I am not a jazz musician, nor am I knowledgeable about music, so this review expresses my feelings as an undying fan of over 70 years. I thought the band was sensational. They were really “hot” as they romped through many great standards with outstanding improvisation around the melodies. Jeff Hughes did a terrific job both leading the group and playing the trumpet. He blended everyone’s talents wonderfully – especially since his usual group of stalwarts were augmented by the addition of Jack Soref on guitar and Kellian Adams on vocals.
Soref plays in the style of the master gypsy guitarist Django Reinhart. He was phenomenal, and he blended in with his new mates quite easily, Jeff gave him plenty of time to show how terrific he is.
Jack Soref, gypsy Jazz guitar
Kellian can belt out tunes focusing mostly on middle range. She provided a change of pace nicely.
Kellian Adams Pletcher is a Joy!
Herb Gardner was outstanding on the keyboard as usual. He also entertained us with a couple of solos on the trombone.
Herb Gardner, keyboard and trombone
Herb’s daughter Sarah Nova was in the audience. She showed us she has the
inherited talent of her father when she got up and sang.
Sarah Gardner Nova
John Clark is an extremely versatile reed man as he alternated playing clarinet, soprano sax and baritone sax – all with excellent results.
John Clark on baritone sax
Steve Taddeo is really into it on drums. He’s wonderful setting the beat and soloing.You can tell the he really loves playing, and it rubs off on the audience.
Steve Taddeo on his brand new Slingerland Drums
Al Bernard handles the tuba great as he anchors the rhythm section – plus he solos excellently.
Al Bernard, tuba, rhythm,
Unfortunately, the heavy rain kept the crowd down, but Jeff and the group will return to the Primavera on October 22nd.
Come see them perform – you’ll love their music and they are a congenial, friendly bunch appreciative of everyone who comes to see them play.
The music took me back to the days when jazz was extremely popular, and bands like this played all over New England. I wish I could see more of this band – they are so great. They really have no weaknesses for an old time jazz fan like me.
Riverboat Stompers at Bellingham’s Concert on the Grass
Steve Straus, leader/clarinet/soprano sax/vocals, Neil Flewelling cornet, Frank Batchelor trombone, Phil Hower keyboard, Steve Caddick banjo/vocals, Pierre Lemieux tuba, Richard Malcolm drums
Videos by Marce
The Riverboat Stompers are a seven-piece ensemble specializing in Traditional and Dixieland Jazz of the 20’s to 40’s. It’s obvious that this is the music they cherish and have played for many years. They have been playing all over New England this summer – one of their best years ever. It was a pleasure to catch them in my home town, Bellingham MA. This was their first time here at the Bellingham Summer Concerts in the park – but they will be back!
They are masters of Dixieland Jazz, playing well-known standards with feeling and passion. The three members of the front line play tight ensemble, complementing each other. They keep this Jazz HOT!
Dave Flewelling, Steve Straus, Frank Batchelor
Steve sings You Took Advantage of Me:
Part of the ‘Dance Floor’ that surrounds the building.
Pierre Lemieux does a fine tuba solo. He keeps busy playing with many bands.
The band continued with Sweet Georgia Brown,
That’s a Plenty was plenty HOT!
Rich Malcolm plays great Trad. He also teaches at Berklee.
Phil Hower
The drummer is the heartbeat of Traditional Jazz. Rich is an excellent Trad drummer (hard to find!) and keeps the musicians in perfect time. He took the intro to SAN, starting with an Indian beat, hitting the toms, and continued backing Straus’s marvelous soprano sax – this tune was a gem!
Pianist Phil Hower listens carefully; responds with delicate and resourceful phrases.
Frank Batchelor
Frank Batchelor was featured on Basin St. Blues with a lyrical sliding melody linked to the original tailgate style of New Orleans. Awesome!.
Royal Garden Blues
Neil Flewelling, cornet
We were introduced to a tune: You Meet the Nicest People; this is the first time we’ve heard this tune. Fine cornet by Neil.
Neil Flewelling has admirable technique with solos that move lightly from phrase to phrase. We do meet the nicest people listening to Traditional and Dixieland Jazz!!
They added some fine blues, Jazz Me Blues. Buddy Bolden’s Blues was played slowly, melancholy and bluesy. Straus changed the mood singing a happy Floatin’ Down to Cottontown. “Hear the folks all singin’, banjos ringin’ ’till the break of day.”
Steve Caddick teaches banjo all over the world by Skype.
Steve Caddick (Banjo Hall of Fame inductee) on banjo and vocals, was a welcome addition to the band. Besides playing strong background rhythm, Steve Caddick had many vocals, There’ll Be Some Changes Made, Exactly Like You, Somebody Stole My Gal, Hard Hearted Hannah, It’s a Sin to Tell a Lie, My Honey’s Lovin’ Arms, Ain’t She Sweet, and the closing tune on banjo and vocals, drum finale.
Avalon
These Concerts on the Grass are broadcast on Bellingham/Mendon video station http://abmi8.org. You might be able to get them on line.
The Riverboat Stompers were heading for Cohasset the next day, with Jimmy Mazzy on banjo. Check our calendar on www.nejazz.com and search for Riverboat Stompers to find when this marvelous Dixieland Jazz Band will be in your neighborhood. www.riverboatstompers.com.
Gary Bohan cornet, Paul Monat cornet/tuba, Pete Collins clarinet, Dave James (Caponigro) Keys, Steve Taddeo drums
Paul Monat introduced us to some new faces with his Jailhouse 4+1 and lit up Primavera Ristorante on July 23rd. The Band is patterned after the Firehouse 5 + 2, but because of the late notice, Paul wasn’t able to line up more than five free musicians. Disney has ‘Firehouse’ patented, hence the Jailhouse 4+1. The Quintet lit Primavera on fire!
Paul Monat brought his monstrous brass bass along with his Wild Bill Davison influence on cornet. Cornetist Gary Bohan easily plays a range of styles including klezmer, jazz, mainstream, big band and Dixieland. Clarinetist Pete Collins was still streaming, fresh from his own Jazz Band Ball’s performance at Lobsterman’s Wharf in East Boothbay, Maine. Steve Taddeo was turbulent on his brand-new Slingerland Drums.
Last but not least, on the keyboard Dave (Caponigro) James is a band by himself. He is performing somewhere in the greater Boston area almost every night. His keyboard subs for trombone, banjo, vibraphone, you name it, and he is also a great vocalist. He played a memorable solo on keyboard, providing his own comp, and singing a soulful Rosetta.
Dave (Caponigro) James
Together the Jailhouse 4+1 sizzled! Jeannine in the audience exclaimed, “Who needs two more?”
Chinaboy.
Pete Collins, leader of The Jazz Band Ball Band
Clarinet lead on Indiana, piano slipped in some Yankee Doodle Dandy, before they let Steve loose on drums.
Found a New Baby, Avalon; Pete went wild on Way Down Yonder in New Orleans.
Abbondanza – Paul on his remarkable 5-valve tuba, Steve backing with clutch cymbal. Dave’s keyboard feigning a trombone.
Steve Taddeo backs Paul’s tuba
Tuba was featured on Them There Eyes, Paul intense on that monster brass. Steve on solo tapping every drum, cymbal, block, bell. Basin St. Blues. Keeping Out of Mischief Now, Dave singing with rhythmical cadence.
Shine
Gary Bohan and Paul Monat are amazing together
Memories of You with both cornets resurrected fond memories; Gary driving and adding distinctive shadings and tone, Paul emulating Wild Bill. Pete played low register clarinet; Dave played his own comp on keyboard solo.
The two cornets let loose on Swing That Music; keyboard playing banjo. WILD! They slowed for a sweet Honeysuckle Rose, Gary’s clear tone cornet, Pete sounding like Pete Fountain, Keyboard was playing vibraphone. Never got dull!
When You’re Smiling – Surprise – Pete Collins did the vocal! Pleasing voice. We’ve been following him for years, never heard him sing before.
Dinah – you know this was WILD! Ensemble intro, amazing duet between drums and Paul on cornet. It’s Taddeo’s theme song – he was ready with his Krupa walk around, heading for our table and tapping on everything in site, making melody out of several wine glasses.
It Don’t Mean a Thing if it Ain’t Got That Swing – The Jailhouse 5 had the Swing!
They brought the tempo down with a fine melody, Roseroom. Paul closed this hard driving performance with The Saints.
Paul Monat is determined to bring in new sounds with a Jailhouse 5+2. He’s here for the summer, so stay tuned for some more fireworks!
Bob MacInnis cornet/flugelhorn, John Clark alto sax/clarinet, Al Bernard tuba, Frank Stadler piano/leader
by Marce Videos by Harold McAleer
These musicians are so proficient, skilled, that the Quartet sounds like a 7-piece band!
Mood Indigo, Louisiana,, Indiana, Sweet Lorraine, There’ll be Some Changes Made, Ain’t Got a Thing if it Ain’t Got That Swing; playing all our favorites with fantastic Swing and Dixieland.
Limehouse Blues
It’s great to have MacInnis’ sweet cornet back for the summer. He knows how to put a song across. Sweet, smokey flugelhorn on New Orleans, with Albie’s tuba playing low, low, low.
Cornet played rubato and propelled the band into After You’ve Gone. It was WILD! Bob sounded just like Bix on San; John Clark on alto sax, added his own accompaniment He and MacInnis are a band unto themselves.
Seacoast ‘front line’
Undecided
John Clark sings Swing That Music
John Clark’s alto sax sounds much like a tenor when he hits those low notes on I Want a Little Girl trading fours with Albie’s tuba. I loved this tune! He also surprised Frank Stadler with a vocal on Swing That Music. John has been singing more often lately, pushed by his #1 fan, Betty Weaver.
Albie plays melodic tuba on every tune too!
Albie represents a 3-piece rhythm section by himself, as well as playing the front line with a melodic solo chorus on every tune. ‘Deed I Do.
He can push the band with a heavy chord, or softly back all of Franks piano solos.
Frank leads the band, but gives them much leeway. A nimble fingered pianist, he favors a lighter touch, but plays an integral role in the band. His piano intro on Ain’t Gonna Give Nobody None of my Jelly Roll set the band on fire.
Frank Stadler, pianist, leader
Mandy, Make Up Your Mind – nobody called the key, it took a few choruses before they made up their minds and then played fabulous ensemble.
They closed with Runnin’ Wild, clarinet and cornet intertwined, with Albie pushing the band by taking a deep breath and playing 4/4 notes. It was a fabulous afternoon! It would have been nice to have had the whole 7-piece band, but we’ll take this Quartet anytime!!
Trust me – it’s much more exciting seeing them interact and hearing them LIVE! The next Seacoast Stompers Quartet will return to Act3 August 8th, with Dave Whitney trumpet or cornet – he’s playing both now, and the Seacoast Base – Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Albie tuba, and Frank Stadler piano. Come join us for great Jazz and ACT 3 cuisine!
ACT3 – July 11, 2015 — Seacoast Stompers Quartet set track
Set1
1 At The Jazz Band Ball
2 Everybody Loves My Baby
3 Mama’s Gone Goodbye
4 China Boy
5 Mood Indigo
6 Limehouse Blues
7 Louisiana
8 San
9 Singin the Blues
10 Struttin With Some Barbecue
set2
11 There’ll Be Some Changes Made
12 New Orleans
13 Jelly Roll (Ain’t Gonna Give You None)
14 I Want A Little Girl
15 Mandy Make Up Your Mind
16 Deed I Do
17 Swing That Music
set3
18 After You’ve Gone
19 It Don’t Mean a Thing If it Ain’t Got That Swing
20 Undecided
21 Dinah
22 Sweet Lorraine
23 Indiana
24 Running Wild
Bo Winiker trumpet/flugelhorn, Ted Casher clarinet/tenor and soprano sax, Herb Gardner trombone, Bob Winter piano, Eli Newberger tuba, Carolyn Newberger washboard. (Jimmy Mazzy was on his way to the Olympia WA Festival.)
This was all about ME ME ME! Surprise birthday party with my son and daughter-in-law Charles and Carol Sardonini in collusion with Eli Newberger, Briana Musto of Primavera Ristorante, and my drivers Tina and Ralph Cass. They had this planned for a whole month and I never got wind of it!
It was a complete surprise!!
Many of my children and grandchildren were here. Youngest son, Dave Sardonini, and his wife Jennifer, and grandson DJ, flew up from Lake Mary Florida to be here. It was very festive, tables loaded with balloons, with a big 80 in the middle. It was a blast! Granddaughter Alison Sardonini took many PICTURES!
Eli and The Hot Six were fired up, having just returned from a very successful Swingin’ Gershwin at the Barrington Stage Company in Pittsfield. They led this evening off with Bo Winiker singing Louis Armstrong’s Hello Dolly.Muscrat Ramble was in a Bossa Nova beat, reinforced by Eli’s tuba and Jeff’s pulsating drums. Kid Ory retired to Hawaii on the proceeds of that tune!
Eli & Bo on Hold Tight
In the ensemble sections, clarinet, cornet and trombone played a three-part counterpoint line typical of 1920s New Orleans bands.
Eli and Bo were featured on Hold Tight.
Herb is multi-instrumental!
Ted was up up for more Gershwin with I’ve Got Rhythm on his awesome tenor sax.
Herb took the vocal on Pennies From Heaven. His voice is his other instrument, besides trombone, piano, and who knows what else!
The band swung into high gear. When the music gets to you, you gotta move! Eli’s tuba was the Tiger in Tiger Rag:
Son David (of the Sports Den in Orange City, Florida,) was thrilled to join the band with Cab Calloway’s theme song, Minnie The Moocher. Our official photographer, Alison Sardonini took this fine video of the band and our family. Dave Sings Minnie The Moocher.
Dave shook hands with each member of the band afterwards, elated to have been able to sing with this band!
Carolyn Newberger is an accomplished artist and usually sketches the musicians while they are playing. She caught David in the act. (Sorry Herb!)
Carolyn Newberger’s pencil sketch of David Sardonini with Eli and The Hot Six
Bo Winiker comes right up to our table with
The last set was mine – each of the band members played a song for me! Eli on a breathtaking tuba solo on Over The Rainbow, Bob Winter getting classicistic on Of Thee I Sing, Bo came right up to the table with The Very Thought of You.
Carolyn Newberger played exciting washboard on a Latin tune, Miami Rhumba
Ted plays Petite Fleur
Ted touched the bottom of my heart on soprano sax with Bechet’s Petite Fleur. This is a special for me, because I was born a “Petite Fleuette”.
Bo dedicated a tune to my whole family with I’ve Grown Accustomed To Your Face on flugelhorn. Herb played and sang You Can Depend on Me. He’s very dependable; has a famous family of his own – daughters all involved with music. Ted played clarinet and sang a rousing vocal on Swinging on a Star.
“Carry moonbeams home in a jar – And be better off than you are”. I sure was!
Bob Winter
Eli asked me to pick the last tune, I like Limehouse Blues, and wouldn’t you know, they had never played it together.
Bob Winter played the first chorus – of course they all knew it. Ted Casher sang the vocal with the actual lyrics written by Douglas Furber in 1922. This was the finale for this most auspicious evening.
Thank you, Eli and The Hot Six, Carolyn, Family: Joe and Ellen Sardonini, DeeDee Towne and Daniel Hulub, Dave and Jen Sardonini and Grandkids, Friends, Primavera, Tina and Ralph, Ali for her photos, and especially Carol and Charlie Sardonini for a birthday that I will never forget!
Eli and The Hot Six will be back here on August 20th, and Sculler’s Jazz Club on December 17th. Stay tuned – we’ll let you know if anything pops up in between.
Jeff Hughes trumpet, John Clark clarinet/bari sax, Tom Boates trombone, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Ross Petot keyboard, Rick MacWilliams tuba, Dave Didriksen drums
The Wolves were on FIRE at Primavera, playing hot freewheeling Traditional Jazz to an erudite, attentive audience. This was Joy of music with a Bang! John Clark selected tunes from their 13 CDs in preparation for their performance at the end of June at America’s Dixieland Festival, Olympia, WA http://www.olyjazz.com/. We were privileged to participate!!
They meant business, bringing heavy equipment, Jeff on flugelhorn and a 1927 limited edition Vintage Bach Stradivarius trumpet, dating back to the first quarter of the 20th century.John Clark with his clarinet, alto and bariitone sax.
Tom Boates
Tom Boates usually drives two hours from Connecticut to get here. But Tom was already in the neighborhood for his son’s wedding, and raring to go, with his whole family here to support him. His zealous tailgate trombone elevated the whole band to another plane!
It was a beautiful June Night, and that tune set off this fantastic evening, followed by a captivating Memphis Blues.
Ross Petot, extraordinary stride pianist
Ross Petot is back now that school is out. He is a teacher, composer and arranger.
He was featured on complex, rhythmic, stride piano on Don’t Be Late.
John Clark’s clarinet on Cushion Foot Stomp from their Street Beat CD was phenomenal. A Good ol’ good one, a swinging Let Me Call You Sweetheart. Jimmy vocal with Dave Didriksen simply tapping on a clutched cymbal.
Jimmy Mazzy picks one of his umpteen tunes
They gave Jimmy a choice, which is always dangerous with his familiarity with millions of tunes from 1919 to the 30s; the members never heard some of them. He chose a relatively late one, If I Didn’t Care, a tune made popular by the Ink Spots in 1939; the band eased in behind him.
They honored the late Banjo Bob Sundstrom with Elmer Schoebel’s Prnce of Wails. Tom took a vocal on the 1920’s Here Comes The Hot Tamale Band,
John Clark on baritone sax
John Clark’s baritone sax was spellbinding on Sidney Bechet’s Passport to Paradise.
This was their maiden voyage for this tune.
Dixieland: they challenged the ODJB with The Original Dixieland One Step that is on their 13th CD – Baker’s Dozen. It’s their latest and available now. (Their first CD was The Wolverine Jazz Band Live, recorded by Ed Williams in 1999 at the Sherborn Inn.
Rick MacWilliams hidden behind monstrous tuba
Rick played the poignant melody on tuba with his drum colleague keeping time tapping on woodblock.
Jelly Roll Morton was well represented with Original Jelly Roll Blues. FrankieTrumbauer’s on There’ll Come a Time, from their Michigander Blues CD, featured Tom’s virtuosic trombone.
John Clark has been singing more tunes (at the insistence of his #1 fan, Betty Weaver). He sang all the verses of Oceana Roll from memory! Dr. Jazz verse sung by Tom, with exciting exchange between trombone and banjo, and Tom scatting to the end.
Jeff Hughes on flugelhorn
Jeff played a full, rich, smoky flugelhorn for Don Redman’s Save It Pretty Mama.
Ross played the chimes on piano on King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band Chimes Blues, followed by another K.O. with Jimmy scatting on a lively Shake It and Break It.
Drummer Dave Didriksen sparks the band by providing solid support every note of the way.
Dave Didriksen keeps the beat
There was never a dull moment; the crowd was feeding off the energy of the band and the band was feeding off the responsive crowd! (Be prepared, Washington!)
They calmed down with Jimmy singing an Elvis tune, Love Me Tender, with each musician taking a solo between Jimmy’s many smoldering stanzas. They finally closed with On The Mall, from their CD of the same name – trombone and clarinet connected, trombone going wild! Fans left elated!
On the following Saturday,, on a warm and sunny June afternoon, the Greater Boston Vintage Society featured The Wolverine Quintet on the S. S. Samuel Clemens, a reproduction of a 3-deck riverboat at Rowe’s Wharf; on a 3-hour Boston Harbor Cruise. It was their first Dixieland Jazz Boat, and filled with Swing Dancers. We had a ball!!
We’lll have many chances to hear this top Traditional Jazz Band again, when it returns from Washington, as John noted in his email:
“We will be heading out to the West Coast to do America’s Dixieland Festival in Olympia, WA for the last weekend in June, but we have quite a few concerts when we get back:
Sherborn Town Concert Weds 7/1 630-8 (weather permitting)
Willows at Westboro Weds 7/8 7-830
Wayside Inn Tues 7/14 (info and tickets at http://www.wayside.org/node/286)
Bar Harbor Summer Music Sunday 7/198-10pm (info and tickets at http://barharbormusicfestival.org/2010_calendar.html Weston Town Concert Weds 7/22 7-830 (weather permitting)
St, Matthew’s in Acton Sunday 8/2 6pm West Boyleston Town Concert Sunday 8/95-7pm (weather permitting)
Natick Senior Center, Thursday 8/20 Stark Park, Manchester, NH Sunday 8/232-4pm (weather permitting)
Walpole Town Concert Tues 8/256-8pm (weather permitting)”
You can join John’s once-a-month emails at jazzbnd@aol.com
and purchase many of their 13 albums here.
The Williams Reunion Jazz Band was born on New England college campuses in the 1950’s when Dixieland was alive and well and “runnin’ wild”. They had a busy weekend, starting Friday…a fundraiser for the DBMS with a raw Oyster bar, heavy hors d’oeuvres and cash bar. The Williams Reunion Jazz Band returns every year Memorial Day weekend for the Duxbury Bay Maritime School’s Annual Opening of The Bay,
Duxbury Bay Maritime School on Duxbury Bay
On Saturday, they were scheduled for a one-hour deck concert at DBMS – open to all, but it was cancelled because of cold, raw weather. Saturday night they gave a free concert at the South Shore Conservatory Ellison Center for the Arts in Duxbury.
Sunday the Williams Reunion Jazz Band started the day with a Jazz Service at First Parish Church, followed by a noon brunch at the fabulous Windsor House Inn, 390 Washington St. in Duxbury, MA.
Williams Reunion Jazz Band with Jimmy Mazzy
The core three here today were Williams College Boys: Bob Kingsbury ’58 on clarinet; Fred Clifford ’58 on Tuba; and John Halsey ’59 on Piano (keyboard) with John Bucher cornet.( Amherst ’52.) Drummer Tom Hayne ’59 wasn’t here today because he had to leave early.
The band was joined by two permanent guests and members of the Wolverine Jazz Band, the inimitables Jimmy Mazzy Banjo/Vocals, and Tom Boates, trombone.
Jimmy Mazzy is ? on many bands.
They began with Jimmy singing Tishomingo Blues, a famous tune by Spencer Williams first published in 1917. We knew this was going to be a great afternoon! There were families with young children who were really enjoying this Jazz – let’s hope they pass it on!
John Bucher is fabulous on cornet.
Deed I Do, Beale St. Blues Tom Boates singing the vocal. Bye Bye Blues.
Bucher played sweet muted cornet on Buddy Bolden Blues.
Fred Clifford
Tuba intro on chorus of I Can’t Give You Anything But Love. Fred was playing a King tuba he found on Ebay (with the expert help of Eli Newberger).
Jimmy Mazzy had to leave early for another engagement. He was replaced by Mark Endresen, guitar.
Williams Reunion Jazz Band with Mark Endresen
Mark Endresen, guitar
Mark is a ‘regular’ here at the Windsor House. He often joins the Jimmy Mazzy Trio once a month here for a Sunday Brunch.
My Baby’s Loving Arms. Best Things in Life Are Free, which had been requested some time ago, but they had saved it for Mark to perform.
Tuba took the intro to a stunning Black & Blue. Running Wild had wild trombone and guitar and the band trading 4’s with the keyboard. Everybody Loves My Baby.
Tom Boates fantastic trombone feature
Tom Boates’ trombone was featured with John backing on cornet with Tin Roof Blues. This was one of my favorites!
John Halsey
In the absence of a drummer, keyboardist John Halsey took the stage for Avalon. This was frustrating for Halsey, who had been playing on fine Steinway pianos all weekend, but he came through with flying fingers!
Bob Kingsbury clarinet
Kingsbury played a fine low register clarinet on I’m Confessing That I Love You.
There was an especially fine musical exchange with cornet and tuba trading 4’s on Sweet Georgia Brown. We were right – it was a great afternoon with The Williams Reunion Jazz Band playing exceptional Traditional Jazz!
Opening of the Bay every spring is a critical financial fund-raiser for the Duxbury Bay Maritime School because it’s a struggling non-profit and needs the extra money. The school serves 1800 students from age 3 to 83 through educational and recreational programs that stimulate individual growth and an enduring love and appreciation of the sea.
The Williams Reunion Jazz Band will return next labor day for the 18th Opening of the Bay in Duxbury, Massachusetts with more fine Traditional Jazz. Come join us!
Dave Whitney and Paul Monat cornet, Blair Bettencourt clarinet, Dan Gabel trombone, Robin Verdier piano, Eric Baldwin guitar, Rick MacWilliams tuba, Reid Jorgensen drums
picture and videos by Harold McAleer
The Bay State Syncopators were at Bemis Hall in Lincoln MA on May 27, 2015. It was a reunion band formed in the 80’s by Paul Monat to rekindle the two-cornet sound of Bob Connor’s Yankee Rhythm Kings of the 70’s which had Paul Monat and Dave Whitney on cornet and Blair Bettancourt on clarinet. Bill Doyle subbed today on guitar.
The band carries on the New Orleans sounds of Louis, King Oliver and Jelly Roll, reborn in the 50’s by Lou Watters, Turk Murphy and Bob Helm in San Francisco.
Dave Whitney tells about how it felt to have the band back:
“Musically the Band sounded great! Despite lack of Rehearsal Time we surprised ourselves on most of the tunes. After 40 years, Blair, Paul and myself still remember most of the routines.
Highlights were Big bear Stomp—Too Late (from King Oliver 1930). Snake Rag, Cake Walkin’ Babies, Mabel’s Dream and Canal St. Blues.
Blair sang his specialty “Red Hot Mama” and I did Mississipi Mud, Cake Walkers and Memphis Blues.
Robin Verdier
Robin did a great Piano feature on Froggie Moore and Dan Gabel fit right in like he had been there in ’75.
Bill Doyle (file photo)
Also kudos to Bill Doyle who came in on short notice on guitar and banjo..
Us YRK veterans had a great time and it brought back happy memories of the Sticky Wicket and Sacramento Jazz Fest. Also a nice turnout of 60 or so people.”
Paul Monat is Blue and Broken Hearted – Wait for the high note at the end of this tour-de-force by cornetist Paul Monat!
The Bay-State Syncopators ended their concert in Lincoln with a rousing version of Lou Watter’s San Francisco favorite – Emperor Norton’s Hunch.
Eli and The Hot Six with Butch Thompson and Rebecca Sullivan at Sculler’s Jazz Club – Photos by Marce
WGBH’s Christopher Lydon was at Yale with Eli and Carolyn
The occasion was a benefit for Kids For Harmony at Scullers Jazz Club hosted by WBUR’s Christopher Lydon and the packed house was treated to a terrific evening of music by Eli and the Hot Six with special guest Rebecca Sullivan.
The Hot Six is a relatively new combo from tubist Eli Newberger, drawing from some of the best players on the traditional jazz scene. This performance featured a surprise appearance from Butch Thompson sitting in on piano and clarinet. Regular Hot Six pianist Bob Winter had a prior commitment that evening with the Boston Pops.
Eli sprinkled informative and entertaining commentary between songs, and directed the soloists from this fine band throughout the evening.
Rebecca Sullivan
Rebecca Sullivan took the spotlight occasionally during the set, a welcome presence from a lovely singer who showcased songs from an all-Gershwin show the Hot Six will be performing at the Barrington Stage Company in Pittsfield this coming June. Ted Casher, an excellent clarinetist, really shined with his turns on tenor sax.
Bo Winiker sings and plays Hello Dolly
A surprise highlight was Bo Winiker channeling Armstrong with a pitch perfect rendition of Hello Dolly on top of Jimmy Mazzy’s banjo, Bo going out with a ringing trumpet solo.
Jimmy lent his voice to a long and languid version of the classic St. James Infirmary that included plenty of solo space for the band.
Jimmy sings
Butch Thompson from Minneapolis
Butch Thompson delivered exquisite solo piano renditions of Willie the Lion Smith and Jelly Roll Morton numbers.
The piano chair was also occupied by Eli during a trio performance with Butch on clarinet, and later trombonist Herb Gardner tickled the keys while Thompson joined the horn section.
Eli takes over piano
Rounding out the evening was a delightful washboard performance by Carolyn Newberger and a brush solo on I Got Rhythm from drummer Jeff Guthery.
Eli & The Hot Six with Rebecca Sullivan will be Swingin’ Gershwin at the Barrington Stage Company’s Boyd-Quinson Mainstage, 30 Union Street, Pittsfield, MA on Monday, June 22nd, and the Hot Six will return to Primavera Ristorante, 20 Pleasant St. Millis MA on Thursday, June 25th.
This has been a busy Spring! I’ll be 80 years young next month; there’s no way I can keep up with all the wonderful Jazz we’ve had in this area since the last newsletter April 15th. But I do try.
Neville Dickie
Highlight of this month (so far) was the annual visit of Neville Dickie on May 12th at the Bella Costa Restaurant in Framingham, MA.
This year Neville was joined by Stan McDonald soprano sax, Jeff Hughes trumpet, and Steve Taddeo drums.
Neville Dickie Quartet,
The Quartet rotated with a duet of Neville and Steve, with the irrepressible Dickie pushing Taddeo to the max!
Neville challenges Steve to keep up with him – he did!
They ended the evening as always with four-handed piano when Neville is joined by our own stride master, Ross Petot. They obviously enjoy this duet!
Neville pauses as Ross goes into full stride.
Neville Dickie will return next year, for his 15th Annual sojourn to New England. He always begins here with Stan McDonald, before performing all over the country. Then he’ll return to Surrey, England.
April 16th Wolverine Jazz Band at Primavera Ristorante, 20 Pleasant St. Millis MA
Wolverine Jazz Band
Dave Didriksen drums, Dan Gabel trombone,Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Jeff Hughes trumpet, Rick MacWilliams tuba, John Clark leader/clarinet/bari sax, Herb Gardner keyboard.
With their intricate New Orleans Polyphony and glorious horn solos, the Wolves are one of the most popular Dixieland Jazz Bands in this area and at Festivals. They are now celebrating their 20th Anniversary, and played many tunes from their upcoming CD, their 13th, that should be issued sometime next month. Don’t miss them!!
Dan Gabel subbed for regular trombonist Tom Boates. Tom is the Music Department Chair at Guilford CT High School, and accompanied the Guilford High School Chorus at Disney World. (He’s forgiven for not being here!)
Tuesday, MAY 19, 7-9:30pm, The Wolves will be at the Sheraton/Needham. $10 cover – They will hopefully have their new CD ready to go for that day! They aren’t taking reservations, so just show up anyway! Sheraton Needham, 100 Cabot St, Needham, MA 02494 Phone:(781) 444-1110 .
April 24th High Society Jazz Band at Primavera Ristorante
High Society Jazz Orchestra with Elise Roth
Elise Roth
Personnel:
Dan Gabel: trombone, Elise Roth: vocals
Clarinets/Saxes: Tyler Burchfield, John Clark,
Richard Garcia
Trumpets: Pat Stout and Jeff Hughes
Piano: Ross Petot
Guitar/Banjo: Bill Doyle
Tuba: Rick MacWilliams
Drums: Steve Taddeo
Jazz, Big Band, and swing are American musical art forms that are being perpetuated by a young musician, and we are extremely grateful!! Dan Gabel brought his High Society Jazz Orchestra to Primavera Ristorante on April 24th, with Vocalist Elise Roth lending her expert talents on vocal numbers of the era, bringing back rarely heard verses and a classic vintage singing style. Dan Gabel and John Clark are experts at adapting original arrangements that were created in the early 20’s and 30’s. They played Ellington’s The Mooche, made famous at the Cotton Club, Irving Berlin’s Alexander’s Ragtime Band, Pat Stout trumpet was heard on St. Louis Shuffle by Fats Waller. Bill Doyle, manager and guitar, was featured on Glad Rag Doll by Milton Ager. Reeds played a stomping arrangement of Putting on the Ritz; Hughes trumpet was featured on Stardust that just went right through you! It was a fantastic evening of Jazz, Big Band, and Swing – and we’re looking forward to hearing much more from this band. Check them out at www.facebook.com/highsocietyorchestra.
April 30th Eli and The Hot Six celebrated International Jazz Day at Primavera Ristorante. Click on photos to enlarge.
Eli and The Hot Six
Bob Winter keyboard, Jim Mazzy banjo/vocals, Eli Newberger tuba, Jeff Guthery drums, Herb Gardner trombone, Bo Winiker trumpet/flugelhorn, Ted Casher clarinet and tenor sax
April 30th was International Jazz Day, spectacularly celebrated by Eli and The Hot Six at Primavera Ristorante. They began with The World Is Waiting for the Sunrise, featuring tunes form many countries. Eartha Kitt’s C’est çi Bon, Irish Black Bottom, (which is really authentic American Jazz), Hindustan, Ted Casher sang Bei Mir Bis Du Schoen in Yiddish, playing authentic Klezmer clarinet.
Bo sings Louis’s Wonderful World
Bo put heart and soul into Louis’s Wonderful World.
Jeff Guthery recalled the 20’s and 30’s drumming, tapping on graduated temple blocks befitting that early jazz. You’ve never heard Oh By Jingo played like Bob Winter, with blazing runs up and down the keyboard! Thanks to Kathy Wittman, we have a video of it back at the Sherborn Inn. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvWIIwCU-jg
Eli and The Hot Six will be joined by renowned pianist Butch Thompson at Sculler’s Jazz Club on May 21st for their CD release of Eli & The Hot Six LIVE, Contemporary Classic Jazz.
May 3rd Wolverine Jazz Band started a new monthly series at Ken’s Steak House, Rt. 9 Framingham, MA. We had Tom Boates back from Disney World! Please read the fine REVIEW by Myron Idelson! It was a great success!
Wolverine Jazz Band at Ken’s Steak House, on a Sunday afternoon
Tom Boates trombone (he’s back!) Dave Didriksen drums, Jeff Hughes trumpet, Rick MacWilliams tuba, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Ross Petot piano, John Clark clarinet/bari sax.
May 7th Blue Horizon Jazz Band played the first Thursday of the month at Primavera Ristorante
Blue Horizon Jazz Band
Steve Taddeo drums, John Kefalas trombone, Gerry Gagnon tuba, Jeff Hughes trumpet, Dave MacMillan guitar, Stan McDonald soprano leader/sax/vocals.
This is fine Traditional Jazz! Jeff’s trumpet took the melodic lead, with Stan flitting around the melody with embellishments, and John’s trombone filling in the “holes” with extensive use of the slide. The solos were filled with exemplary improvisations, Gerry Gagnon is one of the finest tuba players in this area; he coordinated with Steve on his 1938 Slingerland Drums, tapping on a tiny Grecko cymbal attached to the bass drum, keeping perfect time. It was great to have Dave MacMillan back on rhythm guitar after a long recovery from an accident. Welcome back, Dave!!
May 9th Seacoast Stompers Quartet at ACT III in Littleton, MA
ACT IV in Lowell ran into another bureaucratic headache and could not open. Thank you Gwenn and Josely for your immeasurable patience!! Seacoast Stompers had to trim down to a Quartet to play in ACT III in Littleton.
Frank Stadler piano, Jeff Hughes trumpet, Jim Mazzy banjo/vocals, Al Bernard tuba.
Seacoast Stompers Quartet
Jeff Hughes has many faces, Bix Beiderbecke, Bunny Berigan, Joe ‘King’ Oliver, Buddy Bolden, with his lyrical style and melody-based improvisations. He and Jimmy Mazzy are brothers at heart, having played together since the 1980’s, especially with Ray Smith’s Paramount Jazz Band. Frank Stadler’s piano set them free to exchange riffs, play intricate melodies and counterpoint, and Albie Bernard provided the perfect bass lines. It was a memorable afternoon!!
Act III is a small venue, but has a bar and serves a fine assortment of Mediterranean cuisine. When Act IV in Lowell is finally allowed to open, the full 7-piece band will play on the 2nd Saturday of the month from 2-5pm. We hope!
In the meantime, we are all extremely grateful to these wonderful musicians for making this a great life for ALL ages!!
