By Marce, April 26, 2014
Videos by Harold McAleer
Frank Stadler – piano and leader, Scott Philbrick – trumpet, Craig Ball – clarinet, Steve Piermarini – trombone, Jimmy Mazzy – banjo, Al Bernard – tuba, Bobby Reardon – drums
This Saturday was unique in more ways than one. This being the last Saturday of the month, Steve Piermarini filled in for Lee Prager on trombone. He’s been with us before – fine player. The Seacoast Stompers picked songs at random from their vast repertoire, and featured two new vocalists. This would be their last gig here at Nagog Park. The Acton Jazz Café was forced to close May 1st.
At The Jazz Band Ball, Everybody Loves My Baby, appropriate for this day – There’ll Be Some Changes Made, with Jimmy vocal, Craig on low register clarinet and Steve on growling trombone.
Frank introduced the first vocalist, Maureen Benson. Maureen sings with Jazzport, Frank is pianist, at the Cape Ann Brew Pub in Gloucester, MA. She started with I Don’t Know Enough About You.
Maureen Benson A Train – video speaks for itself!
Scott Philbrick had the vocal on From Monday On, the whole band playing fantastic New Orleans polyphony. Jimmy introduced Take Your Tomorrow and Give Me Today with banjo and a vocal, Scott backing him on silky cornet. Craig resurrected Artie Shaw with his clarinet on Blue Lou.
I Would Do Most Anything For You was a barn burner! Fast and Hot clarinet, Scott followed with quick multiple notes on cornet, wild trombone, finally ended with bang-up drumming by Bobby Reardon. WOW! They continued up-tempo with Undecided, smearing gliss on clarinet, piano flying high, bass drum pushing the band.
Carrie Mazzy crooned to husband Jimmy on Write Myself a Letter.
Sandy Cash, charming vocalist from New Orleans, sang a lively Basin St. Blues, and won over every heart in the Café.
Makin’ Whoopee was sung by another fine vocalist, Emily Shamieh, of Jamaica Plain, Boston
Struttin’ With Some Barbecue, Jazz Me Blues. Maureen returned with As Long As I Live, making the song her own, and a lively I Cried For You. They closed with Bobby’s favorite, Limehouse Blues.
We were all feeling the Blues. The Seacost Stompers were three months short of six years at the Acton Jazz Café, presenting the highest level of entertainment. They gave us an extra tune with Swing That Music, before ending it for who knows how long.
Frank thanked Gwenn for her devotion to live jazz. She spent unbelievable hours featuring Live Jazz close to seven days a week at the Acton Jazz Cafe, sometimes two and three bands in one day. That’s pure devotion!! Thank you Gwenn. Be well, we hope to hear from you soon!
Seacoast Stompers at the AJC, 26 April 2014
Set 1
1 At The Jazz Band Ball
2 Everybody Loves My Baby
3 There’ll Be Some Changes Made
4 I Don’t Know Enough About You (maureen-vocal)
5 Take the A-train (maureen-vocal)
6 From Monday On
7 Take Your Tomorrow
8 Blue Lou
9 I Would Do Anything For You
Set 2
1 What Can I Say After I Say I’m Sorry
2 Undecided
3 I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And Write (Carrie-vocal)
4 Stealin Apples
5 Makin Whoopee (Emily-vocal)
6 Struttin With Some Barbecue
Set 3
1 Basin Street Blues (Sandy Cash-vocal)
2 Jazz Me Blues
3 As Long As I Live (Maureen-vocal)
4 I Cried For You (Maureen-vocal)
5 Limehouse Blues
6 Swing That Music