Wolverine Jazz Band at the Sherborn Inn, November 4, 2014

Posted on November 5, 2014 by admin

John Clark’s Wolverine Jazz Band

Jeff Hughes trumpet, John Clark reeds, Tom Boates trombone, Ross Petot piano, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Rick MacWilliams tuba, Dave Didriksen drums

The Wolves were in rare form, back from a six-hour recording the previous day on their latest CD, #13. They’re on their way to the Arizona Jazz Classic Festival this weekend. They practiced on us, playing early New Orleans music with fiery enthusiasm – How LUCKY are WE???? They were asked to play King Oliver tunes at the Arizona Jazz Classic Festival, and we heard many of them, plus other tunes from the 20’s and 30’s, with original arrangements by John Clark.

They started Hot and Heavy with Michigander Blues, and a joyous New Orleans Stomp. A tune Bix Beiderbecke did with Frankie Trumbauer, There’ll Come a Time.

Tom Boates was featured on Snake Rag, a King Oliver tune that is always a big request. We only get to hear Tom once a month – the lucky folks at Bill’s Seafood in Westbrook Connecticut hear him every Friday with the Bill’s Seafood All-Stars. Boates sang the vocal on St. James Infirmary Blues, alternating choruses with each of the musicians. Nice touch. He closed with a growling trombone and drawn-out flourish.

Front line, featuring Tom Boates, with Jeff Hughes trumpet and John Clark clarinet

Jimmy Mazzy doesn’t use arrangements.

Jimmy had many vocals (We never get enough of them!) All from memory. Just Pretending, which is seldom played by any other band. The Halfway House Orchestra did some self-loathing tunes, I Hate Myself for Loving You and I Hate Myself For Being So Mean To You. John took out the baritone for that one.

Rita Brochu and Kathleen Howland

Another King Oliver tune, Olga, nice dance tune, then a romping New Orleans tune Buddy’s Habit. Another K.O. tune that Louis played with his Hot Five, Sunset Café Stomp, got Kathleen Howland up and dancing with her Mom, Rita Brochu. It was Kathleen’s birthday. Dr. Howland is a teacher of Music Therapy, both in private practice and at several schools, and plays one heck of a baritone sax! Special request for Kathleen, one of Jimmy’s favorite depression songs, Dip Your Brush in the Sunshine had everybody up dancing.

Betty Weaver requested a song from John Clark, and he obliged with The Oceana Roll, a popular RagTime tune written in 1911 about the U.S. Navy and the USS Alabama:
“Billy Mccoy was a musical boy
On the Cruiser Alabama he was there at the piana
Like a fish down in the sea, he would rattle off some harmony.” Never gets dull!!

Clark singing with trumpet and piano in backgrund

John Clark sings The Oceana Roll

Jimmy was asked to lead on a K.O. tune, I’m Lonesome Sweetheart, powerful trombone pushing the band. Someday Sweetheart, another Jimmy vocal, gave Rick MacWilliams a chance to shine on tuba. We haven’t heard Chimes Blues in ten years, it was fabulous, with Ross Petot playing the chimes on piano.

Rick MacWilliams and Ross Petot, fabulous rhythm section

Excellent drummer Dave Didriksen completes the rhythm section, keeping time with rim tapping on snare drum and cymbals.

Dave Didriksen

Their final tune, a sizzling Panama, was recorded by Kid Ory’s Creole Jazz Band. The Sherborn Inn furnished some Pyrotechnics:

We’ve been so fortunate to listen to this dynamic Wolverine Jazz Band from its inception, They celebrate their 19th anniversary next month.

We don’t mind sharing them with the folks in Arizona! Enjoy!

Jeff Hughes’ Jazz Jesters at the Sherborn Inn, 28 October 2014

Posted on November 3, 2014 by admin

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

Jeff Hughes trumpet, Craig Ball clarinet and tenor sax, John Clark clarinet, alto and baritone sax, Ross Petot piano, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Al Bernard tuba, Steve Taddeo drums.

The Jazz Jesters were just back from a studio recording of their first CD. They presented a nostalgic evening of authentic old tunes by hundreds of revered players newly arranged by John Clark.

When Dr. John Clark enrolled at Connecticut College, he discovered their vast Traditional Jazz library. He immersed himself in it, absorbing every record and tape. With that knowledge, he was able to create authentic arrangements of the bands of the 1920’s and 30’s – tonight was spectacular!

Craig on tenor, John on alto, bari setting beside him

many saxes!

They always begin with their theme song, This is My Lucky Day, with Craig on tenor sax. Deep Henderson, Fred Rose 1920’s. It wasn’t meant for Fletcher – it was about Deep Henderson Creek. Two saxes give it a special fling. In Zulu Wail, the two featured a fascinating exchange between two clarinets.

Jones Law Blues (1929) was recorded by Bennie Moten’s Kansas City Orchestra. Nice blues, great solo by Jimmy on banjo, and muted trumpet by Jeff Hughes. This was the first time they used this tune.

Great trumpet solo. The Yamaha Tuneable Bell trumpet was custom made for Jeff; it has a wide bell that gives it a warm cornet sound.

Jimmy was featured in a 1927 Walter Donaldson, Changes. noteworthy Tuba solo by Albie, who is sometimes pushing, sometimes just providing a steady beat. Jimmy ‘owns’ Cabin In The Sky. My Blackbirds are Bluebirds Now. One tune was recorded by just about everybody through the ages, That’s My Desire.

John and Gisela dance all night!

Jeff and John like to test new tunes on us, like Lew Pollack’s 1920’s Dianne. Sweet dance tune, had John & Gisela Bruneccini dancing.

They played King Porter Stomp, Blue River, Cabin In The Rain, Copenhagen, sweet romatic Moon Song, transporting us back to the Golden Era of Jazz.

Golden Gate was HOT, with great solos and celestially rocking alto sax by Clark. Hughes was singing.

Jeff Hughes belts out Golden Gate

Ross Petot

Ross Petot is an exponent of George Gershwin’s and was featured on S’Wonderful. His piano technicque is always Wonderful!

The early 30’s were Depression Years and featured many love songs. Bunny Berigan recorded I Can’t Get Started. They let Steve Taddeo loose on drums. Steve used a newer 70’s drum, with 1930’s Buddy Schutz cymbals, cross sticking with press rolls like Gene Krupa used with the Mel Hallett band.

Steve standing and tapping on drum rims, rods

Steve Taddeo lets go!

Sweet Man was done by the Paramount Jazz Band. Jim and Jeff were proud to be members of Ray Smith’s Band. Tight number, with Craig’s clarinet, John’s alto sax and Jeff’s powerful trumpet on the front line.

They ended with an interesting 1920’s tune that interpolated another tune. That’s how they would introduce new tunes in the 20’s. The Jazz Jesters did their own, with a sweet Broadway Melody, interweaving Breakaway, with a surprise ¾ time tempo (waltz) and vocal by Jeff.

Jeff Hughes is a skillful band leader, and attracts the finest musicians. We’ll be hearing more of the great tunes played in the Jazz Decades when he collaborates with John Clark. We’ll let you know when the Jazz Jesters CD becomes available.

The Sherborn Inn has been sold. We may or may not have music here next year. We’re looking for a new venue to keep these fine musicians playing our kind of music, just in case. Any suggestions?

Eli’s All Stars at the Sherborn Inn, October 2, 2014 – Final for 2014

Posted on October 19, 2014 by admin

Eli’s All Stars

by Marce

Bo Winiker trumpet, Ted Casher reeds, Herb Gardner trombone/vocal, Bob Winter piano, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Eli Newberger tuba, Carolyn Newberger washboard, Jeff Guthery drums,

This band touches my heart and spirit. I arrived tired and stressed, but as soon as the music began it all faded away! They kicked it off with Kid Ory’s Muscrat Ramble that had the walls vibrating, then moved to Gershwin’s The Man I Love with a duet of Bo Winiker’s pure crystal-clear trumpet and Bob Winter’s burning piano.

Ted evoked Eastern European expertise with Russian/Jewish music, Bei Mir Bist Du Schön (Secunda 1938) with a long joyful Klezmer verse on clarinet, and Jimmy singing the chorus.

Jimmy Mazzy feels the pain in the words when he sings.

Jimmy was featured, almost tearfully, on Irving Berlin’s How About Me? “It’s over, all over”. But not our music!

Caroline Newberger joined them on washboard for a tune they’ve never played here before, Washington and Lee Swing. It was sensational! Bob Winter joined Carolyn in a duet, with the front line playing stop time in the background – perfect!

Caroline on washboard, with tuba and drum in background

Carolyn Newberger featured on Washington and Lee Swing

Chinatown is always attention-grabbing, especially with Jimmy’s scatting. Winter’s piano solo Till We Meet Again was #1 song in 1915-16. A love ballad, he started semi-classical then moved into swing, riveting concerto, finishing in sweet ¾ time.

The meister’s piano has amazing depths and textures.

It’s hard to follow that!

Bo Winiker managed it well with Louis Armstrong’s late 20’s Cornet Chop Suey, arranged by Herb Gardner.

Frank John, Eli’s new mentoree.

At intermission, Frank John, a new student that Eli is now mentoring, picked up Eli’s tuba and began to play around with the keys.

Frank is a promising first year student of Mike Roylance’s at New England Conservatory. He hit a fortissimo pedal G that Eli has never played. That’s one note below the bottom of the piano keyboard! We’ll be hearing more from him!

Herb Gardner is a man of many talents!

Herb sang and played the Cole Porter tune about the way young boys cavorted in the 1920’s, Let’s Misbehave. How did he know?

Ted Casher is his own man – plays his version of Body & Soul, with hints of Coleman Hawkins. It get’s to me every time!

My attempt at video – unfortunately the camera was wrong side up; fix resulted in black edges.

We had to leave early – preparing for Jeff & Joel’s House Party in Connecticut the next day. It was very difficult pulling away. We hung in for Bo’s essence of Louis in his spectacular Potato Head Blues, and Bob Winter’s unique interpretation of Oh By Jingo. I was really sorry to miss the rest.

This was the band’s last performance here at the Sherborn Inn for this year, as the Thursday night Jazz has been discontinued due to too many holiday parties.

Hopefully we’ll all be back next year! I really need that invigorating Jazz Fix!

Eli Newberger

Jeff Guthery

Dave Whitney Big Band with Christine Fawson at Chianti’s

Posted on October 15, 2014 by admin

October 12, 2014 By Harold McAleer

Dave Whitney and Christine Fawson

Christine Fawson thinks singing at Chianti’s is Almost Like Being in Love!

Daddy

Boy Meets Horn, Dave Whitney

Boy Meets Horn

Blue Horizon Jazz Band’s first 2014 Fall Session at the Sherborn Inn

Posted on September 16, 2014 by admin

All the Blue Horizon Jazz Band ‘regulars’ were back!!

This was a special evening with no summer substitutes; all the Blue Horizon ‘regulars’ were back with their powerful brass front line.

trumpet and soprano sax on either side of string bass

Jeff Stout and leader Stan McDonald make a powerful team. Stu Gunn’s steady bass gives them freedom to fly!

They began with All By Myself, Stan taking the first of many vocals. Jeff’s trumpet was crystal clear on Roaming, Ross’s piano picking up riffs. Their repertoire consisted of tunes from the 20’s to the 40’s, strongly based on melody. They have a genuine passion and feel for this music: Tishumingo, Bechet’s Lastic, Roses of Picardie, Gershwin’s Strike Up The Band. Rosetta was hard-charging and wild! Honky Tonk Town had Stu weaving from side to side with the beat.

The front line is bolstered by the deep rich tone of Gerry Gagnon’s trombone.

Stan played a forceful soprano sax solo on Save It Pretty Mama. He played low register clarinet on a rhythmic Wild Man Blues, with every instrument taking spontaneous, off the cuff solos on its many breaks.

I Would Do Most Anything For You, Taddeo maintained a resourceful Traditional Jazz beat on his Swingerland drums all evening with the use of brushes,wood block, bell, choke cymbal and pinging the hi hat stand.

Ross Petot was featured with the rhythm section on You Can’t Take That Away From Me, keeping the music fresh by using his magical left hand as a walking bass line instead of his famous stride piano. Marvelous!

Ross Petot strayed from his famous stride piano to keep the music fresh.

Trumpet and sax were perfectly synchronized on When I Leave The World Behind, undergirded by Steve’s drums and Stu’s pulsating string bass.

The band has had fine substitutes like Paul Monat cornet and John Kafalas trombone over the summer (Gerry moved to impressive tuba). But it was refreshing to have the whole band back for the Fall Season. They sent us home with a gentle, sweet, Rose of San Antone.

The Blue Horizon Jazz Band is in its 19th year at the Sherborn Inn. They’ll all be back, along with our New England Fall Foliage on October 21st. Take a nice ride and join us!

New Black Eagle Jazz Band at the Sherborn Inn, September 11, 2014

Posted on September 11, 2014 by admin

New Black Eagle Jazz Band

Tony Pringle cornet/leader, Billy Novick clarinet and alto sax, Stan Vincent trombone, Herb Gardner piano, John Turner string bass, Peter Bullis banjo, Pam Pameijer drums

The musicians of the travel-weary New Black Eagle Jazz Band were relieved to be back at their Home Bass, the Sherborn Inn, 33 North Main St. Sherborn MA. One lives in Connecticut, one at Cape Cod, one in Marblehead, others Hudson, Sudbury, Norwood. Just getting together is an event! This summer they drove to up to the Berkshires Jazz Fest, down to Mt. Gretna in Pennsylvania, Music Mountain in Connecticut, back up to Deertrees Theater in Maine, as well as more locally at the Regatta Bar in Boston, and Amazing Things in Framingham.

Tony Pringle leads the NEW Black Eagle Jazz Band with an iron hand.

The NEW Black Eagle Jazz Band began at the Sticky Wicket in October 1971, after founder Tommy Sancton of the original Black Eagle Jazz Band left for Oxford University in England. The NBEJB’s 43rd Anniversary is coming up next month. (see below)

Under the direction of leader Tony Pringle, The Eagles continue to maintain that real spirit of New Orleans Traditional Jazz.

C. H. Pameijer

Their original drummer at the Sticky Wicket, Pam Pameijier came up from Connecticut tonight. His reliable and dependable drumming revitalizes the whole band!

Herb Gardner plays trombone all over New England and in NY, and piano with the Red Molly.

Herb Gardner is the new pianist with the Eagles, but definitely not new to the neighborhood. Herb was featured on Nobody’s Sweetheart Now showing a deep respect for the melody in his choice of notes.

Curse of an Aching Heart was followed by one of Tony’s favorites – Pleading The Blues. Papa Dip is an up-tempo tune about Louis Armstrong that was played by the New Orleans Wanderers – this band hasn’t played it in 10 years. Nice Spiritual, Lead Me Savior, Give Me Your Telephone Number. Billy moved to alto sax for Rosetta; Papa Di Da Da,

Billy Novick is renowned for his Alto Sax.

Billy was featured on a smoking Body & Soul, backed by the supportive rhythm of piano, bass and drum.

Stan Vincent, New Orleans knows how to play tailgate trombone

Climax Rag was a simmering hot number, not a Rag. It was originally written as a Rag in 1914 by James Scott. Stan Vincent plays it with a low, smouldering trombone.

John Turner, Trad Jazz string bass

John Turner fits in well in the rhythm section with his authentic Traditional Jazz acoustic String Bass.

Wild Man Blues was a rousing stomp. They closed with a familiar favorite, a real oldie, Panama, sending us home with more fond memories.

The Band will be traveling back to Cape Cod on Tuesday, September 30th at the Woods Hole Community Hall, 68 Water Street, Woods Hole for JazzFestFalmouth.org.

They’ll return to the Sherborn Inn on October 9^th. This will be their last Sherborn Inn gig for this year, so be there!

Wolverine Jazz Band at the Sherborn Inn, September 9, 2014

Posted on September 9, 2014 by admin

Wolverine Jazz Band will be celebrating 19 years together in December

Jeff Hughes trumpet, John Clark reeds, Tom Boates trombone, Jim Mazzy banjo/vocals, Ross Petot piano, Rick MacWilliams tuba, Dave Didriksen drums

All stellar Jazzmen who invoke the spirit of New Orleans Jazz, The Wolverines returned to their monthly gig at the Sherborn Inn. We are fortunate that they rehearse their CDs with us! Bored with playing their nearly 20 years of material, they searched for new things. (Jimmy has a million of ’em.)

They began this first Jazz evening of September at the Inn with a salute to Fall, Jimmy singing a sweet Shine on Harvest Moon.

They shuffled around the early part of the 20th century with Walter Donaldson’s Love Me or Leave Me, King Oliver Creole Jazz Band’s Mable’s Dream, it’s on their new CD.

They have many King Oliver tunes in their book. King Oliver had one of the best and most important bands in early Jazz, but he didn’t have many vocals. Jimmy came up with I’m Lonesome Sweetheart.

Tom Boates, one of the top trombonist in New England

Tom Boates was featured on New Orleans Stomp; Kid Ory would have approved!

Dave Didriksen’s drumming pushed the front line into lovely polyphonic sound, with Rick adding a fine tuba solo.

Dave Didriksen

Rick MacWilliams

Ross Petot, stride pianist

Ross was featured on I Hate Myself for Being So Mean To You! with a raucous interchange between trombone and clarinet.

I’m in Seventh Heaven will also be on the CD. (Where did they find all of these that we never heard of before???)

John Clark has become proficient at baritone sax.

A new tune for them was one J. C. Johnson wrote for the Paul Whiteman Band, played by Bix Beiderbecke, When. Jimmy vocal, with fabulous baritone sax by Clark.

A tune written by a trombone player, Santo Pecora, She’s Crying For Me, John on bari sax, had Tom on nice muted trombone, backed by drum & tuba.

Jimmy with left fingers wrapped around neck of the banjo. He learned from listening to radio and couldn't tell how they were holding it.

Jimmy has a unique hold on the neck of the banjo that no one can replicate.

Another Classic tune on their new CD, Jimmy sings the verse on a sweet September in the Rain.

Roll on Mississippi, Clark running the gamut up and down the scale on clarinet, Jimmy played his usual fantastic single string banjo.

Jabbo Smith’s Michigander Blues was dedicated to both Sue Lewis & Bob Sickle’s birthdays (actually last Tuesday.) Happy Birthdays, Kids!

There’ll Come a Day, San Antonia Shout, King Oliver’s 1930 Olga. John Clark took a rare vocal on Oceana Roll. He sounds fine! Who Wouldn’t Love You, a fast tune Jimmy did with the Paramount Jazz Band.

Couple in their 90's swinging on the dance floor

John & Gisela Bruneccini danced the night away celebrating their 66th Anniversary.

John & Gisela Bruneccini danced away celebrating their 66th Anniversary.

Jeff has a varried collection of antique trumpets and cornets.

Django’s Nuage is on the new CD. Jeff was amazing on his 1953 Selmer “Balanced Action” finely ornamented trumpet.

The finale, a good ol’ good one, Panama; Boates squeezed in a snippet of ‘It’s a Small World.” on trombone. (He had to be quick!)

This was a marvelous evening spent with our favorite musicians. This was not a rehearsal, it was more of a demonstration – the CD is ready and will be available in November. The Wolverine Jazz Band will bring their magical Traditional/Dixieland Jazz back to the Sherborn Inn on Tuesday, October 7th. Don’t miss it!

Eli’s All-Stars at the Sherborn Inn, 4 September 2014

Posted on September 4, 2014 by admin

Eli’s All-Stars

Phil Person trumpet, Ted Casher clarinet, tenor and soprano sax, Herb Gardner trombone, vocal, Bob Winter piano, Jim Mazzy banjo/vocals, Eli Newberger tuba, Jeff Guthery drums,

Fresh from two sold-out performances with the Barrington Stage Company in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, the All-Stars were raring to go. Trumpeter Phil Person completed an exciting front line, subbing for Bo Winiker.

front line, soprano sax, trumpet, trombone, sitting on high stools

Ted Casher, Phil Person, Herb Gardner

They started hot and heavy with Tijuana, a hot Latin tune. It set the tone for the rest of the evening with these world-class musicians. Herb Gardner’s trombone took the intro on Spencer Williams’ 1926 Basin St. Blues, Jim singing, followed by banjo and tuba.

Ted took center stage with a fiery Lady Be Good on tenor sax. The band followed with a brassy Twelfth St. Rag that resonated off the ceiling!

Ted in front of band blasting on tenor sax.

Ted suggests that the ladies be good.

This Jazz is pure pleasure! Always creative, Eli presented brand new material. They tried out differing duets on a Stan Rubin tune, Miss Ida Blue, first clarinet with piano, then banjo and trombone, backed by a soft ensemble. They tried three different endings until they found the one they liked.

Ted’s Harlem Nocturne on tenor sax was absolutely tantalizing; we never get enough of that wrenching tenor sax! Also can’t get enough of Jimmy Mazzy’s unique style of singing, Someone to Watch Over Me, S’Wonderful. He did a mournful, heartbreaking version of Al Jolson’s Swanee; the depth of his loneliness resounding in his voice. They don’t need any more vocalists!

Bob winter was featured in another piano solo with The Man I Love; fingers delicately floating over the piano, creating a masterpiece.

Bob Winter, pianist for the Boston Pops

Herb Gardner returned on trombone and singing Nice Work If You Can Get It.

Herb Gardner

Nice work! Herb keeps busy leading Stan Rubin’s Band at Swing 46 in Manhattan every Wednesday, backing the American powerhouse vocal trio, Red Molly, or playing piano for the New Black Eagle Jazz Band.

Phil Person was an apt substitute for Bo Winiker. Phil is an Assistant Professor at Berklee, and has performed with Al Grey, Buddy Defranco, Tony Bennett, Keely Smith, Jack Jones, Scott Hamilton, Dick Johnson, Phil Wilson, Kay Starr, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, Margaret Whiting, the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra (directed by Buddy Morrow), Alan Dawson, Ricky Ford, Howard Johnson, and Ray Santisi, among others.

Phil Person was featured on Wait ‘til You Hear From Me, playing fluid, sweet trumpet. Remarkable talent!

Bob Winter played a cool piano intro to South, with Ted on pure soprano sax, Jeff tapping temple blocks.

Jeff tapping on temple blocks, Ted on Sop Sax

Jeff keeps Traditional Jazz Beat on graduated temple blocks

Jimmy on banjo, Eli on reverberating turbo-charged tuba. The two create synergetic magic.

It was one of the highlights of the evening!

Jimmy was featured on a tune that nobody else but Eli seemed to know, Tomorrow Night.

It’s obvious Bob enjoys playing with the All-Stars, and listening to Jimmy and Eli.

Ted Casher sang his signature song with gusto, supported by Phil’s trumpet, I’ll Be Glad When You’re Dead You Rascal You. (He dedicated it to Arthur S. DeMoulas.) The tempo picked up with outstanding trumpet, piano, tuba – all building up to a WILD conclusion! What a way to close an afternoon of amazing Jazz here at the Sherborn Inn.

Where was Carolyn Newberger? Carolyn was sitting at the band table, sketching away as usual – she’ll have some great ones of the band.

One of her watercolors was recently accepted into the 14th Biennial North American Open Show of the New England Watercolor Society. The exhibition will be from October 15 to November 8 at the Plymouth MA Center for the Arts, 11 North St. Reception is October 18 from 2-4pm.

On September 13th Eli’s All-Stars kicked off Highland Jazz’s 32nd Concert Series in Newton, MA. They’ll be back again at the Sherborn Inn on Thursday, October 2nd. Don’t miss this one! November and December Thursdays have been cancelled because of too many Holiday Functions.

See you October 2nd??

Marce

Billy Novick clarinet, Guy Van Duser guitar, September 2, 2014

Posted on September 2, 2014 by admin

Billy Novick and Guy Van Duser

Billy Novick and Guy Van Duser were featured at the ongoing Tuesday Jazz Series at Sherborn Inn on September 2nd.

About Billy: Billy moved to Boston from New York and attended Berklee College of Music for a year, met some musicians, and fell into the local ’70s music scene, playing in various bands. While rehearsing for a dance performance in 1976, Novick was introduced to the innovative guitarist Guy Van Duser, and the two began a collaboration that continues to flourish. In 1986 Novick became reeds player for the New Black Eagles Jazz Band. He has also done considerable composing and arranging. “When I was a kid I wanted to be a composer even more than a musician.” Billy wrote New Orleans Farewell.

A Studio Musician, Billy has been featured on more than 250 recordings as a sideman or arranger for other artists. He’s also written and played background music for commercials – you’ve probably heard him on TV or Radio. He received worldwide recognition for his score of The Great Gatsby with the Washington Ballet at the Kennedy Center. (They practiced on us at the Sherborn Inn.)

The delights of tonight’s performance were many, both are true artists and great story tellers. They took off with a roaring Royal Garden Blues, followed by a fluid, sweet Embraceable You. They tested the audience on a number they played when they first came together 30+ years ago, both singing and harmonizing on Ready For The River. Sweet! Muscat Ramble, James P Johnson’s Love; a Scott Joplin Rag, Easy Winner, is easy on piano, but difficult on guitar. Not for Van Duser.

Victor Young’s Indian Summer. They faked their way through some Mariachi before moving back to our kind of music, a second line dirge played at New Orleans Funerals – Sing On. Fats Waller’s Jitterbug Waltz.

St. Louis Tickle came from 1906 World’s Fair and then became a Dixieland Tune. Billy explained that Midnight in Moscow was originally meant to be Nightime in Leningrad, but The Soviet Ministry of Culture, one of the most important government offices in the Soviet Union, insisted it become Evening in Moscow. They changed the lyrics and the version. The British Jazz group, Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen had a hit with the song in 1961 under the title Midnight in Moscow. And there you have it!

Guitar verse and melody on Stardust were breathtaking!

About Guy: We wondered why Guy wraps his fingers completely around the neck of his guitar; it’s because his fingers play both chords (down) and melody (up) at the same time. He was recovering from a cut on his index finger on right hand. We’re thankful he was here, and that it wasn’t his thumb! He has practically invented a finger-picked guitar style, closer to jazz piano than guitar.

He explains it at Berklee, where he is a Professor in the Guitar Department: “I’m kind of the oddball. I’m here because a lot of people are curious about this technique, finger style. I show them how to take melodies on the guitar—solo line melodies—and play those melodies while playing the chords at the same time. You’re trying to get two layers going. You’re using mostly your thumb just to play the lower notes of the chord while the fingers pick out the melody notes on the upper strings. The fingerpickers do that in such a way that the thumb is alternating back and forth on the string, being the rhythm as well. So I’m not just playing the chord under the note, I’m recreating a beat: boom-chick, boom-chick, boom-chick.”

They played tunes we never heard of, and others recorded by many bands. S’Posing was recorded by Fats, Miles Davis, Sonny Stitt. Billy sings it! “Mine” was the only popular song to come out of the Gershwin show ‘Let ‘Em Eat Cake.’ Scott Joplin’s Spicey Cake Walk. was a rouser!

1931 – I’ll See You In My Dreams. Guy explained that nobody sets it up with the lyrics on the verse like Ukulele Ike (Cliff Edwards) did. He was the featured voice for Jiminy Cricket for all those Disney years. Guy did it singing the lyrics on the verse just as Ike did. Effective.

Isham Jones’ Wabash Blues sold two million records in 1921, cementing Jones’s niche in the musical pantheon of the early Twenties. Billy and Guy closed this evening with their own captivating version.

This was a refreshing and informative evening with Billy Novick and Guy Van Duser. Billy Novick’s Blue Syncopators will perform again with the Sacramento Ballet Company in California October 23-26. http://www.sacballet.org/ Tickets are available.

The Great Gatsby with Billy Novick’s Blue Syncopators

Guy Van Duser will be playing solo guitar September 13th 8pm at Coffeehouse off the Square, Old Ship Church, Hingham, MA

You can find where Billy and Guy will be teaming up at http://www.billynovick.com/. marce@nejazz.com

Jazz Jesters at The Sherborn Inn, August 26, 2014

Posted on August 26, 2014 by admin

The Jazz Jesters

Jeff Hughes cornet, Craig Ball clarinet and tenor sax, John Clark clarinet/alto and baritone sax, Ross Petot piano, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Al Bernard tuba, Steve Taddeo drums

They are busy musicians, Ross plays in several bands and teaches, Craig leads the White Heat Swing Orchestra, John Clark bounces between Massachusetts and Connecticut, and his Wolverine Jazz Band plays at festivals and on many town commons. Steve leads the Swing Senders and directs the Dick Donovan Big Band. Al plays tuba and sousaphone in many Classical bands as well as Jazz bands. Jeff has multiple bands, the most active at the moment are Swing Times Five and the Jazz Jesters. Jimmy is always Jimmy, and we are most grateful to have him here with us.

Jeff and John dug down deep for some very old material, some of the best and hottest of the 20′s and 30′s, making it relevant to today with their own splendid arrangements. They came up with tunes we’ve never heard before, inventive and resourceful arrangements by our own Dr. John Clark, hot and sweet music reminiscent of The Jazz Decades.

They soared with their theme This Is My Lucky Day, Craig starting on tenor sax, John Clark on clarinet. These two dynamic reed-men create magnificent music with two clarinets, alto, tenor, and baritone sax, between them.

Albie had his smallest Conn Tuba that he saved from a demolition pile. He favors it when playing classical music; in Trad Jazz it pushes the chords and with Taddeo’s drums, keeps the beat. Ross Petot’s piano adds riffs and fills. The whole polyphonic sound has some folks dancing and others sitting on the edge of their seats. Fantastic!

They have a following of ‘regulars’ who never fail to appear for Jeff’s Bands.

Elke and Joan

Betty

Paul

Connie

Bob

Geri and Jerry

Stan and Gail

Charlie and Gisela Brunaccini

John and Gisela have been married over 60 years. They knew all the right steps, and danced all night!

John said “We enjoyed hearing the old original arrangements of great memorable tunes by talented musicians.”

There were more: Bix’s Davenport Blues, Sweethearts of Sigma Chi, Alabama Stomp, River Stay Away From My Door and Cabin in the Pines (that Jimmy sang with the Paramount Jazz Band.) Blame It On The Blues; a classic 1920’s tune played by many bands, Deep, was another John Clark arrangement.

Featured soloists were Clark on bari sax with Deep Down South. Jeff sang Archie Bleyer’s ‘Leven Thirty Saturday Night. Jimmy was featured on a ballad It’s Wonderful, (not Gershwin’s S’Wonderful.) Craig’s clarinet reached for the sky on House of David Blues. Ross was featured on Avalon, and did the arrangement for Lila. SteveTaddeo let his Gene Krupa loose on his own theme song, Dinah.

The band continued with a quintessential 1920’s tune, You Don’t Like It (Not Much!) and closed with Fats /Waller’s Zonky, with dueling clarinets and trumpet, exuberant rhythm – it was WILD!

This exciting and exhilarating band will return with more new arrangements of these marvelous old tunes on October 28^th. Mark your calendars, you won’t want to miss this!

New England Traditional Jazz Plus

Swing, Traditional Jazz, Dixieland Jazz, Big Bands

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