Eli and the Hot Six at Primavera Ristorante in Millis January 22nd

Posted on January 28, 2015 by admin

Good times were had by all when Eli and the Hot Six enjoyed their debut at Primavera Ristorante. Their passion for this music is obvious. It was infectious; the audience became totally engaged.

piano, tuba, drum, reeds, trumpet, trombone

Eli and The Hot Six

Bo Winiker trumpet and flugelhorn, Ted Casher on clarinet, tenor and soprano sax, Herb Gardner trombone and vocals, Bob Winter on keyboard, Eli Newberger tuba, Jeff Guthery on drums, Frank John intermission tuba.

There was a popular band in New Haven in the 50’s and 60’s called Eli and the Chosen Six. Louis Armstrong had his Hot 5 and Hot 7. Eli Newberger paid homage to all of them by changing the name of the band from Eli and His All-Stars to Eli and the Hot Six.

Struttin’ With Some Barbecue, usually a fast, upbeat tune, was played slowly and swinging, inviting everyone to enjoy this evening.

Bob Winter on keyboard – You’ve never heard Oh By Jingo played like this, with blazing runs up and down the keyboard! Kathy Wittman did a video of it back at the Sherborn Inn. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvWIIwCU-jg This alone is more than worth the $10 admission at the Primavera!!

As this was their first time playing here, they tested the acoustics with Basin St. Blues. No mics of any kind. Glorious horn solos, Ted’s tenor sax, Bo on smoky flugelhorn, low low tuba, closing with Herb’s trombone.

Bob sitting Eli standing behind him as they laugh playing keyboard.

Is this fun or what?

Eli joined Bob for Night Train.
They do have fun!

Eubie Blake was remembered with Bo Winiker sweet trumpet on Memories of You.

Jeff Guthery plays lyrical drums

Jeff Guthery played melody tapping on woodblock and bell and snare drum on Tiger Rag, before they all took off marching through the audience!

trombone, tuba, trumpet (clarinet not visible)

The band played New Orleans Jazz marching around the tables. The fans loved it!

Ted Casher clarinet, tenor sax, alto sax.

Ted Casher said, “Great gig! Great food! Great atmosphere! Always enjoy myself playing with the Six!”

Frank John, Freshman at NEC

Eli’s latest ‘Mentee’ is NEC Freshman Frank John, who took over Eli’s tuba at intermission, playing around with scales.

Eli’s tuba is older than he is, and it was missing some notes that Frank is accustomed to on his own tuba. Nevertheless he managed to reach a Pedal F tone, lower than the lowest F on the keyboard! We’ll be hearing more from him in the future.

Rambunctious front line played Muscat Ramble in a Bossa Nova beat.

Hot Six Front Line

Bob Winter honored us with the World Premiere of his composition of a Trad tune that had all the band site-reading! Paul’s Phonic Dream. New to everybody – first time we ever see Eli reading from a chart!

Eli solo

Eli gets a lively solo on Ain’t Misbehaving, backed only by the rhythm section; eloquent, touching.

Bo is sitting, left foot kicking the air as he blows wild trumpet

Bo Winiker lets it all out

Great ensemble on Sweet Sue, Ted playing marvelous clarinet. Bo got carried away on trumpet, putting his whole body into it.

George Gershwin’s Fascinating Rhythm calmed him down on smoky flugelhorn, with all the instruments taking turns trading 4’s.

Herb Gardner sang

Multi-instrumentalist Herb Gardner also graced us with a trombone solo on Ain’t Misbehavin‘ and vocals.

He’ll be celebrating Groundhog Day with his talented daughters Abby and Sarah at the Bickford Theatre in New Jersey on February 2nd.

Bob returned for solo on Ida, playing unceasing rhythm, finishing with a Count Basie ending. Michael Steinman says,” He doesn’t rush; he doesn’t attempt to impress us with pianisms. His playing verges on the formal, but it is based on a serene respect for the melody rather than a tied-to-the-notes stiffness.”

They closed with a controversial tune that turned out to be Louis Armstrong’s last greatest hit. It was a request that Louis had never heard before. He listened to a recording of Hello Dolly, and you know the rest. Trumpet and trombone played masterful duet..

Bo one handed trumpet, Herb muted trombone

Bo Winiker and Herb Gardner duet on finale

The Hot Six were on fire on this splendid evening of Jazz at Primavera Ritorante. They will return on February 26th for more of the same, with Rebecca Sullivan on vocals, and they’ll have their new CD for sale: “Contemporary Classic Jazz: Eli and The Hot Six LIVE” Join us??

Primavera will also feature Dan Gabel’s fabulous High Society Orchestra on January 29th. We’ll be between snow storms. Don’t let the weathermen scare you away – this is worth the trip.

Blue Horizon Jazz Band at Primavera Ristorante, January 15, 2015

Posted on January 20, 2015 by admin

Band at far end of room, tables and fans in foreground

Jazz Room, Primavera Ristorante

A new era began as the Blue Horizon Jazz Band launched Thursday Jazz at the Primavera Ristorante in Millis, Massachusetts. Primavera is an excellent new venue for Traditional and Dixieland Jazz. It is a quality restaurant with a lovely atmosphere. It offers great service at an affordable price and makes you feel like you are dining in Italy.

The band plays in a separate function room with good sound and balance, but it doesn’t have a piano – yet. Stan McDonald had to rearrange some personnel. Dave MacMillan substituted for pianist Ross Petot, with banjo, vocals, and smiles.

Stan McDonald soprano sax, Jeff Stout trumpet, John Kafalas trombone, Dave MacMillan banjo/vocals, Gerry Gagnon tuba, George Darrah drums

George Darrah filled in for Steve Taddeo. He is a bright young drummer from Beverly. At age 16, he was rehearsing with the Dave Whitney Big Band. He’s become a fine musician and will be one of the keepers of the Classic Jazz flame.

Along with Gerry’s tuba, George provided sure-footed rhythm with his creative drumming.

Dave MacMillan kicked off the evening with banjo intro and vocals on I Can’t Believe That You’re In Love With Me.

Trombonist John Kafalas interjected the blues feeling in Wabash Blues. He has a Bach 42 trombone with a large bell that is generally used in a symphony, but works very well in this room.

Gerry Gagnon is a virtuoso bassist on tuba, and showed it on his solo on Rose of The Rio Grande.

Stan said he believes All By Myself is one of the greatest melodies of all time, an “organic whole”.

Old Fashioned Love featured Stan on soprano sax. They alternated with a Latin beat on St. Louis Blues, fortified by Jeff Stout’s powerful trumpet.

Trumpet and saxophone took a stirring, synchronized intro into When I Leave The World Behind, backed only by tuba. The ensemble worked together, playing for each other as well as the listening audience, on Sugar, Swing That Music, .

Some Of These Days was a barn-buster that had fans tapping their toes. Stout’s trumpet took a slow intro into Sunny Side of The Street with just the rhythm section behind him. Nice.

Since these musicians have never played together as a band, Back Home Again in Indiana was preceded by a big discussion. The result was inspired solos and ensemble, ending with Dave MacMillan, with a big smile, embellishing the vocals.

Jeff took the lead on Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gives To Me with Stan playing counterpoint.

Black and Blue was fresh and different, played with alternating tempos.

Darrah took a drum-pummeling four-bar break on the closure, After You’ve Gone.

Primavera will be a perfect venue for Traditional and Dixieland Jazz, with warm staff, hospitality and fine food. (Chicken Limoncello was delicious!) We look forward to returning next week for Eli and His Hot Six (formerly Eli’s All Stars) with pianist Bob Winter of the Boston Pops on keyboard. POSTER Join us!

Primavera Ristorante, 20 Pleasant St. Millis MA 02054 (Just off Rt. 109) 508-376-2026
http://www.primav.com/

Seacoast Stompers at Bemis Hall January 11, 2015

Posted on January 17, 2015 by admin

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 drumming so fast his hands are a blur

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

Discount on Jeff & Joel’s House Party, October 9-11

Posted on December 16, 2014 by admin

More than a quarter of our seats for October are sold. We’ve kept prices for the three session tickets at $225 per person. Remember each session includes a meal. (Friday Night tickets will be available at $30 per person for every 3 session ticket purchased before July 1, 2015. After July 1, single session Friday Night tickets will be $40.00.
A personal gift for you or a special gift for that special person is available right now!

Jeff and Joel and the JJHP volunteers are jazzed up planning the next House Party October 9, 10 and 11, 2015.

Volunteers Glenn Ott and Harry Hom serve dinner

Some of the Musicians for October 2015

Peter and Will Anderson — reeds Fred Vigorito – cornet
Scott Philbrick – trumpet/banjo Gordon Au–trumpet
Noel Kaletsky – reeds Dan Levinson – reeds

Tom Boates — trombone   Jim Fryer — trombone
Gen Rose -– bass                            Brian Nalepka –- tuba/bass/vocals
Molly Ryan –- vocals and guitar      Jeff Barnhart –- piano/vocals

Joel Schiavone–banjo/vocals Don Trenner – piano
Kevin Dorn–drums Jim Lawlor –drums

As many of you jazz aficionados remember, every performance since the inception of the House Party has been a toe-tapping, finger-snapping, body rocking time. Hope you all have visited YouTube to see and hear many selections from all our previous House Parties. If not, please go to YouTube, type in Jeff and Joel’s House Party and enjoy. We defy you to sit still.

Volunteer Harry Hom serves breakfast

Please contact 203-208-1481 and Maureen will answer any questions and upon payment guarantee reservations in a confirming e-mail to you and/or your guest(s). So, don’t miss out on this opportunity as we fully expect the October 2015 performances will be sold out. (This past October all sessions were essentially sold out. We will open sales July 1, 2015 for single sessions.) Please note our website is being updated.

Maureen Cunningham

CineDevine VIDEOS of previous house parties

Dave Didriksen’s Swing Times Five with Debby Larkin at the Sherborn Inn

Posted on December 12, 2014 by admin

Swing Times Five

Jeff Hughes cornet, Dan Weiner guitar, Deb Larkin vocals, Ross Petot piano, Pete Tillotson acoustic string bass, Dave Didriksen drums. November 25, 2014

Two days before Thanksgiving, heavy snow predicted, horrific traffic on the roads, nevertheless a good crowd braved the elements and made it to the Sherborn Inn to hear Swing Times Five. Inside it was warm and cozy, with two blazing fireplaces and one Hot Swing Band, playing popular tunes, and other great tunes that we seldom hear.

They began with a light easy bounce on Topsy, Jeff playing dark, rich sounds on a 1990 Schilke cornet.

Dan Weiner

Jeff Hughes

Jeff’s teammate on the front line was guitarist Dan Weiner, swinging on a flat-top electric/acoustic guitar, custom made for him by the late guitar hero Jimmy D’Aquisto. Ross Petot collaberated on piano – sometimes supplementing the front line, always listening, filling in spaces, supporting solos, conjuring notes.

Ross Petot, all-around standard

The rhythm section backed them admirably, with Pete Tillotson on melodic string bass and Dave Didriksen’s accommodating drumming.

Dave Didriksen, drums, manager

Pete Tillotson doesn’t just push chords

The spark plug that ignites the band is one of our very favorite vocalists, Debby Larkin.

Debbie Larkin

Debby started with Billie Holidays’ version of Wishing On a Moon, Jelly Roll Morton’s This Joint is Jumpin’ – and this joint was jumpin’, with Dave’s drums driving the band.

Sent For You Yesterday, But Here You Com Today. Billie Holiday’s What A Little Moonlight Can Do;
Ross took off with left hand playing stride and right hand playing intricate melodies. te Tillotson makes fine melody and swings on string bass on When Dreams Come True. Don’t Be That Way was lively. Lullaby In Rhythm. Crazy Rhythm. Hughes’ sizzling cornet blew us away on Stomping at the Savoy.

Berklee Professor Jeff Stout arrived to support his lovely wife on powerful trumpet with You Turned The Tables on Me. She dedicated Just The Beginning of Love to recently deceased popular pianist, Ray Santisi, who taught her that song.

Swing Times Five with Debbie Larkin and Jeff Stout

Cottontail was afire with the two Jeffs in absolute rapture playing this music. The fans were riveted in their seats.

Cornet and Trumpet went WILD!

Irving Berlin wrote a thousand tunes. We don’t hear this one very often: Late, Late Show. They closed with a very special wish – We’ll Be Together Again.

The Sherborn Inn has been sold. We have two more bands in December, Stan McDonald’s Blue Horizon Jazz Band on December 16th, and a Free-for-all JAZZboree on December 23rd – with many of the musicians who have been playing here for the last 19 years. FREE for ALL!

Come January, our Jazz will move to Thursdays, 7-9:30pm at Primavera Ristorante, 20 Pleasant St, Millis, MA 02054 (508) 376-2026. Fine Italian restaurant. Check it out. www.primav.com/ We hope you will continue supporting great jazz and join us there.

Swing Times Five has its first CD out – Raincheck – It can be ordered by getting in touch with the new band manager, Dave Didriksen. david@willowbooks.com

24th Annual Suncoast Jazz Classic, Clearwater Beach Florida November 21-23 2014

Posted on December 4, 2014 by admin

Dave Tatrow and Friends open the Suncoast at poolside

www.suncoastjazzclassic.com

Held at The Sheraton Sand Key Resort and Marriott Suites on Sand Key, in beautiful Clearwater Florida. Special Events: Your Father’s Mustache 2nd Final Reunion, Clarinet Clambake, Trobone Wing Ding, Joy of Sax, Heavyweight Salute to Trumpet Heavyweights, Festival Divas and Jam Sessions Afterglow Mixer.

by Jean Hadley
photos by Sharon and Ed Ohr
Videos by Eric Devine (CineDevine)

Here we go again! The start of Suncoast’s 24^th year. Early Friday morning, gathered poolside, were fans with parasols, vintage ensembles, washboards and anything festive to kick off the beginning of a delightful and entertaining weekend.

Seated, at my poolside table, were Marty Kaletsky, to support her very talented husband Noel, Sharon and Ed Ohr photographers for this article and, Barbara Harvey (CT) a loyal supporter of OKOM.

Parasol Parade Photos by Sharon and Ed Ohr

The band was a wonderful mix of weekend musicians led by Dave Tatrow & Friends. Playing songs we well remembered, the fans joined in with voice and applause; nothing like audience participation to get the crowd in a festival mood.

Rather than write about each and every musician and selection played, I prefer to write about the fans, the type of music offered and the enthusiasm of both patrons and musicians.

The biographies, in the program, were right on target. The mix of music was a nice change and I commend those who made band selections. There was something for everyone.

As we all know, Dixieland music is still alive and well, however, our fan base is slowly dwindling. This is not because patrons lack interest in the music but rather age and poor health. We have many youngsters joining the ranks but, it will be several years before they develop the same confidence, enthusiasm and relaxation, on stage, as our seasoned musicians. To make this happen, we must continue to support these new kids on the block and spread the word.

On Friday morning, I stopped to hear the Tarpon Springs HS Jazz Ensemble . Wow! What a band! After hearing these youngsters, I knew I should hear the other HS bands. Each HS band (and their vocals) could not have been more professional. My hat goes off to the directors.

My next stop was to hear Jubilee Jazz Band. Jane Campadelli’s ingenious idea to put a band together and introduce it to the Suncoast Festival three years ago. With the likes of Noel Kaletsky, Bob Price, Scotty Philbrick, Gene Blood, Herb Roselle, Dan Howard, how could she miss. Jubilee played straight New Orleans style music. Jane’s vocal ability never changes and, she always manages to bring the audience to their feet. Thank you, Jane, for keeping OKOM alive and well!.

Janie and Jubilee packed them in

Barbary Coast, from Minnesota, known for their Dixieland worship services, gave their audience a very entertaining performance. Age diversified, they never skipped a beat. Their leader, Dick Petersen, played tribute to Louis Armstrong and brought the crowd to its feet by playing many Armstrong selections a lot of energy. By the way, Dick Petersen is a left handed banjo player.

The Barbara Coast Jazz Band

For a change of venue and some libation, I moved on to Condon’s Corner Bar to hear some “Cool Jazz” and meet friends. Condon’s Corner offers tasty cuisine and a fine selection of beverages. In addition, there is a variety of music all the time; a place to always find old and new friends.

Bob Leary

Besides a good deal of chatter, we enjoyed hearing Bob Leary and ensemble followed by the Orion Trio. Orion was very cool, smooth and captivating. They gave a delivery of “Route 66” that brought the house down.

Moving on to another venue, I wanted to hear what all the excitement was about the St. Louis Stompers. This is a very high energy band bent on playing for the entertainment of their audience. Stompers, so professional and smooth, their sound was almost classical. A very strong band. Stompers played a diversified number of selections from Blues and Dixieland. I give them a gold star!

The St. Louis Stompers with Howard Miyata

Mike and Steve Lilley of the St, Louis Stompers

It is still Friday with a plethora of bands to hear. I have now moved on to hear an outstanding band (Dave Bennett &The Memphis Speed Kings) Dave being the leader (piano/vocals.) Wow! This kind of entertainment reminded me of Igor & Cowboys that so often played our Great CT Jazz Festival.

How great it was to hear authentic 1950’s Rockabilly and Rock & Roll. Dave not only pumped his piano but sat on it “rump” side down and up. His vocals deserve an A-plus. We all enjoyed another high energy band to keep us awake and our feet tapping.

By 10:00pm Friday, I knew the hour was late and this would be my last for the day (if I wanted to see Saturday’s dawn.) I chose to hear Red Garter Jazz Band. I was delighted I made this choice. Along with this super band, the vocals were strong and clear. Red Garter reminds one how much fun Trad Jazz can be/is. Red Garter is from nearby Clearwater, The Villages, FL. Don’t miss this band if you have the opportunity to hear them. Lots of fun!!!

Saturday morning arrived and, with it, many new people and many familiar faces. The excitement was just as electrifying as Friday morning when we were all getting into the weekend mood. My first stop was to hear another youth band (J.W Mitchell HS Jazz Band/Trinity, Fl.) Excellent! So professional, I thought I was hearing an old time big band. Their brass section was outstanding! Kudos to the director!

For anyone who follows The Midiri Brothers, it goes without saying. I love their swing style and their sense of humor. But, most of all, I adore their old standards from the days of Shaw, Goodman and Dorsey. The nostalgia, of their repertoire, reminded me of an era long gone but not forgotten. Tempus fugit!

The next show-stopper was Tom Rigney and Flambeau. I cannot tell you what “Flambeau” means. However, I can say this….what a show this guy delivers. He is more than flamboyant! He is electrifying! The stage was ablaze with his groove. Cajun, Zydeco, blues, boogie, waltzes and some almost classical pieces he authored. He is a virtuoso on the violin. His command of the instrument is mind boggling. This band is a must see.

Paul Scavarda of Wally’s Warehouse Waifs

The rest of the day, was spent listening to Wally’s Warehouse Waifs, Cornet Chop Suey and High Sierra. Anyone who has heard these bands knows they are show bands with high energy and aim to please their public each and every performance.

High Sierra plays mainly a West Coast style of traditional jazz.

High Sierra Jazz Band

Cornet Chop Suey and Wally’s Warehouse Waifs play styles from traditional jazz, swing and blues. These bands are winners in every way. They deliver a quality of music that is hard to duplicate.

Cornet Chop Suey

I finally called it a day and made my last appearance at Condon’s Corner to hear Theo Valentin, another great vocalist. Theo captured the audience with her blues and ballads. She is a very exciting personality and one I would like to hear again and again.

When Sunday’s sun rose to greet me, I knew it was time to pack, take my breakfast and listen to a few of my favorite bands that were still on the schedule. At four o’clock, those who were still on board enjoyed the finale.

I could not and did not take in every band. The festival was sprinkled with so much music it was impossible to hear each one.

What I will tell you, though, Suncoast should be proud of what they did this year…..
a smashing success!!! The best ever!

The festival could not have come to fruition had it not been for Joan Dragon (Director,) volunteers, sponsors, a wonderful hotel staff and the many behind the scenes people. Extra kudos to all the volunteers and hotel staff for their politeness and help; going the extra mile, with a smile, made one want to come back again and again.

HAPPY 25th — 2015
Jean Hadley

Other bands:
Bill Allred Classic Jazz, Bob Draga and Friends, Hamilton Harris Project with Marilyn Freemon, Lori Hafer Trio and Mike Hafer with John Lamb, Nate Najar, Pepper, Valerie Gillespie Quintet

Hopkins and Miller’s Sunset Stomp:

Hopkins and Miller’s Sunset Stomp

Jeff & Joel’s House Party-2014, will return Columbus Day weekend 2015!

Posted on November 29, 2014 by admin

Joel Schiavone

Jeff Barnhart

by Sue Finn
videos by Eric Devine (we’re still adding more!)
pictures by Marce

Musicians:
Jeff Barnhart – piano                                              Joel Schiavone – banjo
Fred Vigorito – cornet                                             Lew Green – cornet
Bob Ferguson – trumpet & flugelhorn Herb Roselle – trombone
Herb Gardner – trombone & piano Will Anderson – reeds
Noel Kaletsky – reeds                                              Peter Anderson – reeds
Dan Levinson – reeds Molly Ryan – vocals
Vince Giordano – bass, tuba & bass saxophone Genevieve Rose – bass
Tom Palinko – drums                                                Bill Reynolds – drums
……and, from ‘Your Father’s Mustache’, Chris Fennimore & Bob Whyte on banjo

Saturday Night at Jeff & Joel’s House Party

The fifth Jeff & Joel’s House Party was held October 10, 11 & 12, 2014. This time the party was not at Joel’s house but just around the corner at the Guilford VFW Hall. There was some trepidation about the new venue – nobody likes change! – but it turned out to be a perfect location and they hope to have it there again in October 2015.

As always, it was a wonderful weekend – I consider it my annual ‘retreat’ and always feel rejuvenated at the end, probably because it reminds me of my teenage years when I first knew and loved traditional jazz music (during the ‘trad boom’ in England in the early 1960’s)! The food was delicious and the volunteers did their usual magic. We see only the magic but it is the result of much hard work all year long. Many thanks to all of them and to Jeff & Joel for all the organization.

The program worked a little differently this time. Instead of the combination of musicians changing for every number they generally stayed together for three selections, chosen by three different band members. This worked well with less ‘traffic’. Many of the musicians had never even met, never mind played together before and it is a source of awe for many of the members of the audience when, after a few short words of discussion, the song is played perfectly. Sometimes, some of the band members had never even heard the song before! This was particularly true of the two young reed players, Will & Peter Anderson

Anderson Brothers on clarinet and alto sax

Pete and Will Anderson

The Friday night program was performed by Dan Levinson, Molly Ryan, Jeff Barnhart, Bill Reynolds and Vince Giordano. This was the first time Dan & Molly had appeared at the House Party and they were there only for the Friday session.

Dan Levinson and Molly Ryan

Molly sang a wide variety of songs from traditional ballads to novelty numbers and everything in between.

I Was Saying To The Moon

Her voice is always beautiful and she was a pleasure to listen to and of, course, Dan is a virtuoso on the clarinet and C-melody saxophone.
Where the Morning Glories Grow:

Silver Dollar (A Woman goes from Man to Man) Vince on bass sax:

Love Is Just Around The Corner, Reynolds shows his versatility trading 4’s with Dan.

My Baby Just Cares for me:with Vince, Dan Jeff Barnhart, and Bill Reynolds:

The entire evening was a treat, my favorites were ‘Meet me Tonight in Dreamland’, ‘Oh Daddy’, ‘Bewitched, Bothered & Bewildered’ and ‘What a Little Moonlight Can Do’. ‘You’ve Got the Right Key but the Wrong Keyhole’ was a lot of fun. Dan played an old favorite of mine ‘Wildcat Blues’ which I haven’t heard in more years than I care to remember. I hope we’ll see them both at the House Party again soon.

Lew Green

The other 3 sessions included all the musicians, with Noel Kaletsky only there on Sunday and Lew Green only Saturday evening when Fred Vigorito was away.

Saturday afternoon:
Anderson Brothers play Indian Summer:

More Saturday coming….

The following is a description of some of the performances from the Sunday afternoon session.

The program started with ‘Darktown Strutters Ball’, ‘Shine’ & ‘Avalon’.
Avalon:

Then Fred called ‘Someday You’ll Be Sorry’ with Jeff doing the vocal.
Herb G. sang ‘Happy Feet’.

Noel & Will did a fantastic duet on two clarinets on ‘Sweet Georgia Brown’.

Noel Kaletsky fiery solo on Sleep, with Jeff Barnhart, Tom Palinko, and Gen Rose.

Jeff played a piano solo and sang a song entitled ‘I Left My Sugar Standing in the Rain and My Sugar Melted Away’.
Joel join in on ‘Dippermouth Blues’ with Bob Ferguson trumpet and Freddy cornet, Roselle’s fabulous trombone:

Next came ‘South’, then ‘Lester Leaps In’ with three saxes and Herb G, Gen & Tom in the rhythm section, followed by ‘I’m Confessin’ That I Love You’ and ‘The Sheik of Araby’, the latter with three clarinets and Jeff, Tom & Vince.

Joel sang ‘Row, Row, Row’ with Fred, Herb R and Vince on bass sax. Then Vince sang a song which no-one else knew called ‘Take Your Tomorrow & Give Me Today’. He gave Herb G the chord changes written on a paper plate! Fred, Peter and the rest of the band followed along and, as always, it all turned out perfectly………..

Ain’t Misbehavin’: Will Anderson, Freddy, Roselle, Jeff, Gen and Tom

Herb Roselle was in Your Father’s Mustache and fired up the band.

Herb R. told us about the Philadelphia Mummers Parade and he and Bob F. played a medley of ‘Linger Awhile’ and ‘June Night’.

Bob Ferguson’s wife Rita sang a very emotional version of ‘You Made Me Love You’ with Bob playing a trumpet solo.

Peter, Bob F, Herb G, Jeff, Tom & Gen played ‘When Your Lover Has Gone’ followed by a valiant attempt by Herb G. to sing ‘Please Don’t Talk About Me When I’m Gone’ with Joel at the other mike singing ‘Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue’ at the same time.

A rousing version of ‘South Rampart Street Parade’ was next with three reeds, trumpet, cornet, trombone and banjo. Then Chris and Bob W joined Joel on stage for the banjo band sing along (which happened in both Saturday sets as well). This part is always fun because the audience joins in. (Including me – I try to lip sync but get carried away sometimes – fortunately there was enough noise going on that I don’t think my awful off-key voice bothered too many people, except my long-suffering fellow fans in the front row!)

3 ladies and 91-yr-old gent in front row

Susan Breig, Sue Finn, Joan Boutelle and 91 yr. old George Hatch

The banjo band was followed by a brass band, all the brass instruments and no reeds playing ‘Swing That Music’ backed by Tom, Vince and Jeff who did the vocal.

The next three numbers had all the reeds. The first was ‘Mood Indigo’ with three clarinets, Tom, Vince who did scat and a vocal by Jeff.

Vince sings Three Little Words

Vince did the vocal on ‘Three Little Words’

and then we had four saxophones, Noel – soprano, Will – alto, Peter – tenor and Vince on bass.

The session ended with ‘Strike Up the Band’ and the grand finale, a very loud and wonderful version of ‘Panama’ with all the musicians on the stage playing their hearts out and the audience clapping and cheering.

Finale – photo by Sue Finn

PICTURE SLIDES: Sorry, all the pictures were encrypted by a Trojan Horse and had to be deleted.

Friday https://www.dropbox.com/sh/r5nij5ph58h40lc/AADGZrQ5h_7CvttXoJvNq63Xa?dl=0

Saturday Afternoon https://www.dropbox.com/sh/y8j7t7tqm6z6tdd/AADvmQ0HietVT5plyuEldVpYa?dl=0

Saturday Evening https://www.dropbox.com/sh/gaw6fg089z3l3j6/AAAN1IcKDx8pyNWJqjFIBhY9a?dl=0

Sunday https://www.dropbox.com/sh/tnjgd0uili6sskz/AAAe12jwEB4RIsYuCjykic33a?dl=0

TUNES:

Friday Night
- Meet Me Tonight in Dreamland
- I Was Saying To The Moon
- Wildcat Blues
- Where the Morning Glories Grow
- Oh Daddy
- My Baby Just Cares For Me
- Silver Dollar
- Sing For Your Supper
- Love Is Just Around the Corner
- Solace
- Beyond the Blue Horizon
- Weather Bird Rag
- Get Out and Get Under The Moon
- You’ve Got the Right Key But the Wrong Keyhole
- Dipper Dan Dapper Dan (from Dixieland)
- I Wonder Whose Kissing Her Now
- Shuffle Along
- Love Will Find A Way
- Let’s Fly Away
- Bewitched
- Old Man Moon
- What A Little Moonlight Can Do
Saturday Afternoon
- It Had To Be You
- At The Jazz Band Ball
- A Kiss To Build A Dream On
- Old Lady Be Good Lady Be Good
- Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gives To Me
- Dinah
- Crazy About My Baby
- Poor Butterfly
- After You’ve Gone
- Ain’t Misbehavin’
- That’s A’Plenty
- My Baby Just Cares For Me
- Indian Summer
- Bourbon Street Parade
- Rose Room
- Struttin’ With Some Barbeque
- Baby Won’t You Please Come Home
- Banjo-A-Rama
- Basin Street Blues
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Xp2TmOmSZA
- Do I Love You?
- Oh, Baby
- Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams
- Avalon
- Honey Suckle Rose
- I Can’t Get Started
- I Got Rhythm
- Tin Roof Blues
- High Society
Saturday Night
- S’ Wonderful
- Some Day You’ll Be Sorry
- Some Of These Days
- You’re Driving Me Crazy
- If I Had You
- Louis Blues
- My Gal Sal
- Indiana
- Honky Tonk Town
- Stars Fell on Alabama
- Ida
- Margie
- Exactly Like You
- Lulu’s Back In Town
- Ja Da
- Sleepy Time Down South
- Somebody Stole My Gal
- Pennies From Heaven
- Stardust
- Lime House Blues Limehouse Blues
- Creole Love Call
- Willie the Weeper
- Ory’s Creole Trombone
- Michigan
- Banjo-A-Rama
- Taking A Chance on Love
- Someday Sweetheart
- How Deep Is the Ocean?
- What A Little Moonlight Can Do
- Tiger Rag
Sunday Afternoon
- Downtown Starters Ball Darktown Strutters’ Ball
- Shine
- Avalon
- Someday You’ll Be Sorry
- Happy Feet
- Sweet Georgia Brown
- My Sugar Melted In The Rain
- Dipper Mouth Blues
- South
- Lester Leaps In
- I’m Confessing That I Love You
- The Sheik of Araby
- Linger A While/June Night
- You Made Me Happy
- Row, Row, Row
- Take Your Tomorrow and Give Me Today
- Sleep
- Ain’t Misbehaving
- I’m Sorry I Made You Cry
- When Your Lover Has Gone
- Please Don’t Talk About Me When I’m Gone
- South Rampart Street Parade
- Bango-o-Rama
- Swing That Music
- Mood Indigo
- Three Little Words
- Strike Up The Band
- Panama

Blue Horizon Jazz Band at the Sherborn Inn, November 18, 2014

Posted on November 24, 2014 by admin

Stan McDonald’s Blue Horizon Jazz Band

The Blue Horizon Jazz Band took a romp through the music from the 20’s to the 50’s, playing happy, foot stomping Traditional Jazz. Jeff Stout was relaxed (he must have had a good day teaching at Berklee.) McDonald plays Traditional Jazz for the sheer spirit of it; he lives for this music. They were feeling each other out, trumpet playing lead, soprano sax counterpoint. Gerry Gagnon’s trombone complementing the front line. They were dynamic!

It all came together, starting with I Got Rhythm. They got rhythm! Save It Pretty Mama Stan vocal, and soprano sax with piano comping. Stu Gunn’s string bass is solid as a metronome. He stays sharp playing classical bass with the Cape Cod Symphony,

They haven’t played the catchy tune by Sidney Bechet, Lastik, in a long time. Great tune; trumpet and sax taking lead, muted trombone playing counterpoint. Gerry Gagnon pulls a multitude of sounds out of that trombone with different mutes.

Stan McDonald on clarinet

Jelly Roll Morton’s My Gal Sal has had many versions over the years. Piano intro with Stan on clarinet, they made it a fine instrumental, a bit slower than usual.

Bechet’s Tijuana, a Latin tune named after a bar in Kansas City; then to Irving Berlin with All By Myself. Roamin’ , Ross played a western loping on the piano.

Steve Taddeo lets go

Steve Taddeo maintained the feel of Trad Jazz with clean controlled drumming, He let loose on his drum solo on Running Wild.

Ross set a soft tempo for Sugar, trombone providing balance for sax and trumpet. Jeff’s silky trumpet solo was backed by subtle rhythm section. Beautiful.

Ross on piano with Blue Horizon blue flag with large sun in middle behind him

Ross Petot listens carefully and keeps it all together.

Lyrics can be an integral part of melody. Stan contemplated, When I Leave The World Behind.

Stan McDonald puts heart and soul into his vocals

New Orleans, Jeff Stout on powerful trumpet. They changed the mood with Sidney Bechet’s Marchand de Poisson, warm melodic lines. Wild Cat Blues marvelous, intricate ensemble.

Gerry Gagnon reaches up and makes beautiful music on Sidney Bechet’s Spreading Joy. Astounding!

Gerry standing, trombone point in the air, Stout and Taddeo in awe

Gerry Gagnon

Si Tu Vois Ma Mere, another Bechet tune. Matt Chavin of ’20’s Jazz’, says “Stan McDonald is probably the closest living representative of the style of Sidney Bechet today.”

Jeff Stout and Stan McDonald complement each other

I Remember When sax and trumpet in sync, with piano playing riffs. Stan took the ending with a consummate high note!

With time growing short, the ensemble closed with a resounding lively finale of When I Grow Too Old To Dream.

The Blue Horizon Jazz Band will return with another romp through the music from the 20’s to the 50’s on December 16th. We don’t know yet what the new ownership in January will mean. But….

Dan Gabel’s High Society Jazz Band will be here December 2nd, and we’ll close the year on Tuesday December 23rd with a FREE-FOR-ALL JAZZboree with many familiar fine musicians! No admission fee, and cake for all!! Join us???

A Fabulous Fall Frolic with the Monte Carlo Jazz Ensemble at the Sherborn Inn

Posted on November 15, 2014 by admin

6-pc Band plays written arrangements of dance music of the 20''s and 30's

Monte Carlo Jazz Ensemble

November 11, 2014 with Robin Verdier leader/piano, Bob MacInnis cornet, John Clark alto sax, Craig Ball clarinet, Al Bernard tuba, Bill Reynolds drums

Robin Verdier’s Monte Carlo Jazz Ensemble brought us back to the fast paced, energetic music and dances of the optimistic 1920’s. New styles of music and dances evolved. They were an escape from the horror of war, and an opportunity to release pent up emotions created by the restricted lifestyles forced on the public by the war effort. Ragtime which had been popular during and after the war was suited to the new music tempos and so it flourished.

Robin Verdier, our own erudite Rag Time pianist, is well versed in this music. The musicians perform his arrangements in sensitive, sophisticated Ensemble.

They Called It Dixieland began this momentous evening. Mine All Mine, a tune composed by Fats Waller that was not associated with Fats because Fletcher Henderson recorded it first in 1927. Excellent solos.

Bob MacInnis on cornet

1925 Hotsy Totsy Now with Bob’s fine cornet enriched by piano’s soft notes, tuba in the background.

Then we were privileged to hear the World’s first performance of Robin’s arrangement of Irving Berlin’s 1927 Shaking the Blues. Marvelous!

Moving ahead (for them) to 1938 with Fats Waller’s I’ll Dance At Your Wedding with fabulous cornet, smooth alto sax, piano trickling between solos.

Robin sitting at piano with his reflection in piano top

Robin Verdier (file photo)

Rags were popular back in 1902, when Scott Joplin wrote Elite Syncopation. At that time Rags were played on the streets of New Orleans. Our own Scott Joplin, Robin Verdier, handles the difficult syncopated melodic line with ease. He played to a large, appreciative crowd!

A rarity, a collaboration between Cook’s Blame It On The Blues with Sidney Bechet’s Quincy Street Stomp, showed more fabulous ensemble, and clarinet skillfully trading 4’s with alto sax.

Bill Reynolds

1924 Alabamy Bound, adept in this art of drumming, Bill Reynolds was tapping on the wood block. Bill’s father, recently deceased Ed Reynolds, had a big influence on Robin Verdier and was responsible for at least five of the tunes this evening.

Al Bernard

Bill Reynolds’ drums and Al Bernard’s tuba kept the rhythm burning. Albie’s tuba sometimes becomes an extension of the Ensemble.

Dave’s drum introduced a 50’s jazz tune, Nullabor, probably named after a desert in Australia – maybe an aborigine song, with heavy drum accents. Nice clarinet by Craig, then outstanding ensemble, closing with more thunderous drums.

1927 Anabelle Lee was one of Ed Reynolds’ tunes. Ensemble played in stop time in Sonny Clay’s 1931 Cho-King, featuring Bill’s choke cymbals.

My Baby Just Cares For Me 1930, That’s Where You’re Wrong 1929. Everybody’s Doing The Charleston 1925. Tiny Parham’s Now That I Found You 1930. Con Conrad’s 1921 Moonlight included a nice tuba solo with piano backing.

I Wish’t I Was In Peoria, Walter Donaldson’s I’ve Had My Moments. In Our Cottage of Love, Down Where The Sun Goes Down.

Mule Face Blues, nimble fingers flew across piano, Reynolds applying fine choke cymbal and drumming, the Front Line in distinguished ensemble that sets this group apart.

Monte Carlo Front Line: Bob MacInnis, Craig Ball, John Clark

They closed with When Lindy Comes Marching Home, written by George M. Cohan for pilot Charles Lindburgh’s successful solo flight across the ocean. The ensemble interpolated other Cohen tunes – we recognized Yankee Doodle Dandy.

This was a momentous moment for many reasons: John Clark had just returned from his Wolverine Jazz Band’s great reception at the Arizona Classic Jazz Festival. This was Bob MacInnis’s last performance for this year in New England – he left for Florida the next day. We’ll miss him until Spring. And the future of Jazz at the Sherborn Inn is uncertain, as it is under new ownership in January 2015. Just in case, we are searching for new venues.

We certainly hope to hear the Monte Carlo Jazz Ensemble again, either here at the Sherborn Inn or at a new venue. Stay tuned.

Dave Whitney Big Band with Christine Fawson at Amazing Things Arts Center

Posted on November 11, 2014 by admin

by Harold McAleer

The Amazing Things Arts Center is the best place to listen, and really hear a great band and two master trumpeters; marvelous acoustics. It just doesn’t get any better than this!