Phil Person trumpet, Ted Casher reeds, Herb Gardner trombone, Bob Winter piano, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Eli Newberger tuba, Bob Tamagni drums, Carolyn Newberger washboard, Elaine Woo vocals
The Hot Six kicked it off with one of our favorites, Limehouse Blues.
Elaine Woo stepped up to sing Mandy, Make Up Your Mind, a song she never heard before. Reading notes, getting into the tune (as she always does) gesticulating, making eye contact with Jeannine James and me, sitting front and center.
Elaine Woo
Eli leads with a bold spirit that encourages spontaneity and creativity. He asked the members to do the next tune like Sidney Bechet did it, with the front line playing very slowly, while rhythm section played in double time. Result was an unbelievable Down By The Old Mill Stream.
Bob Tamagni
Innovative drummer Bob Tamagni, drummed with his hands, while Jimmy Mazzy sang Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out.
Elaine introduced Belinda Rathbone for an obscure tune by Johnny Mercer, Legalize My Name. Elaine talked about composer Harold Arlen, who composed Get Happy. Later she introduced Nat Coolidge for a vocal on Summertime. She followed with I’ve Got a Crush on You and Nice Work if You Can Get it
The videos will show you how tight and hard driving these musicians are, how they listen to each other and to Eli, and play amazing music.
Ted Casher played smoldering tenor sax on Our Love is Here to Stay:
how tight and hard-driving
Never get enough of that tenor sax!
Bob Winter
Bob Winter was featured on keyboard with a tune between Klezmer and Dixie – Lena From Palistina.
Instrumental – Royal Garden Blues
Herb Gardner
Herb Gardner was featured on trombone and vocal with a tune by James P. Johnson and Andy Razaf, Porter’s Love Song to a Chambermaid.
What followed was a fantastic Washington and Lee Swing.
Jimmy Mazzy with Eli Newberger
Our one-and-only Jimmy Mazzy played and sang Stars Fell on Alabama. We are so fortunate to have him here in Massachusetts!!
Carolyn Newberger popped in at the last minute, just returned from setting up her Watercolors Art showing at The Becket Arts Center in the Berkshires: Opening reception, July 14, 2-4 pm. She brought the washboard and joined in on I’m Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover.
Carolun Newberger on washboard with The Hot Six
The evening was brought to a close with Jimmy singing Indiana.
Eli and The Hot Six are here at Primavera every 3rd Thursday of the month with fabulous Jazz and Swing. Join us next month on July 18th at 7pm.
You’ll always find Jeannine and me sitting front and center.
Marce
Tunes:
Limehouse Blues,
Mandy, Make Up Your Mind,
Old Man River,
Nobody Knows You when You’re Down and Out,
Legalize My Name,
Get Happy,
Lena From Palestina,
Our Love Is Here To Stay,
Porter’s Love Song To a Chamber Maid,
Washington & Lee Swing
VOCAL Set
Summertime,
I’ve Got a Crush on You,
Nice Work if You Can Get It,
Royal Garden Blues,
Stars Fell on Alabama,
I’m Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover, Carolyn washboard
Indiana
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.)
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 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 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.
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 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 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!
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!
Bo Winiker trumpet/flugelhorn, Ted Casher clarinet, tenor and soprano sax, Herb Gardner back on trombone, Bob Winter keys, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Eli Newberger tuba, Bob Tamagni drums.
by Marce
Eli and The Hot Six presented a delightful evening of great Jazz, introducing new tunes with inspired playfulness and skill, making it up as they went along. They enjoyed it as much as the appreciative audience. Eli included two fine vocalists, Elaine Woo and Sarah Nova, and Carolyn Newberger on washboard.
Honoring Benny Goodman and Gene Krupa, Bob Tamagni introduced Swing, Swing, Swing, His unique methods of maintaining the Trad beat on drums are priceless! After the intro, the Hot Six went WILD!
Don’t Get Around Much Anymore, Bo moved from trumpet to flugelhorn, Jimmy scatting, trombone and tuba trading 4’s.
Poor Papa, written by Hoagie Carmichael, was new with Jim singing the sad vocal, backed by tuba.
Mama’s got shoes, Mama’s got clothes
Mama’s got these and Mama’s got those
But poor Papa, poor Papa, he’s got nothin’ at all
The mood changed with a roaring take off of Alexander’s Ragtime Band
Bob Winter
Bob took a solo on Ida, with stunning harmonies and sudden key changes that took our breath away. He would suddenly pause, leaving all of us anticipating the next note.
He loves playing with this band!
Eli introduced Elaine Woo, another Doctor, who is a Primary Physician in Geriatrics. She captivated the audience with It’s All Right To Me, and reading the lyrics to Body and Soul off a telephone without missing a beat!
Carolyn was a vital spark on washboard, She joined Elaine on an upbeat Darktown Strutters’ Ball. What an amazing duo! They returned with the band for an exilarating Route 66.
Carolyn Newberger and Elaine Woo – two captivating ladies!
Artist Carolyn Newberger keeps busy sketching the musicians, when she’s not performing. Her drawings, paintings and collage have achieved recognition and awards in juried and solo exhibition. Here’s Jimmy:
Everyone was having fun! But we had more surprises.
Eli joined Elaine on vocal!!
Eli and Elaine got together for
I Can Give You Everything But Love. (No mistake in the title.)
Who knew Eli could sing, too?
Vocalist Sarah (Gardner) Nova teaches Jazz for kids at libraries and Kindergardens all over New England. She has several CD’s, Jazz for Lil Jumpers and Jazz For Babies;Its Raining Cats & Dogs!
Having been raised with this music, she has an intuitive grasp of musical dynamics, The band backed her in stop time with the warning, Keep Your Hands Off It! Sarah was invited to stay on for another tune, Me Myself & I, with Dad backing her on trombone.
Father and daughter make a great Jazz combination!
Herb was featured on the Platters’ Only You, singing, and playing rich, burnished tone on trombone..
Eli and The Hot Six continued with a rip-roaring Instrumental, Dinah, with Ted on tenor sax, and Bob Winter playing astounding keyboard. This was pure joy!
Bo Winiker conjures up Louis Armstrong
Bo Winiker was featured on What a Wonderful World, playing trumpet and evoking Louis Armstrong with his vocal.
Ted and his new moose clarinet
Ted took the breaks on clarinet with a new addition – an actual piece of moose horn that gives it a distinctive sound – as if he needed it!
Bob hides the tambourine.
Our favorite was a lullaby that Eubie Blake wrote for his wife, Good Night Angeline. Jimmy puts heart and soul into this melody, like no other. We could hear a soft dinging in the background. It took some time to realize that Bob Tamagni was softly tapping an unseen tambourine on his bass drum.
His drum set is comprised of two drums and a hi hat (that he hardly used, except to tap the cymbal).
Jimmy Mazzy and Eli Newberger have played together for years.
Basin Street was an instrumental with marvelous tuba by Eli and Jimmy scatting throughout the whole song. The two are always in sync!
The repertoire and caliber of these musicians has made this a classic band. Fortunately for us, Eli and The Hot Six will be here regularly at Primavera on the 3rd Thursday of the month. Spread the word and mark your calendars!
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!
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.
I
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.
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 19th. Come join us for some matchless, timeless music!
Phil Person trumpet, Ted Casher clarinet, soprano, and tenor sax, Herb Gardner trombone, Bob Winter keyboard, Jim Mazzy banjo, Eli Newberger tuba, Bob Tamagni drums
Eli Newberger integrated a lively group of Berklee Professors into his Hot Six and put them through their paces playing Dixieland Jazz. (Bob Winter, piano, Phil Person, ear training, and Bob Tamagni, percussion.) Their fiery enthusiasm captivated the audience!
They opened with a stunning Sheik of Araby, Jimmy singing with uncontrolled Mazzy passion. Phil Person followed with on trumpet, then Ted on clarinet, then Herb trombone, the soloists playing for each other as much as the people out front. Bobby Tamagni had only one drum, playing Traditional Jazz by tapping the snare drum or hitting drum sticks together. Eli directed them, then just sat back smiling, listening, enjoying every second. Jimmy ended it shouting scat choruses. This was going to be one exciting evening!
Phil Person
None of the musicians knew what they were going to do – they’ve never played together as a band. Eli asked Phil if he knew Do Nothing ‘Till You Hear From Me. Phil answered, “I wrote it!”, took the lead and ran with it!
Phil Person performed all through the session with beautifully simple phrasing, deep understanding of the emotions of the music, and respect for the other players. He’s a true gentleman, who always listens and plays with a light touch.
Bob Winter does amazing things with Traditional Jazz!
Eli looked for a Trad Jazz War Horse and settled on Royal Garden Blues. Jimmy and Tamagni trading fours, then Bobby playing a vast range of dynamics on his one snare drum.
Winter playfully demonstrated his energetic musicality with Tamagni tapping a tambourine on his hip. Eli took a masterful tuba solo. It was never ending with each one taking a solo, sharing their joy in making music.
Henry Red Allen was a New Orleans visionary with a sound all his own. He recorded a tune that Eli gave to Herb Gardner, playing trombone and singing Who Cares. Ira Gershwin went over the top with the lyrics: Who cares if the sun cares to fall in the sea? Who cares what banks failed in Yonkers? As long as you’ve got a kiss that conquers!
Herb Gardner featured on Who Cares? with vocal and trombone
Next was Ted Casher featured on gut-wrenching, smoldering tenor sax with Blue and Sentimental. Pure rapture and euphoria! We can’t hear it often enough! We needed a breather after that one.
Eli said “This is a great country – we’ve got to hold it together” and called for a Patriotic tune, Gershwin’s masterpiece Of TheeI Sing, played solo, by Bob Winter, with great feeling and delight.
Eli ……
Back to The Big Easy, a fine New Orleans anthem with Jimmy taking the intro on Basin St. Blues with banjo and song as only he can. Bob Winter played it light and airy. Eli came up with the tuba hitting high and low, low, low. Jimmy finished it off singing heartfelt blues.
Bob Tamagni rim tapping on drum
The World is Waiting For The Sunrise, an anthem of hope – the banjo player’s national anthem, was introduced by Jimmy rapidly picking banjo, of course, Tamagni taking rim shots on snare drum!
Ted Casher makes up his own vocals on the MTA. Velma Coffey photo.
Ted was featured again with a special vocal all his own, with all of us joining in the chorus, Charlie on The MTA. Ted had some choice words making up new verses about all the problems we’ve been having with the MBTA. Bob Winter was laughing and enjoying the whole scene.
Eli asked Sarah (Gardner) Nova to come up for a vocal. (That’s one very musical family!) She sang a commanding Keep Your Hands Off It. Sarah has an intuitive grasp of musical dynamics. She has created several CDs that teach children the joy of music – especially Jazz.
Sarah Nova sings Keep Your Hands Off It!
Carrie Sings with Jimmy and Eli backing
Carrie Mazzy was called up next, looking lovingly at Jimmy, singing When I Fall In Love. They have been married for close to 30 years. Seems like yesterday!
Carolyn Newberger plays washboard to Miami Rumba (file photo)
Carolyn Newberger put down her scratch pad and picked up an old washboard for one of my favorites, Miami Rumba. Her fervor fascinates the audience!
The whole band joined in, with snare drum in rumba beat.
(Check her sketches below.)
Tough act to follow; Jimmy played and sang a gripping, emotional, Georgia On My Mind.
Eli completely changed the mood with another barn-burning Dixieland tune, At The Jazz Band Ball, with the band going WILD with ultra-tight all star intensity! Ted pushed it on hot soprano sax, drum interacting with tuba. Fantastic!
Everyone needed a break!
Jimmy came up with a breathtaking St. James Infirmary Blues, with lyrics by Josh White. “I want 6 crapshooters to be my pallbearers, three pretty women to sing a song, Stick a jazz band on my hearse wagon, Raise hell as I stroll along.” Bobby Tamagni was enjoying himself beating the snare drum with his hands.
It was already closing time. The band finished with livewire ensemble; outgoing and infectious on a New Orleans tune – wait for it – When The Saints Go Marching In!
But here is even more…. Carolyn Newberger never stops. She kept busy as usual with pencil and sketchbook, getting lost in the fabulous Trad and Swing and drawing across both pages! She shared some of her marvelous artwork with us:
Eli Newberger
Jimmy Mazzy
Bob Tamagni
This was indeed a fascinating evening. Berklee professors can actually play Traditional Jazz, and play this happy, foot-stomping music with cheerful enthusiasm!
My apologies for the quality of the photos – I borrowed my son’s camera and didn’t
know how to use it. Many thanks to Sarah
for her help in making it useable!! Marce
