Eli’s All-Stars at the Sherborn Inn May 1, 2014

Posted on May 25, 2014 by admin

Bob Winter, Jimmy Mazzy, Eli Newberger, Jeff Guthery, Ted Casher, Bo Winiker, Herb Gardner

Eli’s All Stars are not only professional musicians, but friends sharing their favorite tunes, with intricate melodies and counterpoint that resonate with the audience. This is Hot Jazz!

Tonight they were also celebrating three special occasions; Ted and Val marking their 4^th wedding anniversary, and Val, who has worked since she was 16 years old, rejoicing in her retirement – today – with a big cake that she shared with everyone.

The third was that vocalist Rebecca Sullivan was graduating this month with her Masters Degree from the New England Conservatory of Music. Rebecca was already a jazz vocalist, songwriter and educator when she returned to NEC a year ago in September, when Eli Newberger was appointed as her mentor.

Jimmy Mazzy kicked this evening off with a vocal on You’re Nobody’s Sweetheart Now. Rebecca stepped in with Duke’s Squeeze Me, Who Could Ask For Anything More, scatting with Eli’s tuba. Her delicate and warm version of Laura was absolutely marvelous, with Ted on tenor sax and Bo on flugelhorn, Herb’s mellow trombone.

Rebecca Sullivan

Carolyn Newberger came in on washboard, taking us to the Bayou Club on Bourbon Street, with When You Wore a Tulip, with the band backing her in stop-time. Everything sparked! When Carolyn isn’t playing washboard, she’s drawing fine sketches of the musicians; some were featured recently at Galatea Fine Art in Boston.

Eli’s All Stars with Carolyn Newberger on washboard

Ted Casher and a robust “Charlie on the MTA”

To remind Rebecca of what she’ll be leaving behind, Ted sang his own version of Charlie on the MTA.

The band took a break while Herb moved to piano for a unique song he wrote, Yonz Gonz Galookis. It caught DJ Jazzbo Collins’ interest some time ago; so that he wrote Herb a letter about the inimitable tune and signed it “Uncle Bozo”.

vocalist Sarah Gardner

Special guest, vocalist Sarah Gardner, Herb’s daughter, took this opportunity to sing her lively version of Mama Don’t Allow No Music Played Around Here. The Gardners are a musical family. Herb often joins his other daughter Abbie with Red Molly, an Americana/Roots FemaleTrio.

The band returned with a romping South Rampart St. Parade, Jeff’s drumsticks striking the wood block and snare drum.

Ted Casher, Bo Winiker, Herb Gardner

Rebecca returned with an all Gershwin concert. I’ve Got a Crush On You. Beautiful! S’Wonderful, Who’s Got The Last Laugh Now, at times backed by Ted’s clarinet or sultry tenor sax, or Herb’s powerful trombone, Bo’s fiery trumpet.

S’Wonderful

The All-Stars then stepped back into the 1920’s with Herb’s exquisite arrangement of Cornet Chop Suey, a joyous romp based on the original Hot Five, with fiery trumpet, Lil Armstrong’s passionate piano.

The one and only Jimmy Mazzy

Time for Ragtime. Jimmy lead on banjo and vocals for Alexander’s Ragtime Band, fantastic front line, Jimmy scatting, drum rim-tapping with both sticks.

Eli Newberger Jeff Guthery ended evening with fabulous interchange between tuba and drum.

Another Jimmy vocal and banjo intro with The Saints. All went silent for Bob’s powerful piano solo, then back to Jimmy vocal. This wasn’t normal fare, extraordinary ending with tuba and drums.

This old music has so much vitality and energy, you can’t help but enjoy it. They’ll be back July 3rd – come see and hear for yourself.

Congratulations to Ted and Val; now she’s finally free to join Ted as he plays all over New England. Rebecca Sullivan will be heading for New York and then Europe in the near future. She will be missed. We wish her all the best!!

Wolverine Jazz Band at the Sherborn Inn, April 29, 2014

Posted on May 9, 2014 by admin

Wolverine Jazz Band

Jeff Hughes cornet, John Clark clarinet/bari sax, Tom Boates trombone, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Ross Petot piano, Rick MacWilliams tuba, Dave Didriksen drums

The Wolverines are busy – new CD out anytime soon, and preparing for their trips to Festivals and their regular summer venues. They’ve been invited to the Hot Steamed Jazz Festival in Essex, CT, America’s Dixieland Jazz Festival in Olympia, WA, Arizona Classic Jazz Fest.

They will be busy locally this summer: June 1, Melrose (noon-4); July 9 – Willows at Westboro; July 29 – Southgate at Shrewsbury; July 30 – Sherborn Center; August 20 – Norwood; August 21 – Natick Senior Center

All stellar Jazzmen who invoke the spirit of New Orleans Jazz, we are fortunate that they rehearse with us at the Sherborn Inn! They began with a new song that will be on the CD coming out the end of this month – Dear Old Girl – for the sentimental Irish.

Jeff Hughes

Savoy Blues, Jeff raucous on 1954 Long Model, “K-Modified” Selmer cornet, and being Bix Beiderbecke on There’ll Come a Time. He’s an expert on many famous cornetist and trumpeters, and is known for always wearing a hat.

Jimmy Mazzy

We have many Jimmy Mazzy vocals, Al Jolson’s California Hear I Come, T’Ain’t So, Jelly Roll Morton’s Sweet Substitute, with Jeff comping, more below.

Dave Didriksen

This was the 115th anniversary of Duke Ellington’s birthday, so naturally there were some Duke’s: Sweet Mama (they haven’t played before).

1929 Cotton Club, Duke’s, Digga Digga Do let Dave Didriksen go on drums.

Jimmy volcal on Al Jolson’s California Here I Come, backed by bari sax, drum rim-tapping behind him. Pre-Cotton Club Creole Love Call – Jimmy whistling the Adelaide Hall riff. A tune Paramount Jazz Band did, and always messed up the beginning: Who Wouldn’t Love You? The Wolverines don’t mess up.

Ory’s Creole Trombone

Tom was featured on Ory’s Creole Trombone. Magnificent!

Rick MacWilliams hidden behind tuba

King Oliver recorded Olga in 1930 on Victor, Rick recreating the tuba solo, great New Orleans polyphony by front line. This is a song that nobody ever plays.

Panama is one of our favorite Ragtime Marches, Jimmy Scatting, John Clark on that monster baritone saxophone.

Ross was featured with the Trio on a more modern tune, In a MellowTone, stride piano giving it a Ragtime feel, joined by Jeff on cornet at close.

A no-holds-barred rendition of Sunset Café Stomp had all the feet tapping. The first tune John Clark ever heard that captivated him and moved him toward Traditional Jazz was Mugsy Spanier^‘s I’m Sorry I Made You Cry. Mood Indigo, Clark on low register clarinet, Jim vocal, soft muted trombone and cornet. They hit all our favorites! They closed with a Spanish beat on Oriental Man.

Look above for all the places this marvelous Traditional Jazz Band will be playing this year. Also check our calendars, and get on John Clark’s email list: jazzbnd@aol.com He sends out email updates once a month to everyone on his list.

HOT STEAMED JAZZ FESTIVAL IN ESSEX JUNE 20, 21 AND 22

Posted on May 6, 2014 by admin

(Essex, CT) New Orleans style traditional jazz in Connecticut – The Hot Steamed Jazz Festival turned up the heat, during the weekend of June 20, 21 and 22 at the Essex Steam Train.

VIDEOS AND REVIEWS OF
2014 IN THE WORKS!

www.hotsteamedjazz.com

Proceeds from the festival benefit The Hole In The Wall Gang Camp in Ashford, CT, founded by the late Paul Newman.

More than 11 bands performed in the best New England Weather we’ve had yet. Great music, great jazz. Videos are in the works. Stay tuned.

THE BANDS

Bands scheduled to appear at the 2014 Hot Steamed Jazz Festival include:

– Connecticut’s own jazz pianist virtuoso, Jeff Barnhart

– Galvanized Jazz Band from Connecticut

– Dan Levinson’s New Millennium All Stars from New York

– Wolverine Jazz Band from Massachusetts

– Heartbeat Dixieland Jazz Band from Connecticut

– Ben Maugher’s Vintage Jazz Band from Pennsylvania

– Riverboat Ramblers led by local musician and entertainer John Banker

– A renowned ensemble of young musicians, Route 17 Stompers from Connecticut

– Festival All Stars

– Jazz Jesters from Massachusetts

– The Sunnyland Jazz Band with Bob Barta on banjo from Long Island

Hot Steamed Jazz Festival 2013

Dan Gabel’s TAG Trio at Music at Mendon, April 6, 2014

Posted on April 6, 2014 by admin

TAG Trio: Steve Taddeo, Nikolas Anadolis, Dan Gabel

Dan Gabel’s TAG Trio (Taddeo-Anadolis-Gabel) performed for the second time at Music at Mendon, held at the Unitarian Church in Mendon MA. Thanks to Rev. Ralph Clarke, with a grant from the Mendon Cultural Council and aided by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, Music at Mendon has great performances once a month in the Spring and Summer.

The TAG Trio plays music of the 1920’s from the Great American Song Book, with a varied program of ballads, melodies, and Jazz written by some of America’s greatest composers. Dan started this evening singing the verse of their theme song, Whispering, written by Vincent Rose. It was most famously recorded by Paul Whiteman and his Ambassador Orchestra on August 23, 1920

Dorothy Fields-Jimmy McHugh Exactly Like You, was followed by Cole Porter’s last effort as a composer, a song he wrote for the movie High Society, I Love You Samantha. Dan’s sweet trombone was backed by Nikolas’ magic fingers softly playing harmonies behind him.

A 1921 tune done by the great Jazz singers The Boswell Sisters, Mildred Bailey, Eddy Condon – There’ll Be Some Changes Made was total improvisation, Dan playing trombone, Nikolas watching him carefully and playing counter melody, Taddeo softly tapping choke cymbal, hitting cowbell for emphasis.

Art Hickman pioneered Big Bands; he was the first to include saxophones. In 1917 he had one of his biggest successes with the song “Rose Room“, which was named after the hotel room. In 1919 Rose Room was done by Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw. Nikolas started slowly playing stride piano, then worked up to sophisticated, creative piano. Dan’s trombone played warm and sentimental.

Staying in the 20’s, 1928 I Don’t Know Why I Love You Like I Do, Dan invited the audience to sing along, a few did, while he resumed his “inner Bing”.

The mood changed with a 1950’s Greek tune played by Nikolas. The name of the tune is “Asta ta malakia sou” , in greek “Ασ’τα τα μαλάκια σου”. He says in Greece they play the same song in many of their movies. Translated it means “Let yourself go, feel free.” Fast waltz – absolutely WILD piano!

Leo Robbin & Ralph Rainger wrote Easy Living, done by Billie Holiday with Teddy Wilson on piano. Nikolas enjoyed the drum backup and kept turning around to smile at Steve, softly tapping on choke cymbal. Steve doesn’t always play this softly on drums.

A ‘good ol’ good one’, (there’s one in every performance) that they played recently with Steve’s Swing Senders at the Sherborn Inn – Sweet Sue. It was a GOOD ONE!

Getting back to Cole Porter, they played a tune that Sinatra sang – Your Sensational, Dan singing in his lowest crooner voice. (He’s practicing Sinatra tunes for his next appearance at The Imperial Ballroom just down the street in Mendon on April 25th.)

Closing tune – time to let the Tiger Out – with The Swing Senders’ theme song Dinah. Taddeo let his exulting Gene Krupa loose on drums. Krupa is his idol. Dinah hit the crowd like a bombshell!

Steve Taddeo goes wild on drums

He attempted his famous Krupa walk-around, but was too restricted by the altar’s balustrade, so he just kept drumming on anything within reach.

Steve standing, drum tapping on half-wall.

Steve attempts ‘walk around’ tapping anything in reach

It was an amazing ending to an hour of great 1920’s ballads, melodies, swing and Jazz.

Both Dan and Nikolas will be graduating from the New England Conservatory of Music in May. Dan will be around New England for many years. Nikolas is hoping to join the faculty at the University of Lausanne on Lake Geneva, Switzerland. But he will be playing in Festivals all over Europe. We will miss his smiling face, and he’s promised to return whenever he can. www.nikolasjazz.com/

Nikolas Anadolis graduates from NEC in May.

Eli’s All Stars with Bob Winter piano at the Sherborn Inn, December 3, 2013

Posted on December 3, 2013 by admin

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

Everyone was at the top of their form at the Sherborn Inn on Tuesday, December 3rd at the Sherborn Inn, the Last Tuesday Jazz for this year.

Bob Winter approached the piano and started playing Undecided. After 32 plus years of playing piano for the Boston Pops, and backing all its vocalists, he’s very comfortable at the piano. (It was in perfect pitch because Jimmy Mazzy gave it an emergency tune up.)

Bob Winter duo with Bo Winniker Photo by Kathy Wittman, ball square FILMS

Bo Winiker on flugelhorn

Bo Winker joined Winter on silky-smooth flugelhorn for a duo performance, as the remainder of the band slipped in.

Winiker made a magnificent contribution all evening on trumpet and flugelhorn, and backing vocalist Rebecca Sullivan.

Rebecca Sullivan in red amd white dress and red sweater with one button tied at the center.

Rebecca is in the graduate program at the New England Conservatory of Music, and an asset to the Boston music scene. She was adventurous and deeply expressive. Stardust, Perdido, Honeysuckle Rose, My Old Flame,The Man I Love, and Memories of You, are full of passion, zest, virtuosity, lovely expressive nuances, and fabulous interactions between Rebecca and instrumentalists.

I Can’t Give You Anything But Love

Ted Casher clarinet, Bo Winiker trumpet, Herb Gardner trombone

Ted Casher, Bo Winiker, Herb Gardner

Rebecca’s voice and Bob’s piano are captured beautifully on Someone to Watch Over Me. Winter’s solo variations on Over the Rainbow and Charleston Rag were astounding, provoking gasps of delight from both musicians and audience. He gave Eli’s tuba a workout on Tico Tico!

Eli Newberger attacks the tuba!

Jeff Guthery

After returning from Asia and Europe, Jeff Guthery is finally fulfilling his dream of attending Berklee College of Music. He knows when to stay out of the way, or kick it up on all genre of music. In Traditional Jazz he mainly uses brushes on snare drum and cymbals, tapping on the woodblock on Fidgety Feet,

Bo was featured on trumpet on a magnificent Moonlight in Vermont. The ubiquitous Ted Casher played with energy and syncopation on clarinet, tenor and soprano sax.

Jimmy Mazzy is famous for his self-taught single-string picking on banjo. I Can’t Give You Anything But Love, Winter followed, emulating on single notes, then continued with electrifying piano.

Herb Gardner, monster trombone and piano player from New York, recently moved to Massachusetts. Welcome, Herb! Herb and Jimmy’s Trombone Charlie (Herbie) was delightful.

Carolyn with eyes closed playing washboard with spoons

Carolyn enjoys playing washboard!
Photo by Kathy Wittman

Carolyn Newberger was featured on Coney Island Washboard, with Jimmy speaking the words. Marvelous ensemble backing Ted’s powerful soprano sax in stop time.

Rebecca closed with a sultry My Old Flame, backed by gut-wrenching tenor sax. The evening was intensely pleasurable and full of spine-tingling moments, filmed for video by Kathy Wittman of Ball Square Films, and recorded by WGBH’s Frank Cunningham. The upcoming videos will be great! Stay tuned.

There will be another special evening at the Sherborn Inn January 14th, 2014, when Eli’s All Stars return with cornet player Randy Reinhart. For those who don’t know him, here he is with most of this band at a Gershwin night at the Tavern Club in Boston two Valentine’s Days ago:

Strike Up the Band
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NsUbQFSlio

They Can’t Take That Away from Me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZpJ6VKXLk0

See you there??

Marce

Jazz Tuber Trio Plus Four at the Sherborn Inn, November 12, 2013

Posted on November 12, 2013 by admin

Piano, Banjo, Vocalist, Tuba, Drum, Ten Sax, Trombone

Jazz Tuber Trio Eli, Jimmy and Ted, Plus Bob Winter piano, Rebecca Sullivan vocals, Jeff Guthery drums, Herb Gardner trombone, Carolyn Newberger washboard

It certainly was an exciting evening at the Sherborn In on November 12, with Boston Pops’ pianist Bob Winter joining The Jazz Tuber Trio. Bob Winter has been the pianist for the Boston Pops for over 30 years, but also has extensive experience in clubs, television, radio, and theaters, including performances with Henry Mancini, Teddy Wilson, Buddy DeFranco, Mel Torme, Luciano Pavarotti, Eddie Daniels, Stan Getz, Cleo Laine/John Dankworth, and Airto Moreira.

Bob Winter

Bob set the mood with piano intro to an upbeat Found a New Baby, just as New York’s Herb Gardner walked in carrying his trombone case. Surprise!

Herb Gardner moved to NY in 1963 and began touring with Wild Bill Davison, Kenny Davern and Dick Wellstood, was a regular at the Metropole, Jimmy Ryan’s and Eddie Condon’s nightclubs. He’s appeared with virtually all of the classic jazz musicians in the New York City. He just walked in, took out the trombone, sat down and started playing.

Ted Casher and Herb Gardner

We love this marvelous hot jazz. You never know what’s going to happen next! Instrumental titans playing delectable hot jazz!

No holds barred – combustible combinations of piano, tenor sax, trombone, Eli’s tuba maintaining a deep underpinning bassline, Jeff Guthery laying down the beat with brushes.

Jeff Guthery mostly uses brushes

Eli introduced vocalist Rebecca Sullivan, an accomplished vocalist and teacher, with a three-octave range. She’s learning something new at the New England Conservatory of Music, with Eli Newberger assigned as her mentor. She’s an emotionally powerful performer, singing very slowly, which takes considerable skill.

Squeeze Me.

Eli called for a fast tune, Bob responded with a lovely solo on Ida. (Here he is at the Tavern Club in Boston 2010. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtAF92TCxtE)

Rebecca makes the songs personal and passionate.

Silky-smooth Satin Doll, Rebecca sings it in her own style, stretching out words and syllables, adding unexpected emphasis, going from low to high when least expected.

In a more romantic tune, a lovely Someone To Watch Over Me. We were mesmerized and only caught a partial video.

I can’t Give You Anything But Love, Rebecca almost talking the vocal, backed by Winter on piano. Eli said “He plays in unconventional keys to support her exceptional range, with an amazing lower register.”

The unpredictable reed-man, Ted Casher began the Ukrainian Ochi Chyornye with tenor sax in Klezmer style, the band slipping in with Dark Eyes. Eli’s turbo charged bass riffs gave it energy and drive.

Rebecca, with Jimmy and Eli

Mean to Me, Rebecca feeling the song.

Jimmy took off in his own unique single-string banjo with Fidgety Feet, Jeff backing him with brushes on snare drum. Fans had fidgety feet! Winter finished the last chorus with multi-layered intense piano.

Carolyn Newberger had spent most of the evening listening to the music while drawing portraits of members of the band. Carolyn’s Portraits.
(Her works “In The Moment” had a Showing last month at The Harriet Tubman Gallery Boston.)

She sat in on washboard for Louis Armstrong’s 1936 Don’t Forget To Mess Around When You’re Dancing the Charleston, Jimmy on vocal. The washboard began to come apart, but Carolyn maintained her cool, set it on the floor, holding the instrument vertical and in one piece, never missed a note playing spoons through the whole tune. Bravo!

Caroline Newberger, resourceful washboard maven, joins the rhythm boys

Carolyn Newberger, resourceful washboard maven, adds rhythm

Eli plays tuba like a solo instrument with energy and drive on Perdido, supported by Jeff’s brushes, the ensemble connecting in breathtaking tempo, led by clarinet and tenor sax. Listeners were dancing in their seats!

They closed with romping polyphonic ensemble on Royal Garden Blues, Jimmy scatting, each instrument taking a final solo.

Great fun! And we’ll be doing it all again on December 3^rd, with the addition of another titan, Boston’s famous Bo Winiker on trumpet! See you there?

Seacoast Stompers at the Acton Jazz Café, November 2, 2013

Posted on November 2, 2013 by admin

videos by Harold McAleer

taken from back of cafe, band up front, crowded tables

Seacoast Stompers at the Acton Jazz Cafe

Scott Philbrick Cornet, Dave Whitney trumpet, Craig Ball reeds, Lee Prager trombone, Frank Stadler leader/piano, Al Bernard tuba, Bobby Reardon drums

At The Jazz Band Ball, the Seacoast Stompers warned us in advance that this was going to be delectable hot Jazz, with another full house at the Acton Jazz Café. They added some new songs, Why Do I Like To Myself About You? and included some old Dixieland Chestnuts, Royal Garden Blues, After You’ve Gone, Baby Brown.

Stadler makes full use of the Café’s beautiful Yamaha Baby Grand. He plots a loose course, giving the musicians room to make suggestions, and they do – most of them are accustomed to leading their own bands.

Frank bent over keyboard of Yamaha Baby Grand

Frank Stadler leads band from the Yamaha Baby Grand

Bobby playing drums - bass drum has picture of his NH plate - KRUPA

Bobby Reardon keeps the band in time. Photo by Harold McAleer

Albie pushes with his powerful tuba, Jimmy’s single string banjo at high velocity, Bobby Reardon steering them discreetly.

Al Bernard in back wrapped in sousaphone, Jimmy Mazzy up front singing

Albie and Jimmy

With that fabulous rhythm behind them, the front line is free to explore with great solos and ensemble, mixing harmonies. This Joint is Jumpin’!

Jimmy’s vocals come from the heart; as if he’s crying for his lost love.
If I Had You,

Please Don’t Talk About Me When I’m Gone, Old Fashioned Love, A Hundred Years From Today, Song of the Wanderer.

He’s scatting on Japanese Sandman.

Whitney interweaves innumerable snippets of tunes with his trumpet, and also does some vocals: the 1930’s tune Fats wrote on a restaurant bill, I’m Confessing, Mobile, Is You Is or Is You Ain’t My Baby. He’s scatting on Baby Brown.

Craig playing clarinet, Lee quiet in background

Craig Ball, leader of White Heat Swing Orchestra

The ensemble connects on Sheik of Araby. Craig Ball’s clarinet is almost kissing the mic on Stevedore Stomp. He’s in soft tone on I’m Beginning to See The Light.

Dave and Scott duelling on trumpet and cornet

Dave and Scott go at it!

Trumpet and cornet are teasing and testing each other on Devil and The Deep Blue Sea. As Time Goes By Dave’s sweet trumpet is backing Scott’s cornet. They take turns leading and comping on all the tunes.

Lee Prager fills in the short gaps

LEE Lee Prager is constantly listening, filling in any gap. That takes talent!

We look forward to the amazing exchanges between the trombone and cornet. There’s a friendly duel between Lee and Scott at least once in every session – trombone keeping up with the cornet’s myriad notes up and down the register. It’s all in great fun!

By now the tension is so hot Jimmy loses it on It Don’t Mean a Thing if it Ain’t Got That Swing. Trading fours scatting with the band, he bursts out with his infamous scream, signifying another winning session!

They will repeat it on the first Saturday of next month, December 8^th. Don’t miss it!

Seacoast Stompers tune list – Nov 2, 2013 – Acton Jazz Cafe

Set 1
1 At The Jazz Band Ball
2 As Time Goes By / Sleepy Time Down South
3 Royal Garden Blues
4 After You’ve Gone
5 Why Do I Lie To Myself About You
6 If I had You
7 Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
8 I’m Confessing
9 Song of the Wanderer

Set 2
1 Sheik of Araby
2 Mobile
3 Please Don’t Talk About Me
4 Old Fashioned Love
5 Baby Brown
6 All Of Me

Set 3
1 Joint is Jumpin, the
2 Hundred Years From Today, A
3 Stevedore Stomp
4 Japanese Sandman
5 Is You Is Or Is You Ain’t My Baby
6 I’m Beginning to see the Light
7 It Don’t Mean a Thing If it Ain’t Got That Swing

Dan Gabel and the Abletones, new Venue – SAC Park, Shrewsbury

Posted on November 1, 2013 by admin

Dan Gabel and the Abletones Big Band, with vocalist Elise Roth at SAC Park

By Marce and C.S.Imming

Dan Gabel and The Abletones Big Band with vocalist Elise Roth, at NEW LOCATION, SAC Park, (Scandinavian Athletic Club) 438 Lake St. Shrewsbury, MA 01545 (508) 757-3948 E-mail info@sacpark-shrewsbury.com.

The first thing you need to know is that Lake Street, Shrewsbury, is NOT on the Lake. If you can see the lake, you’re either in Worcester or on Quinsigamond Ave. in Shrewsbury. Lake St. comes off Route 9 at one end and Rt. 20 at the other end – where it sharply veers off away from the Lake.

A=Scandenavian Athletic Club on Lake Street Shrewsbury

Back in the 40’s, is was The Gazebo, and featured famous artists such as the Artie Shaw Orchestra. It was a fitting setting for Dan Gabel and The Abeltones on this First Friday, November 1, 2013. It’s a warm, friendly place, with large shiny, slippery, wood dance floor, and full bar; perfect for dancing, listening, mingling and sharing all things Big Band.

This was the premiere of the First Friday Series at SAC Park. They began with dance lessons. Being the day after Halloween, the musicians all wore costume hats and performed powerful music to a delighted crowd of Swing and Ballroom dancers. Swing, Ballads, Boogies, Cha Chas, Waltzes, Tangos, you name it – they played it, with a new splendid singer, vocalist Elise Roth.

Video by C.S. Imming

Bill Doyle, guitar

The Halloween set included Artie Shaw’s Nightmare, Nelson Riddle’s Witchcraft. Moon songs, Moon River, Blue Ray.
Will Bradley’s Orchestra recorded this swingin’ jazz tune in 1940 – Celery Stalks at Midnight. Drummer Jim Gancarz took the vocals, while Gabel took over the drums!

Bill Doyle’s nightmarish headset was flashing green lights.

Tunes were dedicated to the Red Sox’s winning team, who had just captured the World Series. Massachusetts, and a tune that Dan wrote, Live Free or Die. There was a terrific tenor sax duel between Ed Harlow and Mike ? on a tango, Sally’s Song. Dan changed the words to Everybody Loves Rhode Island to Everybody Loves the Red Sox.

He wrote Abletones’ Jive – cleverly introducing each musician. They will return on the first Friday of every month, sharing all things Big Band. If you can’t wait, check out their CDs.

C. S. Imming took very many Images!

White Heat Swing Quintet at the Sherborn Inn, October 22, 2013

Posted on October 24, 2013 by admin

Dave Whitney trumpet, Craig Ball tenor sax/clarinet, Ken Steiner string bass, Ross Petot piano, Dave Bragdon drums.

White Heat Quintet is a solid Swing Band with memorable Benny Goodman tunes, some Bix, Gershwin, a tribute to Louis Armstrong, and tonight, even some Rudy Vallee.

Craig Ball on tenor sax

Craig started the evening on gut-wrenching tenor sax on Linger a While, presenting a sample of what was forthcoming this evening.

Whitney did his tribute to Louis Armstrong with multi-layered trumpet playing on Gypsy, with a vocal backed by Ross’s fine piano, Craig said, “No wonder he’s called Dean of Swing Trumpet”!

Get Happy was a blistering tune. Bragdon let loose on drums and they wrapped it up with WILD trumpet and clarinet challenging each other, setting sparks flying.

Ross was featured on piano with Gone With The Wind, resurrecting James P. Johnson; Dave’s soft, rolling brushes on snare drum backed Ken’s string bass solo.

Ken Steiner slapping that bass!

Found a New Baby, Whitney led on trumpet, Craig comping on clarinet. We can’t get enough of Ken Steiner’s fantastic slap bass, strings bouncing off the finger board!

San, began with the verse, Whitney’s trumpet sounding like Bix Beiderbecke when he was with Paul Whitman; fun Turkey Trot. Craig’s Benny Goodman clarinet on Begin The Beguine brought back fond memories.

I Would do Most Anything For, Whitney on vocal, drum and string bass were right behind him, Craig playing fast run on clarinet. It Don’t Mean a Thing if it Ain’t Got That Swing – Barnburner! They followed with something sweet and slow, Deep Night, written by Rudy Vallee for Vagabond Lover. This was a first for us.

Ross Petot with a big smile - very unusual!

Ross is actually smiling!

Then it was Gershwin time – Ross playing ragtime, Nice Work If You Can Get It, segueing into a fine Swing number. If you’re looking for SWING, this is the place!

For the last half hour, Craig called for a Swing Jam, inviting musicians to join them. First man up was Marty Lieberman on clarinet with Bye Bye Blackbird. (Marty is responsible for starting Sam’s Jam about 30 years ago.) Peter Gerler joined them on guitar for I Never Knew.

Laurie Young

Vocalist Lorrie Young likes Billie Holiday, stepped up with Can’t Help Loving That Man of Mine. She’ll be back here in a few weeks. Her ‘alter ego’ Stacie Brandon joined her for How High The Moon. (We hope the names are correct.)

Jeff Hughes just listening in the audience finally stepped up with his mellow, melodic flugel horn; I Let a Song Get Out of My Heart, with warm interplay with Whitney’s trumpet. When these two get together, it’s pure magic!

The White Heat Swing Quintet finished with Wholly Cats, that the Benny Goodman Sextet did in 1940 in NYC with Charlie Christian, Cootie Williams, George Auld, Artie Bernstein and Harry Jaeger.

Trumpet and flugel horn duet trading fours in vibrato, fiery clarinet, Ross offering just the right chords on piano, Peter Gerler’s supple fingers on guitar, Bragdon’s driving drums, Steiner slapping that bass – closed a formidable evening of Sensational Swing!

A Group of ‘swingers’ passing by from the dining room stopped dead in their tracks, surprised to find such great Swing here at the Sherborn Inn. They loved it! Let’s hope they return and bring friends.

Seacoast Stompers at the Acton Jazz Cafe, October 5, 2013

Posted on October 5, 2013 by admin

All but the piano, with Hal McAleer video-taping by the piano

Seacoast Stompers (with videographer Harold McAleer)

These musicians love making music, playing Jazz, and this audience loves listening to them. It’s a symbiotic relationship – and never gets dull. You never know what will happen next. The Seacoast Stompers do not repeat songs – Frank Stadler has kept a list of every song they’ve played at the AJC in the last five years, so the tunes are seldom repeated.

Surprise! Frank announced that this afternoon they would be doing EXACTLY the same set list as their first gig, 5 years 3 months ago at The Acton Jazz Café. Then it was at night at 452 Great Road, a six-piece band, with Frank Stadler piano, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Jeff Hughes cornet, Ben Goldstein clarinet, Steve Taddeo drums and Bob McHenry string bass (whose idea it was to getStadler on piano

Now on October 5, 2013, there was Frank leader/piano and Jimmy banjo/vocals, Scott Philbrick cornet, Dave Whitney trumpet, Craig Ball clarinet, Lee Prager trombone, Albie Bernard sousaphone, and Bobby Reardon drums at the new Acton Jazz Café, 103 Nagog Park. It doesn’t get any better than this – as demonstrated by the full house. Bob McHenry was sitting front and center, enjoying the band.

They started with their theme song, a blistering At The Jazz Band Ball, then Mama’s Gone, Goodbye – Jimmy vocal, the four-piece front line melding seamlessly.

Front line
Scott, Dave, Craig, and Lee

Scott and Dave are always a combustible combination, Trumpet and cornet duet on From Monday On. Baby Won’t You Please Come Home. Combination playing vibrato on There’ll Be Some Changes Made.

They slowed down for Memories of You, Scotty doing cornet intro, Jim on vocal with almost imperceptible tuba and trumpet backup.

Mandy Make Up Your Mind – we never get enough of Jimmy Mazzy’s singing. (For the few who are not aware, he’s like olives – an acquired taste; people all over the world love Jimmy, especially in Europe) New Orleans, Hoagie’s favorite tune, heartfelt vocal by Dave Whitney.

Jimmy Mazzy

Dave Whitney

Bobby concentrated on tom toms for Stealing Apples. He has a different drum set for every genre of music, The Dixieland set has three toms, bass, snare drum, cow bell, top hat and a couple of cymbals. He strives for simplicity, purity in his playing, and the energy and precision he lays down is undeniable.

Bobby Reardon and his Dixieland Drum Set

Keeping Out of Mischief Now, Jim on vocal. Craig Ball is in complete command of the upper register on Ain’t Gonna Give You None of My Jelly Roll.

I’m Coming Virginia.

Bobby plays Saturday nights at the Kowloon in Saugus, so he’s ready, always dressed in white shirt and black bow tie (untied) but not tonight; black shirt – no tie. He said he was in mourning because he couldn’t play his favorite tune. So they deviated from the 2008 set list – and substituted Bobby’s favorite (and mine!) Limehouse Blues.

Rhythm Section, Al Bernard sousaphone, Jim Mazzy banjo, Bobby Reardon drums

Jim Mazzy, Al Bernard, Bobby Reardon, Rhythm Section

Al Bernard provides the drive and “punch’ behind the band, and plays solos with the dexterity, control, and articulation of the much smaller instruments. Take Your Tomorrows, and Give Me Today. Joe Darensbourg’s Louisian-I-A, dynamic clarinet backed by rhythm in stop-time. Jimmy had the vocal on a HOT Kansas City. I Would Do Most Anything For You, Whitney vocal, and sneaking in snippets of songs with his trumpet.

Look out for Jimmy’s specials – back in 2008, he substituted his own lyrics for the Banking Crisis with The Whiffenpoof’s Song (The Lambs Song). This time he did a parody of the Tea Party, that we won’t go into here because we’ve already lost too much $upport.

Craig Ball on soprano sax

Craig moved to a sweet soprano sax, authentic Bechet sound, for Singing The Blues.

Verne often gets to pick the last tune, a fine choice to end this evening of remembering 2008, with a barnstorming Swing That Music.
Seacoast Stompers will return with the same personnel playing amazing Dixieland Jazz at the Acton Jazz Café, 103 Nagog Park, Acton MA, on November 2^nd, the first Saturday of the month as usual. See you there!

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Tunes on 2013-10-05 at AJC by Seacoast Stompers
set 1
At The Jazz Band Ball
Mama’s Gone Goodbye
From Monday On
Baby Won’t You Please Come Home
There’ll Be Some Changes Made
Memories Of You
Mandy Make Up Your Mind
New Orleans
Stealin Apples
set 2
Keepin Out Of Mischief Now
Jelly Roll (Ain’t Gonna Give You None)
I’m Coming Virginia (W/Verse)
Limehouse Blues
Take Your Tomorrow
Louisi-An-I-A
set 3
Kansas City request
I Would Do Anything For You
The Lamb’s Song (political diatribe) jimmy special
Singin the Blues
Swing that Music

New England Traditional Jazz Plus

Swing, Traditional Jazz, Dixieland Jazz, Big Bands

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