Dave Whitney trumpet, Craig Ball reeds, Lee Prager trombone, Jim Mazzy banjo/vocals, Frank Stadler leader/piano, Al Bernard sousaphone, Bob Reardon drums, Maureen Benson vocals
The Seacoast Stompers had a rip-roaring afternoon with a Full House at Bemis Hall in Lincoln, MA. For six years, they played monthly at the Acton Jazz Café, with a repertoire of tunes from the 20’s and 30’s. Arrangements were spontaneous and ad lib with a variety of styles and tempos from smooth swing to groovy blues and hot driving Dixie.
Dave Whitney
Frank Stadler is leader of the band, but graciously let Dave Whitney rule the roost with his rousing trumpet. Dave is well known for his amazing Louis-type trumpet.
They began with a joyous romp on the Seacoast Stomper’s theme song, At The Jazz Band Ball,
Dave Whitney has some favorite tunes. Maureen Benson joined him on Back o’ Town Blues.
Maureen Benson was comfortable with the band, personalizing some of the lyrics, picking on Craig. She gave us As Long As I Live, I Don’t Know Enough About You, It Don’t Mean a Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing.
Jimmy Mazzy
Jimmy Mazzy was featured on Porter’s Love Song to a Chamber Maid; took the vocal on Clarence William’s Cake Walking Babies, scatted on How Can You Do That Thing To Me, Old Fashioned Love – he has a treasure trove of tunes.
Al Bernard on sousaphone
Al Bernard is a master of the tuba, listening to the soloists and backing them with many different chord phrasings wrapped in that monstrous sousaphone, as if it were easy!
Frank Stadler, Band Leader
The Seacoast Stompers played many favorites, Royal Garden Blues, Canal St. Blues, San.
Lee Prager
Lee Prager’s deep, burnished, trombone was reminiscent of Tommy Dorsey.
Craig Ball
Craig Ball was featured on The World is Waiting For The Sunshine.
Bob Reardon
Bob Reardon plays drums with marvelous precision, He keeps the band in time by tapping on the snare drum and ride cymbal, only letting loose on a couple of tunes. He picked the closing tune – always requesting the same one – Limehouse Blues.
The Seacoast Stompers keep the music fresh with their amazing creativity! Check them out!
Scott Philbrick cornet, Lee Prager trombone, Craig Ball clarinet, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Frank Stadler keyboard, Al Bernard tuba, Bobby Reardon drums.
The Seacoast Stompers were back for the first time since October and obviously happy to be playing together again. The new venue is the renovated 1870 Town Hall at 12 Woodward Avenue in Berlin MA. Berlin is a scenic town with acres of orchards set in a low range of hills between the Nashua River and Assabet River Valleys, easily accessible on I-495.
Under the watchful gaze of the Rev. William A. Houghton, who dedicated the Town Hall in 1870 and Chandler Carter who paid off the municipal debt, the band entertained a full house of Berlin residents eager to hear good jazz and support their neighbor, trombonist Lee Prager. He said “This is the nearest venue I’ve played In 55 years.”
Berliners filled the 1870 Town Hall
Frank Stadler, leader
Frank Stadler is leader of the Band, and his playing is based on a masterful respect for the melody.
Scott is the conductor, delegating players for each tune, varying solos between them.
They began with a joyous romp on their theme song, At The Jazz Band Ball, and Mama’s Gone, Good Bye reverberating off the high steel ceiling.
Scott Philbrick and Lee Prager
Lee requested Strutting With Some Barbecue. Scott and Lee challenge and inspire each other on trombone and cornet. We’ve missed the riveting interaction between these two!
Jimmy Mazzy and Al Bernard
Jimmy Mazzy sang many songs, and was featured on After You’ve Gone with his inimitable vocals.
He scatted on Some Of These Days while trading 4’s with Albie’s tuba. They keep the music fresh with their amazing creativity!
Lee led on a melancholy Basin St. Blues and added to the sweetness of the song by ending it with a virtuosic flourish. He was featured on I Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plans, on smooth open bell trombone, with Bobby softly backing with brushes across snare drum.
Bobby Reardon
Bobby Reardon plays drums with marvelous precision, He keeps the band in time by tapping on the snare drum and ride cymbal, only letting loose on a couple of tunes when Scotty directs him.
Frank took the intro when they moved up tempo on Ain’t Gonna Give You None of My Jelly Roll, the band in livewire ensemble.
Craig Ball
Craig’s clarinet was featured with his sky-writing stratospherics on Stealing Apples. Bobby backed him on hi hat, then let go on drums!
This was just the first set! There were only two sets, short evening, so the band kept the program moving along without needless delays. It’s been way too long since we’ve heard this powerhouse group of musicians playing together!
For six years, they played monthly at the Acton Jazz Café, with a repertoire of tunes from the 20’s and 30’s. Arrangements were spontaneous and ad lib with a variety of styles and tempos from smooth swing to groovy blues and hot driving Dixie. Check them out.
This event was sponsored by The Friends of the Berlin Library. We hope they will consider bringing the Seacoast Stompers back!
The Seacoast Stompers had a rip-roaring afternoon with a Full House at ACTIII in Littleton, MA. Dave Whitney ruled the roost, amazing the audience with his new prowess on cornet.
Dave is well known for his amazing Louis-type trumpet for many years, but he was still in charge on this marvelous afternoon of great Traditional and Dixieland Jazz and Swing.
It was great to have Jimmy Mazzy back. He’s no longer at the Colonial Inn; after 35 years he’s now looking for a new venue. But all the local bands want Jimmy, and they have kept him busy all summer. But WE had him tonight, scatting on Canal St. Blues and Stealing Apples, How Come You Do Me Like You Do, singing on Write Myself a Letter, I Cover the Waterfront, Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans (Dave slipping in snippets of multiple songs.)
The one and only, Jimmy Mazzy
But Dave Whitney has some favorite songs, and he did some singing too, besides leading the band with his fantastic cornet.
Dave sang some of the tunes
Curse of an Aching Heart, Back o’ Town Blues. His cornet sounds almost like a trumpet when he hits those high notes.
Al Bernard on tuba
Al Bernard is a master of the tuba, listening to the soloists and backing them with many different chord phrasings. He even becomes part of the front line, playing a full chorus of melodies on that monstrous tuba, as if it were easy!
Dave catches Frank by surprise
Frank Stadler is leader of the Seacoast Stompers, but he was happy to let Dave take over and call the tunes. Frank introduced many of the songs and had that piano singing.
But Dave was constantly catching him off guard with his many surprising antics on cornet and vocals.
Catch the Seacoast Stompers Quartet next month on September 12th, 2-5pm, and you’ll be surprised too!! POSTER
Be sure to make a reservation, because they will surely sell out! Act III, 529 King St. Littleton MA (978) 486-3600. They have music from Tuesday through Sunday. Check it out. Monthly music schedule
Playlist for Seacoast Stompers 2015-08-08
Set 1
1 At The Jazz Band Ball
2 Canal Street Blues
3 Don’t Be That Way
4 Keepin Out Of Mischief Now
5 World is Waiting for the Sunrise
6 I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And Write
7 I Would Do Anything For You
8 I Cover the Waterfront
9 It Don’t Mean a Thing If it Ain’t Got That Swing
10 Stealin Apples
Set 2
1 Soft Winds
2 Limehouse Blues
3 Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans
4 Curse of an Aching Heart
5 Back o’ Town Blues
Set 3
1 Porter’s Love Song To A Chambermaid
2 Deed I Do
3 Take Your Tomorrow
4 Swing That Music
5 Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
6 Louisiana Fairy Tale
7 Jelly Roll (Ain’t Gonna Give You None)
Bob MacInnis cornet/flugelhorn, John Clark alto sax/clarinet, Al Bernard tuba, Frank Stadler piano/leader
by Marce Videos by Harold McAleer
These musicians are so proficient, skilled, that the Quartet sounds like a 7-piece band!
Mood Indigo, Louisiana,, Indiana, Sweet Lorraine, There’ll be Some Changes Made, Ain’t Got a Thing if it Ain’t Got That Swing; playing all our favorites with fantastic Swing and Dixieland.
Limehouse Blues
It’s great to have MacInnis’ sweet cornet back for the summer. He knows how to put a song across. Sweet, smokey flugelhorn on New Orleans, with Albie’s tuba playing low, low, low.
Cornet played rubato and propelled the band into After You’ve Gone. It was WILD! Bob sounded just like Bix on San; John Clark on alto sax, added his own accompaniment He and MacInnis are a band unto themselves.
Seacoast ‘front line’
Undecided
John Clark sings Swing That Music
John Clark’s alto sax sounds much like a tenor when he hits those low notes on I Want a Little Girl trading fours with Albie’s tuba. I loved this tune! He also surprised Frank Stadler with a vocal on Swing That Music. John has been singing more often lately, pushed by his #1 fan, Betty Weaver.
Albie plays melodic tuba on every tune too!
Albie represents a 3-piece rhythm section by himself, as well as playing the front line with a melodic solo chorus on every tune. ‘Deed I Do.
He can push the band with a heavy chord, or softly back all of Franks piano solos.
Frank leads the band, but gives them much leeway. A nimble fingered pianist, he favors a lighter touch, but plays an integral role in the band. His piano intro on Ain’t Gonna Give Nobody None of my Jelly Roll set the band on fire.
Frank Stadler, pianist, leader
Mandy, Make Up Your Mind – nobody called the key, it took a few choruses before they made up their minds and then played fabulous ensemble.
They closed with Runnin’ Wild, clarinet and cornet intertwined, with Albie pushing the band by taking a deep breath and playing 4/4 notes. It was a fabulous afternoon! It would have been nice to have had the whole 7-piece band, but we’ll take this Quartet anytime!!
Trust me – it’s much more exciting seeing them interact and hearing them LIVE! The next Seacoast Stompers Quartet will return to Act3 August 8th, with Dave Whitney trumpet or cornet – he’s playing both now, and the Seacoast Base – Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Albie tuba, and Frank Stadler piano. Come join us for great Jazz and ACT 3 cuisine!
ACT3 – July 11, 2015 — Seacoast Stompers Quartet set track
Set1
1 At The Jazz Band Ball
2 Everybody Loves My Baby
3 Mama’s Gone Goodbye
4 China Boy
5 Mood Indigo
6 Limehouse Blues
7 Louisiana
8 San
9 Singin the Blues
10 Struttin With Some Barbecue
set2
11 There’ll Be Some Changes Made
12 New Orleans
13 Jelly Roll (Ain’t Gonna Give You None)
14 I Want A Little Girl
15 Mandy Make Up Your Mind
16 Deed I Do
17 Swing That Music
set3
18 After You’ve Gone
19 It Don’t Mean a Thing If it Ain’t Got That Swing
20 Undecided
21 Dinah
22 Sweet Lorraine
23 Indiana
24 Running Wild
Scott Philbrick cornet, Craig Ball clarinet, Steve Piermarini trombone, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Frank Stadler leader/piano, Al Bernard sousaphone, Bob Reardon drums
The Seacoast Stompers were back at Bemis Hall at their regular daylight time, 2-5pm, Saturday afternoons – great time to listen to great Jazz. They are wonderful, lyrical players, inspire one another, enjoying what they do, pleasing their audience. We especially enjoy Jimmy’s many songs. (We’ve been listening to Jimmy for over 43 years, and he is still unique.)
They began as always with their theme song, At The Jazz Band Ball. Frank Stadler leads the band, but Scott Philbrick is their ‘music’ leader. Frank held a list of tunes they would play. Something new had been added – all the endings were kept short and abrupt. Each one caught us by Surprise!
This was Craig Ball’s first sorti after breaking bones in his hand when he slipped on ice four weeks ago. He still should have had at least two weeks recovery, but was climbing the walls. So he returned to playing clarinet with a swollen left hand, clarinet still reaching for the stratosphere!
Everybody Loves My Baby – check out that clarinet.
I Would Do Most Anything For You, Scotty racing so fast on cornet, it almost made us dizzy, it was a Wowzer!
Moving to more moderate tempo, Mama’s Gone, Goodbye, Jimmy at his best with Albie’s powerful brass, Stadler offering just the right chords, drum tapping on crash cymbal.
Jimmy solo backed by Frank Stadler on piano and Al Bernrd tuba, plus drum not pictured
China Boy (video by Marce)
Baby, Won’t You Please Come Home had Scott playing sweet smooth cornet with Jimmy backing on banjo.
Upbeat Lady be Good, band in great New Orleans polyphony with exciting individual solos, Scott sneaking in tidbits of other tunes, Jimmy’s banjo pushing the beat with Bob beating hard on every drum he had!
Frank said that half of the tunes in this idiom seem to be in the key of F. So they moved to Rose Room, in the key of A♭, Scott’s cornet almost talking. Nice dance tune; there’s room at the back of the hall for dancing.
Al Bernard wrapped in sousaphone
Albie not only pushes the beat wrapped in sousaphone, but softly responds to solos In My Honey’s Loving Arms.
Strutting With Some Barbecue was wild!
Mood Indigo had an extraordinary cornet and trombone duet, with Scott throwing in some wa wa on muted cornet.
Scott Philbrick and Steve Piermarini in great muted duet
Jimmy’s choice, Nagasaki, in B♭, cornet leading, trombone playing counterpoint, Jimmy startling vocal. Piano took the intro to My Monday Date with Jim vocal.
It’s been a long time since they played I Ain’t Got Nobody, Pieranunzi playing fine growling muted trombone. Blue Lu, Bob Reardon with left stick on snare drum, right on splash cymbal, pushing the band.
Bobby’s choice of tunes – he always picks my favorite, Limehouse Blues. Piano intro, Bob’s brushes on tom tom drums, arms flailing in the air.
Bobby Reardon hitting all the drums!
E♭ banjo 16 bar intro into Louisiana, band following with exciting Dixieland Jazz.
Chicago was HOT, a barn burner with Jimmy scatting. Another upbeat, Found A New Baby with Jim vocal, Bob ended it with a stinging crash cymbal.
Wish I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate. Frank loves playing this 1870 Steinway!
They closed with another rouser, Swing That Music. Bobby wouldn’t let it end, playing two moving drum encores.
They also played Swing That Music here in January, with Dave Whitney on cornet and Scotty on banjo. This was before Craig broke his hand. That tune is always an excellent closer.
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This music touches the heart and spirit. The musicians consider themselves lucky to be jazz players; they love this music. The don’t use charts, they listen to each other, improvising, sometimes challenging each other. They don’t necessarily get rewarded, except from the crowd that shows appreciation by applauding their marvelous talent.
Seacoast Stompers will be moving to a new venue. It’s been fun being here at Bemis Hall, thank you Harold McAleer and Vern Welch for making it possible. Next month on Saturday, May 9th, the Seacoast Stompers move to ACT IV, (formerly Acton Jazz Café) now at Jameson’s Restaurant, 26 Andover St, Lowell, Massachusetts 01852 still from 2-5pm. Come have a good meal (5 ½ Stars), a drink, and enjoy this great band!! We hope to see you there – bring a friend.
Harold McAleer with trusty video camera
We expect Harold will be taping at Jameson’s restaurant also. We hope they have good lighting!
Scott Philbrick cornet, Blair Bettencourt clarinet/soprano sax/vocals, Lee Prager trombone, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Frank Stadler piano/leader, Al Bernard sousaphone, Bob Reardon drums
Daylight!! Afternoons of Dixieland Jazz are rare! It was a pleasure coming to Bemis Hall in Lincoln Massachusetts, even if it was raining, to hear the return of the Seacoast Stompers after a particularly brutal New England winter! The band had to cancel their February concert because of snow. We’ve missed them.
They began with At The Jazz Band Ball, always a barrel-house opener that sets the tone for an afternoon of uplifting, toe tapping, high energy music. Each of these musicians is a pro in his own right; nurtured and inspired by New Orleans music, they are phenomenal!
Frank has maintained a list of each song, where and when it was played.
They are also independent. Frank always brings in a list of tunes to play, but they generally ignore it. Tonight he brought in a complete listing of tunes that he has meticulously maintained since they first began in 2008. They checked out the list, looking for different styles, trying not to duplicate any melody. Each musician chose a tune.
Unfortunately, reed player Craig Ball fell down the previous day and hurt his right hand. He will be in a cast for some time. Blair Bettencourt graciously filled in for him. We’ve known Blair for over 40 years, so it was a pleasure to hear him again.
Scott Philbrick
Scott Philbrick is the ‘music leader’ of the band, letting them choose songs from the list, bringing them together as a team. His cornet generally establishes the melody, and the band sores with him making powerful music.
Everybody Loves My Baby, we love Lee’s trombone. Lee Prager joined the band in 2010 and has been a plus ever since. His deep, burnished, trombone is reminiscent of Tommy Dorsey. We don’t hear him often enough, he really makes a difference. He was also featured on I’ll Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plans.
Three Little Words, In My Dreams with Jim on sweet vocal. An old Basie tune: Things Ain’t What They Used To Be. The Front line had fun with shading on this one. Blair surprised everyone with a long, smearing gliss up the scale, Scott picked it up with some effort doing a slow gliss from low to high on cornet. It was much easier for Lee with that long, slow, slurring, slide on trombone! Nice touch.
Albie listens carefully and provides momentum for the ensembles, and also quietly backs many of the solos. Blair picked Tin Roof Blues, the musicians inspiring each other on this Trad Jazz chestnut. Lee called Mama’s Gone, Goodbye, giving Albie one of many sousaphone solos.
Elke and granddaughter Stella
Elke and Stella were having a ball dancing
in the back of the room.
There was a romping New Orleans take on Jelly Roll Blues, with ultra tight ensemble and great piano. It’s obvious that Frank loves playing piano; he says all Steinway pianos are individuals, handmade by specialized craftsmen. This one in Bemis Hall was built in 1870. Frank said “Playing it is a joy, even though I have a nine-foot Steinway at home”.
Frank Stadler loves playing piano.
Stealing Apples, Fats Waller’s tune made famous by Benny Goodman, was absolutely WILD, followed by a scorching Avalon. This never gets dull!
Bob Reardon posed for this one.
Bob Reardon listens carefully and gives the band just the bang it needs. He picked Limehouse Blues, with a tempo that was frightening-fast. (Forget the list, Bob always asks for Limehouse.)
Bob hit the drums with everything he had, using blue wire brushes. He knows his stuff – he has played for 27 years at the Kowloon Restaurant in Saugus.
Blair Bettencourt on bent soprano sax
Blair Bettencourt plays exciting clarinet. He has a particularly soft way of playing eloquent bent soprano sax. He also sang a couple of songs for us in a smooth, powerful voice.
Jimmy Enright and I were dancing to his clarinet at Bob Connors Yankee Rhythm Kings’ first performance in New England Life Hall in 1975.
Jimmy is extraordinary; he had just arrived from Florida this morning where he performed with the Williams Reunion Jazz Band.
Jimmy Mazzy
How Come You Do Me Like You Do? Sugar, In his own distinctive style, he pleads, cajoles, scats, sweet talks. He picked I Want a Little Girl, backed by Blair playing soft soprano sax, with Scott and Lee on muted cornet and trombone. Nice.
They closed with an upbeat Mandy, and sent us home with sunshine inside, if not outside. You can catch them LIVE at Bemis Hall every month. The Seacoast Stompers will return on April 11th, same time, same station, same fantastic group of musicians. Hope to see you there!
Craig Ball and his sky-writing stratospheric clarinet will be missed by his throng of fans and the many bands he plays in. We wish him a speedy recovery!!
Dave Whitney cornet, Craig Ball clarinet, Steve Piermarini trombone, Frank Stadler piano/leader, Scott Philbrick banjo/cornet, Al Bernard sousaphone, Bob Reardon drums
by Marce
videos by Harold McAleer
The Seacoast Stompers brought their vitality and spark into a New Year at Bemis Hall in Lincoln, Massachusetts. There were changes made. Any substitution makes a difference in the sound of a band – and tonight we had three: Dave Whitney filling in for Scott, who moved to banjo, and Steve Piermarini subbing for Lee Prager.
They were marvelous! You can’t go wrong with Whitney’s wit, knowledge of classic Jazz, and on – surprise – cornet! Leader Frank Stadler put him in charge of the microphone. Piermarini excels on smooth, smoky trombone. He’s had the bell since 1980, but had the slide replaced by Shires.
They were raring to go with their theme song, At The Jazz Band Ball, then Little Girl I Want Some Lovin’.
Jelly Roll Morton’s Buddy Bolden’s Blues. Buddy was famous for his powerful horn: “his trumpet could be heard all over New Orleans, and even across the river in Algiers”. We had two powerful cornets, Whitney played his new Getzen Cornet that he’s been using on various gigs including his Whitney Big Band. Trumpet wasn’t missed at all. Scott played both cornet and 6-string banjo, much like a guitar, but using tremolo for emphasis.
Al Bernard wrapped in sousaphone
Who’s Sorry Now? Gave Al a chance to solo on sousaphone.
Louisiana featured both cornets –
Hindustan is a spicy tune, one of Craig Ball favorites. They slowed down for Sugar, playing it in the vein that Peggy Lee sang in Pete Kelly’s Blues.
Bob Reardon
Love is Just Around The Corner, Bob playing drumsticks on snare drum. His drumming is discreet, he drives the rhythm, yet he never gets in the way of the soloists.
Swing That Music, a Louis Armstrong composition, all had hot solos with Albie setting the pace.
Someday Sweetheart – is one of Jelly Roll Morton’s tunes that became a jazz standard. Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gives To Me is definitely not a blues!
There’ll Be Some Changes Made – Frank enjoying every minute of playing on this Steinway piano. He said this is the finest piano he’s ever played.
Frank Stadler, Band Leader
Two cornets
Scott joined Dave on cornet for a Bix Beiderbecke tune (when Bix was playing with Frankie Trumbauer). They inspired the audience with Take Your Tomorrow and Give Me Today.
Curse Of An Aching Heart was in fast time, with Craig’s feisty clarinet, and Al driving on turbo-charged sousaphone, hardly taking a breath.
Ain’t Gonna Give You None of My Jelly Roll, Dave vocal, squeezed in a snippet of Stumbling on cornet; he always slips it in somewhere! Stealing Apples is one of Dave Whitney’s favorite, a Fats Waller tune made famous by the Benny Goodman Orchestra.
There were three guest vocalists this afternoon. Steve Smith vocal on Pennies From Heaven and I Can’t Give You Anything But Love. Joe Brandisi usually plays vibes, but let it all out with a fine vocal on Bye Bye Blackbird. Mollie Malone was in fine voice for Exactly Like You. (We caught the trombone slipping in a bit of Stumbling.)
A Craig Ball favorite, Three Little Words was upbeat. Bob let loose on drums.
Bix Beiderbecke was resurrected with two cornets for the finale, with I’ll Be a Friend With Pleasure.
It was a thrill having the Seacoast Stompers back! We look forward to hearing them more often. They will return to Bemis Hall on Saturday, February 14th at 1-4pm and March 14th at their usual time 2-5pm. It’s a great way to spend a cold winter afternoon. Join us!
Marce
Tune List
Set 1
1 At The Jazz Band Ball
2 I Want A Little Girl
3 San
4 Buddy Bolden’s Blues
5 Who’s Sorry Now
6 Louisiana
7 Hindustan
8 Sugar
9 Love Is Just Around The Corner
Set 2
1 Swing That Music
2 Pennies From Heaven
3 Someday You’ll Be Sorry
4 Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gives To Me
5 There’ll Be Some Changes Made
6 Take Your Tomorrow
7 Curse of an Aching Heart
8 Blues in G
9 Jelly Roll (Ain’t Gonna Give You None)
Set 3
1 Stealin’ Apples
2 I Can’t Give You Anything But Love
3 Bye Bye Blackbird
4 Rosetta
5 Exactly Like You
6 Three Little Words
7 I’ll Be a Friend with Pleasure
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.
Steve Piermarini
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 and Jimmy Mazzy
Carrie Mazzy crooned to husband Jimmy on Write Myself a Letter.
Sandy Cash
Sandy Cash, charming vocalist from New Orleans, sang a lively Basin St. Blues, and won over every heart in the Café.
Emily Shamieh
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
Seacoast Stompers on the new Acton Jazz Cafe stage
Dave Whitney trumpet, Craig Ball clarinet, Scott Philbrick banjo/guitar/cornet, Lee Prager trombone, Frank Stadler leader/piano, Al Bernard tuba, Bobby Reardon drums.
The decor of the café has totally changed, it feels more like a nightclub now, with a full raised stage at the back of the room. Definitely an improvement; same fine food and gracious personnel. Alternating spotlights from blue to red to white give it nice atmosphere, but raise cane with the videos. On this First Saturday of the month, The Seacoast Stompers began as always with their Flagship tune, At The Jazz Band Ball, a 1917 jazz classic done by the ODJB, and one of the earliest and most recorded jazz compositions. Scott was strumming on banjo because Jimmy Mazzy was home looking after Carrie.
Earl Hines’ Monday Date, Scott was on acoustic guitar; Whitney trumpet, Craig soaring clarinet, Lee swinging trombone, Frank piano, Bob drums, Albie’s tuba pushing the whole ensemble. Fabulous!
Frank Stadler doesn’t like to repeat tunes. They haven’t done Moonglow for a while, nice slow dance tune. Charlie was up immediately – he dances with all the ladies. He found an open corner near the bar. Back o’ Town Blues is a nice slow Blues, one of Whitney’s favorite vocals. The musicians followed him, playing passionate solos, with Lee growling on trombone.
After You’ve Gone, trumpet intro with tuba back up, was really great Dixieland; Whitney squeezed in a bit of Little Girl. Frank played beautiful melody on piano, backed by Albie’s chords and Bob’s time keeping.
Scott returned to his cornet, now we had two horns, no waiting; Take Your Tomorrows and Give Me Today. Bix did this with Frank Trumbauer in 1928. They started with fantastic brass, and finished it the same way; it sure was great to have Dave Whitney back. Love is Just Around the Corner, Whitney vocal, the band played full force, stopping on a dime!
There’s always a discussion on the next tune, who will do what? Here was a “good ol’ good one” done by the Original Dixieland Jazz Band also in 1917 – Fidgety Feet had the audiences’ feet tapping. You can’t sit still listening to this Jazz. Albie took a melodic solo on tuba, Scott back on cornet, Bobby wouldn’t let it quit, taking multiple drum endings, nailing the end with a final cymbal crash.
Bob Reardon supports the band with his fine drumming.
Nobody wanted to quit. Louis did Wild Man Blues with his Hot Seven – we had hot banjo, and tuba too.
Bob Crosby’ Bob Cats recorded Irving Fazola’s I’m Coming Virginia.
Fats Waller’s Baby Brown had Dave Whitney on trumpet and vocal, and Scotty on cornet. They have a friendly, compatible competition going.
Song of the Wanderer was a really HOT ONE with Scott on banjo, then he was back on guitar for Someday Sweetheart.
Dave Whitney and Scott Philbrick have a friendly go-round on Mandy, Make Up Your Mind
A request (inevitably) started with a very truncated Saints, and quickly moved to Who’s Sorry Now, finishing with Ain’t Gonna Give Nobody None of my Jelly Roll.
As usual there was a full house enjoying the fine Dixieland and Swing of the Seacoast Stompers. You can hear them at the Acton Jazz Café on the first Saturday of every month, in the afternoon – easier driving for most of us.
To get the best seat, please make a reservation; email gwenn@actonjazzcafe.com with the subject line reading either RESERVATION or CONTACT, or call them at (978) 263-6161 after 5 pm. http://www.actonjazzcafe.com/ Use 5 Nagog Park Mall on GPS to get directions.
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Seacoast Stompers tunes played on March 1, 2014
Set 1
1 At The Jazz Band Ball
2 My Monday Date
3 Moonglow
4 Back o’ Town Blues
5 After You’ve Gone
6 Take Your Tomorrow
7 Love Is Just Around The Corner
8 Louisiana Fairy Tale
9 Fidgety Feet
Set 2
1 Avalon
2 Wild Man Blues
3 Can’t We Be Friends
4 I’m Coming Virginia (W/Verse)
5 Baby Brown
6 Wabash Blues
7 Song of the Wanderer
Set 3
1 Preacher, The
2 Mandy Make Up Your Mind
3 Someday Sweetheart
4 Who’s Sorry Now
5 Jelly Roll (Ain’t Gonna Give You None)
Seacoast Stompers at the Acton Jazz Café, on a bitter cold January 4th 2014, with Scott Philbrick cornet, Craig Ball clarinet, Lee Prager trombone, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Al Bernard souzaphone, Bobby Reardon drums, Frank Stadler leader/piano. Videos by Harold McAleer.
In spite of the bitterly cold weather, The Acton Jazz Café had few empty seats when The Seacoast Stompers began another year of 1st Saturdays of the month. Many of us were suffering from Trad Jazz withdrawal over the holidays, with the musicians busy playing at private gigs.
Leader Frank Stadler was back with a long list of tunes, offering two at a time, and letting the musicians choose. They are almost all Band Leaders and have minds of their own; sometimes they picked one, sometimes picked totally different tunes. There is much discussion, but it’s all in great fun. Frank is to be commended for patiently managing the divergent personalities that are the Seacoast Stompers.
They started hot and heavy with the Bix version of their theme song, At The Jazz Band Ball, hot solos!
Frank took the intro with bass notes on I Would Do Most Anything For You. Bobby went wild on drums!
Frank Stadler, piano – leader
Take Your Tomorrows and Give Me Today, Swing That Music. Nice tuba solo. The rhythm boys set the dynamic background that gets toes tapping.
Jimmy Mazzy, Al Bernard, Bobby Reardon
Jimmy has his own unique style of playing banjo, and singing. We especially liked his ballad, Sugar, with ecstatic interchange between Philbrick and Prager. They challenge each other. Rose Room got dancers up, with Scott sneaking in Always Chasing Rainbows on cornet.
We all helped celebrate Jack Phelan’s 90th birthday, who was here with his family. Jack is the pianist for the New Liberty Jazz Band and formerly led the Scollay Square Stompers.
Jimmy Mazzy and Jack Phelan
Jack says “The Seacoast Stompers are a great group, and anytime Jimmy Mazzy is with a group it’s even better!”
He said “Frank Stadler is a top notch piano player, with a steady rhythm and steady beat.” “The front line, Craig, Scotty and Lee, are just great! They sound like they rehearsed for weeks, but we know they were improvising, making it up.”
Frank Stadler filled in for Jack with the New Liberty Jazz Band on their 1941 Fire Truck last November 23rd at the Methuen Parade, when it was again cold weather. Jack recommended him.
Jack Phelan has been around Jazz and Jazz Joints for a long time. He was sitting up front and center, where he could hear them discussing what they were going to play next. He said to Scotty, “Since they moved the spittoon from the corner of the saloon, you just can’t spit anymore!” That broke them up!
The band wanted to play the Birthday song for him, instead he requested Ain’t She Sweet and they were happy to oblige.
Frank asked for Fidgety Feet. All agreed, no discussion!
We especially like Jimmy’s ballads, I’ve Got The World on a String.
Bill Flynn and the Missus from New Hampshire found themselves a corner for dancing. He’s a retired Raytheon engineer who writes books for sale on Kindle as a hobby.
Lee Prager
Trombone intro I’ll Take Manhattan, Lee bends over backwards to get those perfect notes. Sweet tune, followed by something peppy – Sunday.
St. Louis Blues is one of the oldest tunes known to the cognoscenti. Tuba intro, imaginative ensemble. They listen to each other and to the music, play mesmerizing blues.
Fantastic ensemble by the front line, Craig Ball, Scott Philbrick, and Lee Prager
Bobby Reardon has two sets of drums with him, he has another job in Stoneham when he leaves the Acton Jazz Cafe. The musicians really appreciate his tasteful, shrewd, drumming.
Bobby Reardon
They closed this set with a romp roaring Sweet Georgia Brown.
Harold McAleer with his video camera.
We are all grateful that Harold McAleer is back. He is dedicated to recording this music for posterity, and spends hours videotaping and editing many videos, especially of the Seacoast Stompers. You can find hundreds of them on You Tube.
There was much more great jazz in store. (see below). We’ll be back with the usual Trad Jazz Crowd, thirsting for this kind of music, on February 1st. We hope to see Jack Phelan back too!!
Seacoast Stompers January 4, 2014 Tunes:
Set 1
1 At The Jazz Band Ball
2 Sugar
3 I Would Do Anything For You
4 Take Your Tomorrow
5 Swing That Music
6 Rose Room
7 Fidgety Feet
8 I’ve Got the World on a String
9 Sunday
10 St Louis Blues
11 Sweet Georgia Brown
Set 2
1 It Don’t Mean a Thing If it Ain’t Got That Swing
2 Tin Roof Blues
3 Ain’t She Sweet
4 Curse of an Aching Heart
5 New Orleans
6 Undecided
Set 3
1 Jelly Roll (Ain’t Gonna Give You None)
2 Since My Best Gal Turned Me Down
3 If I had You
4 Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gives To Me
