beat, Second Line John playing tuba.
Sal Ranniello’s superb drumming was featured on It Don’t Mean a Thing If it Ain’t Got That Swing.
His powerful playing inspires and drives the band.
John Banker said his parents are in Pennsylvania. His Mom just had her 78th birthday, and his Dad was having his 80th that Tuesday – and they were celebrating their 50th Anniversary. So Banker sang Elvis’s Are You Lonesome Tonight? in a little girly voice, using the old words, with Raniello’s melodic backup on drums.
Those Were the Days.
You will find John Banker on piano and vocals, with Friends every Sunday 8:30pm-12:30am at the Griswold Inn in Essex, Connecticut. Never gets dull! John Banker accommodates any audience, and keeps it motivated. One of his idols is Robin Williams, because he can entertain any age group. “You only live once – Live longer with laughter!”
Thanks to Bob Johnson for sponsoring this band. Bob is the former owner of the Sunrise Resort in Moodus, where TGCTJF was held for many years. We’ve gathered some fond memories listening to the bands and especially staying in those cabins!!
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