Trumpets: Larry Panzeri, Skip Gummoe, Bill Cable and Joe Hostetter. Trombones: Chris D’Senzo, Kurt Thaler, Rick Ongoing and Bob Sinclair. Saxes: Steve Gold, Maureen Ameral, Bob Tyler, Ben Petrucci and Dick Hieman. Piano: Dave James, Guitar: John Deardon, Bass: Paul Brann
with Caroline Griep vocals and Steve Taddeo Drums and Leader.
Steve Taddeo has had a big band off and on since 1978, as well as The Swing Senders. He brought this 18-piece Big Band to Bemis Hall to a good appreciative crowd on June 25, 2016.. They opened the concert with Don’t be that way. Great band!
Highlights were the give and take between Caroline Griep and Steve about the origins of the songs. Caroline sang many songs that afternoon including, I’ve got the world on a String, Massachusetts, from the Gene Krupa book, Tangerine, How ‘bout you, Orange Colored Sky.
Trumpeter Larry Panzeri reprises this Sinatra special Luck Be a Lady!
The band roared thru a Count Basie tune, Freckle Face, Orange Coast (Bill Holman chart).
Caroline Griep is dedicated to her music. The whole spirit of the room perks up perceptibly when she sings.
I’ve Got The World on a String
They closed with the 1939 Gene Krupa Classic Drumming Man which featured both Caroline and Steve.
Steve has plans for bringing more musicians to Bemis Hall – Midiri Brothers and Dan Levinson:
Steve Taddeo’s Swing Senders with special Guests the Midiri Bros at Bemis hall Aug.13th, 2016. 2pm-5pm
Steve Taddeo’s Swing Senders with special guest Dan Levinson,Sept.24th 2016 at Bemis hall 3pm-5pm.
Paul Monat cornet, John Clark tenor sax/clarinet, Craig Ball clarinet, Gerry Gagnon tuba, Bill Doyle guitar, Ross Petot piano, Justin Meyer string bass, Steve Taddeo Drums, Caroline Griep vocals, and special guest Jack Soref, guitar.
Harold McAleer videos,
Marce photos
Steve Taddeo presented his Swing Senders at Bemis Hall on June 10th, with an amalgamation of New England’s finest musicians, and special guest, Jack Soref on guitar. With a great four-piece front line and two guitars, we were guaranteed an evening of outstanding Swing!
They began with Steve’s explosive drum intro into Savoy. Paul Monat said It was like being in a Gene Krupa concert!
Caroline Griep does it all with style.
Caroline Griep puts heart and soul into I Can’t Give You Anything but Love, with the Quintet of John Clark on tenor sax, Craig Ball clarinet, Soref playing Django style guitar, Justin Meyer string bass, Steve drums.
Paul Monat Wishing Upon a Star
Paul Monat was featured on When You Wish Upon a Star, citing his idol, Wild Bill Davison. The high ceiling of this large hall provided a beautiful echo enhancing Paul’s excellent cornet.
Caroline was back for Slow Boat to China. Her voice is rich, with a great range and many layers.
Justin was featured on Just You, Just Me, bowing the base in rich harmony, bolstered by intricate improvised solos.
On one tune, Taddeo joined him with their own version of “Big Noise From Winnetca”
Justin and Steve mimic Ray Bauduc and Bob Haggart
Harold filmed an impressive video of the Swing Sender’s Theme Song, Dinah.
There was an innovative interchange between the two guitars on Everybody Loves My Baby, backed by two clarinets. They all love making music!
Jack Soref, Bill Doyle
Dave Didriksen sits in.
Steve asked Dave Didriksen to sit in on Flat Foot Floogie. Dave is a fine drummer, and manager of the group Swing Times Five with Debby Larkin.
Dave took over the drums. He said it was worth it to give Steve Taddeo a rare chance to sing. Who knew Steve could sing?
Caroline returned with a soaring vocal on Jeeper Creepers.
The band broke into quartets; the first featuring Jack Soref on a tune we had been anticipating, Django’s Minor Swing, with Bill Doyle adding rhythm guitar, Justin on string bass, and Steve drums. Judge for yourself:
John Clark on tenor sax
Can’t We Be Friends was led by John Clark with a brilliant interchange between tenor sax and string bass.
Ross Petot makes sure there are no blank spaces.
Moonlight in Vermont captivated the audience with only Ross Petot backing Caroline Griep – just the two of them, letting the song shine through. Beautiful!
Djangology gave Soref another chance to feature his expertise on Django Rheinhardt. For half of 2011, Jack studied the music of Django Reinhardt at its source by moving to Paris, France. We hope to hear more from him in the future.
Finale, with a drum intro into Stomping at the Savoy. Wonderful solos… concluding with Steve Taddeo’s extended solo on his Antique 1939 Slingerland Drums, in high energetic and buoyant style, crossing cymbals, using press rolls and cymbal techniques. The room exploded!
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This really was a Dream Team! The musicians and audience were high from this fantastic Swing music and didn’t want it to stop. John Clark continued with I Got Rhythm, fine trombone by Gerry Gagnon and classic interchange between Craig Ball clarinet and Jack Soref. They hadn’t discussed how to end this, so Taddeo made it a wrap!
Steve Taddeo always come through with the finest musicians and amazing Swing. Save the date: Wednesday, August 12th. Steve is bringing back the marvelous Midiri Brothers to Bemis Hall. Details to follow.
Jeff Hughes trumpet, John Clark clarinet/bari sax, Dan Gabel trombone, Ross Petot piano, Bill Doyle guitar, John Deardon string bass, Steve Taddeo leader/drums, Caroline Griep vocals.
by Marce
videos by Harold McAleer
You gotta jump, jive, and then you wail! Steve Taddeo’s Swing Senders blew the roof off the Sherborn Inn on April 1st. No foolin’! With three Band Leaders in the front line, and Taddeo’s pulsating drums, who would expect anything less! The musicians were eager to play as soon as they arrived, and hit it off with a swinging Don’t Be That Way; they obviously love what they’re doing.
Caroline Griep
Steve called up the band’s vocalist Caroline Griep, a naturally charming entertainer, with an infectious smile and marvelous voice.
She enjoys listening to this band just as much as singing with them. She knocked our socks off with Jeepers Creepers.
The band was ferocious; Bugle Call Rag was solid swing with updriving tempo.
Pianist Ross Petot’s was featured on a powerful It Don’t Mean a Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing!
Dan Gabel
Sweet Sue, with trombonist Dan Gabel, had the dancers up on the floor. Dan leads The Abletones Big Band that will be playing April 4th at SAC in Shrewsbury and the Imperial Ballroom April 25th.
Steve Taddeo is famous for his drum solo walk-around. Look out – he’s dangerous with those drum sticks: Diga Diga Do
Dan Gabel muted trombone, John Clark baritone sax, with the band forcefully Swinging The Blues
You Are Too Beautiful brought John and Gisela Brunacelli back up on the dance floor – they danced all night. You’re Nobody ‘Till Somebody Loves You, sweet ballad by Caroline, brought out Steve’s Dad, Frank Taddeo and his companion Gladys Aubin.
John & Gisela Brunicelli
Frank Taddeo Gladys Aubin
Steve introduced a new drummer, George Darrah that freed Steve up for a vocal on Flat Foot Floogie with The Floy Floy. George has been sitting in with The Dick Donovan Band directed by Steve Taddeo since he was 7 years old!
Jeff Hughes on 1953 Selmer trumpet
Jeff Hughes was featured on trumpet with I surrender Dear.
He also sang the vocal made famous by Louis Prima, Slow Boat to China, backed by guitar.
Bill Doyle
Bill Doyle’d arch-top guitar accentuates the rhythm, and backs vocals; he is an essential part of the band.
I Know That You Know was a super trio – clarinet master John Clark passionate, Ross Petot intense on piano and Steve Taddeo playing crazy rhythm on a snare drum.
Caroline returned with All of Me, with the band flaring behind her. Clark on baritone sax competing with Hughes’ trumpet on vibrato. Never gets dull!
They closed with the Swing Senders Theme Song, Dinah. George Darrah back on drums, Steve on floor tom – A Killer Diller drumming duet.
The Swing Senders definitely do not need amplification – the Band Swings loud and clear. They’ll be back here on August 12th – mark your calendars – with the Midiri Brothers, Joe on reeds and Paul on vibes. WOW!
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Harold McAleer is in the process of editing many videos. They will be added as they are approved – come back again, and again!
Don’t Be That Way
Jeepers Creepers
Fly Me To The Moon
Sweet Sue
New Kind of Love
Bugle Call Rag
Sunny Side
Diga Diga Do (drum walk around)
Happy Birthday (Bill Doyle & John Clark)
Flatfoot Floogie with The Floy Floy
You Are Too Beautiful
It Don’t Mean a Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing
Swinging The Blues
You’re Nobody ‘Till Somebody Loves You
You Do Something To Me
Slow Boat to China
I Know That You Know (Trio)
I Surrender Dear
All Of Me
Dinah
Steve Taddeo’s Swing Senders were enriched by the presence of The Midiri Brothers at this year’s final performance of Classic Jazz at Lincoln Library in Lincoln, Massachusetts, on May 22, 2013.
Personnel: Midiri Brothers, Joe reeds, Paul vibes, trombone and drums; John Clark reeds, Jeff Hughes trumpet, Scott Philbrick cornet/guitar, Bill Doyle guitar, Dan Gabel trombone, Ross Petot piano, Justin Meyer string bass, Steve Taddeo drums, Caroline Griep vocals. They looked and sounded like a Big Band – ten pieces of the finest Swing you would ever want to hear!
Caroline Griep
Joe Midiri
Charismatic vocalist Caroline Griep flashed a gleaming smile and regaled us with Just You, Just Me, Jeepers Creepers, All of Me, improvising and scatting with Bill Doyle on guitar on Don’t Get Around Much Anymore.
She enjoys singing, and her pleasure comes through.
Paul Midiri
Consummate entertainers, the Midiri Brothers drove from New Jersey to Massachusetts to be here with the SteveTaddeo’s Swing Senders. Joe is a monster on reeds, whether on alto or soprano sax, or clarinet, had us on the edge of our seats when he hit D above high C and held it for a long note.
Lionel Hampton’s Flying Home, 1939-41, Paul flying on vibes. Steve closed it with the drum walk-around that is his specialty. “Got that Harold?”
Ross was featured on Crazy Rhythm, with Bill Doyle on guitar and Scott cornet and Paul Midiri playing drums.
A trio, band within a band, had Clark on clarinet, Steve drums, Ross’s marvelous stride piano, You Do Something To Me.
Stomping at the Savoy piano did the intro with the two fabulous guitars of Bill Doyle and Scott Philbrick, John on bari sax, Dan trombone, Jeff on trumpet, Joe clarinet, Paul vibes, Steve drums. A scorcher!
Joe was on alto sax for his infamous version of Sunny Side of the Street, singing in the Louis voice he does so well.
Midiri Brothers were featured on Avalon. ’nuff said!!
Dan Gabel and Jeff Hughes
Dan Gabel and Jeff were featured in a mellow Day Dream, a beautiful instrumental written by Billy Strayhorn and Duke.
Fred Waring’s Sleep is usually a Midiri’s full band feature, and it was marvelous with all the instruments, with drum intro, hot clarinet at each end.
They closed with the Swing Senders theme song, Dinah – video below in two parts, with hard driving tempo, Midiri on clarinet, Gabel trombone, ending with Paul and Steve battling it out on the drums. Videos by Harold McAleer.
Dinah Part 1, Dan Gabel takes off on trombone.
The sticks vie for dominance on this closing number of the Swing Senders at Bemis Hall — Harold McAleer videos.
Dinah Part 2
WOW!
Bob and Dan MacInnis
Can’t tell you how great it was to see another set of brothers here – Bob and Dan MacInnis. Welcome back!!
Charlie and Evelyn find a space to dance no matter how crowded it is!
This was an impressive evening of solid, hard driving Swing, with the Midiri Brothers joining the Swing Senders. Steve Taddeo assures us there will be more to come this summer.
Meantime, the Midiri Brothers left at midnight for that long ride home. They are seasoned musicians and inveterate entertainers!
Steve Taddeo’s Swing Senders were enriched by the presence of The Midiri Brothers at this year’s final performance of Classic Jazz at Lincoln Library in Lincoln, Massachusetts, on May 22, 2013.
