Acton Jazz Cafe – ACT III, 529 King St. Littleton MA
Dear friends,
This is a side view of our new location, scheduled to open in the early fall.
It will be a collaboration of local artists and artisans, under the name Gallery 529, and musicians and fine dining / drinking under the name ACT III. We will be all together under one roof at this lovely historic farmhouse on Rte. 110, just off exit 31 on 495.
It’s located at 529 King Street in Littleton, MA. We are in the process of updating our website, our mailing software, and our facebook page. Please stay tuned for a longer and more detailed announcement coming soon! www.actonjazzcafe.com And please plan to join us for a Blues Jam and Fundraiser at The West Acton Baptist Church Saturday 6/21, 7-10 p.m., hosted by King of The Blues Jam B.J. Magoon and friends! $20 donation online or at the door.
Frank Stadler, piano and leader, Craig Ball – clarinet, Jimmy Mazzy – banjo and vocals, Scott Philbrick – trumpet, Lee Prager – trombone, Al Bernard – sousaphone, Bobby Reardon – drums.
by Marce
Videos by Harold McAleer
This was the Seacoast Stompers’ 6th year at the Acton Jazz Café; they play the 1st Saturday of every month. Their music warmed our hearts and melted the snow! They started with their theme At The Jazz Band Ball without reed-man Craig Ball, who had been delayed.
Leader, Frank Stadler
Leader Frank Stadler announced there would be a different format this month – three 50-minute sets with 15-minute breaks. He also wanted to involve the audience.
He sorted through their past 285 tunes and distributed a list of the most popular ones to the audience so they could pick what they wanted to hear. (Live music is a social experience, it makes people happier.) When all the lists were returned, all the tunes had been picked! So Frank turned the lists over to Scott Philbrick.
Scott is their “music leader” – he let the musicians choose from the lists. Jimmy began with Oh Baby, banjo and vocal – good choice. Someone hollered “Better than New Orleans!” We have no argument with that.
Lady Be Good, Prager grinning ear to ear – he enjoys being with this group, keeping up with Scotty’s multiple notes. There’ll Be Some Changes Made was Frank’s call.
I’ve Got The World On a String, Jimmy vocal, with Lee’s muted trombone in rippling vibrato. Albie’s choice of tunes – ‘Deed I Do. Jimmy’s interchange with Albie was fabulous. Craig arrived; his clarinet does make a difference! Found a New Baby, drum intro with Craig Ball reaching for the sky on clarinet. WILD! The set closer was delectable hot jazz, Sweet Georgia Brown.
The audience insisted on Limehouse Blues starting the 2nd set.
Prager began the trombone intro to I Guess I’ll Have to Change My Plans.
Especially for Lynn Sickle – they played a sweet All of Me.
Jimmy Mazzy is revered in Europe.
Dr. Jazz – Jim scatting, not quite into his infamous holler. We are privileged to have him here with us, singing and scatting to many tunes. Rosetta was sweet. Albie requested Dinah. Jimmy went wild – he can be a tiger too.
Is You Is Or Is You Ain’t My Baby – the interaction between cornet and trombone is unbelievable!
Tin Roof Blues, soft tuba intro to this New Orleans jazz standard – one of the most often played early New Orleans jazz pieces. The Stompers did it justice in slow, N.O. tempo.
Jack Phelan,Trad Jazz afficionado, requested Ain’t She Sweet. He was here with his family and the Charlie Hoar family. Some history: Jack and Eleanor Phelan, Charlie and Margaret Hoar and the Enrights, traveled all over New England and Canada in the late 60’s and early 70’s, hearing all the best Traditional Jazz Bands of the day: East Bay City, New Black Eagle Jazz Band, Kid Sheik, Barry Martyn (here from England.) Their kids grew up with this music.
Jack is in the back on the right, with the Red Rock sweatshirt.
Carrie Mazzy
Carrie Mazzy sang her own poignant interpretation of Just Because.
Blue Lou was uptempo with inspired solo work. Three Little Worlds was also in blazing tempo, clarinet & trumpet leading, trombone playing counter melody. Their performance is awe inspiring!
The Rhythm Boys, Al Bernard and Bob Reardon
Al Bernard pushes the band playing chords on tuba; Bob Reardon keeps them in proper time. They keep the rhythmic fires burning bright.
The finale was imaginative and swinging – Swing That Music. It raised goose bumps!
Then Gwenn Vivian dropped a bombshell: The AJC must move out by May 1st – a new tenant with more $$ moving into their corner of the Nagog Park Mall.
But this is the Jazz Club you can’t crush! She has a new partner Josely Nogueira which gives them more strength and chutzpa – they will reopen when they find the perfect spot, and this band WILL be there, and so will we. “You’ve been a great audience – loved us and the band – don’t disappear.” She hopes to reopen the Acton Jazz Café somewhere in June.
Meanwhile, The Seacoast Stompers Jazz Band have been given an extra day on April 26th to play here in Acton before they close the doors. See you there? Guaranteed, this music will make you happy!
Seacoast Stompers
Tunes played on April 5, 2014
Set 1
1 At The Jazz Band Ball
2 Oh Baby
3 Lady Be Good
4 There’ll Be Some Changes Made
5 I’ve Got the World on a String
6 Deed I Do
7 I Found A New Baby
8 Sweet Georgia Brown
Set 2
1 Limehouse Blues
2 I guess I’ll Have To Change My Plan
3 All of Me
4 Doctor Jazz
5 Is You Is Or Is You Ain’t My Baby
6 Tin Roof Blues
7 Dinah
Set 3
1 Ain’t She Sweet
2 Blue Lou
3 Just Because
4 Rosetta
5 Three Little Words
6 Swing That Music
Seacoast Stompers on the new Acton Jazz Cafe stage
Dave Whitney trumpet, Craig Ball clarinet, Scott Philbrick banjo/guitar/cornet, Lee Prager trombone, Frank Stadler leader/piano, Al Bernard tuba, Bobby Reardon drums.
The decor of the café has totally changed, it feels more like a nightclub now, with a full raised stage at the back of the room. Definitely an improvement; same fine food and gracious personnel. Alternating spotlights from blue to red to white give it nice atmosphere, but raise cane with the videos. On this First Saturday of the month, The Seacoast Stompers began as always with their Flagship tune, At The Jazz Band Ball, a 1917 jazz classic done by the ODJB, and one of the earliest and most recorded jazz compositions. Scott was strumming on banjo because Jimmy Mazzy was home looking after Carrie.
Earl Hines’ Monday Date, Scott was on acoustic guitar; Whitney trumpet, Craig soaring clarinet, Lee swinging trombone, Frank piano, Bob drums, Albie’s tuba pushing the whole ensemble. Fabulous!
Frank Stadler doesn’t like to repeat tunes. They haven’t done Moonglow for a while, nice slow dance tune. Charlie was up immediately – he dances with all the ladies. He found an open corner near the bar. Back o’ Town Blues is a nice slow Blues, one of Whitney’s favorite vocals. The musicians followed him, playing passionate solos, with Lee growling on trombone.
After You’ve Gone, trumpet intro with tuba back up, was really great Dixieland; Whitney squeezed in a bit of Little Girl. Frank played beautiful melody on piano, backed by Albie’s chords and Bob’s time keeping.
Scott returned to his cornet, now we had two horns, no waiting; Take Your Tomorrows and Give Me Today. Bix did this with Frank Trumbauer in 1928. They started with fantastic brass, and finished it the same way; it sure was great to have Dave Whitney back. Love is Just Around the Corner, Whitney vocal, the band played full force, stopping on a dime!
There’s always a discussion on the next tune, who will do what? Here was a “good ol’ good one” done by the Original Dixieland Jazz Band also in 1917 – Fidgety Feet had the audiences’ feet tapping. You can’t sit still listening to this Jazz. Albie took a melodic solo on tuba, Scott back on cornet, Bobby wouldn’t let it quit, taking multiple drum endings, nailing the end with a final cymbal crash.
Bob Reardon supports the band with his fine drumming.
Nobody wanted to quit. Louis did Wild Man Blues with his Hot Seven – we had hot banjo, and tuba too.
Bob Crosby’ Bob Cats recorded Irving Fazola’s I’m Coming Virginia.
Fats Waller’s Baby Brown had Dave Whitney on trumpet and vocal, and Scotty on cornet. They have a friendly, compatible competition going.
Song of the Wanderer was a really HOT ONE with Scott on banjo, then he was back on guitar for Someday Sweetheart.
Dave Whitney and Scott Philbrick have a friendly go-round on Mandy, Make Up Your Mind
A request (inevitably) started with a very truncated Saints, and quickly moved to Who’s Sorry Now, finishing with Ain’t Gonna Give Nobody None of my Jelly Roll.
As usual there was a full house enjoying the fine Dixieland and Swing of the Seacoast Stompers. You can hear them at the Acton Jazz Café on the first Saturday of every month, in the afternoon – easier driving for most of us.
To get the best seat, please make a reservation; email gwenn@actonjazzcafe.com with the subject line reading either RESERVATION or CONTACT, or call them at (978) 263-6161 after 5 pm. http://www.actonjazzcafe.com/ Use 5 Nagog Park Mall on GPS to get directions.
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Seacoast Stompers tunes played on March 1, 2014
Set 1
1 At The Jazz Band Ball
2 My Monday Date
3 Moonglow
4 Back o’ Town Blues
5 After You’ve Gone
6 Take Your Tomorrow
7 Love Is Just Around The Corner
8 Louisiana Fairy Tale
9 Fidgety Feet
Set 2
1 Avalon
2 Wild Man Blues
3 Can’t We Be Friends
4 I’m Coming Virginia (W/Verse)
5 Baby Brown
6 Wabash Blues
7 Song of the Wanderer
Set 3
1 Preacher, The
2 Mandy Make Up Your Mind
3 Someday Sweetheart
4 Who’s Sorry Now
5 Jelly Roll (Ain’t Gonna Give You None)
Seacoast Stompers at the Acton Jazz Café, on a bitter cold January 4th 2014, with Scott Philbrick cornet, Craig Ball clarinet, Lee Prager trombone, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Al Bernard souzaphone, Bobby Reardon drums, Frank Stadler leader/piano. Videos by Harold McAleer.
In spite of the bitterly cold weather, The Acton Jazz Café had few empty seats when The Seacoast Stompers began another year of 1st Saturdays of the month. Many of us were suffering from Trad Jazz withdrawal over the holidays, with the musicians busy playing at private gigs.
Leader Frank Stadler was back with a long list of tunes, offering two at a time, and letting the musicians choose. They are almost all Band Leaders and have minds of their own; sometimes they picked one, sometimes picked totally different tunes. There is much discussion, but it’s all in great fun. Frank is to be commended for patiently managing the divergent personalities that are the Seacoast Stompers.
They started hot and heavy with the Bix version of their theme song, At The Jazz Band Ball, hot solos!
Frank took the intro with bass notes on I Would Do Most Anything For You. Bobby went wild on drums!
Frank Stadler, piano – leader
Take Your Tomorrows and Give Me Today, Swing That Music. Nice tuba solo. The rhythm boys set the dynamic background that gets toes tapping.
Jimmy Mazzy, Al Bernard, Bobby Reardon
Jimmy has his own unique style of playing banjo, and singing. We especially liked his ballad, Sugar, with ecstatic interchange between Philbrick and Prager. They challenge each other. Rose Room got dancers up, with Scott sneaking in Always Chasing Rainbows on cornet.
We all helped celebrate Jack Phelan’s 90th birthday, who was here with his family. Jack is the pianist for the New Liberty Jazz Band and formerly led the Scollay Square Stompers.
Jimmy Mazzy and Jack Phelan
Jack says “The Seacoast Stompers are a great group, and anytime Jimmy Mazzy is with a group it’s even better!”
He said “Frank Stadler is a top notch piano player, with a steady rhythm and steady beat.” “The front line, Craig, Scotty and Lee, are just great! They sound like they rehearsed for weeks, but we know they were improvising, making it up.”
Frank Stadler filled in for Jack with the New Liberty Jazz Band on their 1941 Fire Truck last November 23rd at the Methuen Parade, when it was again cold weather. Jack recommended him.
Jack Phelan has been around Jazz and Jazz Joints for a long time. He was sitting up front and center, where he could hear them discussing what they were going to play next. He said to Scotty, “Since they moved the spittoon from the corner of the saloon, you just can’t spit anymore!” That broke them up!
The band wanted to play the Birthday song for him, instead he requested Ain’t She Sweet and they were happy to oblige.
Frank asked for Fidgety Feet. All agreed, no discussion!
We especially like Jimmy’s ballads, I’ve Got The World on a String.
Bill Flynn and the Missus from New Hampshire found themselves a corner for dancing. He’s a retired Raytheon engineer who writes books for sale on Kindle as a hobby.
Lee Prager
Trombone intro I’ll Take Manhattan, Lee bends over backwards to get those perfect notes. Sweet tune, followed by something peppy – Sunday.
St. Louis Blues is one of the oldest tunes known to the cognoscenti. Tuba intro, imaginative ensemble. They listen to each other and to the music, play mesmerizing blues.
Fantastic ensemble by the front line, Craig Ball, Scott Philbrick, and Lee Prager
Bobby Reardon has two sets of drums with him, he has another job in Stoneham when he leaves the Acton Jazz Cafe. The musicians really appreciate his tasteful, shrewd, drumming.
Bobby Reardon
They closed this set with a romp roaring Sweet Georgia Brown.
Harold McAleer with his video camera.
We are all grateful that Harold McAleer is back. He is dedicated to recording this music for posterity, and spends hours videotaping and editing many videos, especially of the Seacoast Stompers. You can find hundreds of them on You Tube.
There was much more great jazz in store. (see below). We’ll be back with the usual Trad Jazz Crowd, thirsting for this kind of music, on February 1st. We hope to see Jack Phelan back too!!
Seacoast Stompers January 4, 2014 Tunes:
Set 1
1 At The Jazz Band Ball
2 Sugar
3 I Would Do Anything For You
4 Take Your Tomorrow
5 Swing That Music
6 Rose Room
7 Fidgety Feet
8 I’ve Got the World on a String
9 Sunday
10 St Louis Blues
11 Sweet Georgia Brown
Set 2
1 It Don’t Mean a Thing If it Ain’t Got That Swing
2 Tin Roof Blues
3 Ain’t She Sweet
4 Curse of an Aching Heart
5 New Orleans
6 Undecided
Set 3
1 Jelly Roll (Ain’t Gonna Give You None)
2 Since My Best Gal Turned Me Down
3 If I had You
4 Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gives To Me
Scott Philbrick Cornet, Dave Whitney trumpet, Craig Ball reeds, Lee Prager trombone, Frank Stadler leader/piano, Al Bernard tuba, Bobby Reardon drums
At The Jazz Band Ball, the Seacoast Stompers warned us in advance that this was going to be delectable hot Jazz, with another full house at the Acton Jazz Café. They added some new songs, Why Do I Like To Myself About You? and included some old Dixieland Chestnuts, Royal Garden Blues, After You’ve Gone, Baby Brown.
Stadler makes full use of the Café’s beautiful Yamaha Baby Grand. He plots a loose course, giving the musicians room to make suggestions, and they do – most of them are accustomed to leading their own bands.
Frank Stadler leads band from the Yamaha Baby Grand
Bobby Reardon keeps the band in time. Photo by Harold McAleer
Albie pushes with his powerful tuba, Jimmy’s single string banjo at high velocity, Bobby Reardon steering them discreetly.
Albie and Jimmy
With that fabulous rhythm behind them, the front line is free to explore with great solos and ensemble, mixing harmonies. This Joint is Jumpin’!
Jimmy’s vocals come from the heart; as if he’s crying for his lost love. If I Had You,
Please Don’t Talk About Me When I’m Gone, Old Fashioned Love, A Hundred Years From Today, Song of the Wanderer.
He’s scatting on Japanese Sandman.
Whitney interweaves innumerable snippets of tunes with his trumpet, and also does some vocals: the 1930’s tune Fats wrote on a restaurant bill, I’m Confessing, Mobile, Is You Is or Is You Ain’t My Baby. He’s scatting on Baby Brown.
Craig Ball, leader of White Heat Swing Orchestra
The ensemble connects on Sheik of Araby. Craig Ball’s clarinet is almost kissing the mic on Stevedore Stomp. He’s in soft tone on I’m Beginning to See The Light.
Dave and Scott go at it!
Trumpet and cornet are teasing and testing each other on Devil and The Deep Blue Sea. As Time Goes By Dave’s sweet trumpet is backing Scott’s cornet. They take turns leading and comping on all the tunes.
Lee Prager fills in the short gaps
LEE Lee Prager is constantly listening, filling in any gap. That takes talent!
We look forward to the amazing exchanges between the trombone and cornet. There’s a friendly duel between Lee and Scott at least once in every session – trombone keeping up with the cornet’s myriad notes up and down the register. It’s all in great fun!
By now the tension is so hot Jimmy loses it on It Don’t Mean a Thing if it Ain’t Got That Swing. Trading fours scatting with the band, he bursts out with his infamous scream, signifying another winning session!
They will repeat it on the first Saturday of next month, December 8th. Don’t miss it!
Seacoast Stompers tune list – Nov 2, 2013 – Acton Jazz Cafe
Set 1
1 At The Jazz Band Ball
2 As Time Goes By / Sleepy Time Down South
3 Royal Garden Blues
4 After You’ve Gone
5 Why Do I Lie To Myself About You
6 If I had You
7 Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
8 I’m Confessing
9 Song of the Wanderer
Set 2
1 Sheik of Araby
2 Mobile
3 Please Don’t Talk About Me
4 Old Fashioned Love
5 Baby Brown
6 All Of Me
Set 3
1 Joint is Jumpin, the
2 Hundred Years From Today, A
3 Stevedore Stomp
4 Japanese Sandman
5 Is You Is Or Is You Ain’t My Baby
6 I’m Beginning to see the Light
7 It Don’t Mean a Thing If it Ain’t Got That Swing
Seacoast Stompers (with videographer Harold McAleer)
These musicians love making music, playing Jazz, and this audience loves listening to them. It’s a symbiotic relationship – and never gets dull. You never know what will happen next. The Seacoast Stompers do not repeat songs – Frank Stadler has kept a list of every song they’ve played at the AJC in the last five years, so the tunes are seldom repeated.
Surprise! Frank announced that this afternoon they would be doing EXACTLY the same set list as their first gig, 5 years 3 months ago at The Acton Jazz Café. Then it was at night at 452 Great Road, a six-piece band, with Frank Stadler piano, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Jeff Hughes cornet, Ben Goldstein clarinet, Steve Taddeo drums and Bob McHenry string bass (whose idea it was to getStadler on piano
Now on October 5, 2013, there was Frank leader/piano and Jimmy banjo/vocals, Scott Philbrick cornet, Dave Whitney trumpet, Craig Ball clarinet, Lee Prager trombone, Albie Bernard sousaphone, and Bobby Reardon drums at the new Acton Jazz Café, 103 Nagog Park. It doesn’t get any better than this – as demonstrated by the full house. Bob McHenry was sitting front and center, enjoying the band.
They started with their theme song, a blistering At The Jazz Band Ball, then Mama’s Gone, Goodbye – Jimmy vocal, the four-piece front line melding seamlessly.
Front line Scott, Dave, Craig, and Lee
Scott and Dave are always a combustible combination, Trumpet and cornet duet on From Monday On.Baby Won’t You Please Come Home. Combination playing vibrato on There’ll Be Some Changes Made.
They slowed down for Memories of You, Scotty doing cornet intro, Jim on vocal with almost imperceptible tuba and trumpet backup.
Mandy Make Up Your Mind – we never get enough of Jimmy Mazzy’s singing. (For the few who are not aware, he’s like olives – an acquired taste; people all over the world love Jimmy, especially in Europe) New Orleans, Hoagie’s favorite tune, heartfelt vocal by Dave Whitney.
Jimmy Mazzy
Dave Whitney
Bobby concentrated on tom toms for Stealing Apples. He has a different drum set for every genre of music, The Dixieland set has three toms, bass, snare drum, cow bell, top hat and a couple of cymbals. He strives for simplicity, purity in his playing, and the energy and precision he lays down is undeniable.
Bobby Reardon and his Dixieland Drum Set
Keeping Out of Mischief Now, Jim on vocal. Craig Ball is in complete command of the upper register on Ain’t Gonna Give You None of My Jelly Roll.
I’m Coming Virginia.
Bobby plays Saturday nights at the Kowloon in Saugus, so he’s ready, always dressed in white shirt and black bow tie (untied) but not tonight; black shirt – no tie. He said he was in mourning because he couldn’t play his favorite tune. So they deviated from the 2008 set list – and substituted Bobby’s favorite (and mine!) Limehouse Blues.
Jim Mazzy, Al Bernard, Bobby Reardon, Rhythm Section
Al Bernard provides the drive and “punch’ behind the band, and plays solos with the dexterity, control, and articulation of the much smaller instruments. Take Your Tomorrows, and Give Me Today. Joe Darensbourg’s Louisian-I-A, dynamic clarinet backed by rhythm in stop-time. Jimmy had the vocal on a HOT Kansas City. I Would Do Most Anything For You, Whitney vocal, and sneaking in snippets of songs with his trumpet.
Look out for Jimmy’s specials – back in 2008, he substituted his own lyrics for the Banking Crisis with The Whiffenpoof’s Song (The Lambs Song). This time he did a parody of the Tea Party, that we won’t go into here because we’ve already lost too much $upport.
Craig Ball on soprano sax
Craig moved to a sweet soprano sax, authentic Bechet sound, for Singing The Blues.
Verne often gets to pick the last tune, a fine choice to end this evening of remembering 2008, with a barnstorming Swing That Music. Seacoast Stompers will return with the same personnel playing amazing Dixieland Jazz at the Acton Jazz Café, 103 Nagog Park, Acton MA, on November 2nd, the first Saturday of the month as usual. See you there!
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Tunes on 2013-10-05 at AJC by Seacoast Stompers set 1
At The Jazz Band Ball
Mama’s Gone Goodbye
From Monday On
Baby Won’t You Please Come Home
There’ll Be Some Changes Made
Memories Of You
Mandy Make Up Your Mind
New Orleans
Stealin Apples set 2
Keepin Out Of Mischief Now
Jelly Roll (Ain’t Gonna Give You None)
I’m Coming Virginia (W/Verse)
Limehouse Blues
Take Your Tomorrow
Louisi-An-I-A set 3
Kansas City request
I Would Do Anything For You
The Lamb’s Song (political diatribe) jimmy special
Singin the Blues
Swing that Music
Scott Philbrick cornet, Craig Ball clarinet, Lee Prager trombone, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Frank Stadler leader/piano, Albie Bernard sousaphone, Bobby Reardon drums
By Marce, Videos by Harold McAleer
The Stompers started right off with an explosive Jazz Band Ball that ignited the Acton Jazz Café, and they were smokin’ the whole afternoon.
Frank Stadler, leader of the Seacoast Stompers
Leader Frank Stadler has a list of every tune they’ve played in those 5+ years. He always brings in a list of new tunes or some they haven’t played lately.
But this is a democratic band, if they don’t like what he calls, they just do something else.
Jimmy sings with Albie and Bobby support
Jimmy Mazzy is something else all by himself!
He sings Nagasaki with Al Bernard on sousaphone and Bobby Reardon raring to go.
The band actually all agreed on that tune, but not the key. Finely tuned ensemble; Craig’s clarinet set the pace, pushing the boundaries. Drums were vibrating off the floor!
Carrie Mazzy sings “Sugar”
Carrie Mazzy flashes a smile, singing Sugar.
They played Three Little Words in triple time, clarinet and cornet squeezing in multiple notes; difficult for trombone, but Prager is resourceful. Al Bernard’s sousaphone drove the band, Craig Ball sneaking in many other tunes – he can do that on clarinet.
Nice brush work by drummer. The musicians really appreciate Bobby Reardon’s drumming. He keeps them going, lays down perfect time, and never gets in the way.
Seacoast Stompers front line – Bob McHenry, former string bass, at right in blue shirt
The inimitable Jimmy Mazzy sings Kansas City. Cornet and trombone have remarkable interplay, but Scotty likes to tease Lee, playing rapid muted passages.
Watch what happens.
Kansas City
Lee Prager played a deep burnished trombone on I Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plans, with Jimmy singing a heartwarming, tender ballad.
Lee Prager on trombone
Lulu’s Back in Town was WILD, cornet trading fours with trombone, challenging Prager with vibrating cornet, Lee responding with vibrating trombone, it was hysterical! They actually gave each other high 5’s when it was over. Lee was having so much fun, he never stopped bouncing, except when he was playing. Great talent – it’s a pity we can’t hear him more often.
They moved on to a rabble-rousing China Boy, clarinet starting in nice low register, then moving up the scale into the stratosphere. Stadler prodded marvelous sounds out of the piano. Éva Balazs was back, listening to her favorite ‘humble piano virtuoso’.
They all agreed on Stadler’s call for the finale, Sweet Georgia Brown,
Bobby set the dynamic level:
The energy level was still high, leaving the audience with an adrenaline rush. We’ll all be back October 5th with more fun and upligting jazz with the Seacoast Stompers.
Tunes played this afternoon:
set 1
At The Jazz Band Ball
Someday You’ll Be Sorry
Squeeze Me
Smiles
Sugar
Kansas City
Tin Roof Blues
Old Fashioned Love
Nagasaki
set 2
I Can’t Get Started
Nobody’s Sweetheart Now
How Come You Do Me Like You Do
Oh Baby
Three Little Words
I guess I’ll have to change my plans
Jelly Roll (Ain’t Gonna Give You None)
set 3
Mandy Make Up Your Mind
Sweet Lorraine
Lulu’s Back In Town
China Boy
Sweet Georgia Brown
August 3, 2013, The Seacoast Stompers were back at the Acton Jazz Café with Dave Whitney trumpet, Craig Ball clarinet, Lee Prager trombone, Scott Philbrick guitar/cornet, Frank Stadler piano/leader, Al Ehrenfried string bass, Bobby Reardon drums, and Maureen Benson vocals.
The Seacoast Stompers are celebrating their 6th year of appearing on the first Saturday of the month at the Acton Jazz Café. This was an exceptionally enjoyable afternoon, with Scott on guitar (which he prefers) and charismatic vocalist Maureen Benson. The venue sound system was shut down, with musicians controlling their own amplification, much better Traditional sound.
Whitney’s solo horn was free to interweave all kinds of tunes because Scott Philbrick was tied up on guitar, subbing for Jimmy Mazzy – most of the time.
The Rhythm Boys
Al Ehrenfried, was all smiles, picking at the string bass. Lee Prager happy to be back on trombone, bouncing with the music. Bobby was pulsating and alive. They all treasure his timing. It was infectious.
Craig Ball’s hot clarinet set the opening with All That Jazz, their theme song, and after that it was all improvised, with quick discussions over what and how they would play next.
Maureen Benson
A natural charmer on stage, Maureen came up for Slow Boat to China, If I Had You, Dave backing on muted trumpet.
Lee Prager
Lee Prager was featured on I guess I’ll Have To Change My Plans. We were happy to have him back.
Maureen returned for I Cried For you – usually done in a slow tempo, but there was nothing slow about this afternoon! There was no holding them back!
Bix time, Scott Philbrick moved to cornet with Dave Whitney trumpet duet for Singing The Blues. Fabulous!
Scott Philbrick and Dave Whitney
Piano took the intro to Claude Hopkins I Would Do Most Anything For You. Scott was back on flaming hot guitar for this barn-burner!
Dave’s version of Back O’ Town Blues is one of Frank Stadler’s favorites. Dave invited Maureen to join him. But she’s never heard the song before, didn’t even know the words. “I can handle Blues.”
This video shows her incredible spunk as she makes up her own words:
Frank and Al got together for an abbreviated Jitterbug Waltz, just piano and acoustic bass. Lovely – but too short, left us wanting more!
Whitney remembered Laurel & Hardy. Most people don’t realize that Oliver Hardy was also a good singer. He sang Lazy Moon in the 1932 Pardon Us, sensitively reprised here by Scott on guitar and Dave on trumpet and vocal.
Neil Moret wrote many beautiful tunes, including Chloe, and Song of the Wanderer, Ray Smith liked him so much he did a whole program on him.
(FYI, Ray Smith’s Jazz Decades is still playing Sundays 8-9pm on www.wgbh.org – even though we lost him a few years ago. Listen and learn about Our Kind of Music.)
Scott on guitar, Whitney on crystal clear trumpet on Song of the Wanderer.
The Saints prompted Alice Brunton to lead the a Parade, sans parasol. We’ll have one next month!
Alice Brunton leads the ‘Saints’ parade – no parasols!
Betty Countie
Surprise vocalist – Maureen introduced her Mom, Betty Countie, to sing a tantalizing Blue Moon. It’s obvious where Maureen gets her voice and charm!
The mood changed back to Bix and the normal four-piece front line. Their passion for this music is evident, they were really having fun with Since My Best Friend Turned Me Down.
Maureen Benson and the Rhythm Boys
It Had To Be You, Maureen singing Bob Sickles’ favorite song made him happy; An explosive Swing That Music was dedicated to Vern, with Whitney on vocal.
Al Ehrenfried
Buddy Bolden’s Blues was the best Trad tune of the evening with Al’s tender bass solo.
Found a New Baby, found Al all smiles, bass in constant dialogue on this up-tempo tune. Lee bouncing up and down, slipping in some tunes of his own, Scott slipped in a bit of the Russian Ochi Chernye on guitar.
Frank Stadler softly touching keys
Approaching the finale, Maureen was called up for S’Wonderful, backed by Stadler, hands barely skimming over the piano.
They wrapped up this month’s session with Limehouse Blues. Piano rules – with energy and syncopation, setting the pace. Dave finally managed to sneak in Stumbling – he always gets that in somewhere.
This old music has so much energy and vitality, especially played by these accomplished musicians – it’s enlivening, . We’ll all be back, enjoying more of the Seacoast Stompers 6th Anniversary at the Acton Jazz Café. See you there!
Maureen Benson lists Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, and Carmen McRae as her major musical influences. She is a mainstay on the North Shore jazz scene, and appears monthly with Jazzport at the Seaport Restaurant in Salem.
With the support of many volunteers, Gwenn Vivian moved the Acton Jazz Cafe October 1st to 103 Nagog Park – Rts. 119/2A Acton; much easier to find! But their sign isn’t up yet, so watch for Beyond The Border. It’s the last building on the right in the first row. Continue reading →
Bob McHenry and Friends at the Acton Jazz Cafe, with Charlie Jennison – piano, Dave Whitney – trumpet and vocals, Jon Wheatley – guitar, Les Harris Jr. – drums, Bob McHenry – string bass, Alanna Manning – vocals
With the support of many volunteers, Gwenn Vivian moved the Acton Jazz Cafe October 1st to 103 Nagog Park – Rts. 119/2A Acton; much easier to find! But their sign isn’t up yet, so watch for Beyond The Border. It’s the last building on the right in the first row. 
