——–> Friday Saturday Evening Sunday
Joel Schiavone welcomes everone.
After a delicious brunch created by the Kitchen Crew of Volunteers, Joel welcomed everyone to the Saturday afternoon session. Aficionados of all ages came from everywhere; Walter Landry was here at 96!
We all know that if you change one or two persons in a band, it changes the whole feeling/sound of the band. Jeff Barnhart used this to create many different bands, and bring variety to the House Party.
He created a band of the players, picked a leader, and suggested what type of tune they should play: up, slow, med-up, med-slow, WGJB style, Djangoesque, Yerba Buena style. The members got together, whether they’ve ever played together or not, and decided what tune to play and how they would handle it. They spoke to each other with their music. It created a “Festival” of bands.
Jeff Barnhart’s list of 28 instructions/performances started this afternoon with Scott Philbrick, Dan Levinson, Tom Boates, Jeff Barnhart, Joel Schiavone, Brian Nalepka, Jim Lawlor. Scott Philbrick was in charge for a medium-up tune that Brian could sing. When You’re Smiling.
Dan Levinson on fabulous tenor sax
The virtuosic Dan Levinson was back; this was his 17th year appearing at a Connecticut Jazz Festival.
He is responsible for many of the young musicians in New York playing our kind of music – Thank you, Dan!
He was in charge of this same group for a medium-slow tune (called for by the list.) Dan was inspiring on tenor sax with After You’ve Gone.
Tom Boates was next in charge for an up-tune, Baby Won’t You Please Come Home. And so it went with 28 tunes in every session a variety of music played by seventeen talented musicians. My cup runneth over!!
Donn Trenner, photo by Jan Sopelak
Group two introduced pianist Donn Trennor on keyboard. Trenner, 88 has a long history of playing and directing with many famous musicians. In the 1960s, Trenner worked as a studio musician, and led The Steve Allen Show house band. He also did work with Bob Hope. Donn has just released his book, Leave it to Me…. My Life in Music. He knows music!, playing sophisticated solo on Days of Wine and Roses , then rambling up with a powerful Satin Doll.
Molly Ryan sang a heartfelt Cottage For Sale, with Donn Trenner on keyboard; an enchanting duet.
Jim Lawlor, photo Jan Sopelak
Jim Lawlor came from New Jersey – traffic was horrendous, he was late, and minus a snare drum, But he managed well without it on Friday. By Saturday, the snare drum was located and all was well with the Trad Jazz world.
He even gave us a fine vocal on Pennies From Heaven, with Scott Philbrick and Brian Nalepka.
The third group had Molly on guitar, Dan on clarinet and tenor sax, Jeff back on keys, Kevin Dorn drums, for My Honey’s Loving Arms.
They do have fun playing music together. Molly’s vocal on My Blue Heaven, Dan grabbed the mic singing, “Just Molly and Me,” with Molly adding “and Barnhart makes three!” Check Jeff’s reaction!
Fourth band was led by Tom Boates with Jim Fryer, both fine trombonist, with Gen bass, Lawlor drums for a very different Mood Indigo from the Anderson Brothers.
Gen Rose, photo by Jan Sopelak
Genevieve Rose provides the right chords and excellent beat on string bass.
Fred Vigorito led the fifth band with a wild Oh Baby, lots of brass with Fred, Jim Fryer, Tom Boates, Scotty, Noel, Gen, Lawlor, Molly on guitar, and Donn Trenner keys,
Molly and Scott moved to guitar for a Noel and Fred’s knockout Chinaboy.
Fred on cornet and Noel on soprano sax let loose on Chinaboy boosted by two guitars
Tom Boates joins them for 3 guitars – Molly sings Dark Eyes….
Fred, Noel, Jenn, Kevin, Tom, Jeff, Joel played a gripping Sleepy Time Down South, and a fine medley of Hoagy Carmichael songs.
Sleepy Time Down South
Molly returned with this group for I Wonder Who’s Kissing Him Now.
Molly Ryan
She was given the choice of picking musicians and asked, “Who wants to play with me?” — That had everyone grinning!
She chose Dan, of course, Jim Lawlor, Gen, Joel, Jim Fryer, and Donn Trenner for Be Sure Its True When You Say I Love You – a beautiful waltz.
Getting back to a favorite Traditional Jazz number, with Yerba Buena’s, Bienville Blues, otherwise known as Storyville Blues, with veteran Trad players Freddy Vigorito and Scott Philbrick on cornet.
Yerba Buena number, Bienville Blues
Kevin Dorn
Canal St. Blues was a King Oliver stomp, with a powerful front line, livewire ensemble, backed by Kevin’s light but forceful drumming.
Time for another Banjorama, with Joel leading, and everyone singing along with Patriotic songs.
Joel leads the Banjorama, photo by Jan Sopelak, Show Photography
Tom Boates and Gordon Au
New York’s Gordon Au arrived. Welcome back, Gordon!!
Molly had the final vocals, intuitively connecting with the mood of each song: A Good Man is Hard to Find, I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles, and Get Out And Get Under The Moon.
Gordon joined on trumpet for a prolific brass finale, with Fryer on euphonium and Nalepka on tuba.
Gordon Au joins in Finale
It was a thrilling, crowd pleasing afternoon. We took a break and returned with a full house, anticipating a fine Saturday dinner and a Jazzy evening.
