by Marce
Videos by Vern Welch

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.”

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.

 

 

 

 

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 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 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’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!