Dave Whitney All Stars with Christine Fawson at the Sherborn Inn June 10, 2014

Posted on July 10, 2014 by admin

Dave Whitney All Stars with Christine Fawson, in a Tribute to Louis Armstrong at the Sherborn Inn with Dave Whitney trumpet/vocals, Christine Fawson trumpet/vocals, Ted Casher reeds, Dan Gabel trombone, Reid Jorgensen drums, Justin Meyer string bass, Steve Dale piano, Jon Wheatley guitar

Louis Armstrong had many “All Star” groups in his lifetime, but Dave Whitney concentrated on tunes that began in the early to late 20’s. Dave’s All-Stars were marvelous right from the Sleepy Time Down South kick-off; Jon Wheatley’s guitar in Back Home in Indiana, Royal Garden Blues that Louis played from 1947 into the 1960’s. Front line enjoy playing together. Music affects emotions; this music makes people happy.

Dave & Ted complain Bucket’s Got a Hole In It videos by Harold McAleer

Ted Casher

Ted actually played with Armstrong, when he was at Salisbury Beach, Massachusetts. Reed players Joe Darensbourg was off playing Ski Ball at the arcade when the band was ready to start. Louis looked around and said “Hey, wanna play?” Ted joined him on stage. Later in the band room, they found that Joe had won a Kewpie Doll.

To brighten the evening, Christine Fawson was introduced on trumpet and vocal. Dave and Christine make beautiful music together, the kind that brightens your day, whether they’re playing trumpet or singing.

Canal St. Blues, Christine is Louis, and Dave is Joe “King” Oliver.

Dave and Christine complement each other

Dave and Christine vocal – You’re Just In Love

Stomping at The Savoy, Reid Jorgensen made use of every instrument on the drums.

I Love You Samantha, Dave vocal with Justin Meyer and Jon Wheatley

Louis did a German Folk Song called The Faithful Hussar. It originated in Dusseldorf. Marvelous guitar by Jon, and string bass solo by Justin. This is Louis’s version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_j1LWUSwgQ

Dan Gabel really gets into Satchmo/New Orleans mood with St. James Infirmary Blues

Love is Just Around The Corner – a salute to bass players, with rhythm section.

Justin Meyer in tribute to bass players

Jon was featured on George Van Epps’ Tango El Bongo, Reid drumming with his hands.

Swing That Music was WILD!

In his Big Band of the 30’s, Louis played The Saints. Dave did the vocal, naming each member of the band, with Christine harmonizing on trumpet.

They closed with Sleepy Time Down South, fantastic trumpet solo, backed by rhythm section.

The whole evening was delectable! Everyone left with happy hearts and smiling faces.

Tune List:
Short intro Sleepy Time Down South
Back Home Again in Indiana
My Bucket’s Got a Hole In It
Royal Garden Blues
Kiss to Build a Dream On
Sweet Georgia Brown
Margie
Big Butter and Egg Man
Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans
Can’t Take That Away From Me
Stomping at The Savoy
Samantha
The Faithful Hussar
Canal St. Blues
Love is Just Around The Corner
Bourbon St. Parade
Tango el Bongo
Swing That Music
You’re Just in Love
Wonderful World
Saints
Sleepy Time Down South

Riverboat Stompers at the Sherborn Inn, July 8, 2014

Posted on July 9, 2014 by admin

Riverboat Stompers at the Sherborn Inn, July 8, 2014

Larry Baxter trumpet/vocals, Steve Straus clarinet/soprano sax/vocal, Frank Batchelor trombone, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Phil Hower piano, Pierre Lemieux tuba, Rich Malcolm drums.

The Riverboat Stompers played some serious Dixieland Jazz at the Sherborn Inn; great front line with excellent rhythm section, feeling and loving the music. They hit it off hot and heavy with Dark Town Strutters Ball, Jimmy on vocal.

Jimmy sings most of the vocals – good reason to come hear this band! Jimmy was at his best after returning from the America’s Jazz Fest in Olympia Washington.

Exuberant front line; they love playing together, with lighthearted jesting. They all played kazoo on Please Don’t Talk About Me When I’m Gone.

Larry Baxter, Steve Straus (leader) Frank Batchelor

Larry Baxter’s trumpet carried the melodies, and some vocals. Heartfelt lyrics on St. James Infirmary and in perfect French he sang C’est Si Bon, with Jimmy responding. That was a first for us! Baxter added some of his own made-up stanzas, surprising even the band. There were many, but we only caught the words ‘strawberries and cream’.

Straus generally plays warm and vibrant clarinet, but took out the soprano sax on Blue Turning Gray Over You, His only vocal was Lulu’s Back in Town. Frank Batchelor’s euphonious trombone was especially prominent on Toot, Toot, Tootsie.

They continued with a harmonious medley with Jimmy supplying the lyrics, Five Foot Two, Four Leaf Clover, Toot, Toot, Tootsie, Baby Face.

Phil Hower mesmeric pianist, he listens intently, fills in the open spaces, and lays down a solid foundation for the soloist. Marvelous piano interludes complemented Jimmy’s vocal on Rosetta.

Bourbon St. Parade, Jazz Me Blues, Muscrat Ramble, Dr. Jazz, were HOT! Little known sweet song – Our Love Was Meant To Be – was written by Fats Waller. Please Don’t Talk About Me When I’m Gone, I’m Confessing That I Love You. All backed by top-notch base-line from Pierre Lemieux on tuba and a captivating beat by Rich Malcolm on drums.

Pierre Lemieux and Rich Malcolm

It was excellent Dixieland from beginning to end. They closed with a soulful vocal by Larry, We’ll Meet Again, starting in very slow waltz-time, ending in high-spirited, energetic polyphonic jazz!

Avid fan – piano player’s wife.

The most enthusiastic fan was Sue Hower, motivating the band from beginning to end, clapping to the beat and shouting out her support.

Hats off to all the musicians’ wives – they deserve a gold medal!! The men couldn’t do this without them.

The Riverboat Stompers now have a new web site created by Frank Batchelor that will have all their upcoming performances and booking info. Check it out! http://www.riverboatstompers.com/

Eli’s All Stars with vocalist Gabrielle Goodman at the Sherborn Inn, July 3, 2014

Posted on July 7, 2014 by admin

Eli’s All-Stars at the Sherborn Inn

Bob Winter piano, Eli Newberger tuba, Jeff Guthery drums, Ted Casher clarinet/tenor and soprano sax, Bo Winiker trumpet/flugelhorn, Herb Gardner trombone/piano,

Threatening storms, Hurricane Arthur coming up the coast, the upcoming holiday, nothing deterred revelers at the Sherborn Inn who came to hear Eli’s All-Stars. It was also Bo Winiker’s birthday, and the whole Winiker Family was here, including Mom.

The band celebrated Louis Armstrong with Strutting With Some Barbecue, and then a blues, Basin St. Blues, Bo leading on trumpet with band playing counterpoint.

Eli joins Bob at piano

Eli joined Bob at the piano, and the beat quickly turned to Jump ‘n Jive; then back into a slow beat, Jeff soft drum roll, front line closing with a slow, joint wa, wa, wa. Marvelous!

Ted Casher’s tribute to Louis was a raucous vocal on his 1930s novelty tune, I’ll Be Glad When You’re Dead, You Rascal You.

Eli introduced vocalist Gabrielle Goodman, a jazz, R&B, classical and gospel vocalist, and Professor of Voice, with a four octave voice range, who teaches at Berklee. “Happy 4th of July, even if is the day before” she said, and began with Bring It on Home to Me a song by American singer-songwriter Sam Cooke, released in 1962. The song has become a pop standard, covered by numerous artists of different genres, but none could compare to this lady. She had us captivated from the first note!

Route 66 – Gabrielle had us clapping in time before she even uttered a note. She ruled! Scatting like Sarah Vaughn, she lead the band with her numerous changes in tempo. She asked “Who is deeply in love?” and Carolyn Newberger’s hand shot up. Gabby responded with a silky, smooth, My Funny Valentine, with Ted’s emotional tenor saxophone, and Bo Winiker on smoky flugelhorn. Heartrending!

She took us on a trip on a familiar special train that goes from lower Manhattan to Harlem, with a passionate, hard-charging romp on The A Train. The crowd was enthralled and responded with heavy applause.

Eli announced the next song was written by a trombone player (heavy groan here). But the trombone player was Edward “Kid” Ory and this was his Muskat Ramble.

Herb Gardner took over for his fine rendition, then Eli let loose with a turbo charged tuba, with backup from pulsating piano and drums.

While the band took a break, Herb Gardner took over the piano with a novelty tune about New Hampshire’s “Summer People” – “They’re only here until Labor Day, then Back in October for the foliage.”

Back Home Again in Indiana featured Bo on full, rich, open flugelhorn.

Louis Armstrong used to begin his All Stars with another tune that Bo has been working on. Herb did the arrangement; Bo featured on trumpet with a freewheeling rendition of Cornet Chop Suey. Fabulous!

Gabby returned with Taking a Chance on Love, a song she recorded on her second CD. She sang this as a ballad in honor of the 4th of July. It was one swinging ballad!

She asked if she could change the schedule of tunes, in order to sing Misty, just her and Bob on piano. Lovely! They have often worked together; he’s a great friend and pianist for the Boston Pops. Gabrielle has an impressive background; her expertise spans the entire jazz era up to modern jazz.

Bob Winter was featured on piano with Someone To Watch Over Me, Bo adding soft, mellow flugelhorn.

Gabrielle sings an awesome America The Beautiful

To celebrate our country’s birthday, Gabby contributed a profound, soulful America the Beautiful. It left the audience in awe!

Eli requested a ‘change of pace’, introducing Carolyn Newberger on washboard. Carolyn played washboard years ago in a café they started when they were Directors at the International Residence Hall at Yale. The washboard had been stored in the attic for 50 years, until Eli found it.

Now Carolyn is merrily playing washboard with many of Eli’s bands; usually Coney Island Washboard Roundelay; but not this time. This time she delighted the audience with spoons on washboard on James P. Johnson’s The Charleston.

Carolyn sketching musicians

When she’s not playing washboard with the band, she’s pencil-sketching the musicians. She is an accomplished painter and has had three showings this month, one at Framingham’s Danforth Gallery where she received an award. Tonight she did a couple of sketches of Gabrielle, and one of Bo.

Eli’s All-Stars surprised us by closing with When The Saints Go Marching In, and they marched, up and down the aisles – even Jeff with his snare drum, ‘The Saints’ went marching in.

Bo leads parade up the aisles

Bill Winiker takes photo of parade

Glorious way to end this celebration of our Country and Bo Winiker’s birthday!

The All Stars will be back here at the Sherborn Inn on the 1st Thursday of every month, next is August 7th. They will be at Barrington Stage Company, Mr. Finn’s Cabaret, Blatt Performing Arts Center, 36 Linden St., Pittsfield, MA on August 24 and 25. They will also kick-off the 32nd Highland Jazz Series in Newton, MA on September 13th.

Gabrielle continues teaching at Berklee. We hope she’ll be back!

Williams Reunion Jazz Band at Opening of the Bay, Snug Harbor, Duxbury MA 2014

Posted on May 30, 2014 by admin

Williams Reunion Dixieland Jazz Band at Opening of the Bay May 23-25 2014

The Williams Reunion Jazz Band was born on New England college campuses in the 1950’s when Dixieland was alive and well and “runnin’ wild”. Band members now include four Williams College boys: Bob Kingsbury ’58 on clarinet; Fred Clifford ’58 on Tuba; Tom Hayne ’59 on Drums and features: John Halsey ’59 on Piano who is a PhD, teacher and a featured pro in NYC having played with all of the greats in Jazz.

Three permanent guests from Amherst, Bates and U. Mass are: John Bucher who for 25 years led the Woody Allen Band at Michael’s Pub in NYC and plays a wonderful Beiderbecke/Hackett style; Jimmy Mazzy on Banjo who is well known to everybody, and Tom Boates on trombone who plays in the style of Jack Teagarden and Miff Mole and is featured with the Wolverine Jazz Band.

The WRJB name goes back to 1983 when, at a formal jazz concert in Williams College Chapin Hall, the seven first played together. Through the years, their reputation in Williamstown has blossomed into a year ’round schedule of performances at private parties, country clubs, weddings, church masses, jazz festivals, jazz cruises, and special events across the USA.

The band returns every Memorial Day weekend to Duxbury MA for the Duxbury Bay Maritime Academy’s “Opening of the Bay”, their 17^th this year. Friday night’s GALA was Traditional Jazz, cocktails and heavy hors d’oeuvres and Island Creek Oyster reception under the tent, and Dixieland Jazz.

Duxbury Bay Maritime Academy

Saturday afternoon is family day, with face painting, balloon animals, vendors, food and drinks. It was a New England cold, damp day. We caught the Williams Reunion Dixieland Jazz Band under the tent on the deck by the Bay.

The inimitable Jimmy Mazzy

They opened with a lively Dr. Jazz, Jimmy vocal and banjo – Jimmy Mazzy has a unique hold on the bridge that allows him to make sounds like no one else!

Boates’ powerful trombone opened My Honey’s Loving Arms. Ensemble took the intro to Rose Room, followed by engaging personal solos first by clarinet, then cornet, trombone, banjo, piano.

Bob Kingsbury, leader, clarinet

Kingsbury’s clarinet started with the verse on W. C. Handy’s Hesitation Blues; ensemble parts twining around each other leading to a Jimmy Mazzy hearty shout. They played a final chorus, Hayne closing with a cymbal CRASH!

Tom Boates plays Kid Ory’s Creole Trombone

Tom Boates is always featured on Kid Ory’s Creole Trombone, no matter what band he’s in. We hope he never gets tired of playing it because we never get tired of hearing his magnificent growling trombone!

Memphis Blues was a soft wistful blues, clarinet playing high over the whole ensemble, cornet and piano building long, melodic solos. Jimmy’s scatting was more like a soft moaning,

John Bucher, Bix-style cornet

John Halsey rippled up and down the keyboard.

Fred Clifford

They revved it up with S’Wonderful, nice low register clarinet start, Jimmy singing ballad, marvelous Bucher cornet, tuba holding long notes. Clifford is the band’s rhythmic engine. Banjo solo was backed by drum softly tapping cymbal and snare drum.

Let Me Call You Sweetheart, clarinet, cornet, piano played melody, with trombone counterpoint accents. Kingsbury moved over to Boates for a wonderful trombone/clarinet duet.

Tom Hayne drives the band with his Dixieland Beat

At The Jazz Band Ball was explosive, with great New Orleans polyphony, then they let Tom Hayne go wild on drums.

Their music has a joyful, timeless spirit. It all ended too soon, but there was a cold wind blowing in from the Bay and they were glad to pack up and move on.

* * *

WRJB did a week in Florida again this year, what they call “Spring Training”, with five appearances, one in Ponte Vedra, three in Vero Beach and finished at the Bath and Tennis Club in Palm Beach. And they just finished their annual Boston/Duxbury weekend with six appearances ranging from the Somerset Club in Boston to the South Shore Conservatory, First Parish Church and Winsor House in Duxbury. Then a full Reunion weekend in Williamstown from June 13-15 capped by a private party in Bretton Woods, NH.

The Williams Reunion Jazz Band plays some excellent, authentic Traditional Jazz.
Try some of their many CDs.

Novel Jazz Celebrates 10 years at Skidompha Library

Posted on May 30, 2014 by admin

Novel celebrates a decade of Jazz at Skidompha Photo by Elaine Jones

Novel Jazz Septet will be performing classic jazz at Skidompha Public Library, Damariscotta, ME, onThursday 12 June, 2014, 7PM to 9:30PM. The performance will feature Barney Balch (trombone), Dave Clarke (guitar), Mickey Felder (piano), Wells Gordon (acoustic bass), Bryan Jones (Alto Saxophone) and Mark Macksoud (drums)., plus special guest Ralph Norris (tenor and baritone sax) This evening continues their 2014 Skidompha concert series, bringing live jazz to mid-coast audiences. Admission is $14 for adults, $12 for seniors, $6 for young adults 12-18, under 12 accompanied by a parent go free. (Photo by Elaine Jones)

The Novel Jazz Septet will be celebrating their 10^th year of performances at Skidompha Public Library, Main Street, Damariscotta on Thursday, 12 June 2014, from 7-9:30 PM, with a special evening of jazz in the library’s atrium. A decade ago, the band decided to “go public” from their regular private sessions as a way to help keep jazz alive in midcoast Maine. Indeed, these events began with the observation that lovers of books often are lovers of jazz. The superb acoustics of Skidompha’s atrium, plus the seating “in the round”, make it a superior place to see and hear jazz, all in a relaxed, informal atmosphere. It was while performing at Skidompha that the band decided to forge deeper into the music of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. Trombonist Barney Balch began visiting the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. to work in their Ellington collection, digging out gems of these musical geniuses and bringing them back to life in summertime concerts.

The musicians of this group have been playing straight-ahead jazz for audiences throughout Maine (and beyond) for several decades. Collectively, they share over two centuries of experience in the jazz idiom. Performing at Skidompha will be Barney Balch (trombone), Dave Clarke (guitar), Mickey Felder (piano), Wells Gordon (acoustic bass), Bryan Jones (Alto Saxophone) and Mark Macksoud (drums). Ralph Norris will be making a guest appearance on tenor and baritone sax. Ralph is no stranger to Novel Jazz evenings at Skidompha. He has been an active professional saxophonist for the past 50-plus years, long a staple of the Maine jazz scene. He has regularly performed with many luminaries including the Don Doane and Terry White Big Bands, Tommy Gallant, Muriel Havenstein, legendary saxophonist Harry Allen, pianist Tom Snow (and many more). He has been conducting and composing for the Cape Elizabeth High School Jazz Program since 1997. Ralph’s specialty is the great American Songbook and he plays his tenor with a sound as silky as Stan Getz and as agile as Paul Gonsalves. Anyone who has heard Ralph knows they are in for a special treat!

Admission is $14 for adults, $12 for seniors, $6 for young adults 12-18, under 12 accompanied by a parent go free. We encourage parents to bring their children, the future of this art form. The library is located on Main Street in downtown Damariscotta. Call 207-563-5513 during business hours for more information.

This promises to be a very special night of jazz. Come to Skidompha on 12 June as Novel Jazz marks a decade of swinging jazz at this wonderful library. And if you haven’t heard the band in a while, come see what the decade has done for Novel Jazz!

Eli’s All-Stars at the Sherborn Inn May 1, 2014

Posted on May 25, 2014 by admin

Bob Winter, Jimmy Mazzy, Eli Newberger, Jeff Guthery, Ted Casher, Bo Winiker, Herb Gardner

Eli’s All Stars are not only professional musicians, but friends sharing their favorite tunes, with intricate melodies and counterpoint that resonate with the audience. This is Hot Jazz!

Tonight they were also celebrating three special occasions; Ted and Val marking their 4^th wedding anniversary, and Val, who has worked since she was 16 years old, rejoicing in her retirement – today – with a big cake that she shared with everyone.

The third was that vocalist Rebecca Sullivan was graduating this month with her Masters Degree from the New England Conservatory of Music. Rebecca was already a jazz vocalist, songwriter and educator when she returned to NEC a year ago in September, when Eli Newberger was appointed as her mentor.

Jimmy Mazzy kicked this evening off with a vocal on You’re Nobody’s Sweetheart Now. Rebecca stepped in with Duke’s Squeeze Me, Who Could Ask For Anything More, scatting with Eli’s tuba. Her delicate and warm version of Laura was absolutely marvelous, with Ted on tenor sax and Bo on flugelhorn, Herb’s mellow trombone.

Rebecca Sullivan

Carolyn Newberger came in on washboard, taking us to the Bayou Club on Bourbon Street, with When You Wore a Tulip, with the band backing her in stop-time. Everything sparked! When Carolyn isn’t playing washboard, she’s drawing fine sketches of the musicians; some were featured recently at Galatea Fine Art in Boston.

Eli’s All Stars with Carolyn Newberger on washboard

Ted Casher and a robust “Charlie on the MTA”

To remind Rebecca of what she’ll be leaving behind, Ted sang his own version of Charlie on the MTA.

The band took a break while Herb moved to piano for a unique song he wrote, Yonz Gonz Galookis. It caught DJ Jazzbo Collins’ interest some time ago; so that he wrote Herb a letter about the inimitable tune and signed it “Uncle Bozo”.

vocalist Sarah Gardner

Special guest, vocalist Sarah Gardner, Herb’s daughter, took this opportunity to sing her lively version of Mama Don’t Allow No Music Played Around Here. The Gardners are a musical family. Herb often joins his other daughter Abbie with Red Molly, an Americana/Roots FemaleTrio.

The band returned with a romping South Rampart St. Parade, Jeff’s drumsticks striking the wood block and snare drum.

Ted Casher, Bo Winiker, Herb Gardner

Rebecca returned with an all Gershwin concert. I’ve Got a Crush On You. Beautiful! S’Wonderful, Who’s Got The Last Laugh Now, at times backed by Ted’s clarinet or sultry tenor sax, or Herb’s powerful trombone, Bo’s fiery trumpet.

S’Wonderful

The All-Stars then stepped back into the 1920’s with Herb’s exquisite arrangement of Cornet Chop Suey, a joyous romp based on the original Hot Five, with fiery trumpet, Lil Armstrong’s passionate piano.

The one and only Jimmy Mazzy

Time for Ragtime. Jimmy lead on banjo and vocals for Alexander’s Ragtime Band, fantastic front line, Jimmy scatting, drum rim-tapping with both sticks.

Eli Newberger Jeff Guthery ended evening with fabulous interchange between tuba and drum.

Another Jimmy vocal and banjo intro with The Saints. All went silent for Bob’s powerful piano solo, then back to Jimmy vocal. This wasn’t normal fare, extraordinary ending with tuba and drums.

This old music has so much vitality and energy, you can’t help but enjoy it. They’ll be back July 3rd – come see and hear for yourself.

Congratulations to Ted and Val; now she’s finally free to join Ted as he plays all over New England. Rebecca Sullivan will be heading for New York and then Europe in the near future. She will be missed. We wish her all the best!!

Wolverine Jazz Band at the Sherborn Inn, April 29, 2014

Posted on May 9, 2014 by admin

Wolverine Jazz Band

Jeff Hughes cornet, John Clark clarinet/bari sax, Tom Boates trombone, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Ross Petot piano, Rick MacWilliams tuba, Dave Didriksen drums

The Wolverines are busy – new CD out anytime soon, and preparing for their trips to Festivals and their regular summer venues. They’ve been invited to the Hot Steamed Jazz Festival in Essex, CT, America’s Dixieland Jazz Festival in Olympia, WA, Arizona Classic Jazz Fest.

They will be busy locally this summer: June 1, Melrose (noon-4); July 9 – Willows at Westboro; July 29 – Southgate at Shrewsbury; July 30 – Sherborn Center; August 20 – Norwood; August 21 – Natick Senior Center

All stellar Jazzmen who invoke the spirit of New Orleans Jazz, we are fortunate that they rehearse with us at the Sherborn Inn! They began with a new song that will be on the CD coming out the end of this month – Dear Old Girl – for the sentimental Irish.

Jeff Hughes

Savoy Blues, Jeff raucous on 1954 Long Model, “K-Modified” Selmer cornet, and being Bix Beiderbecke on There’ll Come a Time. He’s an expert on many famous cornetist and trumpeters, and is known for always wearing a hat.

Jimmy Mazzy

We have many Jimmy Mazzy vocals, Al Jolson’s California Hear I Come, T’Ain’t So, Jelly Roll Morton’s Sweet Substitute, with Jeff comping, more below.

Dave Didriksen

This was the 115th anniversary of Duke Ellington’s birthday, so naturally there were some Duke’s: Sweet Mama (they haven’t played before).

1929 Cotton Club, Duke’s, Digga Digga Do let Dave Didriksen go on drums.

Jimmy volcal on Al Jolson’s California Here I Come, backed by bari sax, drum rim-tapping behind him. Pre-Cotton Club Creole Love Call – Jimmy whistling the Adelaide Hall riff. A tune Paramount Jazz Band did, and always messed up the beginning: Who Wouldn’t Love You? The Wolverines don’t mess up.

Ory’s Creole Trombone

Tom was featured on Ory’s Creole Trombone. Magnificent!

Rick MacWilliams hidden behind tuba

King Oliver recorded Olga in 1930 on Victor, Rick recreating the tuba solo, great New Orleans polyphony by front line. This is a song that nobody ever plays.

Panama is one of our favorite Ragtime Marches, Jimmy Scatting, John Clark on that monster baritone saxophone.

Ross was featured with the Trio on a more modern tune, In a MellowTone, stride piano giving it a Ragtime feel, joined by Jeff on cornet at close.

A no-holds-barred rendition of Sunset Café Stomp had all the feet tapping. The first tune John Clark ever heard that captivated him and moved him toward Traditional Jazz was Mugsy Spanier^‘s I’m Sorry I Made You Cry. Mood Indigo, Clark on low register clarinet, Jim vocal, soft muted trombone and cornet. They hit all our favorites! They closed with a Spanish beat on Oriental Man.

Look above for all the places this marvelous Traditional Jazz Band will be playing this year. Also check our calendars, and get on John Clark’s email list: jazzbnd@aol.com He sends out email updates once a month to everyone on his list.

HOT STEAMED JAZZ FESTIVAL IN ESSEX JUNE 20, 21 AND 22

Posted on May 6, 2014 by admin

(Essex, CT) New Orleans style traditional jazz in Connecticut – The Hot Steamed Jazz Festival turned up the heat, during the weekend of June 20, 21 and 22 at the Essex Steam Train.

VIDEOS AND REVIEWS OF
2014 IN THE WORKS!

www.hotsteamedjazz.com

Proceeds from the festival benefit The Hole In The Wall Gang Camp in Ashford, CT, founded by the late Paul Newman.

More than 11 bands performed in the best New England Weather we’ve had yet. Great music, great jazz. Videos are in the works. Stay tuned.

THE BANDS

Bands scheduled to appear at the 2014 Hot Steamed Jazz Festival include:

– Connecticut’s own jazz pianist virtuoso, Jeff Barnhart

– Galvanized Jazz Band from Connecticut

– Dan Levinson’s New Millennium All Stars from New York

– Wolverine Jazz Band from Massachusetts

– Heartbeat Dixieland Jazz Band from Connecticut

– Ben Maugher’s Vintage Jazz Band from Pennsylvania

– Riverboat Ramblers led by local musician and entertainer John Banker

– A renowned ensemble of young musicians, Route 17 Stompers from Connecticut

– Festival All Stars

– Jazz Jesters from Massachusetts

– The Sunnyland Jazz Band with Bob Barta on banjo from Long Island

Hot Steamed Jazz Festival 2013

Novel Jazz at Skidompha Public Library, April 24, 2014

Posted on April 8, 2014 by admin

HOT NOVEL JAZZ TO WARM UP YOUR SPRING

Novel Jazz Septet at Skidompha Public Library photo by Elaine Jones

Jazz up your SPRING at Skidompha Library! Novel Jazz Septet will be performing classic jazz at Skidompha Public Library, Damariscotta, ME, on Thursday 24 April, 2014, 7PM to 9:30PM. The performance will feature Barney Balch (trombone), Mickey Felder (piano), Bryan Jones (alto sax), Dave Clarke (guitar), Michael Mitchell (trumpet), plus special guest Peter DeKlerk (acoustic bass) This evening begins their 2014 Skidompha season, bringing live jazz to mid-coast audiences. Admission is $14 for adults, $12 for seniors, $6 for young adults 12-18, under 12 accompanied by a parent go free.

* * * * *

It has been a cool spring but get ready for some hot jazz! Novel Jazz returns to Skidompha Public Library, Main Street, Damariscotta on Thursday, 24 April 2014, from 7-9:30 PM for a special evening of jazz in the library’s atrium. This will be the band’s first Skidompha performance for 2014. These events began with the observation that lovers of books often are lovers of jazz. Moreover, the superb acoustics of Skidompha’s atrium, plus the seating “in the round”, make it a superior place to see and hear the performance, all in a relaxed, informal atmosphere. The musicians of this group have been playing straight-ahead jazz for audiences throughout Maine (and beyond) for several decades. Collectively, they share over two centuries of experience in the jazz idiom.

As is their habit, they’ll be playing a wide selection of compositions from the Great American Songbook but they’ll also feature works by jazz greats Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn, their musical “cornerstones”. Performing will be Barney Balch (trombone), Mike Mitchell (trumpet), Mickey Felder (piano), Dave Clark (guitar), Bryan Jones (alto saxophone), Mark Macksoud (drums) and special guest Peter DeClerk (acoustic bass). Peter is an accomplished performer on both acoustic and electric bass, specializing in jazz and musical theater. He has performed regularly in clubs and theaters throughout Maine since moving his gig north from Pittsburgh five years ago. He works as a member of the Maine Jazz Cooperative and the Gerry Wright Trio in addition to freelancing. Peter teaches bass and electronic music at Colby College (and he also composes and does sound design for theater at Colby).

Don’t miss Novel Jazz at Skidompha Library in April (Jazz Appreciation Month). They’ll put jazz in your spring and spring in your step!

Wolverine Jazz Band at the Sherborn Inn March 11, 2014

Posted on March 11, 2014 by admin

Wolverine Jazz Band

Jeff Hughes trumpet, John Clark leader/clarinet/bari sax/vocal, Tom Boates trombone/vocal, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Ross Petot piano, Rick MacWilliams tuba, Dave Didriksen drums

The Wolverines are busy preparing for their trips to Festivals and their regular summer venues. They’ve been invited to the Hot Steamed in Essex, CT, America’s Dixieland Jazz Festival in Olympia, WA, Arizona Classic Jazz Fest. They rehearse with us at the Sherborn Inn – how fortunate is that??

However, St. Patrick’s Day was approaching, so instead of their theme song, they kicked it off with an popular tune – Wearing of the Green, a song about the Irish rebellion of 1798.

We had special guests up from Connecticut – their first time here – Jean Hadley, Joan Boutelle , and friend/driver Angie. Thanks for coming folks!!

Inspired by one another, the Wolverines play incredible Dixieland, Satanic Blues, John Clark already on baritone sax, Tom Boates growling trombone. Smokin’!

They tried out new tunes, preparing for their next CD, creating arrangements as they played them. “Some mighty fine guesses going on here.” Chimes Blues will be on their new album, Ross Petot playing chimes on piano.

Jeff Hughes watches Ross Petot play fantastic piano

Jeff Hughes watches Ross Petot play amazing stride piano

We’re always ready for a Jimmy Mazzy vocal, and there were many: T’aint So. (Yes, ‘tis!) Come Rain or Come Shine. Lonny Johnson’s Tomorrow Night, a 1920’s tune that changed over the years from the 40’s to 50’s Rock & Roll; even Elvis recorded it. Jimmy’s special ballad, After You’ve Gone with Jeff soft trumpet behind him; Rick MacWilliams majestic tuba solo. Sound of the Wanderer, a 1920’s tune that featured Helen Hughes, incredible interplay between trumpet and trombone.

Sunset Cafe Stomp was a Charleston. It was named after the Sunset Cafe, also known as The Grand Terrace Cafe, a jazz club in Chicago in the 20’s to 40’s.
Recorded by Louis Armstrong:
“Gentlemen, ladies too
Push ’em round n round
They loose their head
They’ll drop dead …. doing the Sunset Stomp.”

Tom Boates and Jim Mazzy

Eubie Blakes Memories of You sweet Clark clarinet feature, Tom on muted trombone.

Tom Boates set sparks flying on Snake Rag!

Zero by Santo Pecora, New Orleans trombonist was HOT!

John Clark finds his voice

From their latest CD, a fun tune, Egyptian Ella, with John Clark vocal.

Jeff Hughes, trumpet

This band never disappoints! They showed what a good band can do. There were many more great tunes.

They closed with a big hit at all the festivals, Dinah, Jeff Hughes’ sharp trumpet intro with banjo riffs, gave Dave Didriksen a chance to let go on drums; it was so hot it triggered the famous Jimmy Mazzy shout!

Hot Band!

They’re more than ready for the upcoming festivals. We don’t mind sharing them. You can even Hire them. They’ll be back here again on April 29^th and June 14^th (for those of you keeping track.) Folks come from all over; Marilyn will probably be driving from down Maine.

Hope to see you here! Sherborn Inn, 33 N. Main Street, (inters. of Rts. 16 & 27) Sherborn, MA Reservations: (508) 655-9521 or info@sherborninn.com. Please make a reservation – the Wolverines tend to fill up the room.

Marce

New England Traditional Jazz Plus

Swing, Traditional Jazz, Dixieland Jazz, Big Bands

Tag Archives: Dixieland Jazz

Dave Whitney All Stars with Christine Fawson at the Sherborn Inn June 10, 2014

Riverboat Stompers at the Sherborn Inn, July 8, 2014

Eli’s All Stars with vocalist Gabrielle Goodman at the Sherborn Inn, July 3, 2014

Williams Reunion Jazz Band at Opening of the Bay, Snug Harbor, Duxbury MA 2014

Novel Jazz Celebrates 10 years at Skidompha Library

Eli’s All-Stars at the Sherborn Inn May 1, 2014

Wolverine Jazz Band at the Sherborn Inn, April 29, 2014

HOT STEAMED JAZZ FESTIVAL IN ESSEX JUNE 20, 21 AND 22

Novel Jazz at Skidompha Public Library, April 24, 2014

* * * * *

Wolverine Jazz Band at the Sherborn Inn March 11, 2014