The Wolverine Jazz Band has finally become recognized as one of the top Traditional and Dixieland Jazz Bands. It’s been a long time coming, since John Clark stepped in to fill in the reed section of the Paramount Jazz Band in 1994.
In his own words:
“I started at the Holiday Inn when Ray invited me to his 1994 Christmas party there – I thought it was an actual party and not a performance, so it was a good thing I thought to throw my bari in the car – it turned out to be an audition (I had played in a casual group with Ray the summer before). Apparently I passed, because I was put on the regular rotation after that (I believe the Christmas gig was the last local gig for both Gary Rodberg and Steve Wright – I think they both moved away within a week or so). That led to my subbing for Steve with the Paramount J.B. on the England tour in June, 1995.”
John continued his studies at Connecticut College, and soon formed the Wolverine Jazz Band, with its own ‘Bix’, Jeff Hughes on cornet and trumpet,Tom Boates trombone, Ross Petot piano, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Rick MacWilliams tuba, Dave Didriksen drums.
They have since been invited to the Bar Harbor Jazz Festival, America’s Dixieland Festival, Olympia; Arizona Classic Jazz Festival, Summit Jazz Festival, Hot Steamed Jazz Festival.
They kicked off this session with a tune Santo Pecora, trombone, played with the New Orleans Rhythm Kings. Check out our own Santo Pecora! She’s Crying For Me,.
Jimmy starts a swinging 1920’s Dardanella,
Jimmy sings Yellow Dog Blues
The one and only Jimmy Mazzy singing in the 1919 W. C. Handy’s Yellow Dog Blues.
(People in New England don’t jump up out of their seats and holler like the West Coast Trad Jazz Fans on Yellow Dog Blues.)
Sweet Jenny Lee is on one of the Woverines’ many CDs. Clark dug out the bari sax.
The Rhythm Boys keep the band jumping.
Dave Dickriksen
Rick MacWilliams
They stole a tune from Clarence Williams – “You can never get enough from him.” Cushion Foot Stomp, with Jimmy vocal, Dave wrapped it up with a loud crash cymbal.
The Halfway House Orchestra did this old chestnut in the 1920’. Wolverines updated it to 1925 style. Let Me Call You Sweetheart, Ross marvelous on stride piano.
Tom Boates
They moved to ‘western swing’ with a tune played by Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys, with Tom Boates’ captivating vocal. Cherokee Maiden, backed by Dave’s Native American drum beat.
Ross was back in stride with a hard driving tempo on Duke’s Street Beat CD, Birmingham Breakdown. Fabulous muted trombone and baritone sax.
Trumpet and banjo kicked off Irving Berlin’s 1929 Waiting at the End of the Road, featuring Jimmy;nice tight ensemble on Jimmy Blythe’s 1920’s Oriental Man.
The Wolverine Jazz Band plays at least once a month at the Sherborn Inn’s Tuesday Night Jazz, and always to a full-house. For their schedule, best get on John’s email list at jazzbnd@aol.com
The Hot Steamed Jazz Festival June 21-23 at the Valley Railroad in Essex Connecticut was a complete SUCCESS – and Shirley Bombaci is now looking for an appropriate date in 2014 for a repeat performance! The spirits were with us this year with perfect sunshine, a slight breeze, and to top it all off, a Super Full Moon.
Shirley Bombaci
Shirley and the Committee worked tirelessly all year to pull the Festival together. President/Chair Shirley Bombaci, Vice President Bob Brummett, Treasurer Nina Sulinski, Secretary Beth Fitzsimmons; Members: Sue Brummett, Marge Olmstead, Nancy Loader (publicity) and Joanne Sousa who assembled the many volunteers. (They could have used more volunteers – Leo Martin was setting up the chairs on Thursday by himself.)
Music was top priority, they skipped frills like badges, expensive programs. The Friday night crowd was light, but Saturday and Sunday made up for it.
Gospel Sunday Rev. Crowell couldn’t make it this year, so Jeff Barnhart was appointed temporary minister for He searched the internet for appropriate passages, and God answered him with Amazing Grace!
Jeff Barnhart and Bob Seeley Duet
Jeff and Bob Seeley managed to get together for a short 4-handed Boogie-Woogie.
Joel Silvestro and partner
Joel Silvestro was spotted on the dance floor, still demonstrating his marvelous dancing style.
THE BANDS at the 2013 Hot Steamed Jazz Festival included:
Festival All Stars, led by Jeff Barnhart. They started out Friday night with four people, including indefatigable Noel Kaletsky, who never stopped playing until the last note on Sunday! By Sunday, the Fest Band had a full stage.
Noel plays Sleep
Dan Levinson was here for the 16th year, bringing in a new generation of talented musicians, Dan Levinson’s Millenium All Stars from New York. We hope they will introduce Traditional Jazz to their peers at various venues there.
Bob Seeley will be 85 in September, that that hasn’t slowed this boogie-meister down at all!
TheMidiri Brothers are entertainers as well as accomplished musicians. They are always crowd pleasers.
Ben Mauger is a Hot Steamed favorite, with a new clarinet player this year in Ben Mauger’s Speakeasy Six.
Route 17 Stompers were Art Hovey’s Sugarfoot Youth Band. All but a few of his Sugarfoot alumni have moved on to higher education, hopefully as professional musicians. Art is starting fresh with a whole new crew, mostly from Durham CT, who are already showing great promise, even a new Louis Armstrong and King Oliver. Some of his alumni were here to support the new group.
Heartbeat Dixieland Jazz Band was augmented by Skip Hughes, Jane Campedelli, and Ben Griffin. With a new manager in charge of publicity, Karen Senn – Watch Out! This band is going places.
Parasol Parade, with Shirley
The Wolverine Jazz Band has been practicing their performance on us at the Sherborn Inn for the last few months, and did not disappoint. This is a New England favorite, and has been invited to festivals all over the country. Dr. John Clark and this band have a great future!
Galvanized Jazz Band was also joined by Jane Campedelli. We missed Bob Price golden voice and banjo. Steve Keeler, Jazz Guitar subbed for Bob. You’ll be hearing more from him! Our own Sophie Tucker, Jane Campedelli was back from Florida, belting out tunes with the Galvanized and many other bands.
The Jazz Jesters from Cape Cod led by Jeff Hughes. Jeff has many bands playing music from the 20’s through the 50’s. The Jazz Jesters delve into the Jazz Decades of the 20’s and 30’s, (much as Ray Smith does every Sunday on www.wgbh.org 8-9pm.)
Funky Butt Jazz Band is led by Pierce Campbell, known for his finger-style guitar work and singing. He was appointed Connecticut State Troubadour for 2007-2008.
Bob Seeley leads more parasols with his tambourine
Proceeds from this festival benefited Paul Newman’s Hole In The Wall Gang Camp, celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year. www.holeinthewallgang.org
In 1988, Paul Newman opened The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in Connecticut so that children coping with serious illnesses could have a special hideout where they could simply be kids. Music fans contributed in special cups placed at each tent, and there was a raffle of baskets full of items from the Camp.
The Committee may have skipped many of the frills, but there were Hot Steamed Festival Tee Shirts and Polo Shirts available at a very reasonable price. There will be more great bands next year. We hope more volunteers will step up. How about it??
Thank you Shirley Bombaci and Crew for persevering and giving us another weekend of great Traditional and Dixieland Jazz. See you all next year!
Freddy Vigorito cornet, Skip Hughes & Ben Griffin trombone, Sherman Kahn and Noel Kaletsky reeds, Charlie Freeman piano, Albie Bernard tuba, Gim Burton banjo, Bill Logozzo drums/leader, Tish Rabe vocals
The Dixieland stage was in a tent set up outside the Four Points Hotel, when the sky suddenly opened up and a veritable deluge ensued. But fans of Traditional Jazz have been through worse – the rain and lightening didn’t faze us as we listened to these fantastic musicians playing our kind of music.
Bill Logozzo’s Heartbeat Dixieland Jazz Band doesn’t stick with any one genre – they’ll play a bit of swing, add some ragtime, New Orleans style Dixieland, and even throw in some classic Rock & Roll.
Gim’s banjo started the Festival with a wild, frenzied Washington & Lee Swing (The Dummy Song).
Fantastic.
Great way to start the day!!
Freddy Vigorito lead the group with his hot, driving cornet.
The pace slowed down for an old New Orleans Blues, Tin Roof Blues.
Bill Logozzo introduced Tish (Patricia) Rabe. Tish’s voice has a lovely sound; had tasteful phrasing on Amazing Grace.
She is primarily a childrens book author. She and her husband reside in NYC and travel back and forth to a home in Mystic Connecticut.
As both a songwriter and music producer she has created children’s songs that have been broadcast on PBS Kids, Fox, Nickelodeon and HBO Family. For the last three years she has been visiting elementary schools to help kids get excited about reading and writing.
Bill’s drums and Ben Griffin’s trombone were featured in a sensational conversation on It Don’t Mean a Thing if it Ain’t Got That Swing. Marvelous!! Ben plays trombone passionately, straight from the gut. The front line picked up on it, improvising counterpoint. That’s what this jazz is all about!!
Ben Griffin
Bill Logozzo
Two clarinets give the band awe-inspiring flexibility, Sherman and Noel cutting it on Avalon,taking turns racing up and down the registers. That fired up the band!
Charlie Freeman
They skipped the verse as Charlie Freeman’s piano took the intro into a stomping Lulu’s Back in Town.
Charlie fills in the holes with rhythmic embellishments, and offers just the right chords behind soloists.
Tish is from New York. She knocked us out with her Red Hot Mama rendition of San Francisco Bay.
Fred pointed out the original “Red Hot Mama”, Sophie Tucker, was born in Russia as Sophie Abuza, but was brought here by her parents as an infant, and grew up in Hartford Connecticut.
Skip Hughes’ trombone was exceptionally melodic on a Jelly Roll Morton tune, Sweet & Slow. He is a phenomenon, and we are really fortunate that Skip is here playing for us.
He has survived so many extreme hardships in the last few years.
First his 200-year-old farm house burned to the ground. He and his wife lost everything but his trombone, which fortunately was still in the trunk of his car from the last gig!
Then he lost his wife Joyce, who was already ill at the time. Then he himself became seriously ill, and we thought we’d lost him too.
But he has bounced back and is wholeheartedly enjoying life, singing and playing trombone better than ever.
Skip Hughes
Ben Griffin is a Tiger on that trombone, and that long reach was the ferocious beast in an old chestnut, Tiger Rag.
No less ferocious is Albie Bernard’s low-down beat on the sousaphone, pushing the bass lines and the band.
The second set started with Ben Griffin and the band on a breathtaking Basin Street Blues
Tish returned for the gospel tune, Just a Closer Walk With Thee. Beautiful!
She has an indelible, personal voice, that makes you feel as if she’s singing just for you.
Bill Logozzo also has a 3-piece Rock & Roll Band, Triple Play, the music that influenced lifestyles, attitudes, and us, back in the 50’s.
Triple Play wasn’t here today, neither was Marshal Lytle of the original Bill Haley’s Rock Around The Clock. They had us Jazzin’ With The Stars and dancing in the aisles at the First Church of Christ in Middletown, CT not too long ago.
Nevertheless, the Heartbeat Dixieland Jazz Band rocked on with Shake, Rattle, & Roll, with Skip performing and singing with gusto, adding his own unique version of the lyrics.
Change of pace – Bill said it was time to feature the two ‘youngest’ members of the band, “to fight it out again,” two clarinets in a grudge match in After You’ve Gone. Fabulous duet! Couldn’t tell who was running up and down the register playing the most notes!
The band touched on the 60’s when Tish returned with Patsy Cline’s plaintive I Go Out Walkin After Midnight.
Rain or shine, nothing could have delighted this audience more than these talented musicians. It’s easy to understand why the Heartbeat Dixieland Jazz Band has been dubbed “New England’s Most Lovable Jazz Band”.
Bill Logozzo’s Heartbeat Jazz Band can be heard every Wednesday 12-2pm at the Jazz luncheon at the Yankee Clipper Restaurant, 157 West Main Street, Niantic, CT
Were you SPOTTED? at the Jazz & Blues Extravaganza?
The Traditional/Dixieland Jazz was in a tent set up out front of the Four Points Hotel. It didn’t take long, the tent was filled to capacity. We had four great bands that played two sets each:
Joel Sylvestro was back swing-dancing with the ladies.
The tent was packed, and dancers glided across the dance floor.
This powerful music brings us all together, it’s infectious. We listen in anticipation to the musicians making it up as they go along. What are they going to do next?? Their many voices play different musical lines at the same time, but it all comes together. It’s spontaneous and ad libbed – their instruments expressing their feelings. How can do they do that?? Sometimes a soloist will go too far….
“He’s way out there – how is he going to get back?”
He hears a chord from the piano, responds, and the band is back in unison, playing happy, foot-tapping music. It’s always different, never gets boring.
We listeners are included, we give them feedback, and the musicians react in kind. It’s a symbiotic relationship. This was a great day where everyone put aside their trials and tribulations, cleared their heads, and just relaxed and enjoyed fine Dixieland Jazz.
This Jazz & Blues Extravaganza ended up in the black! On to next year!
Heartbeat Dixieland Jazz Band – 3 sets – 14 pieces* (not all at the same time) – under the guidance of drummer / leader Bill Logozzo, a master at bringing the best local musicians together and without asking them, receiving a musical pouring out of their very souls, all the music they have in them. He has been given a gift and uses it to the benefit of all within earshot. And from the audiences reactions… they are well pleased. Lauren Humpage
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Bill Logozzo, leader/drums, Albie Bernard tuba, Ben Griffin trombone, Charlie Freeman piano, Shari Lucas piano, Gim Burton banjo, Skip Hughes trombone/vocals, Jeff Hughes cornet, Sherman Kahn sax/clarinet, John Clark clarinet/sax, Andy Sherwood sax/clarinet, Jane Campedelli vocals, and last, but certainly not least, Marshall Lytle bass.
They started out with special guest, Marshall Lytle, one of founders of Bill Haley and the Comets (1951). You’re The Greatest. With his happy-go-lucky demeanor, singing, smiling, and playing the acoustic bass, he quickly won over the crowd (many of whom, like me, were in High School at the time!) The 1954 hit record – Shake Rattle and Roll – sold over a million copies.
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Avalon – was HOT, HOT, HOT fantastic clarinet duet with Sherman Kahn and John Clark!
Janie was everywhere all weekend, adding her congenial personality and rousing vocals to almost every band. We never get enough of hearing her when she’s back in New England!
Jane’s vocal on Who’s Sorry Now? with the Heartbeat JB concluded with wild scatting between Jane Campedelli, John Clark, Jeff Hughes, and Ben Griffin.
Jane’s vocal on Exactly Like you features a solo from one of our finest tuba players, Albie Bernard – and we finally get to see his face! Skip Hughes has been mostly in the background, but is featured on a reverential Amazing Grace. Jeff Hughes featured on his long-model Conn cornet, it’s not a trumpet, with Glory, Glory Halleluiah, backed by Lytle on string bass.
John Clark on alto sax engages trombonist Ben Griffin in a formidable duel.
Shari Lucas, listening carefully, backing the band, filling in the spaces, and playing just the right chords behind the soloists.
Bill Logozzo is like a magnet – he constantly attracts the finest musicians. You can catch the Heartbeat Jazz Band’s Jazz Lunch every Wednesday at the Yankee Clipper Restaurant, 157 West Main Street, Niantic, CT (860-739-9634). You never know who will show up!
Front Row (left to right): Albie Bernard, Sal Basile, Jason & Karen Senn, Gim Burton, Ronnie Spector, Michelle Berting, Sherman Kahn, Fred Vigorito, Ken Chant
Second Row (left to right): Ben Griffin, Bob Cafro, Cindy Cafro, Mark Brett, Mary Rodgers, Jimmie Rodgers, Marshall Lytle, JoAnne Martin (Jimmy Jay’s wife), David Spitzer, Jimmy Jay, Judy Postemsky, Bill Logozzo, Skip Hughes, Shari Lucas, Denise Hornbecker (Channel 3 Kids Camp), Shirley Bombaci, Jeff Hughes, Nancy Loader, Michael Dauphin (Hole in the Wall), Maria Gomez (Hole in the Wall)
Bill Logozzo has two bands, a Dixieland Jazz Band and a Rock Band. It’s not often the two get to play together, but this fundraiser was for a very special reason – children. Bill is aware of how important it is for kids to receive love and support. His Musical Dreams for Human Harmony funnels monies to help children and people from all religions, races and ages, with specific medical needs and/or handicaps. Held at the First Church of Christ in Middletown Connecticut on April 21, 2012, all proceeds went to:
Paul Newman’s Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, created in 1988 in Ashford CT, serves more than 20,000 children and family members annually, free of charge. Through summer sessions and family weekend programs, and year-round outreach to hospitals and clinics throughout the Northeast, this community provides “a different kind of healing” to children and their families coping with cancer, sickle cell anemia and other serious illnesses. They are generally isolated from the community. Here illnesses are left at the door, children impact each other and can “raise a little hell” with others just like themselves. Not isolated. Their infirmary is called “The OK Corral !”
The Channel 3 Kids’ Camp, founded in 1910, is a year-round retreat for over 4000 children, ages 6 – 16 on 350 acres along the Skungamaug River. For them the camping season never ends! They have both day and week camps. At the Day Camp Children 6-12 learn self esteem and independence through learning and playing with other children. The overnight camps provide teens with personal, social and recreational programs in a safe and positive environment that enhances personal and social skills, teaches leadership and responsibility, and promotes individual self-esteem. In addition to the social benefits, a week spent in the mountains or woods heightens the child’s awareness of the relationship between people and nature. During the fall and winter months, many more children are able to experience this vast 350 acres as they participate in Natures Classroom, where science and nature are brought to life in a way that no text book possibly can.
Bill Logozzo believes that music is the route to the soul, and the method for making all feel good. He and countless volunteers, headed by Karen Senn gathered the best local musicians and some Country and Rock Stars from different generations.
Jimmy Jay, DJ of the Stars served as announcer – “This is the first time I’ve ever partied in a church!.”
He saluted his friend Dick Clark, who had just died at 82. Jimmy had an 80th birthday salute to Clark just 2 years ago.
He introduced an extended Heartbeat Jazz Band to jump-start this very special afternoon.
Marshall Lytle and Jimmy Jay
Logozzo’s drum took the intro to a WILD New Orleans, with Skip Hughes powerful voice, and the jazz ensemble echoing off the high church ceiling. Skip called it a “con-fusion” band Swing That Music was spectacular – John Clark vocalizing!
Ray Ross photo
Ben Griffin used Basin St. Blues to introduce each musician: Sherman Kahn, John Clark, reeds, Ben Griffin and Skip Hughes trombone, Jeff Hughes cornet, Bill Logozo drums, Shari Lucas keyboard, Gim Burton banjo, Albie Bernard tuba. Blues My Naughty Sweety Gives to Me had the skillful intertwining of the clarinet duo, Sherman Kahn and John Clark. You could feel the musical energy building up.
Jimmy introduced Michelle Berting Connecticut’s newest import from Canada, who is currently starring in “The Man In Black” tour, a show about Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash, and also in “Close To You: The Songs of the Carpenters,” set to launch in the U.S. this year. (She also takes time to sing for our troops.) From the standard song book, this charming singer chose Georgia, intro by Jeff Hughes on muted 1955 Connstellation cornet. Singing from the heart, she continued with, Sentimental Journey, the audience attentive and quiet.
Ray Ross photo
Next was Marshall Lytle a founding member and bassist of Bill Haley and the Comets. Lytle was recently inducted into the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame, finally, 58 years after recording Rock Around the Clock! Triple Play, Logozzo’s Rock ‘n Roll band, backed him with help from Ben Griffin on trombone, Sherman Kahn on tenor sax, and Shari Lucas on keyboard. Lyte immediately won the heart of this audience – this was our era! We were squirming in our seats.
Shake Rattle & Roll, had the audience clapping in sync, people in the balcony dancing, in the aisles, they gave him a standing ovation – and he had just begun! He thanked the wonderful audience. Next was another one from 50’s See Ya Later Alligator, people up back couldn’t sit, started dancing, including me. Michelle Berting joined him for a tune he wrote in1950 You’re the Greatest.
DJ Jimmy Jay presented Jimmie Rodgers, country singer best known for his chart-topping hits in the 50s and 60s. He has lost his voice for 6 years due to an aneurism, and is now trying to restore his career by playing some of the songs from his 23 gold records and singing along, and telling jokes. Secretly, Kisses Sweeter Than Wine, Un Oh Falling in Love Again, A Child of Clay, Honeycomb, and then did one song in his own voice, playing guitar, A Hundred Miles, taking us to 5pm.
There was a break, cut short by Freddy Vigorito’s bugle call, bringing everyone back for an extra half hour.
Jimmy Jay introduced Ronnie Spector, the heart and soul of female Rock and Roll in the 1960s. A profoundly moving singer, she defined an entire era in pop music. She and the Ronettes were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in March 2007. She sang an emotional Be My Baby. “I’m thrilled to be here for the Channel 3 Kids Camp – it comes from the heart.”
Heartbeat Jazz Band returned with Michelle Berting for a fine rendition of Patsy Cline’s country hit, Crazy. Triple Play joined the Heartbeat for a barn-burning, Louis Prima’s Jump Jive & Wail that had Shari jumping up and jiving. The horns went wild, weaving in all directions. They followed with Tiger Rag in triple time, with the ferocious tiger of two trombones, both Jeff and Freddy on cornet, Logozzo slamming the drums. Washington and Lee Swing(The Dummy Song) with Skip Hughes vocal. Incredible! But it wasn’t over.
Ray Ross photo
Our favorite young vocalist, Jason Senn, brought the house down with Louis Armstrong’s What a Wonderful World. It really is!!
Heartbeat Dixieland Jazz Band has a Facebook page! If you’re on Facebook, please go to the page and click “like” for their schedule. Plus, You can view all the photos and videos from this concert.
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