Swing Times Five with Debby Larkin at Ken’s Steak House, February 21, 2016

Posted on February 21, 2016 by admin

Swing Times Five – Dave Didriksen, Dan Weiner, Bob Sinicrope, Jeff Hughes, Ross Petot

Jeff Hughes cornet/flugelhorn, Dan Weiner guitar, Ross Petot piano, Bob Sinicrope string bass, Dave Didriksen drums, Debby Larkin vocals.

This is an unusual combination of instruments for playing Swing, but SWING they did, just as well as any big band!! They captivated the crowd by rekindling fond memories, starting with their theme song, When Lights Are Low, with Jeff on cornet. His rhythmic concept on cornet and flugelhorn lifted the whole band. He moved to flugelhorn for a Johnny Mercer tune, Dream.

Debby Larkin

Vocalist Debby Larkin sings with authority, good voice and knows just the right style, whether singing a rousing number or a ballad. She sang many Frank Loesser tunes, If I Were a Bell, Everything But You. Slow Boat to China was a rouser! Billie Holiday’s Moanin’ Low; an all-time favorite All Of Me, upbeat and swinging; even Tommy Dorsey’s Opus One. She shook things up with the satirical Everything I’ve Got Belongs To You, looking at hubby Jeff Stout, sitting at a front table.

Singing I Fall In Love Too Easily, she was backed by Jeff Hughes on dark, smokey flugelhorn. They charmed the audience, many of whom were seniors nostalgically reconnecting the music to memories of their youth.

Jeff on flugelhorn, with Sinitrope in background

Jeff Hughes on silky smooth flugelhorn

Jeff left the audience spellbound with incredible intonation on Jerome Kern’s I’m Old Fashioned, ending with a virtuosic coda. Perfect! People will remember this one for a long time!

Ross looking down at keys playing Yamaha piano

Ross Petot

Ross Petot is a great performer of Gerschwins, he was featured on Of Thee I Sing, and referring to the current political season, Who Cares? He performs unceasing rhythmic motion on the fine Yamaha piano. He picked an odd one, All God’s Chillun Got Rhythm, backed by Dan Weiner’s fingers floating across the guitar.

Dan Weiner on swinging guitar

Dan was featured on Lullaby of The Leaves, dazzling guitar, fingers flying; his spontaneity is very much representative of the swing era.

They picked many tunes from the American Song Book:
Dorothy Fields/Jimmy McHugh Doing The New Lowdown
Julie Stein’s It’s You Or No One.
Sammy Cahn’s I’m Falling in Love.
Sinatra’s All The Way
Irving Berlin’s A Pretty Girl Is Like a Melody
Cole Porter’s I’ve Got You Under My Skin

John and Gisela love to dance, and this is their kind of music! They had a family reunion with their three daughters. John persuaded one of them to dance.

couple in their 90's dancing up a storm!

John and Gisela Bruneccini

John and one of his daughters

John and Gisela and four adult daughters

John and Gisela Bruneccini Family

Bob Sinicrope

George Gershwin’s They Can’t Take That Away From Me gave Bob a solo, playing melody on upper register.

Bob Sinicrope’s string bass gave support and richness that moved the music along. Bob is head of the Jazz Program at Milton Academy, and an old friend of Jeff’s.

Dave Didriksen

Dave Didriksen is a fine drummer, softly brushing across cymbals and snare drum behind solos; he lets the soloists shine. He finally let loose on Frank Loesser’s The Lady’s In Love With You, showing he can romp with the best of them. (He also manages the band and it’s website www.swingtimesfive.com and books all the dates at Ken’s Steak House.)

They closed with the band and Jeff’s flugelhorn softly backing Debby on Sky Lark. Magnificent! Taking an “Exit Poll” – everyone said this was one of the best music they’ve heard!

The Swing Spirit continues to thrive with the unique Swing Times Five and vocalist Debby Larkin. We hope to hear more from them! Check out their great Swing CD, Raincheck; email Dave Didriksen at info@swingX5.com.

Swing Times Five at the Sherborn Inn, May 27, 2014

Posted on June 10, 2014 by admin

Swing Times Five with Debby Larkin

Jeff Hughes trumpet/leader, Dan Weiner guitar, Ross Petot piano, Pete Tillotson double bass, Dave Didriksen drums, Debby Larkin vocals.

Release Party for CD “Raincheck” at the Sherborn Inn

Swing Times Five is the ultimate choice if you’re looking for a lively evening without a dull minute. Swing, sweet ballads, sung by Debby Larkin, heartfelt solos and ensemble playing with some Hoagie and Bix made for an interesting evening. This was the official debut of their CD, “Raincheck”. The kicked it off with Benny Carter’s When Lights Are Low, with Jeff on smokey flugelhorn with Ross harmony on piano. Raconteur, composer, Hoagie Carmichael was featured this evening; he was a good friend of Bix Beiderbecke’s. Hoagie wrote many unusual tunes, including Riverboat Shuffle especially for Beiderbecke and his colleagues. Swing Times Five showed intricate ensemble on his 1937 Jubilee.

Jeff introduces Debby Larkin

Jeff invited Debby Larkin to join them for Hoagie’s Old Rocking Chair, and Burton Lane’s The Lady’s In Love With You. Hoagie composed many ballads, they mixed them up. Nearness Of You, great Pete Tillotson string bass solo. The title of their CD, Raincheck, was written by Billy Strayhorn. Another Strayhorn tune, Smada – with is Adams backwards, from the album ‘Masterpieces’ by Ellington. It was recorded for the Columbia label in 1950 as Ellington’s first LP album, one of the earliest 12 inch LP’s to take advantage of the extended time consisting of 4 tracks. This is the first time they played it; great melody, harmony and rhythm.

Great Rhythm Section

Guitar took the intro to The September Song, with more sweet flugelhorn. Jeff highlighted Bix-style trumpeting on Hoagie’s 1925 Riverboat Shuffle, Hoagie was in law school at Indiana University when Jazz struck him and he became an itinerant musician. An interesting tune he wrote apropos to the season, One Morning in May. Blue Orchids had more smokey flugelhorn with piano picking up the riffs.

Jeff Stout

Debby’s husband, trumpeter Jeff Stout joined them on a memorable Skylark, Jeff Hughes on flugelhorn, with cadences and chords thinking of Bix. The two Jeffs complement each other. They changed the mood for a Cole Porter, piano intro to Get Out of Town; Fast stride piano backed Stout’s powerful trumpet.

Weiner has a relentless, mesmerizing drive on guitar

Dan Weiner’s spectacular guitar fingering was featured on a Latin beat with S’Wonderful.

Suzanne Perel

The musician table was filled with guests enjoying the Inn’s fare. Mr. and Mrs. Arnie Krakowsky, Mrs. Phil Person, Suzanne Ferel, was asked to come up and sing a couple of tunes. An accomplished vocalist, Suzanne sang her own splendid version of Billie Holiday’s My Man Don’t Love Me, and With a Song In My Heart. Back to Hoagie with a song from the 1964 film starring R&B legend Ray Charles, Ballad in Blue. Stout trumpet and Hughes flugelhorn – it doesn’t get any better than this! Except maybe when Hughes returned on trumpet for a two- trumpet interplay on Duke Ellington’s Cottontail, accompanied by Ross’s fabulous stride piano. Fired up, Didriksen took off on drums; the air vibrated with excitement!

Hughes and Stout trumpets flank piano and bass

Two trumpets had us sitting on the edge of our seats!

Jeff’s trumpet traded fours with bass on an upbeat They All Laughed. Deb returned for Wes Montgomery’s Blue Skies, Jeff’s trumbet vibrating, with pulsating piano, fine guitar and bass duet.

This audience just loves Debby Larkin!

Debby Larkin’s version of Georgia blew us away! HOT! Basie’s Topsy, with Hughes on muted trumpet. Deb liked this because it’s the name of their shelter rescue puppy. Deb back with the unique I’m Checking Out, Goomby! ….one of the swinging tunes on the new CD “Raincheck” – she thanked Ross Petot for teaching it to her. They closed with We’ll Be Together Again with more of Jeff’s silky, smooth flugelhorn. It may be some time before Swing Times Five returns to the Inn. Several of the members belong to other bands that are travelling this summer. We’ll let you know when they return. Meantime, check out their new CD, “Raincheck”.

Swing Times Five – Raincheck

They are really excited about it, recording 9 tunes on the first take, in three hours at Peter Kontrimas’ studio. The CD will be on their new website www.swingx5.com currently under construction. Listen, download and buy Swing Times Five on CD Baby http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/swingtimesfive Love Letters, It Had To Be You, I’m Checkin’ Out, Goombye, S’Wonderfl, Cottontail, Get Out Of Town, Speak Low, Lady’s In Love

Swing Times Five at the Sherborn Inn, March 25, 2014

Posted on March 25, 2014 by admin

Guitar, drums, string bass, trumpet, piano, tenror sax

Jeff Hughes’ Swing Times Five

Jeff Hughes trumpet, Elmer Drotos clarinet/tenor sax, Dan Weiner guitar, Ross Petot piano, Pete Tillotson string bass, Dave Didriksen drums, Debby Larkin vocals.

Every once in a while we are privileged to be at a Jazz Experience that is priceless. You never know when it will happen, you just have to be lucky. This was one of those evenings. (Jeff Hughes is responsible for many of them, bringing in special guests!) Tonight, it was a pleasure to hear for the first time, reed-man Elmer Drotos, even though he’s been around for many years:

“Saxophonist Elmer Drotos is one of the most virtuosic instrumentalists in the business. He has performed with bandleaders Lawrence Welk and Tex Beneke and toured with Artie Shaw, who called him “one of the best saxophone players I’ve ever heard.”

Jeff kicked this evening off with Benny Carter’s When Lights Are Low, and You and The Night And The Music, with Drotos on clarinet, I Thought About You on tenor sax. You could feel the whole band being lifted up by his intensity.

Debby Larkin, embodiment of Swing!

Even Debby Larkin was affected, flashing a gleaming smile, with a delightful I’ll Always Be In Love With You, and You Turned The Tables on Me backed by a tenor sax sounding like Ben Webster.

Richard Rodgers’ Have You Met Miss Jones was fierce, Pete Tillotson’s string bass trading 4s with Dave Didriksen’s drums. The two are always in sync, and push the band. Ross Petot keeps it all together, listening carefully to what each instrument is doing, nudging, filling in any blanks.

Jeff Hughes with 1941 hand-made Elden Benge trumpet

Jeff’s trumpet reached a wide range of resonance and tone on Shine; it was WILD!

John and Gisele

Gershwin’s The Man I Love, with Dan Weiner’s sweet sound on custom D’Aquisto‎ arch-top guitar had John and Gisele dancing. They’ve been married over 60 years and still love dancing here at the Sherborn Inn.

Debby was back with an enchanting Dream a Little Dream of Me. She continued with a tune made famous by Billie Holiday, Yours and Mine.

Drotos was featured in a tune reminiscent of Radio and The Cavalcade of Bands, written by Gordon Jenkins, Goodbye. It is a sad tune. Jenkins actually wrote this when he lost his wife and child in childbirth. Published in 1935, it became well known as the closing theme song of the Benny Goodman orchestra. With Drotos on clarinet backed by the rhythm boys, it was mesmerizing!
(Thank you for the history lesson, Dan Gabel.)

Debby returned with a swinging What a Little Moonlight Can Do, Love For Sale.
Delighting in the melody and words, she swings without a letup!

There were several musicians in the crowd. Vocalist Lisa Yves stepped up with a rousing rendition of I’m Beginning To See The Light. Lisa’s JAZZ FOR KIDS is the result of her dedication to making music exciting, innovative and fun for her young students. www.lisayves.com.

Vocalist Freddy Shaw has been here previously with the Riverside Stompers. He doesn’t need a partner – sings both the male and female voices with Somebody Stole My Gal. He’s a hoot!

Our own Henny Youngman, ie, Myron Idelson, has been here many times. He never repeats a joke, and they can be told in mixed company. This evening he roasted the band, even got a laugh out of Ross Petot! (That’s not easy!)
Debby returned with a song dedicated to Bob Sickles, in memory of our late Rockette, Lynn Sickles. All of Me was Lynn’s favorite song, and all the bands here played it for her. She’s here in spirit!

It was a fascinating evening. Fortunately for us, Elmer Drotos is now playing in Greater Boston and Cape Cod. This was his first time at the Sherborn Inn, and he said he really enjoyed playing here with Jeff Hughes, and was looking forward to returning.

Time was running out. Jeff called in Dan Gabel and his Glenn Miller trombone for an upbeat Undecided. With a full stage of fabulous musicians, Jeff sent us home with our fervent wish: We’ll Be Together Again. I sure hope so! We might get lucky again – you never know.

A Concert for Valentines, with Debby Larkin and Jeff Stout

Posted on January 23, 2014 by admin

Debby and Jeff, back to back and smiling

Debby Larkin and Jeff Stout

Monument Music, the Concert Series at the Church of the Holy Name, 60 Monument Ave, (at the corner of Thomas Rd. and Monument Ave.) in Swampscott, MA, presents jazz vocalist, Debby Larkin in an afternoon concert on February 16, beginning at 4PM. Come join us and bring your valentine to enjoy the romance of the season. There will be a “Meet-The-Band” reception following the concert and you will still have time to take your valentine out for a romantic dinner. Monument Music is very kid friendly, so along with your valentine, you can even bring the whole family. The concert will feature:
Debby Larkin – Vocals
Jeff Stout – Trumpet
Tim Ray – Piano
Mark Carlsen – Bass
Dave Mattacks – drums

Monument Music is celebrating its sixteenth season of bringing live performances of stellar musicians to the North Shore. The suggested donation is $5 at the door, children under twelve are free. For more information, please call 781-771-3286.

Swing Times Five with Debby Larkin and Jack Senier

Posted on August 27, 2013 by admin

Swing Times Five with Debby Larkin by Marce

Happy 75th Birthday Jerry Wadness – at the Sherborn inn August 27, 2013

Photos by Bennett Green

Jeff Hughes trumpet/flugelhorn, Dan Wiener guitar, Pete Tillotson string bass, Dave Didriksen drums, Debby Larkin vocals. Pianist Ross Petot was taking his eldest son to college so Jack Senier filled in. Jack is Boston’s greatest jazz and swing pianist, a seasoned veteran.

All the tunes played this evening came from 1938, the year Jerry Wadness was born. It was a good year – great tunes for a great guy. Jerry and Geri Wadness are ‘regulars’ at the Sherborn Inn. Last week, Jerry filled several CDs with tunes from 1938, complete with details of each tune, and offered them to Jeff Hughes; he made good use of them.

Boston’s Jack Senier (Marce photo)

Special guest pianist Jack Senier kicked it off with Artie Shaw’s Theme Song, Back Bay Shuffle, followed by Benny Goodman’s Don’t Be That Way, Hughes on Elden Benge trumpet, the band soaring with him. Dan Weiner’s guitar began Who Could Ask For Anything More? Indeed!

How about charismatic Deb Larkin singing a popular torch song of 1929, Moanin’ Low. From Young Man With a Horn, I Should Care. Jeff moving to flugelhorn for Gershwins’ Nice Work If You Can Get It.

Jack Senier’s pearly notes and chords were featured with the rhythm boys on two tunes, I’ll Never Be The Same, and Lullaby In Rhythm. No wonder he’s considered one of New England’s finest pianist. And Jack came to realize that this is an extraordinary audience – they LISTEN passionately to the music and support the musicians.

Lynn Sickle

Bob and Lynn Sickle were here as usual, sitting next to the piano. Debby sang Lynn’s favorite song for her, All of Me. Bob’s birthday was coming up, so I Put a Spell On You was dedicated to him.

Jeff Sings “You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby”

The 1938 Harry Warren–Johnny Mercer tune, You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby was dedicated to Sue Lewis’s upcoming birthday with Jeff singing and playing crisp, clear trumpet. Sue is often seen dancing on the Inn’s but fine dance floor. Senier made the piano sing, Tillotson’s string bass trading fours with the drums. John & Gisela Brunaccini have been married for 65 years – they skillfully glided across the dance floor all evening!

Dan Weiner and Pete Tillotson

Tenderly featured Dan Wiener on guitar with the Rhythm Boys. Jeff was into Count Basie’s Lester Leaps In, when Jeff Stout leaped in for fantastic two trumpet interplay. Drummer Dave Didriksen kicked it up, driving the band.

Waitress Sara Green arrived with Jerry’s birthday cake, large enough to share, and we all wished Jerry a happy 75^th birthday.

Young waitress Sara Green brings in Jerry's Birthday Cake

Sara brings in Jerry’s Birthday Cake

Jerry Wadness blows out the candles

Comedian Myron Idelson

The band took a break for our favorite comedian, funny man Myron Idelson. Myron can go on for hours telling new jokes appropriate for mixed company. “My Mother-in-law took a trip to the Thousand Islands.” “Why didn’t she spend a week on each?”

Deb and hubby Jeff Stout

Jeff Hughes played a wistful Kurt Weill September Song.

More 1938 tunes – Bunny Berigan’s I Cried For You, I Wished On The Moon, Artie Shaw’s Begin The Beguine, Duke Ellington’s Prelude To a Kiss.

Deb also did Ms. Brown To You and The Things We Did Last Summer. Dakota Staton recorded a tune that everyone thought came from the 70’s – but it was Irving Berlin’s Late, Late Show.

Approaching the finale, Deb hit lilting rhythm with Billie Holiday’s What a Little Moonlight Can Do, with the two soaring trumpets. We’ll Be Together Again – Senier and the rhythm boys kept playing while Deb and Jeff Stout, Gail and Stan Brown hit the dance floor. Jeff Hughes danced with Sue Lewis. The front line returned to the stage, finishing the tune with swinging piano, flugelhorn and trumpet.

1938 was a very good year for great tunes. Swing Times Five was happy to oblige and performed wholeheartedly for this special birthday. Many happy returns, Jerry! Thanks for a great evening.

Swing Times Five with Debby Larkin at the Sherborn Inn, April 24, 2012

Posted on April 5, 2012 by admin

by Marce

Jeff Hughes cornet, Ron Petot piano, Dan Weiner guitar, Peter Tillotson string bass, Dave Didriksen drums, Debby Larkin vocals

This evening featured many of our favorite composers. Jeff began nice and easy on flugelhorn with Benny Carter’s best-known tune, When Lights Are Low, and then did an abrupt turn-around with Duke Ellington’s It Don’t Mean a Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing, with muted cornet, Ross Petot’s fingers running the keyboard. They ran a broad spectrum of Early Jazz and Swing.

With his cornet, flugelhorn, many mutes, and attitude, Jeff is a complete front line. This gentle man is so filled with music, it just pours out of him, it refuses to be contained. Louis, Bix, Joe “King” Oliver, Bunny, Al Hirt, Harry James – take your pick.

Joined by vivacious Debby Larkin on vocals – talented and versatile, she can swing as well as sing. The evening just flew by!

From Jerome Kern’s Showboat in the 20’s, the sweet ballad Can’t Help Loving That Man of Mine was a swinger!

Cole Porter’s You’d Be So Nice to Come Home To. Jerome Kern’s A Fine Romance.

Cole Porter’s Let’s Do It – powerful vocal, with all it’s politically incorrect lyrics.

In the 20’s and 30’s, all the songs had double entendres. Have you watched TV lately? Who are we kidding?

Jeff was in New Orleans for the first time last month, on St Patrick’s Day. He found out that New Orleans is insane – all year – not just for Mardi Gras. He brought back a souvenir, Basin St. Blues, that drove couples to the shiny wood dance floor.

Cottontail, written for Ben Webster, featured cornet, piano, and guitar taking turns skillfully trading 4’s with Dave Didriksen on drums – before he let loose with a wild drum solo!

Ross was featured with the Rhythm Boys. He always plays something unique and special, this time Billy Strayhorn’s Midriff, quoting bits of Stumbling.

He played a dramatic intro to Harold Arlen’s Get Happy, Jeff back on cornet, as hot and powerful as any trumpet. He continued with passionate flugelhorn solo on Victor Young’s Love Letters, .

A little bit of Blues – I Sent For You Yesterday, (but here you are today!) Jeff and Debby working well together, Debby singing the verse, Jeff playing riffs with muted plunger cornet.

Especially for an ardent fan of the band, Lynn Sickle, they dedicated All Of Me.

The piano started with the verse on a tune that Hoagie wrote for Bix Beiderbecke that they had never played before. It doesn’t get played often, even though it’s a peppy, party tune, Jubilee. Hoagie Carmichael was a good friend of Bix’s during his short life – he died at 28. What an impact he had on the music scene!

Break time.

Jeff called upon a wonderful friend and supporter to fill in the break, “Brother” Myron Idelson. Memories of Myron Cohen. He has a million of ’em.

Myron proceeded to roast Jeff royally, even had Ross breaking up! He never repeats a joke, and they can be told in mixed company. “I’m going to get rich – invented a dog biscuit that tastes just like a mailman’s leg.”

With down-home openheartedness, he concluded with a request “…to have more love and thankfulness in this world.”

* * *

Deb came back swinging with a Benny Goodman favorite, Don’t Be That Way. Nice touch, Jeff Hughes cornet trading 4’s with guitarist Dan Weiner.

Dan was featured on My One And Only Love. In his late teens in Vermont, Dan started playing solo blues guitar in the styles of Mississippi John Hurt and Reverend Gary Davis. An innovative guitarist, his playing speaks to your soul.

Deb returned with a song made famous by Count Basie, appropriate for this month, April in Paris.

The band continued with Jonathan D. Kramer’s About Face. Jonathan was a self-conscious art-music composer, but soon “embraced the music that most Americans know and love.” That’s our jazz!

Late Late Show was WILD, Jeff playing both melody and riffs on muted cornet. This tune literally had everyone jumping up and down! Slower tempo – Deb returned with Skylark, Jeff sounding like Bix would on flugelhorn.

The Finale was a beautiful ballad, A Sailboat in the Moonlight and You, with Debby on vocal, nice string bass and cornet duet with the band in stop time. Pete Tillotson has as full and rich a tone as you can find on any string bass.

Jeff ended this wonderful evening with his closing theme song and the same smooth flugelhorn with which he started, We’ll Be Together Again. We’re counting on it!

Swing Times Five, Tribute to Al Vega with Deb Larkin and special guest Jack Senier, piano

Posted on January 5, 2012 by admin

Jeff Hughes’ Swing Times Five lived up to its name at the Sherborn Inn on January 31st. Pianist Al Vega had been scheduled to be here, but unfortunately, he passed away just a few months after having performed here in October with the Jeff Hughes Swingtet. He will be sorely missed in the Greater Boston Jazz Scene!

We were fortunate to have one of New England’s most renowned pianists, Jack Senier. Jack was happy to keep the music going. We couldn’t possibly have had anyone better! He made that baby grand piano sing, backed by the “Rhythm Boys,” Pete on string bass and Dave on drums, with Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea.

Vocalist Debby Larkin, also a friend of Senier’s, was here fresh from her successful performance at Ryles. Dan Weiner guitar, Pete Tillotson string bass, and Dave Didriksen drums completed the Quintet. Unexpectedly, Craig Ball, arrived with his hot clarinet to make it a Sextet. He said “I couldn’t stay away.”

Dan Weiner blew us away with Count Basie’sTopsy, backed by string bass and drums.

Weiner and Tillotson are old friends. They met at a jam Session in Newton around 1980-81 and then played together regularly.

They had lost touch and were looking forward to performing together again. The synchronization was evident in Sweet Georgia Brown.

Craig requested I’ll Always Be In Love With You, a tune he does with his big band, The White Heat Swing Orchestra.

Jeff took out the flugelhorn for Debby’s fine vocal of You Go To My Head.

Hard Hearted Hannah featured Jeff’s singing tone on cornet, with Senier intuitively behind him, and the band just went WILD!

And Jeff played Jimmy Enright’s favorite tune for me, By The Sleepy Lagoon. Thank you!

Time keeper Dave Didriksen was having a ball! His whole body was swaying with the beat of In A Mellow Tone.

Debby gave a sterling performance with Slow Boat to China, Embraceable You, her parents’ favorite. She even had me reminiscing and in tears, when she sang I’m Glad There Is You.

What a fantastic evening!!

Al Vega put his reminiscences in a book, The Al Vega Story. Last October, when he played here with The Jeff Hughes Swingtet, he gave Jeff an autographed copy that Jeff will cherish forever!

“Jeff, I had a ball playing with you!” Al Vega

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