Eli and The Hot Six with Elaine Woo and Sarah Nova at Primavera Ristorante, April 14, 2016

Posted on April 20, 2016 by admin

Eli and The Hot Six

Bo Winiker trumpet/flugelhorn, Ted Casher clarinet, tenor and soprano sax, Herb Gardner back on trombone, Bob Winter keys, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Eli Newberger tuba, Bob Tamagni drums.

by Marce

Eli and The Hot Six presented a delightful evening of great Jazz, introducing new tunes with inspired playfulness and skill, making it up as they went along. They enjoyed it as much as the appreciative audience. Eli included two fine vocalists, Elaine Woo and Sarah Nova, and Carolyn Newberger on washboard.

Honoring Benny Goodman and Gene Krupa, Bob Tamagni introduced Swing, Swing, Swing, His unique methods of maintaining the Trad beat on drums are priceless! After the intro, the Hot Six went WILD!

Don’t Get Around Much Anymore, Bo moved from trumpet to flugelhorn, Jimmy scatting, trombone and tuba trading 4’s.

Poor Papa, written by Hoagie Carmichael, was new with Jim singing the sad vocal, backed by tuba.

Mama’s got shoes, Mama’s got clothes
Mama’s got these and Mama’s got those
But poor Papa, poor Papa, he’s got nothin’ at all

The mood changed with a roaring take off of Alexander’s Ragtime Band

Bob Winter

Bob took a solo on Ida, with stunning harmonies and sudden key changes that took our breath away. He would suddenly pause, leaving all of us anticipating the next note.
He loves playing with this band!

Eli introduced Elaine Woo, another Doctor, who is a Primary Physician in Geriatrics. She captivated the audience with It’s All Right To Me, and reading the lyrics to Body and Soul off a telephone without missing a beat!

Carolyn was a vital spark on washboard, She joined Elaine on an upbeat Darktown Strutters’ Ball. What an amazing duo! They returned with the band for an exilarating Route 66.

Carolyn on washboard, the band, and Elaine Woo singing

Carolyn Newberger and Elaine Woo – two captivating ladies!

Artist Carolyn Newberger keeps busy sketching the musicians, when she’s not performing. Her drawings, paintings and collage have achieved recognition and awards in juried and solo exhibition. Here’s Jimmy:

Everyone was having fun! But we had more surprises.

Eli joined Elaine on vocal!!

Eli and Elaine got together for
I Can Give You Everything But Love. (No mistake in the title.)

Who knew Eli could sing, too?

Vocalist Sarah (Gardner) Nova teaches Jazz for kids at libraries and Kindergardens all over New England. She has several CD’s, Jazz for Lil Jumpers and Jazz For Babies; Its Raining Cats & Dogs!

Having been raised with this music, she has an intuitive grasp of musical dynamics, The band backed her in stop time with the warning, Keep Your Hands Off It! Sarah was invited to stay on for another tune, Me Myself & I, with Dad backing her on trombone.

Sarah singing with Herb on front line playing trombone

Father and daughter make a great Jazz combination!

Herb was featured on the Platters’ Only You, singing, and playing rich, burnished tone on trombone..

Eli and The Hot Six continued with a rip-roaring Instrumental, Dinah, with Ted on tenor sax, and Bob Winter playing astounding keyboard. This was pure joy!

Bo with trumpet in the air holding a large handkerchief

Bo Winiker conjures up Louis Armstrong

Bo Winiker was featured on What a Wonderful World, playing trumpet and evoking Louis Armstrong with his vocal.

looks like a piece of cork near the clarinet's mouth piece

Ted and his new moose clarinet

Ted took the breaks on clarinet with a new addition – an actual piece of moose horn that gives it a distinctive sound – as if he needed it!

Bob hides the tambourine.

Our favorite was a lullaby that Eubie Blake wrote for his wife, Good Night Angeline. Jimmy puts heart and soul into this melody, like no other. We could hear a soft dinging in the background. It took some time to realize that Bob Tamagni was softly tapping an unseen tambourine on his bass drum.
His drum set is comprised of two drums and a hi hat (that he hardly used, except to tap the cymbal).

Jimmy Mazzy and Eli Newberger have played together for years.

Basin Street was an instrumental with marvelous tuba by Eli and Jimmy scatting throughout the whole song. The two are always in sync!

The repertoire and caliber of these musicians has made this a classic band. Fortunately for us, Eli and The Hot Six will be here regularly at Primavera on the 3^rd Thursday of the month. Spread the word and mark your calendars!

Check out their CD:
Eli & The Hot Six LIVE, Contemporary Classic Jazz $17 Purchase

Eli and The Hot Six at Primavera Ristorante, March 10, 2016

Posted on April 14, 2016 by admin

by Marce

Bo Winiker trumpet/flugelhorn, Ted Casher clarinet/tenor and soprano sax, Kenny Wenzel trombone, Bob Winter keyboard, Jim Mazzy banjo/vocals, Eli Newberger tuba, Elaine Woo vocals

The Hot Six were full of surprises last month! Substitutes tend to make changes in the sound of a band; even one sub makes a difference. But we had two subs and a delightful addition this evening! Bob Tamagni was on drums for Jeff Guthery. Herb Gardner was out with a broken hip so trombonist Kenny Wenzel filled in.

The delightful addition was vocalist, Elaine Woo (another Doctor) who immediately captured us, picking just the right tempo and interacting with the audience.

The band started with a Bossa Nova on Muskrat Ramble, setting the mood for an evening of delectable, hot music.Their livewire ensembles were spontaneous and creative!

vocalist in bright red sleeveless blouse

Elaine Woo

Eli introduced Elaine Woo, who is a Primary Care Physician in Geriatrics.She was a joy! She seemed delighted to be here and her pleasure came through, captivating us with fine vocal on Who Could Ask For Anything More, Embraceable You; with Ted on tenor sax and Bo on flugel horn. This was a killer! Elaine couldn’t stand still, and was dancing and quietly humming along behind the soloists.

Do Nothing ‘Till You Hear From Me featured Bo playing warm melodic lines on muted trumpet, Bob Winter playing rich tones on keyboard, with soft drumming by Tamagni. Winter suddenly jumped the beat, setting the band into breakneck tempo!

Jimmy sings C’est çi Bon

They slowed the pace Jimmy singing a beautiful ballad made famous by Eartha Kitt, C’est çi Bon.

Elaine returned with Just in Time, picking up just the right tempo. She was softly humming behind soloists, and ended it with expert scat singing. She continued with Cole Porter’s It’s All Right With Me, with Tamagni softly slapping a tambourine in the background.

Bob’s drum set is very sparse; bass, snare, small tom and one cymbal. But his drumming and expressions are priceless! He says drums are just as musical as any other instrument, and demonstrated by playing melody on drums on San.

Tamagni hitting one drum stick with another held on drum

Kenny on trombone and Bo on trumpet played an amazing duet on Limehouse Blues.

Jeannine James birthday surprise.

The tune was cut short so they could play Happy Birthday for Jeannine James, who was celebrating here with her daughter. and some friends.

Jeannine is one of the ‘regulars’, here every Thursday at Primavera.

Ted Casher has to be the busiest musician in New England – he’s playing almost every night! He was at his best tonight playing a breathtaking solo on Stardust, with Kenny Wenzel on trombone.
Stardust

Kenny Wenzel is at Martini’s in Plymouth every Tuesday.

Bob Winter loves to play piano.

For the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day, Bob Winter played Little Town in the Old County Down.

Bob loves to play piano (or in this instance, keyboard) and takes absolute rapture in making music. He followed with When Irish Eyes Are Smiling with everyone joining in singing.

Medium-fast, Get Happy, his keyboard was backed by tambourine; smooth flugelhorn, with Tamagni taking a romping drum solo. Eli closed it with a curt tuba phrase: “Shave and a haircut, two bits.”

Bo was on smokey flugelhorn again on Errol Garner’s Misty, with trombone and tenor sax playing harmony, followed by Jimmy’s inimitable vocal. We never get tired of listening to Jimmy sing ballads.

With time running out, Eli surprised us on Royal Garden Blues, with a rousing tuba solo backed only by the front line playing in stop time.

Hot Six front line, Ted Casher, Bo Winiker and Kenny Wenzel

All of these seasoned veterans have the expertise gained from years of experience. They have a special passion for the music, respectfully listening and supporting each other – playing as much for each other as for the fans.

They returned April 14th, and it was even more fun! We’re working on that one now.

They will be at Primavera regularly for your listening pleasure on the 3rd Thursday of every month – next one is May 19^th. Come join us for some matchless, timeless music!

Eli and The Hot Six at Primavera, January 14, 2016

Posted on January 14, 2016 by admin

Eli and The Hot Six

Phil Person trumpet, Ted Casher clarinet, soprano, and tenor sax, Herb Gardner trombone, Bob Winter keyboard, Jim Mazzy banjo, Eli Newberger tuba, Bob Tamagni drums

Eli Newberger integrated a lively group of Berklee Professors into his Hot Six and put them through their paces playing Dixieland Jazz. (Bob Winter, piano, Phil Person, ear training, and Bob Tamagni, percussion.) Their fiery enthusiasm captivated the audience!

They opened with a stunning Sheik of Araby, Jimmy singing with uncontrolled Mazzy passion. Phil Person followed with on trumpet, then Ted on clarinet, then Herb trombone, the soloists playing for each other as much as the people out front. Bobby Tamagni had only one drum, playing Traditional Jazz by tapping the snare drum or hitting drum sticks together. Eli directed them, then just sat back smiling, listening, enjoying every second. Jimmy ended it shouting scat choruses. This was going to be one exciting evening!

Phil Person

None of the musicians knew what they were going to do – they’ve never played together as a band. Eli asked Phil if he knew Do Nothing ‘Till You Hear From Me. Phil answered, “I wrote it!”, took the lead and ran with it!

Phil Person performed all through the session with beautifully simple phrasing, deep understanding of the emotions of the music, and respect for the other players. He’s a true gentleman, who always listens and plays with a light touch.

Bob Winter does amazing things with Traditional Jazz!

Eli looked for a Trad Jazz War Horse and settled on Royal Garden Blues. Jimmy and Tamagni trading fours, then Bobby playing a vast range of dynamics on his one snare drum.

Winter playfully demonstrated his energetic musicality with Tamagni tapping a tambourine on his hip. Eli took a masterful tuba solo. It was never ending with each one taking a solo, sharing their joy in making music.

Henry Red Allen was a New Orleans visionary with a sound all his own. He recorded a tune that Eli gave to Herb Gardner, playing trombone and singing Who Cares. Ira Gershwin went over the top with the lyrics: Who cares if the sun cares to fall in the sea? Who cares what banks failed in Yonkers? As long as you’ve got a kiss that conquers!

Herb Gardner featured on Who Cares? with vocal and trombone

Next was Ted Casher featured on gut-wrenching, smoldering tenor sax with Blue and Sentimental. Pure rapture and euphoria! We can’t hear it often enough! We needed a breather after that one.

Eli said “This is a great country – we’ve got to hold it together” and called for a Patriotic tune, Gershwin’s masterpiece Of Thee I Sing, played solo, by Bob Winter, with great feeling and delight.

Eli upstanding befpre the audience playing fabulous tuba

Eli ……

Back to The Big Easy, a fine New Orleans anthem with Jimmy taking the intro on Basin St. Blues with banjo and song as only he can. Bob Winter played it light and airy. Eli came up with the tuba hitting high and low, low, low. Jimmy finished it off singing heartfelt blues.

Bob Tamagni rim tapping on drum

The World is Waiting For The Sunrise, an anthem of hope – the banjo player’s national anthem, was introduced by Jimmy rapidly picking banjo, of course, Tamagni taking rim shots on snare drum!

Ted singing, Jimmy playing banjo, Phil and ? listening.

Ted Casher makes up his own vocals on the MTA. Velma Coffey photo.

Ted was featured again with a special vocal all his own, with all of us joining in the chorus, Charlie on The MTA. Ted had some choice words making up new verses about all the problems we’ve been having with the MBTA. Bob Winter was laughing and enjoying the whole scene.

Eli asked Sarah (Gardner) Nova to come up for a vocal. (That’s one very musical family!) She sang a commanding Keep Your Hands Off It. Sarah has an intuitive grasp of musical dynamics. She has created several CDs that teach children the joy of music – especially Jazz.

Sarah singing, with full band behind her

Sarah Nova sings Keep Your Hands Off It!

Carrie Sings with Jimmy and Eli backing

Carrie Mazzy was called up next, looking lovingly at Jimmy, singing When I Fall In Love. They have been married for close to 30 years. Seems like yesterday!

Carolyn Newberger plays washboard to Miami Rumba (file photo)

Carolyn Newberger put down her scratch pad and picked up an old washboard for one of my favorites, Miami Rumba. Her fervor fascinates the audience!
The whole band joined in, with snare drum in rumba beat.

(Check her sketches below.)

Tough act to follow; Jimmy played and sang a gripping, emotional, Georgia On My Mind.

Eli completely changed the mood with another barn-burning Dixieland tune, At The Jazz Band Ball, with the band going WILD with ultra-tight all star intensity! Ted pushed it on hot soprano sax, drum interacting with tuba. Fantastic!

Everyone needed a break!

Jimmy came up with a breathtaking St. James Infirmary Blues, with lyrics by Josh White. “I want 6 crapshooters to be my pallbearers, three pretty women to sing a song, Stick a jazz band on my hearse wagon, Raise hell as I stroll along.” Bobby Tamagni was enjoying himself beating the snare drum with his hands.

It was already closing time. The band finished with livewire ensemble; outgoing and infectious on a New Orleans tune – wait for it – When The Saints Go Marching In!

Eli and The Hot Six’s videos are now available, from their recent performance celebrating his 75th birthday at Sculler’s Jazz Club: https://www.youtube.com/user/EliNewberger . That rare traditional jazz concert was covered by the Boston Globe:
http://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/2015/12/28/tuba-hand-acclaimed-physician-eli-newberger-delights-his-first-passion/Bw3NRBiZpquTRTH3wtGXlK/story.html

But here is even more….
Carolyn Newberger never stops. She kept busy as usual with pencil and sketchbook, getting lost in the fabulous Trad and Swing and drawing across both pages! She shared some of her marvelous artwork with us:

Eli on tuba sketch goes across both pages of the sketch book

Eli Newberger

Jimmy and banjo sketch goes across both pages too

Jimmy Mazzy

Bob playing on snare drum. single page. Nice nustache!

Bob Tamagni

This was indeed a fascinating evening. Berklee professors can actually play Traditional Jazz, and play this happy, foot-stomping music with cheerful enthusiasm!

My apologies for the quality of the photos –
I borrowed my son’s camera and didn’t
know how to use it. Many thanks to Sarah
for her help in making it useable!! Marce

Eli’s Hot Six celebrate his 75th Birthday at Scullers

Posted on December 17, 2015 by admin

Eli Newberger

Eli & The Hot 6 celebrated Eli’s upcoming 75^th Birthday with style at Sculler’s Jazz Club on December 17, 2015. The 8pm show sold out in no time and they had to add another at 10pm. The music at Scullers was up to their best,

The Boston Globe published an article December 29th by Bella English: “Tuba in hand, acclaimed physician Dr. Eli Newberger delights in his first passion.”

© Photos by Eric Antoniou www.ericantoniou.com/

The Hot Six feature some of Boston’s finest, legendary musicians: Eli Newberger on tuba, Bob Winter on piano, Herb Gardner on trombone, Bo Winiker on trumpet and flugelhorn, Ted Casher on clarinet, soprano and tenor saxes, Jimmy Mazzy on banjo and vocals, Carolyn Newberger on washboard, Jeff Guthery on drums, Rebecca Sullivan vocals.

Eli and The Hot Six with Rebecca Sullivan

Eli & The Hot Six’s approach honors the New Orleans tradition of ensemble improvising while featuring the solo brilliance of its distinctive, contemporary musical personalities.

Videos of Eli and The Hot Six with Rebecca Sullivan at Sculler’s Jazz Club are on Eli Newberger’s You Tube Channel – https://www.youtube.com/user/EliNewberger.

Eli wrote:
“The music is stunningly beautiful and swings like mad. Everyone is both at ease and acutely tuned in, projecting emotional pinpoints and delivering delightful surprises.

Rebecca’s treatment of Ira Gershwin’s verses is unbelievably touching. Bob is like an Impressionist painter, deploying the whole piano as his palette, mixing stunning new colors and inventing heavenly harmonic washes in his solos. Herb’s punchy singing of “You Cares” sounds like he’s channeling Henry “Red” Allen, especially in his ironic take on Ira’s immortal line, “Who cares if banks are failing in Yonkers, when it’s your kiss that conquers?”

Ted, Jimmy, and Bo are so focused the ensemble — and vice versa– that even their brilliant solos (and there are too many to count) weave new threads into the gorgeous fabric of improvising:

Ted, for example, quotes Count Basie’s “Lil’ Darling” and Bob tosses it all over 3 choruses later in his pianistic evocation of the whole Basie band, even as Jeff does his best Jo Jones. Bo performs 2 “stop choruses” that ignite lightening storms — with flashes of instrumental accents through the remaining portions of those songs.

Jimmy shouts 3 fantastic final choruses on “St. Louis Blues,” (ending with an exalting Mazzy scream of “I love that gal like a schoolboy loves his pie, like a Kentucky colonel loves his rock and rye!” that Frank Cunningham was obliged to compress — because Jimmy almost lifted the track off the mixing board). This makes Ted into a Texas tenor and transforms Herb into a tailgate tiger. (Programming note: I included this W.C. Handy song both because he so influenced Gershwin, but because the “Summertime” melody uncannily resembles Handy’s second, minor, strain. And in real time at Scullers, I asked Rebecca to sing “Summertime” next (and did she ever!), but I refrained from pointing this out, so as not to shatter the mood.”

Ted Casher, Bo Winiker, Herb Gardner

Rebecca Sullivan

Jazz singer Rebecca Sullivan added an additional instrumental voice to the ensemble, in addition to her own deeply-felt interpretations of iconic vocal masterpieces.

Eli tuba, Jimmy singing, Jeff in back on drums

Jimmy Mazzy and Eli Newberger have been together for years

Bob Winter, master improviser

Caroline playing old washboard around her neck with spoons

Carolyn Newberger

Washboard Artist Carolyn Newberger Strikes Up The Band on washboard.

Carolyn and Rebecca chortling after Bob Winter’s and Carolyn’s humorous piano-washboard “conversation” on “Strike Up the Band!” It was one of the high points of the first set at Scullers!

Bo Winiker

Ted Casher

Herb Gardner

Jeff Guthery

Eli joined Bob for 4-hand piano on “St. Louis Blues.”

Bob shares piano with Eli

Eli and The Hot Six forthcoming public performances are all at Ristorante Primavera, 20 Pleasant St. Millis, MA 7 to 9:30 as always.

January 14

March 19

April 14

Professional Photographer Eric Antoniou caught beautiful photos despite the low light. Frank Cunningham’s preliminary CD cuts are nearly all top notch, so a Hot Six Gershwin CD is going to happen, soon! Stay tuned.

Eli and The Hot Six at Primavera, November 19, 2015

Posted on November 24, 2015 by admin

Eli and The Hot Six – Bob Winter, Eli Newberger, Jimmy Mazzy, Jeff Guthery, Ted Casher, Bo Winiker, Herb Gardner © Ray Drueke

Photos © Ray Drueke, Austin Lane Studios
Videos by Marce

This was the last Jazz Concert of 2015 at Primavera, and a very worthwhile one. The Hot Six reached deep down playing their hearts out creating beautiful music. They just love playing Jazz!

Herb Gardner ©

This was Herb Gardner’s evening, bringing old school musicality to vocals and on trombone with Ain’t She Sweet, and The Sheik of Araby – with the band members responding: ‘Without No Pants On’.

He started another vocal on Basin St. Blues, then turned it over to Jimmy with a trombone intro, the band playing in stop time behind him. Herb ended with a rambunctious trombone flourish.

Eli Newberger ©

Eli Newberger, celebrated tuba virtuoso and keyboardist, leads the band, pointing at whoever gets to play next. This is Jazz, no charts.

He plays tuba with a deep, sonorous tone, maintaining that contemporary classic beat and managing difficult straight four/four notes by circular breathing.

They paid tribute to the French with Ted’s sweet arrangement of Petite Fleur on clarinet. Lovely! This was also the hundredth anniversary of Sidney Bechet.

Jimmy Mazzy ©

Jimmy sings with sensitivity, Someone To Watch Over Me, changing the words from: “Although he may not be the man some girls think of as handsome, to my heart he carries the key.” to “Although she may not be the Squaw some boys think of as awesome, to my heart she carries the key.”

We’re thrilled to have Jimmy back with the Hot Six; he’s been travelling. He changed moods with Our Love is Here to Stay. He is also in The Tuber Trio with Eli and Ted Casher. We hope he’s here to stay.

Bob Winter ©

Bob Winter finesses amazing sounds out of that keyboard, starting with soft melodic single-note piano lines on Some Of These Days, gradually rising to an astounding variety of piano styles.

He is the pianist for the Boston Pops, but also loves this music and plays skillful, soft commentary behind the soloists and vocals.

In Memoriam: We lost Jimmy Enright 28 years ago today. The Hot Six played Everybody Loves My Baby, with Jimmy Mazzy’s passionate voice rising to the infamous Jimmy “Holler’.

Bo Winiker on flugelhorn

Jimmy continued with C’Est Si Bon, backed by Ted’s clarinet, with Bo on flugelhorn. Bo’s rhythmic annotations on trumpet and flugelhorn lift the whole band.

Sizzling 12th Street Rag

Carolyn Newberger ©

Carolyn Newberger arrived and dug out the washboard. The band played a tune that her Mother used to play for her growing up, fairly soft and subtle, Tico Tico.

Bob and Carolyn always connect and inspire each other; their duets are sparkling and exciting!

Ted Casher ©

Ted plays gut-wrenching saxophone on Blue and Sentimental. There were no lights on the band so my videos were really dark. Ray Drueke came to the rescue and lightened them somewhat. Just close your eyes and listen to Ted play a dreamy Coleman Hawkins tenor sax.

Jeff with a big smile looking to his right

Jeff Guthery, drums ©

Eli had everyone clapping in time to a fiery Limehouse Blues. Jeff Guthery let loose on drums. He is the youngest member of the band, and recently had his recital at Berklee College of Music.

This was one of those never ending tunes, with Eli giving each musician a turn on the final verse.

Sarah Nova ©

Herb Gardner’s daughter, Sarah Nova was in the audience – a fine songstress in her own right. Sarah teaches jazz to young children with her CD, Jazz For Lil’ Jumpers. She gave us a lively version of Them There Eyes.

Eli and The Hot Six closed this evening of great jazz with Bo on flugel horn and Jimmy singing Louis’s Sleepy Time Down South. This was the Primavera Finale for the year 2015. Jazz will return to Primavera Ristorante on January 7th, 2016.

Eli and The Hot Six with Rebecca Sullivan will be at Sculler’s Jazz Club on December 17th – celebrating Eli’s 75th birthday!

Professional photographer taking pictures

Ray Drueke, Austin Lane Studios

Photos Copyrighted by Ray Drueke, Austin Lane Studios (401) 635-0163.

30 High-resolution photos available for sale.

Eli and The Hot Six at Primavera, August 20, 2015

Posted on August 26, 2015 by admin

Eli and The Hot Six, with Dave Burdette

Bob Winter keyboard, Eli Newberger tuba, Jeff Guthery drums, Ted Casher reeds, Dave Burdette trumpet, Herb Gardner trombone/vocals, last set: Caroline Newberger washboard.

The band was still wrapped in the glow of their full house and reception at the Barrington Stage Company in Pittsfield, MA at the Berkshire Theatre Festival. They were relaxed and jovial; there wasn’t even a set list. Everyone was featured! They played a game – “Let’s stump the trumpet player” – with Bo Winiker’s substitute, Dave Burdette.

But Dave Burdette is one of the most in-demand trumpet players in the country and can play jazz, classical and everything in between. The Dave Burdette orchestra played for 10 years at Boston’s Ritz Carlton Hotel Roof Top.

They began with Do Nothing ‘till You Hear From Me, Nice Work If You Can Get It, Limehouse Blues tore the house down!

Everyone had a chance to solo. There was no amplification whatsoever, but that didn’t stop Herb from singing; Wonderful World, special request for Bill Bailey. They began with the verse, front line magnificent, with Dave on muted trumpet, Jeff reverberating the tuba on the hi hat. It was a never-ending tune, with Eli pointing to each musician to give it a final blast.

Bob Winter, pianist for the Boston Pops, enjoys being part of this band

Bob Winter picked a solo that we haven’t heard for a long time, Rhode Island is Famous For You.
Astounding piano!!

Caroline Newberger arrived, with washboard, for what they called “Tap dancing routine #1” for Tea for Two and Perdido. Caroline added to the rhythm section for the whole last set. She was featured on her special, and one of our favorites, Miami Rumba, accompanied by piano. (Dave’s trumpet sounded like Herb Alpert in the Tijuana Brass.) Jeff maintained the rumba rhythm on temple blocks.

Caroline Newberger on washboard

The combined talents of this front line are remarkable!

Ted Casher, Dave Burdette, Herb Gardner

Eli plays Polka Dots and Moonbeams

With Eli’s prowess on the tuba, he was able to reach low, low and ended up high on Polka Dots and Moonbeams. This brought back fond memories!

Dave Burdette

Dave’s version of Stardust was absolutely haunting, subtly backed by rhythm. Beautiful!

Ted couldn’t resist this tune, came in with clarinet ending with a note that hit the stratosphere!

At The Jazz Band Ball started at a pretty good clip, with fine polyphony. Dave played trumpet softly then with passion, slipping in a bit of ‘Stumbling’.

Herb Gardner sang many tunes as well as playing trombone

Herb sang many tunes, and his marvelous trombone was featured on Rose Room.

Jeff was let loose on Alexander’s Ragtime Band; he enjoys tapping on those variegated temple blocks!

Jeff is expert on temple blocks

Ben Pilch wrote:

“It was my second time seeing the group, Eli & the hot 6 concert on Thursday at Primavera. I enjoyed the concert very much. The group members are obviously excellent jazz musicians who are technically sound and very good improvisers. In addition, they have an obvious camaraderie, joie de vivre, and love of what they’re doing that is charming and infectious.”

“Another facet of their performance that I enjoyed was their spontaneity. Rather than clinging to a set playlist, they seemed often to decide on the spur of the moment what would be a good tune to perform at that moment. This allowed them to easily accept requests, and at this concert there were two, Bill Bailey and Alexander’s Ragtime Band. I enjoyed these performances a great deal, and I was delighted to hear the verses to these songs, less commonly heard than the more familiar choruses. A lovely atmospheric rendition of Stardust was, I thought, another high point. A great show! Ben Pilch (fan and audience member)

Eli and The Hot Seven

We’re declaring Dave Burdette winner of the “Let’s stump the trumpet player” game! The Hot Six +1 closed with Louis’s Sleepy Time Down South.

They’ll be back at Primavera on September 10th and October 15th, September 20th. They are at the FREE family-friendly Autumnal Equinox celebration – 12th Annual Revels RiverSing at Harvard Square’s Winthrop Park. They will be at Ken’s Steak House. They’re also looking forward to their 2nd appearance at Sculler’s Jazz Club on December 17^th. Stay tuned.

Eli and The Hot Six at Marce’s surprise birthday at Primavera

Posted on June 28, 2015 by admin

Eli and The Hot Six

Bo Winiker trumpet/flugelhorn, Ted Casher clarinet/tenor and soprano sax, Herb Gardner trombone, Bob Winter piano, Eli Newberger tuba, Carolyn Newberger washboard. (Jimmy Mazzy was on his way to the Olympia WA Festival.)

This was all about ME ME ME! Surprise birthday party with my son and daughter-in-law Charles and Carol Sardonini in collusion with Eli Newberger, Briana Musto of Primavera Ristorante, and my drivers Tina and Ralph Cass. They had this planned for a whole month and I never got wind of it!

Marce coming in the door and surprised to see her whole family there!

It was a complete surprise!!

Many of my children and grandchildren were here. Youngest son, Dave Sardonini, and his wife Jennifer, and grandson DJ, flew up from Lake Mary Florida to be here. It was very festive, tables loaded with balloons, with a big 80 in the middle. It was a blast! Granddaughter Alison Sardonini took many PICTURES!

Eli and The Hot Six were fired up, having just returned from a very successful Swingin’ Gershwin at the Barrington Stage Company in Pittsfield. They led this evening off with Bo Winiker singing Louis Armstrong’s Hello Dolly. Muscrat Ramble was in a Bossa Nova beat, reinforced by Eli’s tuba and Jeff’s pulsating drums. Kid Ory retired to Hawaii on the proceeds of that tune!

Eli & Bo on Hold Tight

In the ensemble sections, clarinet, cornet and trombone played a three-part counterpoint line typical of 1920s New Orleans bands.

Eli and Bo were featured on Hold Tight.

Herb is multi-instrumental!

Ted was up up for more Gershwin with I’ve Got Rhythm on his awesome tenor sax.

Herb took the vocal on Pennies From Heaven. His voice is his other instrument, besides trombone, piano, and who knows what else!

The band swung into high gear. When the music gets to you, you gotta move! Eli’s tuba was the Tiger in Tiger Rag:

Son David (of the Sports Den in Orange City, Florida,) was thrilled to join the band with Cab Calloway’s theme song, Minnie The Moocher. Our official photographer, Alison Sardonini took this fine video of the band and our family.
Dave Sings Minnie The Moocher.
Dave shook hands with each member of the band afterwards, elated to have been able to sing with this band!

Carolyn Newberger is an accomplished artist and usually sketches the musicians while they are playing. She caught David in the act. (Sorry Herb!)

pencils sketch of all musicians except Herb Gardner, who was erased so she could add David

Carolyn Newberger’s pencil sketch of David Sardonini with Eli and The Hot Six

Bo Winiker comes right up to our table with

The last set was mine – each of the band members played a song for me! Eli on a breathtaking tuba solo on Over The Rainbow, Bob Winter getting classicistic on Of Thee I Sing, Bo came right up to the table with The Very Thought of You.

Carolyn Newberger played exciting washboard on a Latin tune, Miami Rhumba

Ted plays Petite Fleur

Ted touched the bottom of my heart on soprano sax with Bechet’s Petite Fleur. This is a special for me, because I was born a “Petite Fleuette”.

Bo dedicated a tune to my whole family with I’ve Grown Accustomed To Your Face on flugelhorn. Herb played and sang You Can Depend on Me. He’s very dependable; has a famous family of his own – daughters all involved with music. Ted played clarinet and sang a rousing vocal on Swinging on a Star.
“Carry moonbeams home in a jar – And be better off than you are”. I sure was!

Bob Winter

Eli asked me to pick the last tune, I like Limehouse Blues, and wouldn’t you know, they had never played it together.

Bob Winter played the first chorus – of course they all knew it. Ted Casher sang the vocal with the actual lyrics written by Douglas Furber in 1922. This was the finale for this most auspicious evening.

Thank you, Eli and The Hot Six, Carolyn, Family: Joe and Ellen Sardonini, DeeDee Towne and Daniel Hulub, Dave and Jen Sardonini and Grandkids, Friends, Primavera, Tina and Ralph, Ali for her photos, and especially Carol and Charlie Sardonini for a birthday that I will never forget!

Eli and The Hot Six will be back here on August 20th, and Sculler’s Jazz Club on December 17th. Stay tuned – we’ll let you know if anything pops up in between.

Thank you all! Marce

Eli and The Hot Six, with Rebecca Sullivan and Butch Thompson, by Rich Bizier

Posted on May 22, 2015 by admin

Eli and The Hot Six with Butch Thompson and Rebecca Sullivan at Sculler’s Jazz Club – Photos by Marce

WGBH’s Christopher Lydon was at Yale with Eli and Carolyn

The occasion was a benefit for Kids For Harmony at Scullers Jazz Club hosted by WBUR’s Christopher Lydon and the packed house was treated to a terrific evening of music by Eli and the Hot Six with special guest Rebecca Sullivan.

The Hot Six is a relatively new combo from tubist Eli Newberger, drawing from some of the best players on the traditional jazz scene. This performance featured a surprise appearance from Butch Thompson sitting in on piano and clarinet. Regular Hot Six pianist Bob Winter had a prior commitment that evening with the Boston Pops.

Eli sprinkled informative and entertaining commentary between songs, and directed the soloists from this fine band throughout the evening.

Rebecca Sullivan

Rebecca Sullivan took the spotlight occasionally during the set, a welcome presence from a lovely singer who showcased songs from an all-Gershwin show the Hot Six will be performing at the Barrington Stage Company in Pittsfield this coming June. Ted Casher, an excellent clarinetist, really shined with his turns on tenor sax.

Bo on trumpet with handkerchief like Louis

Bo Winiker sings and plays Hello Dolly

A surprise highlight was Bo Winiker channeling Armstrong with a pitch perfect rendition of Hello Dolly on top of Jimmy Mazzy’s banjo, Bo going out with a ringing trumpet solo.

Jimmy lent his voice to a long and languid version of the classic St. James Infirmary that included plenty of solo space for the band.

Jimmy sings

Butch Thompson from Minneapolis

Butch Thompson delivered exquisite solo piano renditions of Willie the Lion Smith and Jelly Roll Morton numbers.

The piano chair was also occupied by Eli during a trio performance with Butch on clarinet, and later trombonist Herb Gardner tickled the keys while Thompson joined the horn section.

Eli takes over piano

Rounding out the evening was a delightful washboard performance by Carolyn Newberger and a brush solo on I Got Rhythm from drummer Jeff Guthery.

Eli & The Hot Six with Rebecca Sullivan will be Swingin’ Gershwin at the Barrington Stage Company’s Boyd-Quinson Mainstage, 30 Union Street, Pittsfield, MA on Monday, June 22nd, and the Hot Six will return to Primavera Ristorante, 20 Pleasant St. Millis MA on Thursday, June 25th.

NE Trad Jazz May 2015

Posted on May 12, 2015 by admin

This has been a busy Spring! I’ll be 80 years young next month; there’s no way I can keep up with all the wonderful Jazz we’ve had in this area since the last newsletter April 15th. But I do try.

Neville Dickie

Highlight of this month (so far) was the annual visit of Neville Dickie on May 12th at the Bella Costa Restaurant in Framingham, MA.

This year Neville was joined by Stan McDonald soprano sax, Jeff Hughes trumpet, and Steve Taddeo drums.

Neville Dickie Quartet,

The Quartet rotated with a duet of Neville and Steve, with the irrepressible Dickie pushing Taddeo to the max!

Steve slam-baning drums while Neville plays piano and laughs

Neville challenges Steve to keep up with him – he did!

They ended the evening as always with four-handed piano when Neville is joined by our own stride master, Ross Petot. They obviously enjoy this duet!

Neville pauses as Ross goes into full stride.

Neville Dickie will return next year, for his 15th Annual sojourn to New England. He always begins here with Stan McDonald, before performing all over the country. Then he’ll return to Surrey, England.

April 16th Wolverine Jazz Band at Primavera Ristorante, 20 Pleasant St. Millis MA

Wolverine Jazz Band

Dave Didriksen drums, Dan Gabel trombone,Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Jeff Hughes trumpet, Rick MacWilliams tuba, John Clark leader/clarinet/bari sax, Herb Gardner keyboard.
With their intricate New Orleans Polyphony and glorious horn solos, the Wolves are one of the most popular Dixieland Jazz Bands in this area and at Festivals. They are now celebrating their 20th Anniversary, and played many tunes from their upcoming CD, their 13th, that should be issued sometime next month. Don’t miss them!!
Dan Gabel subbed for regular trombonist Tom Boates. Tom is the Music Department Chair at Guilford CT High School, and accompanied the Guilford High School Chorus at Disney World. (He’s forgiven for not being here!)

Tuesday, MAY 19, 7-9:30pm, The Wolves will be at the Sheraton/Needham. $10 cover – They will hopefully have their new CD ready to go for that day! They aren’t taking reservations, so just show up anyway! Sheraton Needham, 100 Cabot St, Needham, MA 02494 Phone:(781) 444-1110 .

April 24th High Society Jazz Band at Primavera Ristorante

High Society Jazz Orchestra with Elise Roth

Elise Roth

Personnel:

Dan Gabel: trombone, Elise Roth: vocals

Clarinets/Saxes: Tyler Burchfield, John Clark,
Richard Garcia

Trumpets: Pat Stout and Jeff Hughes

Piano: Ross Petot

Guitar/Banjo: Bill Doyle

Tuba: Rick MacWilliams

Drums: Steve Taddeo

Jazz, Big Band, and swing are American musical art forms that are being perpetuated by a young musician, and we are extremely grateful!! Dan Gabel brought his High Society Jazz Orchestra to Primavera Ristorante on April 24th, with Vocalist Elise Roth lending her expert talents on vocal numbers of the era, bringing back rarely heard verses and a classic vintage singing style. Dan Gabel and John Clark are experts at adapting original arrangements that were created in the early 20’s and 30’s. They played Ellington’s The Mooche, made famous at the Cotton Club, Irving Berlin’s Alexander’s Ragtime Band, Pat Stout trumpet was heard on St. Louis Shuffle by Fats Waller. Bill Doyle, manager and guitar, was featured on Glad Rag Doll by Milton Ager. Reeds played a stomping arrangement of Putting on the Ritz; Hughes trumpet was featured on Stardust that just went right through you! It was a fantastic evening of Jazz, Big Band, and Swing – and we’re looking forward to hearing much more from this band. Check them out at www.facebook.com/highsocietyorchestra.

April 30th Eli and The Hot Six celebrated International Jazz Day at Primavera Ristorante. Click on photos to enlarge.

Eli and The Hot Six

Bob Winter keyboard, Jim Mazzy banjo/vocals, Eli Newberger tuba, Jeff Guthery drums, Herb Gardner trombone, Bo Winiker trumpet/flugelhorn, Ted Casher clarinet and tenor sax

April 30th was International Jazz Day, spectacularly celebrated by Eli and The Hot Six at Primavera Ristorante. They began with The World Is Waiting for the Sunrise, featuring tunes form many countries. Eartha Kitt’s C’est çi Bon, Irish Black Bottom, (which is really authentic American Jazz), Hindustan, Ted Casher sang Bei Mir Bis Du Schoen in Yiddish, playing authentic Klezmer clarinet.

Bo holds handkerchief, and smiles like Louis

Bo sings Louis’s Wonderful World

Bo put heart and soul into Louis’s Wonderful World.

Jeff Guthery recalled the 20’s and 30’s drumming, tapping on graduated temple blocks befitting that early jazz. You’ve never heard Oh By Jingo played like Bob Winter, with blazing runs up and down the keyboard! Thanks to Kathy Wittman, we have a video of it back at the Sherborn Inn. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvWIIwCU-jg

Eli and The Hot Six will be joined by renowned pianist Butch Thompson at Sculler’s Jazz Club on May 21st for their CD release of Eli & The Hot Six LIVE, Contemporary Classic Jazz.

May 3rd Wolverine Jazz Band started a new monthly series at Ken’s Steak House, Rt. 9 Framingham, MA. We had Tom Boates back from Disney World! Please read the fine REVIEW by Myron Idelson! It was a great success!

Wolverine Jazz Band at Ken’s Steak House, on a Sunday afternoon

Tom Boates trombone (he’s back!) Dave Didriksen drums, Jeff Hughes trumpet, Rick MacWilliams tuba, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Ross Petot piano, John Clark clarinet/bari sax.

May 7th Blue Horizon Jazz Band played the first Thursday of the month at Primavera Ristorante

Blue Horizon Jazz Band

Steve Taddeo drums, John Kefalas trombone, Gerry Gagnon tuba, Jeff Hughes trumpet, Dave MacMillan guitar, Stan McDonald soprano leader/sax/vocals.
This is fine Traditional Jazz! Jeff’s trumpet took the melodic lead, with Stan flitting around the melody with embellishments, and John’s trombone filling in the “holes” with extensive use of the slide. The solos were filled with exemplary improvisations, Gerry Gagnon is one of the finest tuba players in this area; he coordinated with Steve on his 1938 Slingerland Drums, tapping on a tiny Grecko cymbal attached to the bass drum, keeping perfect time. It was great to have Dave MacMillan back on rhythm guitar after a long recovery from an accident. Welcome back, Dave!!

May 9th Seacoast Stompers Quartet at ACT III in Littleton, MA
ACT IV in Lowell ran into another bureaucratic headache and could not open.
Thank you Gwenn and Josely for your immeasurable patience!! Seacoast Stompers had to trim down to a Quartet to play in ACT III in Littleton.

Frank Stadler piano, Jeff Hughes trumpet, Jim Mazzy banjo/vocals, Al Bernard tuba.

Seacoast Stompers Quartet

Jeff Hughes has many faces, Bix Beiderbecke, Bunny Berigan, Joe ‘King’ Oliver, Buddy Bolden, with his lyrical style and melody-based improvisations. He and Jimmy Mazzy are brothers at heart, having played together since the 1980’s, especially with Ray Smith’s Paramount Jazz Band. Frank Stadler’s piano set them free to exchange riffs, play intricate melodies and counterpoint, and Albie Bernard provided the perfect bass lines. It was a memorable afternoon!!
Act III is a small venue, but has a bar and serves a fine assortment of Mediterranean cuisine. When Act IV in Lowell is finally allowed to open, the full 7-piece band will play on the 2nd Saturday of the month from 2-5pm. We hope!

In the meantime, we are all extremely grateful to these wonderful musicians for making this a great life for ALL ages!!

Marce

Eli and the Hot Six at Primavera Ristorante in Millis January 22nd

Posted on January 28, 2015 by admin

Good times were had by all when Eli and the Hot Six enjoyed their debut at Primavera Ristorante. Their passion for this music is obvious. It was infectious; the audience became totally engaged.

piano, tuba, drum, reeds, trumpet, trombone

Eli and The Hot Six

Bo Winiker trumpet and flugelhorn, Ted Casher on clarinet, tenor and soprano sax, Herb Gardner trombone and vocals, Bob Winter on keyboard, Eli Newberger tuba, Jeff Guthery on drums, Frank John intermission tuba.

There was a popular band in New Haven in the 50’s and 60’s called Eli and the Chosen Six. Louis Armstrong had his Hot 5 and Hot 7. Eli Newberger paid homage to all of them by changing the name of the band from Eli and His All-Stars to Eli and the Hot Six.

Struttin’ With Some Barbecue, usually a fast, upbeat tune, was played slowly and swinging, inviting everyone to enjoy this evening.

Bob Winter on keyboard – You’ve never heard Oh By Jingo played like this, with blazing runs up and down the keyboard! Kathy Wittman did a video of it back at the Sherborn Inn. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvWIIwCU-jg This alone is more than worth the $10 admission at the Primavera!!

As this was their first time playing here, they tested the acoustics with Basin St. Blues. No mics of any kind. Glorious horn solos, Ted’s tenor sax, Bo on smoky flugelhorn, low low tuba, closing with Herb’s trombone.

Bob sitting Eli standing behind him as they laugh playing keyboard.

Is this fun or what?

Eli joined Bob for Night Train.
They do have fun!

Eubie Blake was remembered with Bo Winiker sweet trumpet on Memories of You.

Jeff Guthery plays lyrical drums

Jeff Guthery played melody tapping on woodblock and bell and snare drum on Tiger Rag, before they all took off marching through the audience!

trombone, tuba, trumpet (clarinet not visible)

The band played New Orleans Jazz marching around the tables. The fans loved it!

Ted Casher clarinet, tenor sax, alto sax.

Ted Casher said, “Great gig! Great food! Great atmosphere! Always enjoy myself playing with the Six!”

Frank John, Freshman at NEC

Eli’s latest ‘Mentee’ is NEC Freshman Frank John, who took over Eli’s tuba at intermission, playing around with scales.

Eli’s tuba is older than he is, and it was missing some notes that Frank is accustomed to on his own tuba. Nevertheless he managed to reach a Pedal F tone, lower than the lowest F on the keyboard! We’ll be hearing more from him in the future.

Rambunctious front line played Muscat Ramble in a Bossa Nova beat.

Hot Six Front Line

Bob Winter honored us with the World Premiere of his composition of a Trad tune that had all the band site-reading! Paul’s Phonic Dream. New to everybody – first time we ever see Eli reading from a chart!

Eli solo

Eli gets a lively solo on Ain’t Misbehaving, backed only by the rhythm section; eloquent, touching.

Bo is sitting, left foot kicking the air as he blows wild trumpet

Bo Winiker lets it all out

Great ensemble on Sweet Sue, Ted playing marvelous clarinet. Bo got carried away on trumpet, putting his whole body into it.

George Gershwin’s Fascinating Rhythm calmed him down on smoky flugelhorn, with all the instruments taking turns trading 4’s.

Herb Gardner sang

Multi-instrumentalist Herb Gardner also graced us with a trombone solo on Ain’t Misbehavin‘ and vocals.

He’ll be celebrating Groundhog Day with his talented daughters Abby and Sarah at the Bickford Theatre in New Jersey on February 2nd.

Bob returned for solo on Ida, playing unceasing rhythm, finishing with a Count Basie ending. Michael Steinman says,” He doesn’t rush; he doesn’t attempt to impress us with pianisms. His playing verges on the formal, but it is based on a serene respect for the melody rather than a tied-to-the-notes stiffness.”

They closed with a controversial tune that turned out to be Louis Armstrong’s last greatest hit. It was a request that Louis had never heard before. He listened to a recording of Hello Dolly, and you know the rest. Trumpet and trombone played masterful duet..

Bo one handed trumpet, Herb muted trombone

Bo Winiker and Herb Gardner duet on finale

The Hot Six were on fire on this splendid evening of Jazz at Primavera Ritorante. They will return on February 26th for more of the same, with Rebecca Sullivan on vocals, and they’ll have their new CD for sale: “Contemporary Classic Jazz: Eli and The Hot Six LIVE” Join us??

Primavera will also feature Dan Gabel’s fabulous High Society Orchestra on January 29th. We’ll be between snow storms. Don’t let the weathermen scare you away – this is worth the trip.

New England Traditional Jazz Plus

Swing, Traditional Jazz, Dixieland Jazz, Big Bands

Tag Archives: Eli and the Hot Six

Eli and The Hot Six with Elaine Woo and Sarah Nova at Primavera Ristorante, April 14, 2016

Eli and The Hot Six at Primavera Ristorante, March 10, 2016

Eli and The Hot Six at Primavera, January 14, 2016

My apologies for the quality of the photos –
I borrowed my son’s camera and didn’t
know how to use it. Many thanks to Sarah
for her help in making it useable!! Marce

Eli’s Hot Six celebrate his 75th Birthday at Scullers

Eli and The Hot Six at Primavera, November 19, 2015

Eli and The Hot Six at Primavera, August 20, 2015

Eli and The Hot Six at Marce’s surprise birthday at Primavera

Eli and The Hot Six, with Rebecca Sullivan and Butch Thompson, by Rich Bizier

NE Trad Jazz May 2015

Eli and the Hot Six at Primavera Ristorante in Millis January 22nd

My apologies for the quality of the photos – I borrowed my son’s camera and didn’t know how to use it. Many thanks to Sarah for her help in making it useable!! Marce

My apologies for the quality of the photos –
I borrowed my son’s camera and didn’t
know how to use it. Many thanks to Sarah
for her help in making it useable!! Marce