Eli and The Hot Six and Winikers at Primavera Ristorante October 18

Posted on October 22, 2018 by admin

Eli’s Hot Six

by Marce

Bo Winiker leader/trumpet, flugelhorn, Phil Person trumpet, Ted Casher clarinet/tenor sax, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Zac Casher drums, also Bill Winiker on drums and various vocalists

Bo Winiker was leader of Eli and The Hot Six this Thursday because Eli and Carolyn Newberger were vacationing in Vietnam and Cambodia. Bill Winiker was also here, and brought their Mom, Annette. The Winiker Band played at the legendary Parker House in Cambridge Square for 28 years. That’s where the ‘boys’ grew up; but they lived in Millis, MA, so the Primavera Music Room was full!

Velma Casher and Annette Winiker photo by Bill Winiker

It was such a pleasure to meet Annette Winiker, still spry at age 92!

Bill took a picture of her with Ted Casher’s wife, Velma.

Bo had the band playing toe-tapping Traditional Jazz for the whole first set before moving to vocalists and swing! It was a great night, with hot solos and delightful counterpoint.

Jimmy Mazzy

The first set started with an instrumental South, then Jimmy singing Basin St. Blues, and scatting in Strutting With Some Barbecue. .

Phil Person

Phil Person’s warm, sweet trumpet was featured with Do Nothing ‘Till you Hear From Me. Phil is a skillful interpreter of the melody, as well as muted trumpet commentary behind vocals.

Zac and Ted Casher

Sweet Sue from New Orleans, Jimmy Mazzy’s unique interpretation, with energetic interchange between The Dynamic Duo – Ted and Zac Casher.

Nat Coolidge photo by Bill Winiker

Nat Coolidge sang with Eli and The Hot Six at the Fundraiser for Windrush Farms recently. He’s been involved with it for 40 years; It serves special needs kids, helping them ride horseback – and they even have a horse riding Olympics. They really enjoy it! Tonight Nat sang Hoagie Carmichael’s Georgia on my mind, adding some Jimmy Durante lyrics – sounding like Vaudeville!

Bill Winiker

Bill and Bo Winiker made a Cd for their 50^th anniversary in Jazz. The title track was Getting Some Fun Out of Life. Bill Winiker took over the drums and they played it now, dedicated to their late Father, Ed, who had started the Winiker Band in 1962 where Annette played string bass.

Young vocalist with banjo and drum in background

Zoe Musmon

Set two had two young vocalists named Zoe. The first Zoe Musmon sang the beautiful waltz, Che Sera Sera.

She connected with the audience, singing to each of us, with Benny Goodman’s Stomping at the Savoy.

Bo called on Bob Winter to play a tune that describes him perfectly – The Piano Man. He loves to play the piano, and was with the Boston Pops for over 30 years.

Surprise! Elaine Wu walked in – she was at another program, but left early to be here! That’s dedication – We call her our “Dr. Jazz”. She took over, beginning with the verse on I’m Old Fashioned, backed by Ted Casher on tenor sax. She led the band – continuing with Blame It On My Youth, and Oscar & Hammerstein’s Nobody Else But Me, explaining that “That’s about an adolescent, who wants to be anybody else, until she falls in love”. The Band gave her a grand finale!

Elaine Wu leads the band

Nat was back with They Can’t Take That Away From Me, and Rodgers & Hart’s The Lady Is A Tramp.

Zoe Stewart

Next came the second Zoe – Zoe Stewart, from Milford MA who sang After You’ve Gone by Henry Creamer and Turner Layton. She already has her own special timing, took the band by surprise by modulating her voice. She will be going to college in the fall for Musical Theatre.

Jimmy Mazzy returned, singing Swing That Music and Stars Fell on Alabama.

Bo on smoky flugelhorn

Moving quickly along towards the finale,, Zoe Musman came back with Cole Porters’ Night and Day and Cheek to Cheek, Bo on smoky flugelhorn.

This evening flew by so fast! We could hardly believe it was already over!
Bo kept it moving pressing these amazing musicians, and just having fun being the leader.

He closed it with You’re a Lucky Guy. (please excuse my shaking – Marce)

Eli and The Hot Six are at Primavera Ristorante on the 3^rd Thursday of every month (except December.) We hope you’ll join us next month on November 15^thfor more fantastic Jazz!

Eli and The Hot Six at Primavera Ristorante, March 16, 2017

Posted on April 5, 2017 by admin

Eli and The Hot Six: Bo Winiker trumpet/flugelhorn, Ted Casher clarinet/tenor sax, Herb Gardner trombone, Bob Winter keys, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Eli Newberger leader/tuba, Bob Tamagni drums, Elaine Wu and Watson Reid vocals.

(by Marce. Click on pictures to see enlargements.)

The Hot Six play contemporary, classic jazz, joining the present with the glorious past. They kicked it off with sparkling spontaneity on At The Jazz Band Ball, a tune by Nick LaRocca, cornetist with the Original Dixieland Jazz Band. (They were the first to record a commercial jazz recording 100 years ago.)

Tiny Elaine looking up at Watson, both singing their hearts out

Elaine Wu and Watson Reid

Vocalists Watson Reid and Elaine Wu (two doctors, no waiting) came up complaining about the weather with Baby, It’s Cold Outside.

We never get enough of the heartfelt Jimmy Mazzy vocals and unique one-string banjo, tonight singing You’re Nobody Sweetheart Now and There’ll Be Some Changes Made.

The Amazing Jimmy Mazzy – one of a kind – and we have him here!

Elaine singing, left hand up in the air, Ted on tenor sax

Elaine Wu with Ted Casher

Elaine sang Lullaby of Birdland with Ted backing her on tenor sax. She also graced us with I’ve Got You Under My Skin, and I’ve Got The World on a String – and she does. She’ll be retiring from Medicine soon and singing full time!

Bob completely absorbed in playing keyboard

Bob Winter

Bob winter gets absorbed in Irving Berlin’s How Deep is the Ocean. He creates soaring melodies with much musical sophistication.

Ultra-tight all-star assembly on The Sheik of Araby, propelled by Bob Tamagni’s drumming.

Eli Newberger

They continued with one of our favorites, Limehouse Blues.

Bob began it with an incredible piano intro, then a Herb & Bo duet moved it to double time, Bob Winter was amazing, backing them using only his left hand.

Eli added fine tuba solo.

Waitress holds cake while she blows out candles

Jeannine is surprised with a birthday cake.

Overtime, the Fans here have become one big Family. Tonight there was a birthday cake for ‘regular’ Jeannine James. It was a complete surprise.

Bo holding handkerchief and smiling like Louis Armstrong

Bo Winiker plays Louis. Sings in his own voice, not imitating Louis.

We welcomed Bo Winiker back with his powerful trumpet. He grew up in Millis and many of his friends were here to welcome him back. He dedicated Louis’s Wonderful World to the Harkey family.

Herb playing trombone with Ted on clarinet

Herb Gardner, back from playing hot spots in NY.

Herb was featured singing and playing You’re Driving Me Crazy, nobody plays trombone like Herb Gardner!

A smiing Carolyn with Eli and Tamagni in back

Caroline’s flying spoons on washboard.

Carolyn Newberger joined the band with a rousing Washboard Roundolay.

Watson Reid

Watson Reid surprised is with the complete verses of Bill Baily. There were so many, we didn’t even recognize the song until the band started the chorus.

With ensemble backing him he also entertained us with Don’t Get Around Much Anymore.

When this infectious music gets to your feet, you can’t sit still! Six of us just had to get up and dance!

We just couldn’t sit still!! This was so much fun! Photo by Harkey.

Ted on gut-wrenching tenor sax

Ted Casher played Blue and Sentimental with marvelous subtones on gut-wrenching tenor sax Thank you, Ted!

Bo took over with an Ellington tune, Do Nothing ‘Till You Hear From Me, with smokey flugelhorn. Bob Winter was asked to play something. He surprised us with Angry, creating chordal subtleties and melodies. The Hot Six closed this delightful evening with Ida, published in 1903.

There is nothing like this anywhere else; we had such fun! This music is so uplifting; weeks later we were still glowing. They will be back here April 20th. Join us!

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!

Eli’s All-Stars at the Sherborn Inn, August 7, 2014

Posted on August 7, 2014 by admin

Bo Winiker trumpet, Ted Casher clarinet, tenor and soprano sax, Herb Gardner trombone, Bob Winter piano, Jim Mazzy banjo/vocals, Eli Newberger tuba, Jeff Guthery drums, Carolyn Newberger washboard

This was a superb evening, with the All-Stars’ driving classic jazz, enjoying each other’s company. They were playing for each other, as much as the people, but the audience couldn’t help participating. The band played a treasure trove of Louis Armstrong hits. Instead of featuring a single vocalist, leader Eli Newberger took advantage of the many fine voices in the band, especially Jimmy Mazzy. (We never tire of hearing Jimmy!)

Ted started with an aggressive clarinet on Muscat Ramble, written by Kid Ory and first recorded by Louis Armstrong and his Hot Five in 1926. Eli’s All Stars played it with explosive polyphonic ensemble!

Herb sings Old Rocking Chair.

Herb Gardner took the first vocal on Irving Berlin’s Old Rocking Chair. He was spellbinding! Rocking chair will never get him.

Bo Winiker’s trumpet spearheaded this tribute to Louis Armstrong. His passion is obvious on Louis’s Hello Dolly.

The one and only in the world.

The one and only Jimmy Mazzy sang many tunes, starting with a powerful vocal on an Armstrong rarity, Irish Black Bottom.

Only three of them were familiar with it, this was the first of several tunes that many of the band had never played before. There was some good natured bantering by the guys in the front line on how they would approach it. But great musicians can make it happen. The buoyant rhythm section was sparked by Guthery’s drums. Jeff has added something new to his Trad Jazz drum set – a set of four ancient temple blocks, putting them to good use.

snare drum, one tom, ride cymbal,cow bell, four ancient temple blocks

Jeff Guthery and his unique Traditional Jazz drums

Potato Head Blues was requested by a friend in the audience. There was a jovial discussion by the men in the front line on how to approach this. Bo gave it the Armstrong touch, concluding with a triumphant ride-out final chorus.

Jimmy dreamy ballad, Kiss to Build a Dream On, was backed by harmonically sophisticated ensemble.

Mosaic has just released the entire Louis collection that also contains tunes from Louis’s Hot 5 and Hot 7. One of the tunes, Cornet Chop Suey, influenced a 14-year old Eli Newberger to play this kind of music. Resourceful Herb Gardner created this arrangement, and played Trummy’s bright, energetic sound on trombone with the band’s tempestuous performance.

Change of pace – Jimmy started St James Infirmary in a melancholy tone (it’s someone lamenting the death of their loved one) when the band picked up the tempo. On impulse, Eli jumped up and joined Winter for four-handed piano. (Eli was the original piano player for the Black Eagle Jazz Band.)

Four-handed piano

Another tune most had never played before, Ol Miss, Ted lead on soprano sax, with Jimmy scatting. The energy level was so high the audience began clapping in time.

C’est Si Bon, an unqualified gem, they were really enjoying this. Bob’s piano sounded like a rippling waterfall. The front line took turns on various duets, trumpet and trombone, clarinet and drum, tuba and banjo. Nice!

Jim began another soft melodic vocal on Basin St. Blues. Bob changed the tempo into ¾ time on piano, before the band kicked it up into double time.

Eli called up Carolyn Newberger with an instrument usually associated with woman’s work, the washboard. But this woman is an accomplished, prize winning artist; she was busy sketching pictures of the band until now. At one time she was a First Grade teacher who put hubby Eli through Medical School.

The tune was Don’t Forget to Mess Around When You’re Doing the Charleston. (Mess Around was the name of a dance in the 20’s.)

Carolyn’s enthusiasm stirred Bob Winter into a piano/washboard duet. Nowhere else are you going to hear anything like this!!

Bo put heart and soul into his vocal into Louis’s Wonderful World, closing on trumpet with an exuberant high note.

The whole evening was such a pleasure no one wanted it to end, but we were already on overtime. They closed with a philosophical contemplation, with only Bob on piano and Jimmy banjo and vocal, You’ll Never Walk Alone.

They’ll be back again with another evening of Traditional jazz on the first Thursday of next month, September 4^th, just after Labor Day. Join us for some revitalizing Classic Jazz!

Eli’s All Stars with vocalist Gabrielle Goodman at the Sherborn Inn, July 3, 2014

Posted on July 7, 2014 by admin

Eli’s All-Stars at the Sherborn Inn

Bob Winter piano, Eli Newberger tuba, Jeff Guthery drums, Ted Casher clarinet/tenor and soprano sax, Bo Winiker trumpet/flugelhorn, Herb Gardner trombone/piano,

Threatening storms, Hurricane Arthur coming up the coast, the upcoming holiday, nothing deterred revelers at the Sherborn Inn who came to hear Eli’s All-Stars. It was also Bo Winiker’s birthday, and the whole Winiker Family was here, including Mom.

The band celebrated Louis Armstrong with Strutting With Some Barbecue, and then a blues, Basin St. Blues, Bo leading on trumpet with band playing counterpoint.

Eli joins Bob at piano

Eli joined Bob at the piano, and the beat quickly turned to Jump ‘n Jive; then back into a slow beat, Jeff soft drum roll, front line closing with a slow, joint wa, wa, wa. Marvelous!

Ted Casher’s tribute to Louis was a raucous vocal on his 1930s novelty tune, I’ll Be Glad When You’re Dead, You Rascal You.

Eli introduced vocalist Gabrielle Goodman, a jazz, R&B, classical and gospel vocalist, and Professor of Voice, with a four octave voice range, who teaches at Berklee. “Happy 4th of July, even if is the day before” she said, and began with Bring It on Home to Me a song by American singer-songwriter Sam Cooke, released in 1962. The song has become a pop standard, covered by numerous artists of different genres, but none could compare to this lady. She had us captivated from the first note!

Route 66 – Gabrielle had us clapping in time before she even uttered a note. She ruled! Scatting like Sarah Vaughn, she lead the band with her numerous changes in tempo. She asked “Who is deeply in love?” and Carolyn Newberger’s hand shot up. Gabby responded with a silky, smooth, My Funny Valentine, with Ted’s emotional tenor saxophone, and Bo Winiker on smoky flugelhorn. Heartrending!

She took us on a trip on a familiar special train that goes from lower Manhattan to Harlem, with a passionate, hard-charging romp on The A Train. The crowd was enthralled and responded with heavy applause.

Eli announced the next song was written by a trombone player (heavy groan here). But the trombone player was Edward “Kid” Ory and this was his Muskat Ramble.

Herb Gardner took over for his fine rendition, then Eli let loose with a turbo charged tuba, with backup from pulsating piano and drums.

While the band took a break, Herb Gardner took over the piano with a novelty tune about New Hampshire’s “Summer People” – “They’re only here until Labor Day, then Back in October for the foliage.”

Back Home Again in Indiana featured Bo on full, rich, open flugelhorn.

Louis Armstrong used to begin his All Stars with another tune that Bo has been working on. Herb did the arrangement; Bo featured on trumpet with a freewheeling rendition of Cornet Chop Suey. Fabulous!

Gabby returned with Taking a Chance on Love, a song she recorded on her second CD. She sang this as a ballad in honor of the 4th of July. It was one swinging ballad!

She asked if she could change the schedule of tunes, in order to sing Misty, just her and Bob on piano. Lovely! They have often worked together; he’s a great friend and pianist for the Boston Pops. Gabrielle has an impressive background; her expertise spans the entire jazz era up to modern jazz.

Bob Winter was featured on piano with Someone To Watch Over Me, Bo adding soft, mellow flugelhorn.

Gabrielle sings an awesome America The Beautiful

To celebrate our country’s birthday, Gabby contributed a profound, soulful America the Beautiful. It left the audience in awe!

Eli requested a ‘change of pace’, introducing Carolyn Newberger on washboard. Carolyn played washboard years ago in a café they started when they were Directors at the International Residence Hall at Yale. The washboard had been stored in the attic for 50 years, until Eli found it.

Now Carolyn is merrily playing washboard with many of Eli’s bands; usually Coney Island Washboard Roundelay; but not this time. This time she delighted the audience with spoons on washboard on James P. Johnson’s The Charleston.

Carolyn sketching musicians

When she’s not playing washboard with the band, she’s pencil-sketching the musicians. She is an accomplished painter and has had three showings this month, one at Framingham’s Danforth Gallery where she received an award. Tonight she did a couple of sketches of Gabrielle, and one of Bo.

Eli’s All-Stars surprised us by closing with When The Saints Go Marching In, and they marched, up and down the aisles – even Jeff with his snare drum, ‘The Saints’ went marching in.

Bo leads parade up the aisles

Bill Winiker takes photo of parade

Glorious way to end this celebration of our Country and Bo Winiker’s birthday!

The All Stars will be back here at the Sherborn Inn on the 1st Thursday of every month, next is August 7th. They will be at Barrington Stage Company, Mr. Finn’s Cabaret, Blatt Performing Arts Center, 36 Linden St., Pittsfield, MA on August 24 and 25. They will also kick-off the 32nd Highland Jazz Series in Newton, MA on September 13th.

Gabrielle continues teaching at Berklee. We hope she’ll be back!

Eli’s All-Stars at the Sherborn Inn, February 4, 2014

Posted on February 4, 2014 by admin

Eli’s All Stars photo by Kathy Wittman

Eli’s All Stars with Bob Winter, the pianist with the Boston Pops; giant of the Boston jazz scene, Bo Winniker trumpet, Herb Gardner trombone, Ted Casher clarinet/tenor sax, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Eli Newberger leader/tuba, Jeff Guthery drums and Rebecca Sullivan vocals. Over the past year the band has incrementally morphed from a trio to an octet and sounds more dynamic with each new appearance at the Sherborn Inn. (stay tuned – for more photos and videos)

The original Traditional Jazz bands of Joe “King” Oliver, Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong and W.C. Handy included banjo and tuba in their rhythm sections. Eli Newberger follows their style of Traditional Jazz, playing tuba while leading a band of outstanding musicians.

The music room at the Sherborn Inn was filled with a crowd from Greater Boston, who appreciate Traditional Jazz and Swing. There were many musicians in the audience; even Bill Winiker was here to back his brother Bo.

The All-Stars kicked it off with Ted Casher’s 16-bar clarinet improvisation on Lady Be Good. Winter led vocalist Rebecca Sullivan with a piano intro on I’m In The Mood For Love. Rebecca did many fine vocals, manipulating the phrasing and tempo. On ‘Deed I do, Rebecca performed wonderful scatting conversations with clarinet, trumpet and trombone. My One And Only Love, sung with soul, was performed as a duet with the piano. Lovely.

Ted Back’s Rebecca with soft tenor sax

Ted was featured with Klezmer clarinet intro, singing in growling voice on multiple verses of Bei Mir Bis du Schoen, a tune that caught people by surprise. He settled into the Ted we know while singing the chorus. Jeff kept time tapping the rims of his simple Traditional Jazz drum set where he has recently removed the hi-hat, excess cymbals, and tom toms to achieve a more authentic Trad Jazz sound. Excellent.

Eli turned the page to Ellington, with Bob Winter featured on Sophisticated Lady. Bob plays from the heart; constructing deeply moving music. He has extensive performing experience in clubs, television, radio, and theaters, including performances with Henry Mancini, Teddy Wilson, Buddy DeFranco, Mel Torme, Luciano Pavarotti, Eddie Daniels, Stan Getz, Cleo Laine/John Dankworth, and Airto Moreira.

Rebecca returned with Jazzy scatting on S’posing – including a great section of tuba trading 4s with drums, followed by one of Jimmy’s meticulous banjo solos. The More I See You had Rebecca start with melody backed by Ted’s soft tenor. Ted Casher (our own Coleman Hawkins), plays sweet tenor sax. They moved upbeat, with Rebecca singing and scatting along with Winter’s piano.

Chinatown featured Jimmy on banjo and vocal, with Ted on soprano sax solidly amplifying the front line. Jeff let loose on drums, turning it into a swinging tune; Eli had everyone clapping the beat. Delightful performance!

When the band took a break. Herb Gardner sat at the piano and delighted the audience with his skill on the keys while Bob Winter looked on with a gleaming smile. Resilient spirit, Herb was supposed to be in New Jersey the night before, playing for the New Jersey Jazz Society. Our sympathy goes out to them – their concert had to be cancelled because of heavy snow – as were airplane flights, so WE were fortunate to have Herb Gardner here! Sorry, NJJS.

Herb Gardner at the piano, talking on mic, with Bob Winter smiling in the background.

Herb Gardner during the break

Herb played and sang his own version of “The Ground Hog Song”. “I want to hibernate with you until it’s Ground Hog Day”. That’s all we’ll say about that. A solid entertainer, he is a fine piano player and vocalist, as well as famous for his trombone work, and his daughter, vocalist Abbie Gardner.

Bob and Eli on baby grand

The emotional register switched to sunny and warm with Ted featured on a special rendition of Night Train with gut-wrenching tenor sax playing. Fabulous! Jimmy took this vocal scatting, while Bo Winiker played smokey flugel horn. Eli joined Bob for that last, eight-to-the-bar, rocketing chorus of “Night Train.” It doesn’t get any better than this!

Rebecca returned with a swinging, rousing vocal Them There Eyes, with Eli in background. Eli plays tuba behind everyone – but it’s so smooth, you don’t even realize he’s there – the music is subtly enhanced, intensified.

Something new – they played Brubeck’s Take Five; first time they’ve ever played it, and it was the first time Eli played a jazz tune with a 5/4 time signature.

one snare drum, one tom used as bass, one six-inch cymbal

Jeff Guthery on authentic Traditional Jazz Drum

Jeff handled it brilliantly. He was an international businessman – now he’s finally following his dream as a student at Berklee, and playing drums regularly with the All-Stars.

Eli gave Jimmy a choice of songs – that’s always dangerous, as he has a repertoire that goes back to the late 1890′s. He only revisited the early 1930’s for this one – I’ll Never Be The Same; a performance of just Jimmy backed by soft tuba.

Pianist Teddy Wilson used this tune to bring vocalist Billie Holiday and tenor saxophonist Lester Young together at a 1937 session. They would have loved Jimmy and Ely’s version!

Jim singing and playing banjo, Eli looking on, smiling

Friends and compadres, Jimmy Mazzy and Eli Newberger

What a Difference a Day Makes, Rebecca returned for another nice ballad. She got things moving with up-tempo scatting on Oh, Oh, Oh, What a Little Moonlight Can D, with clarinet, trumpet and trombone bouncing off each other. Bo’s left leg kept jumping up and down with the beat – it was such a barn burner!

Closing time approached, and they closed this marvelous evening with another Dixieland War Horse, South Rampart St. Parade. They did justice to its infinite references to many songs, with Jeff going wild on drums!

Usually it ends in a trumpet flourish, but veteran Herb Gardner took it on trombone, leaving all of us asking for more, more!

There will be more. This was an evening filled with great Jazz played by the best. For those of you who missed it, there will be many more.

Eli’s All-Stars will begin a regular gig the 1^st Thursday of every month 7-9:30pm with this same group at the Sherborn Inn. Come join us for some outstanding Traditional Jazz and Swing!

Videos by Kathy Wittman, BallSquare films, sound by Frank Cunningham

Rebecca Sullivan, Bob Winter, and Eli’s All-Stars – Part II

Posted on December 3, 2013 by admin

Rebecca in Red Sweater over pink and white dress

Rebecca Sullivan

On December 3, 2013, the marvelous Rebecca Sullivan, a graduate student from Chicago in Contemporary Improvisation (Voice) at New England Conservatory of Music, joined her Conservatory Board mentor, Eli Newberger, tuba, and a group of stellar Boston-area players at a live performance at the Sherborn Inn in Sherborn, MA.
The musicians, from left to right:
Bob Winter (pianist with the Boston Pops)
Jimmy Mazzy, banjo
Eli Newberger, tuba
Rebecca Sullivan, vocals
Jeff Guthery, drums (Berklee College of Music)
Ted Casher, clarinet and tenor sax
Bo Winiker, trumpet
Herb Gardner, trombone.

This is the first release from that session.
Video by Kathy Wittman, recorded by WGBH’s Frank Cunningham

Two additional dates for recording have been set at the Sherborn Inn: January 14, and February 4, 2014, from 7:30 to 9:30. Reserve early! (see below)

Note how these fabulous musicians listen to and engage with one another! At the end of Bob’s 3 solo piano choruses, in which he descends backward in jazz history from single-note bebop-inflected cool to a lovely tip of the hat to Erroll Garner and back to Fats Waller, where the song began.

At the end of the chorus, he turns a phrase that Rebecca picks up for 4 measures of the next and throws to Bo, who turns it around and throws it back to begin a stunning exchange of 4-measure intervals before Rebecca takes it out over the entire ensemble.
Two additional dates for recording have been set: January 14, and February 4, 2014.
Audio by Frank Cunningham
recording.wgbh.org/Staff.cfm
Video by Kathy Wittman
http://www.ballsquarefilms.comhttp://…
http://www.rebeccasullivanjazz.com
http://www.elinewberger.com

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