Jazz Jesters at the Hot Steamed Jazz Festival 2014

Posted on February 14, 2015 by admin

Jeff Hughes trumpet/leader, John Clark and Craig Ball reeds, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Ross Petot piano, Al Bernard sousaphone, Steve Taddeo drums

Once again the Jazz Jesters brought their Hot Dance music of the Jazz Decades to the Hot Steamed Jazz Festival, with plenty of 20’s and 30’s early Bix and Bunny Berigan. They play many of their own arrangements with have tight ensembles and exciting solos. Unfortunately, most of those pictures were lost, so we’ve picked some substitutes.

They started with This is My Lucky Day – Henderson 1926, with piano intro, Jimmy scatting. Anytime they can can perform together is a lucky day – they’ve made this their theme song.

Craig Ball was featured on high register clarinet for the 1930’s Three Little Words.

The band played early Bix in his Wolverine Days, before he joined Goldkette, with John on baritone sax: I Need Some Petting

John Clark on baritone sax

The dynamic reedmen Craig Ball and John Clark are as expressive as the reed sections of a Big Band, changing combinations, saxophones on Song of India, clarinets.
They inspire each other, alternating alto and tenor sax and clarinet, baritone sax, and sometimes challenge the leader by changing the program on him.

1940’s Tommy Dorsey with Craig on clarinet, John on alto sax, I Know That You Know.

Jeff Hughes sings snappy Golden Gate

Jeff Hughes’ love of this music radiates out of every pore. Hot tempo on custom-made tuneable bell Yamaha trumpet for Al Jolson’s Golden Gate. Jeff even sang the vocal.
(He found the old sheet music list for this music one weekend going through an antique store.)

Davenport Blues with Jeff on flugelhorn:

Al Bernard

Pushing the band is Al Bernard, wrapped in sousaphone.

Ross was featured with the rhythm section on Cole Porter’s most famous tune, the 1929 What Is This Thing Called Love, beautiful ballad, Jimmy wailing it in Mazzy style, with Ross backing him on stride piano.

Ross Petot

John on alto, Craig on clarinet Blame it On The Blues

Paduca

Pardon My Southern Accent Jimmy vocal, with great tenor sax by Craig.

Steve lets loose on drums (at Sherborn Inn)

Steve Taddeo lets loose on drums

They let Steve Taddeo go on Fats Waller’s 1920 Zonkie. He loosened the snare drum to give it the Gene Krupa treatment. (It’s inevitable.)

Steve stayed in Gene Krupa mood. Jimmy started the verse on Irving Berlin’s Russian Lullaby, Jeff adding some fabulous Bunny Berigan.

The one and only, Jimmy Mazzy

1920 Walter Donaldson’s Sam, The Accordion Man featured Jimmy.
They closed with Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans?

The Jazz Jesters reminded us of New Orleans, Bix and Bunny, St. Louis, Kansas City, Chicago, all the places the early jazz from the 20’s and early 30’s was played.

Hot Steamed Jazz Festival June 20-22, 2014

Posted on February 10, 2015 by admin

That was the Finale of the Hot Steamed Jazz Festival 2014 – Jimmy Mazzy singing “We’ll meet again, don’t know where, don’t know when…” Many of us started to cry. The Jazz at the Festival was fantastic, but the attendance was not.

by Marce
Videos by Eric Devine

Traditional and Dixieland Jazz has been featured at the Essex Steam Train since 1986 – when it was The Great Connecticut Traditional Jazz Festival. When TGCTJF moved to Moodus CT, a dedicated group of Trad Jazz aficionados, including Joe and Shirley Bombaci, hoped to maintain some Traditional Jazz in Essex. With staunch volunteers and supporters, they created the Hot Steamed Jazz Festival, that celebrated it’s 20th anniversary in 2012. I’ve been to every one, and it’s been very difficult getting my heart around this.

In 2014, Ten bands performed in simultaneous sessions under two tents on the grounds adjacent to the Essex Steam Train. A Gospel service on Sunday was performed by Jeff Barnhart, who also led the Festival All Star Band.

Eric Devine (CineDevine) published many of the VIDEOS Check them out. A few are presented here.

The Festival began Friday night with Art Hovey’s talented students – The “Route 17 Stompers” mostly from Durham, Connecticut, which is just up Route 17 from the site of the old Millpond Tavern; hence the name.

Art Hovey’s Route 17 Stompers

The Bands:

– Jeff Barnhart, Connecticut’s own jazz pianist virtuoso

– Galvanized Jazz Band from Connecticut with Cynthia Fabian
Fred Vigorito cornet, Fred Vigorito Jr. cornet Russ Whitman reeds, Bill Sinclair piano, Ben Griffin trombone, Art Hovey tuba/bass, Tom Palinko drums

– Dan Levinson’s New Millennium All Stars with Molly Ryan from New York, and John Hokum trombone, Mike Davis cornet, Jan Frankel piano, Rob Akins bass, Rich Levinson drums,

– Sunnyland Jazz Band
Bob Barta – Banjo, Vocals
John Klumpp – Trumpet, Vocals
Art Hovey – Tuba

– Wolverine Jazz Band from Massachusetts
John Clark – reeds
Jeff Hughes – cornet
Tom Boates – trombone
Ross Petot – piano
Jimmy Mazzy – banjo / vocals
Rick McWilliams – tuba
Dave Didrickson – drums

– Heartbeat Dixieland Jazz Band from Connecticut

Tom Brown – Trumpet
John Clark- Reeds
Noel Kaletsky – Reeds
Skip Hughes- Trombone
Ben Griffin – Trombone
Shari Lucas – Piano
Steve Keeler – Guitar
Albie Bernard – Tuba
Bill Logozzo — Drums
Michele Berting – Vocals

–

Gospel Service on Sunday was officiated by Jeff Barnhart, with help from Jason Senn and The Festival All Stars: Noel Kaletsky, Lou Green, Emily Asher, Lou Bocciarelli, Al Bernard, Skip Hughes, Tom Palinko

Emily Asher and Skip Hughes

Lou Bocciarelli and Al Bernard

Skip Hughes put heart and soul itno Old Rugged Cross. Jeff said it: “That, Ladies and Gentlemen, is what we call sharing our gifts!”

WOW!

– Ivory and Gold

– Ben Maugher’s Vintage Jazz Band from Pennsylvania
Ben Mauger (cornet), Brian Priebe (trombone), Bob Rawlins (reeds), Bob Kreitz (piano), Bruce Campbell (Bass), Larry Bortz (drums)

– Riverboat Ramblers led by local musician and entertainer John Banker, with Joe MacWilliams keyboard, Sherman Kahn reeds, Bab Barta banjo, Sal Ranello drums and washboard.

– Festival All Stars led by Jeff Barnhart – Jeff collected many musicians for different sets. This one has Jeff Hughes trumpet, Noel Kaletsky and Craig Ball reeds, Al Bernard sousaphone, Tom Palinko drums.

– Jazz Jesters from Massachusetts

Jeff Hughes – trumpet
John Clark – reeds
Craig Ball – reeds
Jimmy Mazzy – banjo / vocals
Ross Petot – piano
Albie Bernard – tuba
Steve Taddeo- drums

The Hot Steamed Festivals always concludes with The Galvanized Jazz Band marching from the Louis Armstrong Tent to the Hole in the Wall Gang Tent to join whatever band is playing there – this time it was Jeff Hughes’ Jazz Jesters, with Jimmy Mazzy banjo and vocals. They were joined by Sarah Spencer.

The music and musicians at the 2014 Hot Steamed Jazz Festival were fantastic. Many of the Fans who have been here since the beginning were here, but with more canes, walkers, and wheelchairs. But as in other Festivals across the country, there weren’t enough of us to make the Festival break even.

We were told by management of The Essex Steam Train that we can’t hold it here anymore. As Jimmy was singing the Finale, “We’ll meet again, don’t know where, don’t know when”, we left the Hot Steamed Jazz Festival in tears.
Eric Devine (CineDevine) published many of Bands’ VIDEOS Check them out.

Hot Steamed Jazz Festival – Funky Butt Jazz Band

Posted on August 19, 2013 by admin

Videos by Eric Devine – CineDevine

Pierce Campbell and The Funky Butt Jazz Band

Pierce Campbell guitar and vocals, Noel Kaletsky reeds, Lauren Evarts piano, Al Bernard tuba, John Rispoli drums

Pierce Campbell on guitar

The Funky Butt Jazz Band was started by his father, Pete Campbell and Bud Gettsinger 36 years ago. Pierce took over the band for playing traditional jazz, has various small combinations, and also performs solo..

He borrowed Noel Kaletsky and Albie Bernard from the Festival All Stars, for Summertime, Georgia, Dinah, One Meat Ball, I’m Confessing, Jelly Roll, Ain’t She Sweet, Buddy Bolden Blues. All great Trad tunes.
The Valley Railroad gave him an opener for Buddy Bolden’s Blues. Noel on soprano sax.

Lauren Evarts

Lauren is a regular member of The Funky Butt Jazz Band.

Noel on alto sax – Georgia

John Rispoli

John Rispoli is a monster on drums!

Al Bernard on tuba

Al Bernard put away the sousaphone and took out the tuba to play melodies for this session.

Ain’t Gonna Give Nobody None of My Jelly Roll

Noel Kaletsky

Noel Kaletsky is a complete band unto himself!
Unbelievable, from the Festival’s start to finish.

Price Campbell said it succinctly,
“Faster than a silver bullet!”

They all went WILD on Ice Cream!

Currently Pierce plays a variety of music which showcase his versatility. He performs solo singing and playing original and Celtic folk, American pop and Jazz classics. He performs Irish and original Celtic folk with The Kerry Boys, traditional Jazz with The Funky Butt Jazz Band, vocal Jazz classics and originals with The Pierce Campbell Jazz Duo/Trio and pop rock classics with Pierce Campbell and the Scramble. During the day, he entertains seniors at venues throughout CT.

Funky Butt Jazz Band

Hot Steamed Jazz 2013 – Dan Levinson’s New Millenium All Stars

Posted on August 17, 2013 by admin

Dan Levinson’s Millennium All Stars

Dan Levinson is a jazz Historian in New York devoted to Traditional Jazz, with a vast collection of memorabilia going back to the 1900’s. He has at least nine different bands. Fortunately for us, he spends much of his time searching out the newest talent coming out of the music schools and teaching these young NY musicians our kind of music, so it will be preserved well into the future.

He seems to save the Millenium All Stars for us at the Hot Steamed Jazz Festival. We have no idea how many young bands he is responsible for, but he has been bringing new ones here to the Hot Steamed Jazz Festival for 16 years. (He breaks the new ones in with a discerning Traditional Jazz Audience.)

This band was actually from the Millennium Generation, with recent graduates of the Manhattan School of Music. Jack Holkum on trombone is 21. Mike Davis cornet, Rob Atkins bass.

Mike Davis, Jack Holkum

Rob Atkins

Kevin Dorn, drummer

Except for drummer Kevin Dorn. Kevin was a young drummer when he first arrived here with Dan 15 years ago in 1998; now he’s one of the “elders” in the band, and has a great Traditional Jazz Band of his own.

Ian Frankel

Dan invited a fine Connecticut pianist, Ian Frankel, to join the band. Dan promised him there would be no reading, but this is Jazz, and it’s never the same twice. Frankel cleverly breezed through several surprises.

They began with Dan on clarinet with the title tune of an album by his Swing Wing Band, featuring Molly, At The Cod Fish Ball.

It includes Bud Freeman’s Summa Cum Laude Orchestra’s Copenhagen.

Molly has been coming here since 2004 – she is now Mrs. Dan Levinson. Molly also sang some tunes from her own new album, Swing For Your Supper, and I’d Like to Wake Up in the Morning Where The Morning Glories Grow.

Swing for your Supper

The Milleniums presented another tune from the Cod Fish Ball album, originally done by the Rhythm Makers, a mixed band, unheard of at the time. Oh Peter, You’re So Nice. In 1932 it featured PeeWee Russell on clarinet, with Eddy Condon on guitar, Joe Sullivan piano, and Zutti Singleton drums. Dan moved to tenor sax for the 1936 Mez Mezro & Sy Oliver, Hot Club Stomp.

Another from Molly’s Album, done by Bing Crosby and The Bob Cats, You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby. A mellow front line backed Molly on Ruth Ettings 1930 Ten Cents a Dance.

They closed with the Gershwin’s The Lorelei from Pardon My English that opened at the Majestic Theatre, New York on January 9, 1933.

We sure hope Dan Levinson and Molly Ryan are available with more of New York’s new talented musicians for next year’s Hot Steamed Jazz Festival!
http://danlevinson.com/ensembles.html

Hot Steamed Jazz 2013 – Bob Seeley

Posted on August 1, 2013 by admin

Boogie Woogie Bob Seeley at the Yamaha

Bob Seeley, 85 years old in September, is a “National Treasure,” an exponent and proponent of Boogie Woogie. He grew up when Boogie was popular music, never forgot Meade Lux Lewis, Albert Ammons, James P. Johnson. He remembered when Albert Ammons and Pete Johnson played a duet at Carnegie Hall in 1938, from spirituals to boogie – it was a Boogie Woogie Dream!

A natural entertainer, he speaks about all the great pianists of the past, including some we’ve never heard of, like Freddy Slack, who wrote Strange Cargo.

Bob Seeley teaches us about past masters

Bob started out with Seeley’s Boogie. He played W. C. Handy’s St. Louis Blues first in boogie, then switched to stride – first slow, then at a thundering pace, sounding as if there were three pianists. Unbelievable!

He was having a problem with the piano – the ‘sustained key’ pedal on the Yamaha piano was hard, and stride has many sustained notes. He just pushed harder.

He asked for requests and unfortunately got one – Jay was having his 70^th birthday and his wife asked for Happy Birthday. Jay got his Happy Birthday Boogie. (Fortunately there were no copyright police around to collect the royalties on it.)

Seeley with a big smile playing Happy Birthday Boogie

Seeley loves what he’s doing!

Amazing Grace began very slow and reverent as a spiritual and quickly turned into a fast boogie – audience loved it, and he loved the audience. “Mature audience – thank goodness!!”

This is from the 2012 Hot Steamed Jazz Festival:

Hot Steamed Jazz Festival is located at a Steam Train Museum – he had to play something about railroads – he chose Honky Tonk Train. This was Meade Lux Lewis’ special tune that requires a muscular left hand. It has a repetitive bass that sometimes gives the left hand cramps. He was ferocious and wild! From there he continued with Pete Johnson’s JJ’s Boogie – at an exhausting pace!

He gets together with another fine piano player whenever he’s here at the Hot Steamed Jazz Festival. They generally start out peacefully. But with Barnhart, one never knows…

Seeley and Barnhart at piano

Barnhart and Seeley, peacefull playing 4 handed piano

Jeff Barnhart and Bob Seeley

When Barnhart plays – Seeley can’t sit still – no way! Loves to prance around.

And he never misses a parade!

Always has his tambourine with him…

He is a Happy-go-lucky Treasure!

“Boogie Woogie demands precise fingering and split second timing. It’s one of the most demanding and dangerous pieces of music to perform and only a handful of people left on earth possess it.”

Here he was on June 11th at the Blind Boone Ragtime & Early Jazz Festival in Columbia,Missouri ~ June 11, 2013. Video by Tom Warner (tdub1941) http://youtu.be/M8fz6jLnLr0

We are indeed fortunate to have Bob Seeley here in Connecticut to show us how its done. See you next year!!

Bob Seeley – Detroit

Hot Steamed Jazz 2013 – Festival All Stars, led by Jeff Barnhart

Posted on July 28, 2013 by admin

Barnhart piano, Kaletsky clarinet, Palinko drums, Bocciarelli string bass

Beginning of the Hot Steamed Jazz Festival All Stars….

Jeff Barnhart led the Festival All Stars, starting out with four people on Friday night, including indefatigable Noel Kaletsky, who never stopped playing until the last note on Sunday! Tom Palinko was on drums, Lou Bocciarelli on string bass. Jeff said they were “happy to take requests, to keep the band riled up.” As the festival progressed, more All Stars sat in.

Noel Kaletsky on soprano sax

Back Home Again in Indiana, Noel plays soprano sax and clarinet with a passionate intensity.

Jeff said “This is an ironic name for a JRM tune in a tempo that Jelly Roll Morton called: Tempo Disturb the Neighbors.” Sleep.
Barnhart, Palinko, Bocciarelli, and indefatigable Noel in complete control on wild clarinet
Sleep. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiKdRIWGbNA

Winin’ Boy Blues accidentally started as Buddy Bolden Blues – Stop! Rewind! They decided on Winin’ Boy, Jeff proving that less is more on piano, leaving silent pauses – silence can be more important than sound to put over a tune; (Who said that?) Noel Kaletsky soared through the stratosphere on clarinet.

Al Bernard arrived from Rockport, MA, wrapped in sousaphone. Lou and Al took turns pushing the basses on Swing That Music. Jeff Barnhart gave us a lesson in Jazz History, explaining the difference between the music of the 20’s and 30’s. He played one chorus of the 20’s Sousa-feel with Al on sousaphone, and a second chorus with the 30’s two-beat Swing feeling with Lou walking the bass and Noel on swinging soprano sax.

China Boy (PC: East Indian Child) was a barn burner, Jeff tore into the piano, fabulous bass, they let Palinko loose on drums. JRM’s Ain’t Misbehaving.

Tom Palinko, Al Bernard, Lou Bocciarelli

What does one do with two basses? They experimented with having both a sousaphone and bass on the same band, taking alternate choruses. Never gets dull!
Bob Barta sang a poignant My Gal Sal with the 8-pc All Star Band:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JjfHEiUbMY

Eric Devine presents an excellent split-screen view of Barnhart/Barta scatting on:
Sweet Sue

More musicians appeared over time, Kaletsky on alto sax, Steve Taddeo drums, John Clark soprano sax, Fred Vigorito cornet, Lou Bocciarelli string bass, Ben Griffin trombone, Al Bernard sousaphone, Jamil Jorge, fresh out of Connecticut College, on trombone.

More All Stars

On Avalon, Jeff Hughes trumpet, Craig Ball sharing reeds with Noel, Bob Barta banjo, Jamil Jorge on trombone; two basses trading 4s.
Avalon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJXQF-3luB4

Jeff plays The Entertainer:

“1910 Shine, when there was nobody around except Noel Kaletsky; dedicated to me.” Jeff B. Barnhart’s hands blur playing stride, Kaletsky & Craig Ball reeds, Hughes, Barta, Jamil, Bocciarelli, Palinko WOW!
Shine

We caught the Festival Band again on Sunday, with Fred Vigorito on cornet, Albie Bernard sousaphone, Jeff Hughes trumpet, Ben Griffin Trombone, and Jamil Jorge on trombone for a barn-burning That’s a Plenty, with Noel, Fred, and Ben, both basses – complete insanity!

soprano saxes

Dans Les Rues D’Antibes – Steve Taddeo (Swing Senders) joined Palinko on drums, two basses, John Clark AND Noel Kaletsky on soprano sax. It just got wilder. Who made that request? Thank you!

John Clark and Noel Kaletsky are an orchestra unto themselves, mixing and matching all those reeds.

Fred Vigorito and Ben Griffin

Moving from all reeds to all brass, Jeff Hughes trumpet, Freddy Vigorito cornet, two trombones, Someday Sweetheart. Griffin plays a really sweet trombone!

Jeff Hughes’ golden horn led with Barnhart on vocal, Kaletsky & Craig Ball reed duet, Barta & Bocciarelli trading 4s on If I Had You.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhKrOBq7GFw

Everybody was wired for the Finale, High Society, everyone taking a shot at Alphonse Picou’s soliloquy, even Albie on sousaphone. Albie & Lou shared bass lines. Palinko and Taddeo shared drums. It was a wild ending to a fabulous weekend!

Thank you Shirley Bombaci and Crew for persevering and giving us another weekend of great Traditional and Dixieland Jazz. There will be more great bands next year – we’re looking for an appropriate date when they will all be available. We hope more volunteers will step up. How about it??

Hot Steamed Jazz 2013 – Midiri Brothers

Posted on July 25, 2013 by admin

Joe and Paul Midiri

Joe Midiri – Clarinet, Saxophones, Paul Midiri – Vibraphone, Trombone, Pat Mercuri – Guitar, Ed Wise – String Bass, and Jim Lawlor – Drums.

The Midiri Brothers, identical twins, graduated from Glassboro State College in the mid-1980s, and have been keeping Swing alive all over the country ever since.

Joe Midiri’s creativity, technique of breathing, and sound – as with his clarinet in D over High C, is unsurpassed. Paul does many of the arrangements, and his vibes remind us of the great Red Norvo in the Benny Goodman Sextet.

Shine:

Joe used the circle breathing technique for holding a note forever on After You’ve Gone. Ed Wise used his voice mike, humming along when he’s bowing that marvelous string bass.

Joe Midiri on soprano sax

Always, the song I sang to my grandchildren when they were babies. Joe moved to soprano sax, again holding long notes, for The September Song – sweetest soprano sax you ever heard!

Ed Wise Humming along with his string bass

Paul did the arrangement for a tune he heard on a Count Basie recording, Let’s Go – clarinet and vibes playing together in sync, with Ed humming in the background.

Joe Midiri sings Louis A.

Joe’s Louis Armstrong imitation is precious, sometimes on Wonderful World.

Here he’s Louis on Pennies From Heaven. Joe on alto sax, Paul trombone.

Pennies From Heaven

Pat Midiri

Pat Mercuri, guitar, plays catchy riffs, fills in any spaces.

Avalon:

Together:

Paul joins drummer Jim Lawlor for Lime House Blues

The Midiri Brothers are entertainers as well as virtuoso swing musicians. They keep the crowd laughing with their sibling rivalry banter. The Midiri Brothers Sextet keep dancers Swinging! Check out their schedule at The Midiri Brothers – New Jersey

Hot Steamed Jazz Fest 2013-Rt 17 Stompers

Posted on July 21, 2013 by admin

Route 17 Stompers

The photo shows (from left to right) J.T. Lincoln (piano) Caleb Jackson & Nathaniel Weir (trumpets) Jake Brunelle & Sky Hagner (sax) Kevin Bjarnason (clarinet) Emma Sayles (trombone) Andrew Zych (bass) Sam Gosner & Mike Schober (trombones) and Art Hovey on tuba. Not shown are Robert Young (piano) Ben Shorten (guitar & banjo) Brendan LeMieux and Molly Sayles (drums).

Sugarfoot Philharmonic (The Route 17 Stompers)

Most of Art Hovey’s Sugarfoot Youth Jazz Band http://nejazz.com/oldsite/HotStm12_Sugarfoot.htm members have graduated and moved on to higher education, many on their way to becoming professional musicians.

Art is now breaking in a new, much younger group – The “Route 17 Stompers” – mostly from Durham, which is just up Route 17 from the site of the old Millpond Taverne.
Some Sugarfoot alumni returned to assist the new band at the 2013 Hot Steamed Jazz Festival.

Mollie Sayles

Robert Young

Sky Hagner reeds

Emma Sayles

Molly Sayles started them out on drums on “By and By” and “Joe Avery’s Piece”, Robert Young sat in on piano, Sky Hagner on clarinet and sax, Emma Sayles on trombone, and Ben Shorten on banjo and guitar. They each contributed some unrehearsed solos and powerful additions to the ensemble.

Short African American Caleb and Tall Caucasian Nathaniel

Caleb and Nathaniel

In the new band, which has been rehearsing monthly for about a year, Nathaniel Weir is King Oliver, Caleb Jackson is Louis Armstrong. Jake Brunelle plays alto sax, Kevin Bjarnason plays clarinet, Mike Schober and Sam Gosner play trombone, J.T. Lincoln is on piano, Andrew Zych is on bass, and Brendan LeMieux was on drums.

Brandon Lemieux

The group kicked off with the old Sugarfoot arrangement of “Arab Strut”, with J.T. Lincoln soloing on piano.

J. T. Lincoln

Next was “By and By”, with Emma Sayles on trombone, a trumpet duet chorus by Nathaniel and Caleb, and a clarinet-sax duet by Kevin and Jake.

reeds” Jake, Sky, Kevin

King Oliver’s “Camp Meeting Blues” featured the famous trombone solo (harmonized) with Michael, Sam, and Emma, followed by the theme which Duke Ellington borrowed and re-named “Creole Love Call” played by Kevin and Jake.

Oliver’s “Canal Street Blues” featured improvised solos by Nathaniel, Kevin, Caleb, and J.T. “Careless Love” included a piano solo by Robert Young, a guitar solo by Ben Shorten, a trombone solo by Michael Schober, and a sax chorus by Sky Hagner.

Ben Shorten

Ja-Da – Sonny Rollins ‘re-invented it’ using the Ja-Da chords for his composition “Doxy” in 1954. Our arrangement begins with Doxy, reverts to Jada with half-chorus solos by J.T., Jake, Nathaniel, the trombone section and then returns to Doxy for the ending.

Jazz Me Blues, 1921 featured a trumpet duet chorus and a clarinet-sax duet. Joe Avery’s piece featured Molly, Nathaniel, Jake, and Sky. Melancholy was short and sweet.

Andrew Zych

Red Wing is a popular song written in 1907 with music by Kerry Mills and lyrics by Thurland Chattaway. Mills adapted the music from Robert Schumann’s composition for piano “The Happy Farmer, Returning From Work” from his 1848 work Album for the Young, Opus 68. The song tells of a young Indian maid’s loss of her sweetheart who has died in battle. In 1940 Woody Guthrie wrote what are probably the most familiar lyrics “Union Maid”. The Stompers version featured a short piano solo, another clarinet-sax duet, a trumpet solo, and a trombone duet.

Working Man Blues is another King Oliver number featuring duet breaks for the trumpets and for the clarinet and sax. Sugarfoot Jazz Band alumni showing off their sight reading skills on Lu Watters’ “Sage Hen Strut”. Lu was a leader of the Yerba Buena Jazz Band in San Francisco in the 40’s and 50’s. Turk Murphy started with this band.

There are some amazing budding musicians in this “Sugarfoot Philharmonic” Jazz Band. We’re looking forward to hearing what they’ll be playing next year!

Meantime, Art will help you keep track of their progress on this site http://greatctjazz.org/Sugarfoot/

Hot Steamed Jazz Festival – Heartbeat J.B.

Posted on July 21, 2013 by admin

Heartbeat Jazz Band (from video)

Bill Logozzo’s Heartbeat Jazz Band, “New England’s Most Lovable Jazz Band”, has many variations, but always plays great Traditional and Dixieland Jazz, and even some Rock & Roll. Bill picks the best musicians from Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, and Florida — they are all eager to be in this band.

This session, recorded by Eric Devine, has Sherman Kahn and Noel Kaletsky reeds, Tom Brown cornet, Skip Hughes trombone/vocals, Ben Griffen trombone, Steve Keeler guitar, Shari Lewis piano, Al Bernard sousaphone, Bill Logozzo drums, Jane Campedelli vocals.

Jane Campedelli

You can feel the camaraderie between the members. Skip Hughes starts the vocals on this one, Louisian-I-A; he motions Jane to join him. Albie backs them.

Jane, Albie, and Skip. (Marce photo from other session)

Skip Hughes is a gregarious singer, belts out the tunes, and really connects with the audience. But here in Georgia he reveals another, softer, side.

Roll the Patrol is usually Skip’s tune, but he let Janie start this one.

Ben Griffin takes the intro on When You’re Smiling. Marvelous! Bob Price couldn’t be here, Steve Keeler filled in, focused on guitar. You’ll be hearing more from him!

Stevedore Stomp is strictly instrumental, with two trombones, and Noel on alto sax, Sherman clarinet, Tom Brown on growling cornet.

Second session, multi-instrumentalist John Clark stepped in for Noel. Clark and Kahn work together and play off each other – superb craftsmanship.

John Clark joins band on bari and soprano sax

John Clark joins Heartbeat Jazz Band

Sherman Kahn alto sax and clarinet, John Clark bari sax, soprano sax, clarinet, Tom Brown cornet, Skip Hughes trombone/vocals, Ben Griffin trombone, Steve Keeler guitar, Shari Lewis piano, Al Bernard sousaphone, Bill Logozzi drums, Jane Campedelli vocals.

They opened with a good ol’ good one, New Orleans, and ended up with some Rock & Roll. With Skip and Jane singing, Clark took out the baritone sax for Goody Goody. They asked him to call the next tune, he chose Sweet Georgia Brown that featured two trombones.

Steve, Ben Griffin, Albie, Skip Hughes

Down in Honky Tonk Town, powerful, with Sherman on tenor sax, Clark on soprano sax, hot dazzling solos buoyed by propulsive rhythm section. Both on clarinet, they ‘worked like government mules’ on Avalon.

Sherman Kahn and John Clark

Jane and Skip are a show by themselves. Big discussion on who will start Just a Closer Walk With Thee, Jane says to Skip, “You start, like you always do”. Skip replies “And you’ll get the last word in, I’m sure”!

Jane and Skip go at it

Jane got the last word in, softly backed by Ben on trombone.

Tom Brown cornet

John Clark beat out a hard driving tempo for a scorching Running Wild. Clark’s soprano sax traded 4s with cornetist Tom Brown setting sparks flying.

Steve Keeler

Steve Keeler made the guitar intro to a Dolly Parton tune, Pretend, and pushed the beat on Hey Good Lookin’ Jane and Skip scatting. Please Don’t Talk About Me When I’m Gone.

Bill Logozzo is a most unique individual. This world needs more like him! Besides being a fine musician with a great band, he drums up charitable support for the needy with his high-powered Heartbeat Dixieland Jazz Band and Musical Dreams for Human Harmony.

Bill Logozzo

His mission: “To solicit and earn funds through musical productions and programs for the purpose of helping people from all religions, races and ages, with specific medical needs and/or handicaps. To achieve the highest donation rate possible, through minimal expenses and volunteer labor.”

Karen Senn is now letting the world know where they’re playing by emailing The Heartbeat Weekly Pulse and posting on Facebook.

Website: Heartbeat Dixieland Jazz Band – Connecticut

Ben Mauger’s Speakeasy Six Jazz Band

Posted on July 16, 2013 by admin

Bob Rawlins alto sax, Ben Maugher cornet, Bob Peruzzi trombone, Jason Roach bass sax

Ben Mauger’s Speakeasy Front Line

Ben Mauger – cornet, Bob Peruzzi – trombone, Bob Rawlins – clarinet/alto sax, soprano sax, Bob Kreitz – piano, Jason Roach – bass sax, Doug Kulp – drums
Ben Mauger’s Speakeasy Six Jazz Band from Pennsylvania is a real crowd pleaser, a New Orleans Dixieland/Traditional Jazz Band that plays music from the 1920’s-30’s. “Music is therapeutic! It’s Jazz – we enjoy what we’re doing, and making it up as we go.”

Ain’t she sweet

Kansas City Man Blues

Doug Kulp

Drummer Doug Kulp keeps impeccable two-beat time.

Honeysuckle Rose, My Honey’s Loving Arms, the classic Margie. Very danceable repertoire.

Take Your Tomorrows – with a different take:

Bob Petuzzi

Bob Peruzzi had the trombone talking in Somebody Stole My Gal, and was featured on Whispering.

This was Ben’s fourth appearance at the Hot Steamed Jazz Fest, The Speakeasy Six were a hit with Ben’s fluent and articulate cornet, their precise timing, and unusual bass saxophone.

Jason Roach

Jason Roach keeps everyone in time with the bass sax, and is featured on
Joe Avery’s Piece

Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gives To Me
.

Bob Kreitz

Bob Kreitz learned piano from playing old piano rolls; is always mindful of the melody.

Ben Mauger

Ben says that when he was in the 11th grade, somebody told him to go out for sports, football, something that was important, not the Band! Yet here he is, 56 years old, still playing and loving it. Music really is Therapeutic!

Ben has a band for every occasion, including a 10 piece “Roaring 20′s Hot Jazz Band”. Check him out at www.benmaugersvintagejazzband.com

Rawlins takes out the soprano sax, and Kulp is let loose on drums.
Star Wars Cantina Band

Ben Mauger’s web site: Ben Mauger’s Vintage Jazz Band – Pennsylvania

New England Traditional Jazz Plus

Swing, Traditional Jazz, Dixieland Jazz, Big Bands

Tag Archives: Hot Steamed Jazz Festival