Steve Taddeo’s Swing Senders with Bucky Pizzarelli
Videos by Harold McAleer and Verne Welsh.
September 23, 2014 with Jeff Hughes trumpet, John Clark clarinet/alto sax, Dan Gabel trombone, Ross Petot piano, Bill Doyle rhythm guitar, Justin Meyer Bass, Steve Taddeo drums/leader, Caroline Griep vocals, and very special guest John “Bucky” Pizzarelli, 7-string guitar.
We’ve had many great Jazz Tuesdays at the Sherborn Inn over the last 19 years, but this topped them all! Bucky Pizzarelli inspired the men to play better than ever with his amazing 7-string guitar.
Bucky is a dynamic rhythm player as well as a great soloist; loves to play. He says “Every gig is a brand new day.” They opened with Don’t Be That Way.
Caroline Griep
The Swing Senders’ vocalist, Caroline Griep, stepped up with her own excellent interpretation of Blue Skies. She was also featured on I Can’t Get Started, Don’t Get Around Much Anymore,
Caroline tells Bucky S’ Wonderful:
Steve let his Krupa loose with Found a New Baby, going into his drumming walk-around, tapping anything within reach – tables, glasses, bottles on the wall at the bar. It concluded with Taddeo drumming on Justin’s bass, like Ray Bauduc and Bob Haggart on Big Noise From Winetka. Justin knew just what strings to pick – sounded fantastic!
Taddeo took the snare drum by the piano for a quartet with Ross, John Clark, and Jeff Hughes and a barn burning Dardanella.
The two guitars played it nice and easy on a duet of Darn That Dream.
They took turns leading and on rhythm. Marvelous!
Taddeo gave many of the musicians their own feature. Bucky played with the Vaughn Monroe Orchestra from 1944-1954, before he went into the service. Dan Gabel has been writing a biography of Monroe, and was featured on trombone with his theme song, Racing With The Moon. Bucky said he only played it about 4000-5000 times!
Justin Meyer was featured on Just You, Just Me, with George Darrah on the Slingerland drums. Bucky shines, playong soft and low on his solo of In a Mellow Tone and Send In The Clowns. His 7-string guitar is a joy to hear!
Jeff Hughes was featured with his 1946 Super Olds Trumpet on Prelude to a Kiss, marvelous trumpet, with piano backup, ending in a great extended flourish.
Ross Petot’s piano was featured with Bucky and the rhythm section of You Can’t Take That Away From Me.
For twenty five years Bucky played with the Benny Goodman’s Big Band and small groups. They did Sing Sing Sing from Goodman’s heyday. John Clark didn’t want to play Goodman, but Bucky coaxed him into it, with help from the rest of the band.
Steve let his Krupa loose and Bucky joined him, bringing this fabulous evening to a close with a standing ovation.
Bucky and Steve brought the evening to a close.
Bucky said these musicians were top notch, and Steve was a great drummer. He told Steve he’d be glad to return. He’ll also be at Sculler’s Jazz Club December 12th, 8pm for a Guitar Night with Gene Bertoncini and Ed Laub.
Bucky played a solo a year ago with Richard Rodgers’ 1935 It’s Easy To Remember (But So Hard to Forget) with Ed Laub, Walt Bibinger https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1tEEdM6JWM
He’s is a guitar genius, and also has had the expertise to remain a free agent. In a Pizzarelli Biography he talks about 200 one-night stands with Vaughn Monroe, with Skitch Henderson on the Today Show, Benny Goodman, The 7th String, Life and Tales of Bucky Pizzarelli https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goDqtP4MtqQ
Tunes played this evening;
Don’t Be That Way
Stomping At The Savoy
Blue Skies
S’Wonderful
Prelude to a Kiss
Stealing Apples
If I Had You
Found a New Baby
Dardanella
I Can’t Get Started With You
Darn That Dream
Honeysuckle Rose
Just You, Just Me
In a Mellow Tone
Racing With The Moon
Don’t Get Around Much Anymore
Send in The Clowns
Sing, Sing, Sing
