Tag Archives: Dixieland

Jeff & Joel’s House Party, April 2013

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Next one: October 12-13, 2013  with special Friday Night Event (on the 11th) featuring:  Daniel Barda, trombone and Alain Marquet, clarinet from France!!
Registration Form
videos by Eric Devine  CineDevine
Athens Abell’s Home Grown Highways
All the musicians aligned on stairs of a tall staircase

April 20-21, 2013   It was an absolute BLAST!!

Fifteen great New England, New York, New Jersey and Florida musicians assembled by the genius of Jeff Barnhart  presented a kaleidoscope of marvelous, toe-tapping Traditional Jazz and Swing (and some of Your Father’s Mustache, some Country and Rock) at the historic Schiavone home in Guilford, Connecticut.

Featured  on trumpet – Lew Green & Gordon Au; reeds – Noel Kaletsky & Joe Midiri;  trombone – Craig Grant & Paul Midiri; piano – Jeff Barnhart & Ian Frenkel; banjo/guitar – Bob Price, John Gill, & Joel Schiavone; bass/tuba – Brian Nalepka & Frank Tate; drums – Tom Palinko, Kevin Dorn, and John Gill; vibes – Paul Midiri.

This House Party started Saturday noon with non-stop music for four hours, continued Saturday evening and again Sunday.  JazzMen were on the move constantly – in through one room, out through the other. (Move it! – one way only!)

This was better than any Festival!!  Joel and Donna opened their historic 1804 home, removed the furniture, and added padded chairs to two ‘parlors’.  The Green Room was in the kitchenette – but the musicians mingled with the crowd.

Jeff Barnhart at top of staircase with arms outstretched

King of the Hill!

Jeff Barnhart hand-picked the musicians, named a leader, and said “Play!”

The leaders gathered their troops for a strategic conference on tunes; some of them had never even met before.

Oh how they played!! It was MAGIC from beginning to end!

They enjoyed challenging each other and new associates with the wit and freedom that only comes from jazz improvisations.

They came in all sizes, every one a star! They were having fun, and it was infectious.

Very tall Frankel, less tall Green, less tall Kalesky, and even less tall Gordon Au

Looking up to the boss!

Buffet was delicious, thanks to Carol and Glen Ott! Saturday lunch and dinner, Sunday brunch all included.   Dinner included tortellini carboniera, chicken marsala, whole wheat pasta & vegetables, eggplant parmesan, baked ziti, chicken & broccoli. Salads: baby spinach & mushrooms, spring mix with cranberry & pita bread. Caesar dressing, raspberry vinaigrette, and balsamic.  Many desserts, pies, cheesecake.

On to the fabulous music!!

Lew Green led his group on Winin’ Boy Blues,  Jeff Barnhart vocal, Noel Kaletsky clarinet, Paul Midiri trombone, Brian Napelka tuba, John Gill drums.

We finally had the opportunity to see and hear the multi-talented John Gill.

John Gill on banjo

Multi-talented John Gill plays all the instruments!

Joel interviewed John Gill for Your Father’s Mustache when he was 17.  In the 70’s, he moved to San Francisco and played drums, banjo and soprano saxophone with Turk Murphy.

Here he played guitar, drums, trombone and a rare 8-string banjo.

A Bing-Crosby type Crooner, he also entertained us with  Wise Guys, Pennies From Heaven, Found a Million Dollar Baby. 

He was on guitar for a Country set honoring Johnny Cash, Folsom Prison (twice, by request.)  The only tune that was repeated in these marvelous twelve hours.

Harking back to the 50’s and 60’s he was accompanied by Jeff on piano, Brian on string bass, Kevin drums on Blueberry Hill. The fans were merrily singing along; Blue Suede Shoes, Jerry Lee Lewis’s Great Balls of Fire. 

Jeff Barnhart led a Bix group, with Lew cornet, Craig trombone, Bob Price banjo, Joe Midiri clarinet, Palinko drums, Nalepka on tuba – Singing The Blues.

He turned the ‘stage’ over to the Bass players –  Brian Nalepka, bass and leader, supported by Joe, Bob, and Tom.  Price’s banjo took the intro to  Keep Your Sunny Side Up, with Brian on vocal.

Brian Nalepka on string bass

Nice slap bass!!

Brian, founding member of the Manhattan Rhythm Kings, is a busy New York free lance musician.  He was recovering from a broken leg.

He played a fantastic slap bass on Margie!

Jeff begins with the verse on Always, with Noel, Gordon, Craig, Bob on banjo, Frank string bass, and Tom drums.

New York’s Gordon Au, with a 1950’s Selmer Trumpet from Paris similar to the one Louis Armstrong used,  led the  “Swing Six” with Riverboat Shuffle. Fabulous!

Gordon leads a nice rendition of I Wish You Love, marvelous solos.

The future of Traditional Jazz and Swing is in good hands with these two gentlemen from New York.  It will be around for a long time. Thank you!  Gordon Au Grand St. Stompers

Gordon Au on trumpet

Powerful trumpet player,

Kevin Dorn, TJC, The Big 72

Kevin Dorn on drums

Torch bearer of Trad Jazz, NY drummer Kevin Dorn

“Wild Man” Gordon shook the rafters …. with the help of Noel & Jeff, John Gill on drums, Bob Price banjo, Brian Nalepka tuba.

Craig Grant takes the lead on trombone for Lover Come Back To Me with Frank Tate on string bass, Palinko on drums.  Kudos to the audience – they listenedd;  there was no talking while the music was playing, we could even hear every note of Frank Tate’s marvelous string bass.

Bob Price on banjo

Congenial hot banjo player from Florida, Bob Price played straight-man for envious teasing.

Bob started playing with Your Father’s Mustache when he was only 15. His dexterous fingers flew across the frets on an Eddy Peabody opener, Sweet Sue.

Interlude with two great pianists, Jeff Barnhart reaches back to 1833 for Chopin’s Clair de Lune, starting out seriously Classical, then jumping into Jazz. Ian Frankel chose an intricate,  swinging You Do Something To Me. 

Ian Frankel on old upright piano, upright keys all visible in front of him

Ian Frankel – Powerful, flashy fingering!

It was  unbridled insanity with the two of them playing wild, four-handed piano on Lady Be Good.    Jeff is tall, but Ian stands  6 foot 8 inches.

Jeff stands on the piano stool to shake Ian's hand

From one hot pianist to another…

It was way past the time for Joel’s Banjo Set.
We are all aware that the primary reason for the House Party is so Joel Schiavone can play his banjo to an appreciative, live audience, and lead his dedicated volunteers in the Sing-Alongs.  Joel loves this; he’s in his Glory reminiscing in Your Father’s Mustache,.

Joel Schiavone singing

Banjo sing-along from Your Father’s Mustache

Jeff Barnhart piano and Tom Palinko drums accompanied Joel, John Gill and Bob Price on banjo, along with Craig Grant.  Craig and Joel go way back to 1961 with a Dixieland Band,  The Seven Sons of Harvard.  Craig also played trombone with Your Father’s Mustache.

Volunteers and fans were singing along, just like ‘the good old days’  Glory, Glory Hallelulia, Dixie, Carolina in the Morning, Mammy, Take Me Out to the Ball Game, Daisy, And the Band Played On, Let Me Call You Sweetheart, and the grand finale – 1918 The World Is Waiting For The Sunrise (great trombone!)

Jeff and Brian Singing

Jeff and Brian joined the vocals on Hello Mary Lou.

“If your having as much fun as we are, you’re drunk!” Jeff

This was the first time vibes were introduced at a Jeff and Joel’s House Party, with the inimitable Midiri Brothers, with Paul on vibes, Joe reeds.   Brother Joe challenged Noel Kaletsky to a duel on clarinet.  Spectacular!  Believe it or not, this lively tune is Sleep.

Moonglow, Midiri Brothers set, with Ian Frankel piano, Frank Tate string bass, and Kevin Dorn drums.

Paul Midiri solo on vibes with Irving Berlin’s wistful  What’ll I Do.

John Gill returned to the mic with guitar for American Roots – Rock & Roll.  My Little Runaway, Folsom Prison.  Jeff Barnhart dedicated You Ain’t Nothing But a Hound Dog to Joel Schiavone.  (We aren’t going to touch that one!)

Gordon and Lew playing trumpets sitting down, under a large portrait of a naked lady

Lew Green and Gordon Au judiciously chose to sit down, but not out – and continued playing trumpets.

Jeff lead the Fats Set  – with Frank Tate, Gordon, Price, Craig, Palinko, Noel.  Jeff dedicated this one to the Stock Market, I’ve Got a Feeling I’m Falling; great string bass with Gordon comping on trumpet.   Jeff expressed what everyone else was feeling –  This Joint is Jumping! 

Jeff and Joel’s House Party promotes and preserves Classic Traditional Jazz with twelve hours of toe-tapping Joyful Jazz, with a continuous flow of outstanding musicians playing with passion and intensity.  This is only a small sample – you must experience this yourself.

It has been said that This is better than an invitation to dinner at a fine restaurant and a show, and a lot more fun!

Many thanks to all the Volunteers who made this possible!

We’re looking forward to the next one on October 11, 12 and 13, 2013. Jeff and Joel will present a special Friday night event: from Paris, France, Daniel Barda, trombone, and Alain Marquet, clarinet, members of the Paris Washboard, supported by many more outstanding musicians.  www.pariswashboard.org, Hope to see you there!

That weekend will sell out quickly – only 80 seats available per session.  Get your tickets now!  Registration Form

Steve Taddeo’s Swing Senders

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at Milford TV
with host Harry Platcow

Steve’s “Dream Team”, with Jeff Hughes trumpet, John Clark clarinet and bari sax, Ross Petot keyboard, Justin Meyer string bass, and himself, Steve Taddeo on drums,  was televised at  Milford’s new Community Center TV station on South Main Street, to be broadcast locally in Milford, Hopedale, Mendon and Upton, Comcast Channel 8, Verizon 40.   Video

Steve showed his admiration for Gene Krupa with Don’t Be That Way.  Ross introduced Crazy Rhythm with a nice groove, with Clark taking over on clarinet, trumpet comping.  Piano intro with the verse to I’ve Got a Right to Sing The Blues, Jeff Hughes featured on that beautifully toned Yamaha tuneable bell trumpet.


You Do Something To Me, written by Cole Porter, was the first number in Porter’s first fully integrated-book musical Fifty Million Frenchmen (1929).  Ross performed in his specialty stride piano.

Next was some early George Gershwin, I’ll Build a Stairway to Paradise. Nice trumpet.  John Clark took out the baritone sax for Billy Strayhorn’s Day Dream.  Beautiful!

They closed with a barn-burning Dinah, with Steve doing his drum-walk-around to the string bass and sneaking in some of Bob Haggart and Ray Bauduc’s Big Noise From Winnetka, Steve drumming on the string bass, somebody sneaking in the whistling!  It was WILD!

Justin Meyer, a superb free lance bassist, plays full rich tone on acoustic string bass.

A consummate side man, he lifts any band he plays with.

Our favorite ex-DJ, Harry Platcow, now Professional Photographer, features local Jazz musicians at Milford TV several times a month.

Thank you, Harry!!

Steve Taddeo and the Swing Senders with Special Guest Stars – The Midiri Brothers of New Jersey, will present a Live Jazz Concert – Free! at Classic Jazz at Lincoln Center,  Bemis Hall, Bedford Rd. Lincoln MA on Wednesday, May 22 – 7:30.   Mark your calendars!

Blue Horizon Jazz Band

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in it’s 18th year at the Sherborn Inn
April 16, 2013

BHJB161

Stan & Ellen McDonald introduced Classic Jazz to the Sherborn Inn over 18 years ago. Thankfully, it continues every Tuesday, showcasing fine Traditional & Dixieland Jazz and Swing. 

The Blue Horizon Jazz Band plays regularly on the 3rd Tuesday of every month.  Members are Stan McDonald leader/soprano sax & clarinet, Jeff Stout trumpet, Gerry Gagnon trombone, Ross Petot piano, Peter Gerler guitar, Al Ehrenfried acoustic string bass, and Dave Bragdon drums.  Peter Gerler was in New Orleans enjoying the French Quarter Jazz Festival, so there was no guitar or banjo this evening.

McDonald  was really in high spirits,  started straightaway on clarinet with a bouncy Meet Me Tonight in Dreamland, and then on soprano sax with What Is This Thing Called Love, supported by the multitalented musicians. Instead of playing successive solos, the front line alternated each solo with tight, intricate ensemble – all spontaneous.  He always has had the best musicians in the Blue Horizon Jazz Band.  

Jelly Roll’s Roaming is an old war horse. Yama Yama Man included an exciting duet with Gerry on trombone and Stan on soprano sax.

Jeff Stout played powerful trumpet on Good Ol’ New York with Stan on vocals.  Save It Pretty Mama. Yes, We Have No Bananas was backed by Gerry’s fine, muted trombone.  

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Old Folks at Home was changed to the name we are all familiar with,  Swanee River, a great New Orleans tune, with Stan stomping off the beat with his foot.

Piano led into a tune they have never played before, There’ll Be Some Changes Made, an upbeat tune with the band playing skillful propulsive rhythms.

Sidney DeParis recorded the next one sometime in 1945-46 with pianist James P. Johnson.

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Our own ‘James P. Johnson”, Ross Petot let loose with a  high-powered rendition of Harlem Hotcha

Stan McDonald was in rare form after recovering from a hip injury from last year.

He was at ease singing many of the songs, and his clarinet solo on Bechet’s Petite Fleur was marvelous!

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He was featured on both soprano sax and clarinet on Sidney Bechet’s Bechet’s Fantasy backed by the combustible rhythm combination of Al Ehrenfried, Dave Bragdon and Ross Petot. 

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Bechet recorded this in New York in 1946 with Art Hodes piano, Al Nicholas clarinet, Pops Foster bass and Danny Alvin drums.  Stan sounds just like Bechet.

Ross took the intro to Lotus Blossom, done by the DeParis Brothers, Sidney and Wilbur  in the 50’s and 60’s. They kept New Orleans Jazz alive;

Fabulous trumpet by Berklee Professor Jeff Stout!

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Spreading Joy is what this band does!  Finale was Wild Man Blues with the band in polyphonic ensemble, Al’s fine string bass solo,  closing with clarinet and trombone in a dynamic finish!

There is great LIVE New Orleans Tradtional/Dixieland Jazz, Swing every Tuesday at the Sherborn Inn.  Stan McDonald’s  Blue Horizon Jazz Band continues to share it’s passion with us, in its 18th year, on May 21st.

See you there!

Jazz Tuber Trio + 3

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At the Sherborn Inn, April 2, 2013

TuberT7

The Trio, with Ted Casher on reeds, Jim Mazzy banjo/vocals, Eli Newberger tuba/piano, have been joined by a fine drummer, Jeff Guthery drums, for some really Hot Jazz.

The biggest surprise this evening was Rebecca Sullivan,  a grad student at the New England Conservatory in jazz voice and contemporary improvisation.  Eli is one of the NEC board members who’s participated in the mentoring program since its inception in the mid-1990’s.  She and Eli were “assigned” there to one another in the Fall as “mentor” and “mentee.”

Although Eli had heard that Rebecca was great, he had no idea how great.  “Did she ever bless us with her swinging and moving interpretations of this familiar material?” Eli. 

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She certainly did.  She’s a natural, charming entertainer, with passion for the music.

She began with Gershwin’s Our Love is Here to Stay, and Sunny Side of the Street.

I Can’t Give You Anything But Love, Somewhere Over The Rainbow with her own unique version of the  verse.

She instantly captivated the audience with her phrasing and tempo, drawn out pearly notes.

My Old Flame

I Can’t Give You Anything But Love, Baby

The Tubers pulled out an old war horse, That’s A Plenty. They deeply listen to each other and to the music itself, making it energetic and exciting.

TuberT8

The inexhaustible Ted Casher began Bei Mir Bis Du Schoen mixing klezmer clarinet and swing, with Eli backing on tuba and Jeff wild on drums.  He introduced Just Squeeze Me (But Don’t Tease Me) on tenor sax, with Rebecca enjoying some  high spirited scatting with Ted.

TuberT11          Eli_8J5

In complete control of the band, Ted is master on clarinet, tenor sax, soprano sax and even  a dynamic vocal of  Charlie on the MTA.

Now you citizens of Boston,
Don’t you think it’s a scandal
That the people have to pay and pay
Vote for Tom Menino
Fight the fare increase!
Get poor Charlie off the MTA.

You will hear him playing all over the six New England States, thanks to his most avid supporter, his wife Vel. (Thank you, Vel!)

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We’ve been listening to Jimmy Mazzy since the early 70’s when he was playing with the New Cabaret Jazz Band at Billy Mitchell’s Postime in Nantasket Beach.  He hasn’t changed a bit, and we’re still just as fascinated with his banjo and vocals: an exuberant Big Bad Bill (Is Sweet William Now), Just a Gigolo sounding like a soft love song, Jeff backing him on drums with  nice soft brushes. Put it Right Here (Or keep it out there) Eli playing barely detectable low notes on tuba.

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Jeff Guthery first played here last January with the Jazz Tuber Trio.  Jeff is enrolled in Berklee College of Music.

With rhythmic pattern and tempo, and whispering brush strokes and accents, he plays HOT Traditional Jazz as if he were born to it!

Eli has an enormous commitment to two professions, preventing child abuse, and music.  He is world famous for his tuba,  but also gets very emotional playing the piano!

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Jimmy Mazzy and Eli have been friends for close to 40 years. Weekend seminars on abuse at Children’s Hospital conducted by Eli and Carolyn Newberger in the early 70’s had intermittent breaks of tuba and banjo demonstrating abuse in the songs of the 20’s and 30’s.

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Carolyn Newberger was playing washboard back in the mid-1960’s when she and Eli were Resident Directors at Yale’s International House for foreign students. They started a Friday Night Café, where musicians could Jam, and she played washboard.

Eli and Carolyn, who is an artist (see drawings below), child psychologist, and musician, have succeeded in sharing both their personal and professional lives, working together on several projects and often sharing the stage.

On their 50th anniversary,  Eli pulled the washboard out of the attic, and Carolyn is back to being an enthusiastic player.  With Carolyn on washboard, Ted on soprano sax, Jimmy banjo and scatting, all backed by tuba, we heard a vibrant  rendition of Coney Island Washboard Roundelay.

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This evening was filled with fast moving, energetic hot jazz. It was also  an intimate, informal musical experience with friendship and camaraderie between the musicians and their followers and supporters.  We’ll all be back.

The Jazz Tuber Trio, with Rebecca Sullivan and Jeff Guthery, will return to the Sherborn Inn on August 6, October 1, November 12, and December 3rd.  Mark your calendars!

And remember the name – Rebecca Sullivan. You’ll be hearing more from her!  http://www.rebeccasullivanjazz.com

The Monte Carlo Jazz Ensemble Modulates March Madness at the Sherborn Inn

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at the Sherborn Inn, March 5, 2013

videos by Eric Devine (Cinedevine)

Trumpet,alto sax, clarinet
Dave Whitney trumpet, John Clark alto sax, Craig Ball clarinet/soprano sax,
Al Bernard tuba, Bill Reynolds drums, Robin Verdier ringleader/piano

It was the ending of a relentless, maddening New England winter, (with March throwing in an extra 2-4 feet of snow, just for the fun of it.)

But we were warm and cozy by the Sherborn Inn’s fireplace, transported back to the the early 20s with the Monte Carlo Jazz Ensemble playing the captivating dances of that fascinating era.

They opened with a 1925 tune by Gus Kahn & Ted Fiorito, Alone At Last, and Down Where The Sun Goes Down,1928, by  great American composers, Isham Jones and Verne Buck.  Dave Whitney substituted for Bob MaInnis, Monte Carlo’s regular cornetist.

Dave Whitney, trumpet
Dave Whitney –

Well known in New England for his work with the Yankee Rhythm Kings, White Heat Swing Orchestra, and Chris Powers Orchestra, Dave was influenced by Louis Armstrong, Bix Beiderbecke, Bobby Hackett and many other great trumpeters of the pre-bop era.

Dave has been called “Premiere early style trumpeter” of this area and “Dean of swing trumpet”.

They played several  high spirited Lu Watters tunes, including Shake It and Break It that he recorded just before Petrillo called a strike and shut all the bands down in the 40’s.

A new version of an old tune, How Am I to Know, was a nice fox trot by Jack King and NY Socialite Dorothy Parker.  Stan Kenton used the chords for his Eager Beaver.

Trumpet, alto sax, clarinet

An All-Star front line, each is a leader in his own right, skilled at navigating the intricacies of these arrangements. Dave Whitney heads the Dave Whitney Big Band as well as several small groups; John Clark leads The Wolverine Jazz Band, a popular traditional jazz band; Craig Ball leads the famous White Heat Swing Orchestra.  Together they play glorious ensemble that rarely leaves the 1920’s.

Al Bernard on gigantic tuba
Albie Bernard controls this monstrous tuba — a 1960 Conn 24J Tuba that was a favorite of dance bands of 20’s and 30’s – with an American sound, and heavy brass.

The tuba was the sound of the train engine intro to My Cutie’s Due at Two to Two

Johnny Dodds, a premiere New Orleans clarinetist recorded this fun tune.
When Erastus Plays His Old Kazoo

Leader, arranger, pianist, Robin Verdier reigns. We can always count on Robin to present superior, intricately arranged, memorable jazz.  He spends hours preparing, and there is usually a rehearsal so the musicians will be familiar with the arrangement.

Robin:

” I add a few arrangements to our book every year, and in making a setlist, I first pick some of the newest.  Then I add requests from fans and musicians, and then tunes that we haven’t done for more than a year, and I mix them together so that the tempo and key change for each tune.  The most important thing about our book is that I really like every tune– so picking some is always disappointing because we have to leave out the rest!”

He has  a complete setlist of tunes, but there wasn’t time to get to all of them!

Robin playing piano

He explained how Lu Watters named his band Yerba Buena and started what we call ‘West Coast Jazz”.   Lu Watters tired of the music he was playing and looked back at the 1920’s, when the music had bite and structure.  He started a band with two cornets, like King Oliver.  He named his band after Yerba Buena –  an island in San Francisco Bay between Oakland and San Francisco. It means “nice peppermint”  (mint plants were grown there at one time).

Watters wrote tunes associated with San Francisco, such as Big Bear Lake, where the Yerba Buena Band sometimes played.  Big Bear Stomp –  West coast folks of a certain age will get up and stomp!

Ed Reynolds drumming on snare drum

Master time-keeper, Bill Reynolds uses rim-taps, choke cymbal.

His technique uses less-is-more, judicious dependable drumming.

My Honey’s Loving Arms

Lost

Yerba Buena Stomp

Sidney Bechet, a Creole from New Orleans, was the undisputed king of the soprano saxophone.  He moved to France where he was accepted.  He wrote many tunes, including Southern Sunset.

Craig Ball handled the Bechet tune effortlessly, playing elegant soprano sax.

Craig Ball on silver soprano sax
That’s a tweed flat cap popular in the 20’s

In 1938 Joe Davis was Fats Waller’s manager.  He has the credit for writing  I’ll Dance at Your Wedding. but it is questionable. It has a very cynical beginning.  Next was Happy Feet, a 1929 pop tune that was done by Bing Crosby with the King of Jazz, Paul Whitman.

They closed with a 1940 tune by Lu Watters, Emperor Norton’s Hunch.  Norton was ridiculed because he had a hunch that someday there would be a bridge between San Francisco and Oakland.  He died in San Francisco of apoplexy January 8, 1886.

His wish was fulfilled when the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge opened on November 12, 1936.

Our only wish is for an end to this New England March Madness!

web site: https://sites.google.com/site/verdiersite/mcje