Official Staircase picture, by Eric Devine
Bottom up – Bob Barta, Bill Reynolds, Jeff Barnhart, Daniel Barda, Alain Marquet, Noel Kaletsky, Ian Frankel, Emily Asher, Freddy Vigorito, Tom Palinko, Gordon Au, Lou Bocciarelli, Joel Schiavone, Albie Bernard
By Sue Finn
Pictures by Sue Finn and Marce
Daniel Barda and Alain Marquet
It was wonderful to have Daniel and Alain there all the way from France to perform for us. How they did it through the jet lag is beyond me. I was particularly impressed with Daniel’s ‘Ory’s Creole Trombone’. I was sitting close enough to hear him say that he had no warning that he was going to be asked to play that – amazing! And hearing Alain & Noel together was magical – especially ‘China Town’.
I thought the addition of the Friday night concert was a cool way to give us all a chance to hear D & A in depth. Nice touch having Bill play washboard on ‘Washboard Wiggle’ – wonder if it made them feel at home!
Paris Washboard, with Bill Reynolds on washboard
Saturday afternoon started the weekend ‘proper’ with the full contingent of super-talented musicians, in various permutations for all of the two days. There were many different styles.
Emily Asher and Daniel Barda
Some highlights: ‘Mood Indigo’ with two trombones,
Fred Vigorito and Gordon Au
‘Cakewalking Babies’ with trumpet and cornet,
‘Bogalusa Strut’ and, of course, ‘Joel’s Banjo Frenzy’ sing along with Noel being a good sport and playing a banjo again – although he always says he won’t!
 Joel’s banjo sing-along |
 Noel Kaletsky on banjo |
The finale for this set was ‘South Rampart Street Parade’ with 11 of the 14 musicians joining in.
Finale Saturday 4pm
The ‘history lesson’ on Saturday evening was very informative and something new (I think – I wasn’t at the 3rd House Party so Jeff may have done it there). In my opinion this set included some of the best music of the weekend, including the aforementioned ‘Ory’s Creole Trombone’. I was surprised at the bebop number – definitely learned something there. I always thought bebop was like swing and the dance similar to jitterbug. Needless to say this trad jazz fan didn’t like it but it didn’t sound as if Jeff expected anybody to! My favorites from this set were: ‘At a Georgia Camp Meeting’, ‘At the Jazz Band Ball’, ‘Stevedore Stomp’ & ‘Big Bear Stomp’.
Saturday night Finale
Sunday brought more wonderful music – where do they get their energy?? – and included some novelty numbers – ‘Down in Jungle Town’, ‘A Chicken Ain’t Nothing But a Bird’ and the (unplanned) ‘Rooster Song’ solo by Jeff. Also another sing along. In this set I especially liked ‘Limehouse Blues’,
Gordon sings
‘Happy Feet’ with Gordon singing, Jeff & Ian’s piano duet and the grand finale of the weekend with ALL the musicians playing ‘High Society’.
Volunteers served delicious meals
Can’t end this without a mention of the volunteers – they are amazing, working quietly, mostly behind the scenes and making sure it all runs smoothly and everyone has a truly memorable weekend.
Now we all have to be very patient and wait until October, 2014 for the next one! We are SO lucky to be able to hear such talented musicians play amazing music just for us…………
>From Marce: List of 16 hours of Tunes!
Eric’s videos are in the works, there will be more on this later. If you were a witness to this marvelous weekend, please share your comments with us. Send to marce@nejazz.com.
I’ll See You In My Dreams
Comments:
Eric Devine:
“It’s hard to put into words the feeling I have when I’m at Jeff and Joel’s House party. I find myself literally surrounded by incredibly talented musicians and enthusiastic fans who all like what I like. It feels like a big Trad Jazz family reunion in some ways. This house party (number 4) may have been the best yet. It’s hard to say this because each party has been exciting, fun and unique, but the addition of a Friday night show with Alain Marquet, Daniel Barda, Jeff Barnhart and Bill Reynolds was really spectacular. On Saturday night Jeff narrated a 50-year history of jazz that was interesting and funny. There were so many great moments from this party, from the comedic interchange among musicians to the really hot tunes to the conversations with musicians and other fans. I am grateful that Jeff, Joel and all of the house party volunteers find a way to make this party happen and I look forward to the next one.”
Marilyn Snow:
“What a great weekend–jazz heaven. Loved the music (such great talent) and the surroundings, food, and company, all just wonderful. What a marvelous concept.”
Fred Vigorito, cornetist:
Thank you Joel Schiavone and Jeff Barnhart for a fabulous, fun filled weekend of hot Jazz! Thank you Glen and Carol Ott for the delicious food! Over 200 Jazz fans enjoyed the sounds of 14 talented musicians giving it their all. Thank you, volunteers. It couldn’t happen without you! This was so much fun! Playing with Daniel and Alain of Paris Washboard! Sharing the trumpet slot with Gordon Au. Working with trombonist Emily Asher, drummers Bill Reynolds and Tom Palinko, bass man Lou Bocciarelli, clarinetist Noel Kaletsky, banjoists Bob Barta and Joel, tuba man Albie Barnard, pianists Jeff Barnhart and Ian Frenkel. You should have seen and heard Jeff and Ian’s duet, with one piano! Sad to see it all come to an end, but the good news is that it will happen again next year, Oct 11 and 12, 2014. This will sell out for sure, so buy your tickets soon! Go to: www.jeffandjoelshouseparty.com“
