Despite the heavy rain Noreaster there was a sizable crowd anticipating Steve Taddeo’s Swing Senders with Special Guest Dan Levinson, this fine afternoon. Featured were Jeff Hughes and Pat Stout trumpet, Dan Levinson, John Clark and Craig Ball reeds, Dan Gabel trombone, Justin Meyer bass, Bill Doyle guitar, Ross Petot piano and Steve Taddeo drums and Leader. Guest vocalist Debbie Nordyke.
It was a top notch dream band and the greatest musicians in New England.
For those of us who couldn’t make it, Harold McAleer took videos. Thank you, Harold!!
Debby Nordyke sings Blue skies. John Clark on bari sax goes toe-toe with Dan Levinson on tenor sax,
Don’t Be That Way – Starting with Dan on clarinet, all get to improvise a solo
Just The Way You Look Tonight
Steve Taddeo featured – even tried Tap Dancing with Found a New Baby- 11.4 minutes:
Dan Levinson winds up the concert in Bemis Hall on Oct 27, 2018
with a hot tune – Stomping at the Savoy
The audience was not disappointed! Steve Taddeo brought together a top-notch group of musicians this afternoon at Bemis Hall. Thank you, Harold McAleer for sharing.
Dan Levinson enjoyed playing along with them, and said he’d like to return next year with his family!! Steve will keep us informed. Stay tuned!
Dan Levinson and The Swing Senders at Bemis Hall
Dan Levinson, Tom Ferrante, John Clark reeds; Jeff Hughes trumpet, Paul Monat cornet, Gerry Gagnon trombone, Ross Petot piano, Bill Doyle guitar, Justin Meyer bass, Steve Taddeo drums, and…
Caroline Griep
Caroline Griep vocals.
Dan Levinson returned to Bemis Hall with the Swing Senders for a fine afternoon of great music, produced by Steve Taddeo. We’ll let Harold McAleer’s videos show how great it was……
Caroline sings Out of Nowhere
At one point, we had the Taddeo Trio with Dan, Ross and Steve:
China Boy
Fine and Dandy Taddio Trio
And a surprise Happy Birthday to Me – with three saxophones!
Finale – Crazy Rhythm, Taddeo drum solo:
The musicians still played their heart out despite the small crowd. Besides Fathers’ Day, there was a lot happening this week.
Mark your calendars – Steve will be bringing more fine musicians to Bemis Hall, 15 Bedford Rd. Lincoln, MA. Please join us in supporting this fine Jazz and Swing!
August 13, Sun. 2-4pm The Big Four with The Midiri Brothers with Jeff Barnhart piano/vocals, Steve Taddeo drums and Caroline Griep. FREE
October 11, Wed. 7:30-9pmSarah Spencerand her Transatlantic All Stars, Sarah Spencer saxophone, Jeff Hughes cornet, John Clark reeds, Herb Gardner piano, Justin Meyer bass, Jimmy Mazzy banjo, Bill Doyle guitar, Gerry Gagnon trombone and Steve Taddeo drums FREE
by Marce
Videos by CineDevine
(more upcoming)
September 24, 2016
Dan Levinson clarinet/tenor sax, John Clark baritone sax/clarinet, Jeff Hughes trumpet, Bill Cable trumpet , Paul Monat cornet, Dan Gabel trombone, Ross Petot piano, Justin Meyer string bass, Bill Doyle guitar, Steve Taddeo drums, Elise Roth and Paul Agnew vocals.
Dan Levinson with Steve Taddeo’s Swing Senders All-Stars
New York’s incomparable Dan Levinson joined Steve Taddeo’s Swing Senders for a fabulous evening of Jazz and Swing. The 10-piece band of All Stars began Hot with a At Sundown, and it never cooled down. CineDevine videos will be added soon.
Steve called up Abletones Big Band effervescent vocalist Elise Roth for a swinging Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen.
People sat on the edge of their seats listening to Dan Levinson and John Clark playing a rousing duet on Slow Boat To China.
Warm and engaging Paul Agnew sang Pennies From Heaven backed by Dan Levinson on clarinet and then Paul returned with the whole band for Ain’t She Sweet.
Paul Monat dug out his best Wild Bill Davison for Memories of You, with Dan Levinson playing counterpoint.
Elise Roth
Elise Roth returned with What a Little Moonlight Can Do, with both Jeff Hughes and Bill Cable trumpets, and Ross rippling up and down the piano keys.
Ross Petot
Ross Petot had Bemis’ marvelous vintage piano singing!
Steve walks up the aisle beginning his ‘walk around’.
The whole band backed up Steve Taddeo’s infamous ‘Drum Walk Around’ on Don’t Be That Way, with Harold McAleer video taping the whole thing. “Did you get that Harold??”
Steve tapped his way up the aisle to the back of the hall, to Marce’s table, and slammed Eric Devine’s Grandfather’s cymbal. (His Grandfather played jazz in the 50’s and 60’s in Chicago: Eugene T. Beckman 1906-1989).. As always, Steve ended the walk-around on Justin Meyer’s string bass.
An outstandiing quartet of Dan Levinson, Ross Petot, John Clark, and Steve Taddeo amazed the audience with a jazzy version of Irving Berlin’s 1927 Russian Lullaby.
Dan Gabel, leader of Abletones Big Band and High Society Orchestra.
Dan Gabel’s sophisticated trombone was featured on More Than You Know, reminiscent of Glenn Miller.
Elise continued with You Made Me Love You, with fantastic trumpet solo by Bill Cable.
Dan Levinson was featured solo on tenor sax, beginning with the verse of Song of Songs.
Finale: They blew the roof off on Steve Taddeo’s theme song – Dinah.
Finale – Dinah! Levinson also went WILD!! Bill Doyle’s rhythm guitar behind Ross’s piano solo.
Dan Levinson said he enjoyed being here and thanked everyone for their support. It was great playing with old friends he’d met at The Connecticut Traditional Jazz Festivals, and he made some new ones. He hopes to return next year.
Steve Taddeo said his All-Stars would be ready!
Completed videos have been sent to musicians for approval and will appear here as they are received. Some of these pictures will disappear. Enjoy for now.
After a delicious Dinner Buffet the first Saturday Evening band was led by Gordon Au, with Jim Fryer, Jim Lawlor, Dan Levinson on clarinet, Genevieve Rose on string bass, and Jeff Barnhart on piano. They began with a HOT Buddy’s Habits.
Band One led by Gordon Au, Saturday Evening at Jeff & Joel’s House Party, 2015
Same crew, Dan Levinson in charge, a 1922 tune played by the New Orleans Rhythm Kings, Nobody’s Sweetheart Now. This is a Banjorama tune – Joel couldn’t help but come up to sing the melody.
Don Trenner traded places with Jeff, but before he could start, Dan Levinson pointed his clarinet at Donn and singlehandedly played Thanks For The Memories, in commemoration of all the years Donn played with Bob Hope.
Honeysuckle Rose – Fryer gets to sing
Scott and Noel played together for years in John Sheehan’s Heritage Jazz Band.
Change of crew – Noel Kalesky, Kevin Dorn, Scott Philbrick, Brian Nalepka and Jeff, The Things We Did Last Summer. Masterful duet between Scott and Noel. They’ve been friends for a long time.
Donn Trenner back, with Noel Kaletsky and Scott Philbrick with a rousing Lady be Good,
Dan Levinson on his fabulous tenor sax, Gordon Au, Tom Boates, Donn Trenner, Brian Nalepks, and Molly Ryan were up with Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams
Molly Ryan captures the crowd with Wrap Your Trouble in Dreams
Gordon continued with Molly singing Ain’t She Sweet, with Dan, Gen, Brian, and Donn. Gen on string bass marvelously trading 4’s with Donn Trenner.
Pianists kept switching with Jeff replacing Donn for Molly’s sweet Sugar.
Molly and Jeff were left alone for Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered.
Jim Fryer dedicates Easy Living to Connecticut
Jim Fryer has a Connecticut background, living in Wallingford for 12 years. He came up with Gen, Kevin, and Donn for Billie Holidays’ Easy Living. Jim dedicated it to the State of Connecticut.
Mood Indigo – Tom Boates and Jim Fryer
Scott and Noel, a tune they often played in Maine with Muriel Havenstein, Jeff and Brian joining them, for Swing That Music – Barnhart going WILD on keyboard!!
They do Swing That Music!!
Brian Nalepka is also an excellent vocalist.
Brian’s turn to lead, with his vocal, on Linger Awhile, with Tom Boates added on trombone.
Gotta give the boss his due – Joel on vocal with Scott, Noel, Tom, Jeff, Jim Lawlor – with a Father’s Mustache Honky Tonk Town..
Boss gets his chance to shine.
Gordon Au on trumpet, Scott, Molly and Tom Boates on guitar, for 3-guitar session on I’ve Got The World On a String.
Donn returned at piano for Exactly Like You with Fryer, Gordon, Dan, Molly on guitar, and Lawlor drums. Dorothy Fields did this with Jimmy McHugh in 1935, Lawlor vocal. Gordon played powerful trumpet, Gen couldn’t help bouncing with the rhythm. She and Dan had marvelous exchange on clarinet and string bass.
Lawlor sings too!
Molly
Kevin, Gordon, Fryer, Dan, Gen, Donn with Molly vocal on Meet Me Tonight Dreamland – 1909. The song came from Coney Island which was then only attended by the wealthy, hence “Dreamland”. It had very many lights. One night they caught fire and the place burned down.
Everyone left except Molly, Gen, and Donn for You Took Advantage of Me.
You Took Advantage of Me with Donn Trenner backing Molly
Molly took a break. Leaving the Trio, with Gen shining on string bass, Kevin drums, and Donn piano on Sunny Side of The Street.
Bogalusa Strut, with Gordon, Scotty, Noel, Dan on tenor sax, Boates, Fryer on euphonium, Barnhart and Lawler, with Joel sitting in, Nalepka tuba – euphonium and tuba duet! Superb drumming by Lawlor! The whole band joined in singing New Orleans.
Barnhart stunned by all that brass!
Clarinet duet, Dan and Noel, with Lawlor, Scott on guitar, Joel, Brian on string bass, Jeff on Avalon
Amazing clarinet duet on Avalon with Dan Levinson and Noel Kaletsky
Noel, Jeff, and Jim Lawlor continued with a wild fast tempo tune done by Wild Bill misguidedly named Sleep.
Time for Jeff’s Banjorama, with Joel, Kevin, Brian on tuba, Jeff, When Day is Done,Sweet Adeline, and many, many more, with all the fans and volunteers singing along. Your Fathers Mustache banjo players came from North Carolina and Christ Fennimore (left) came from Pittsburgh Pennsylvania to join Joel. Fans and Volunteers joined heartily in the sing-along.
Everyone gets in on the act for the Banjorama
Donn Trenner back for Molly Ryan vocal on Jeepers Creepers, with Gen, Kevin, Gordon, Tom Boates, Scott on guitar. Dan on tenor sax. Fantastic.
Molly, Jeff, Gen, Tom, Kevin, Scotty still on guitar, I Ain’t Got Nobody. Growling trombone, Hot Stuff. Molly doing vocal duet with Jeff piano. Time for a slow waltz. This was not on the list. Molly vocal, Dan, Gen, Jeff, Kevin, Hushaby Mountain. Nice piano and Molly vocal, Gen bowing the bass, Dan on tenor sax. Ended the way it started, with piano and vocal.
Lawlor back, Noel on clarinet, Nalepka tuba, Scott on cornet, Gordon trumpet, Jim Fryer, Jeff. I Ain’t Got Nobody.
Gordon and Scott battling on I Ain’t Got Nobody
Scotty cornet and Noel clarinet absolutely fantastic, Gordon and Fryer, trumpet and trombone trading, 4’s for Lu Waters’ Come Back Sweet Poppa.
The Au Brothers were raised on Lu Waters by their uncle, Howard Miatta, who plays with the High Sierra Jazz Band. Our guys continued with a stormy version of Struttin’ With Some Barbecue.
There was time for one more ‘classy’ tune with a small ensemble, before the final fiasco. Donn Trenner called for Duke’s A Train, Donn in constant, fluid, rhythmic motion. Absolutely beautiful! This man loves to play piano.
Gordon ended it as he had begun, leading the Finale, a rip roaring Panama!
Everyone up for Panama
Breathless. That’s how we were left this Saturday Evening of Jeff and Joel’s House Party! Yet there was more coming on Sunday……
Dan Levinson’s Millenium All Stars, with Molly Ryan
Dan Levinson reeds, Molly Ryan vocals/guitar, Mike Davis cornet, Josh Holkum trombone, Jan Frankel piano, Rob Adkins bass, Rich Levinson drums,
Dan Levinson is one of the most prolific musicians on the scene today. He is largely responsible for the resurgence of Traditional Jazz and Swing in New York today, by sharing his knowledge with many upcoming musicians. This was his 17th year at the Hot Steamed Jazz Festival, and he introduced us to some of New York’s finest ‘Millenium’ musicians.
He kicked it off with a 1927 Bix tune, I’m Gonna Meet My Sweetie Now. It wasn’t on their set list, but requested by a lady in the audience; so Dan quickly scribbled up an arrangement for the band.
Molly Ryan now has several albums of her own.
Molly treated us with powerful vocals on All My Life, a tune that Helen Ward did with the Benny Goodman Trio in 1935 . You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby, and from her new album Wanderer, backed by Dan on tenor sax.
Oh Peter, Wolverines 1939 tribute to Bix Beiderbecke, Tijuana.
Mike Davis looks and sounds like Bix.
Mike Davis, cornet
Bix Beiderbecke
Mike had been begging to play this, one of Dan’s favorites, 1928 Gene Austin Garden in the Rain. Dan and Molly were backed by the rhythm section on Billy Holiday’s 1935 What a Little Moonlight Can Do; just the right accents on drum, rim-tapping.
Rich Levinson knows his drums!
Rob Adkins, string bass
Jan’s sterling piano solo was assisted
by Rob Adkins’ string bass.
Josh Holcomb, nice trombone
From Bud Freeman’s 1940 recording, I Need Some Petting, had three horns, especially nice trombone.
Dan let Jan Frankel loose on piano, his long fingers playing stride, followed by the band playing wild, interweaving, New Orleans polyphony, with growling trombone.
Jan Frankel, from Connecticut
They closed with a fabulous version of the New Orleans Rhythm Kings’ Farewell Blues, inspiring one another, mesmerizing trombone with Dan & Mike comping.
Farewell Blues
This set captured the audience, they loved every minute of it!
