Jazz Jesters with Frank Bachelor, trombone
Jeff Hughes trumpet, John Clark clarinet/bari sax, Craig Ball clarinet/tenor sax, Ross Petot piano, Al Bernard tuba, Steve Taddeo drums.
The weather outside was 20°, but it was nice and cozy in the Sherborn Inn, with the Jazz Jesters and both fireplaces blazing. Jimmy Mazzy couldn’t make it, and he was missed. But it freed the band to play written arrangements, some of Archie Blyer, some of Dr. John Clark.
They began with their theme Lucky Day. We considered ourselves lucky that it hadn’t snowed – again. Bix is popular with this band. They featured his last recording, Deep Down South, with John on alto and Craig clarinet. These two produce all kinds of magnificent music with two clarinets, alto, tenor, and baritone sax, between them.
Violinist Stuff Smith contributed to the song It’s Wonderful (1938) often performed by Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald. New England Trumpeter Bobby Hackett liked to play it. Jeff obliged, Clark playing sweet alto sax, Steve Taddeo swishing brushes on the snare drum. It was wonderful!
Ross Petot
With the “Rhythm Boys”, Ross Petot, pianist, teacher, composer, arranger, famous for his stride piano, was featured on I Hate Myself for Being so Mean to You.
Sidney Bechet’s Blame It On The Blues, clarinet and alto sax were in perfect sync, then romping alto sax solo, clarinet hitting the stratosphere, incredible trumpet, Albie’s tuba always pushing, piano adding riffs; the whole polyphonic sound had everyone sitting on the edge of their seats. Fantastic!
Most of them are band leaders. Craig Ball has the White Heat Swing Orchestra, John Clark leads the Wolverine Jazz Band, Steve Taddeo with his The Swing Senders. They love playing this repertoire of the Jazz Decades.
Jeff Hughes is an astonishing leader, subtly signaling, mainly letting them do their own thing. He plays amazing trumpet, but tonight, on a relatively new 1983 Yamaha special bell trumpet, he stayed mostly with the Bix Beiderbecke repertoire. I Need Some Petting. A lovely tune Blue River, muted trumpet intro with piano, two clarinets.
Jeff Hughes
Jeff said John Clark ‘forced’ some arrangements on them. A Jimmy favorite, Mighty River, great with two clarinets, Jeff playing open bell trumpet with clarinet riffs.
Jazz Jesters front line
Sam the Accordion Man was dedicated to Jimmy and Carrie Mazzy, who couldn’t be here.
Jeff invited Frank Batchelor up on trombone for Russian Lullaby. Tricky – they were reading arrangements, Frank was winging it, thanks to Jeff’s signals. He added fine trombone to the Jazz Jesters. Then Jeff let Taddeo loose on drums.
Frank Taddeo (Steve’s Father) and companion Gladys Aubin were here to watch.
Steve Taddeo and Family
The band continued with a quintessential 1920’s tune, You Don’t Like It (Not Much)!. Closed with Fat’s Zonky, dueling clarinets, trumpet and trombone – WILD!.
That sent us back out into the cold with warm hearts! The Jesters are heading for the recording studio at the end of this month, and hope to have something in hand in time for the Essex jazz fest, end of June.
Paramount Jazz Band
Ray Smith at his studio
For info: Band Manager Chuck Stewart cstewart42@cox.net or 623-535-4781.
Paramount Jazz Band Videos from Paramount’s performance at Memphis in 1993 on Steve Wright’s “channel” page at:
http://www.youtube.com/user/swr2408018?feature=mhum#g/u .
Ray Smith’s Jazz Decades streaming on WGBH
Paramount Jazz Band
Jimmy Mazzy, Jeff Hughes, Steve Wright, Ray Smith,
Robin Verdier Gary Rodberg, Churck Stewart
…….at Amazing Things Arts Center
Paramount Jazz Band Six
Robin Verdier, Jimmy Mazzy, Chuck Stewart, mgr.
Jeff Hughes, Steve Wright, Gary Rodberg
For info: Band Manager Chuck Stewart cstewart42@cox.net or 623-535-4781.
Jazz Jesters at the Sherborn Inn September 24, 2013
The Jazz Jesters
Jeff Hughes cornet, John Clark alto sax/clarinet, Craig Ball tenor sax/clarinet, Ross Petot piano, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Al Bernard tuba, Steve Taddeo drums
We know it’s going to be an extraordinary evening anytime Jeff Hughes brings one of his many bands to the Sherborn Inn. The Jazz Jesters like to play the music of the 20’s and 30’s, when it was Bix Beiderbecke time in Davenport.
They began with Ross’s piano intro into Lucky Day, written in 1926 by DeSylva, Brown and Henderson. (They wrote many ‘feel good’ songs like The Best Things In Life Are Free, Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries.) The Jesters have made Lucky Day their theme song.
Getting into Bix mode – Sorry, was recorded by Bix and His Gang. House of David Blues – 1920, done by Fletcher Henderson with tenor sax played by Coleman Hawkins. The first time Jeff heard this one, in beautiful fidelity it was a life changing experience. Craig Ball was our Hawk on tenor sax. He also played gut-wrenching tenor on That’s My Desire.
Ross Petot plays Who’s Sorry Now?
Pianist Ross Petot has many tunes at his fingertips. His stride and intricate multi-layered playing was featured on Who’s Sorry Now. Jimmy says “It’s always a hit at Weddings.” (Who gave him a mike?)
Jimmy Mazzy
Jimmy introduced the 1920’s Song of the Wanderer with a vocal. Our favorite was Jimmy’s Cabin in the Cotton, 1932. Just beautiful! Close second was a smoldering ballad, Without a Song – not just one solo – he sang the whole song, in soulful, quintessential Jimmy.
This was an unusual evening where instead of all taking a solo, more than one musician had the whole song to himself. They are all accomplished artists, Jeff just lets them go.
Steve Taddeo
Bunny Berigan’s The Prisoner’s Song was introduced by Taddeo on drums, and Jeff just let him go for the whole 32 bars. Jimmy abruptly let loose with his infamous Mazzy holler.
Crisp Hughes cornet; he dedicated it to Bobby Hackett.
John Clark and Craig Ball
Oh Baby, done by Benny Goodman in the 1920’s, was a scorcher, Craig Ball on clarinet, Clark on soprano sax, pushed by Albie’s straight four on tuba.
Jeff Hughes on 1905 Henri Lefevre cornet
Jeff played a tender solo, all his own, Dear Ol’ Southland, honest, straightforward, absolutely enchanting. His instrument of choice was a treasurable 1905 Henri Lefevre cornet, (precursor to the Selma Instrument Company). (Henri not only built each instrument by hand, he also built each part.) Remarkable tone.
Remarkable evening. There were hundreds of tunes, they only scratched the surface. More hot stuff of the 20’s and 30’s brought the evening to a close – Cabin in The Pines. Fats Waller’s special, the blistering Zonkie, released Taddeo’s inner Gene Krupa.
Couple passing by couldn’t resist dancing. Yes, they were waltzing!
They sent us home with a beautiful waltz, Let Me Call You Sweetheart, surprising a young couple who had just left the main dining room. They stopped and began waltzing on the dance floor. Maybe they’ll be back. We need more like them!
We are so lucky to enjoy all the talent here in New England. People love Jeff Hughes’ topnotch bands and musicians, when they can hear them; his bands are usually here on the last Tuesday of the month. Bring friends and introduce them to the fine Jazz and Swing at the Sherborn Inn!
The Tuba Man
We do have fun!
Swing Times Five with Debby Larkin and Jack Senier
Swing Times Five with Debby Larkin by Marce
Happy 75th Birthday Jerry Wadness – at the Sherborn inn August 27, 2013
Photos by Bennett Green
Jeff Hughes trumpet/flugelhorn, Dan Wiener guitar, Pete Tillotson string bass, Dave Didriksen drums, Debby Larkin vocals. Pianist Ross Petot was taking his eldest son to college so Jack Senier filled in. Jack is Boston’s greatest jazz and swing pianist, a seasoned veteran.
All the tunes played this evening came from 1938, the year Jerry Wadness was born. It was a good year – great tunes for a great guy. Jerry and Geri Wadness are ‘regulars’ at the Sherborn Inn. Last week, Jerry filled several CDs with tunes from 1938, complete with details of each tune, and offered them to Jeff Hughes; he made good use of them.
Boston’s Jack Senier (Marce photo)
Special guest pianist Jack Senier kicked it off with Artie Shaw’s Theme Song, Back Bay Shuffle, followed by Benny Goodman’s Don’t Be That Way, Hughes on Elden Benge trumpet, the band soaring with him. Dan Weiner’s guitar began Who Could Ask For Anything More? Indeed!
How about charismatic Deb Larkin singing a popular torch song of 1929, Moanin’ Low. From Young Man With a Horn, I Should Care. Jeff moving to flugelhorn for Gershwins’ Nice Work If You Can Get It.
Jack Senier’s pearly notes and chords were featured with the rhythm boys on two tunes, I’ll Never Be The Same, and Lullaby In Rhythm. No wonder he’s considered one of New England’s finest pianist. And Jack came to realize that this is an extraordinary audience – they LISTEN passionately to the music and support the musicians.
Lynn Sickle
Bob and Lynn Sickle were here as usual, sitting next to the piano. Debby sang Lynn’s favorite song for her, All of Me. Bob’s birthday was coming up, so I Put a Spell On You was dedicated to him.
Jeff Sings “You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby”
The 1938 Harry Warren–Johnny Mercer tune, You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby was dedicated to Sue Lewis’s upcoming birthday with Jeff singing and playing crisp, clear trumpet. Sue is often seen dancing on the Inn’s but fine dance floor. Senier made the piano sing, Tillotson’s string bass trading fours with the drums. John & Gisela Brunaccini have been married for 65 years – they skillfully glided across the dance floor all evening!
Dan Weiner and Pete Tillotson
Tenderly featured Dan Wiener on guitar with the Rhythm Boys. Jeff was into Count Basie’s Lester Leaps In, when Jeff Stout leaped in for fantastic two trumpet interplay. Drummer Dave Didriksen kicked it up, driving the band.
Waitress Sara Green arrived with Jerry’s birthday cake, large enough to share, and we all wished Jerry a happy 75th birthday.
 Sara brings in Jerry’s Birthday Cake |
 Jerry Wadness blows out the candles |
Comedian Myron Idelson
The band took a break for our favorite comedian, funny man Myron Idelson. Myron can go on for hours telling new jokes appropriate for mixed company. “My Mother-in-law took a trip to the Thousand Islands.” “Why didn’t she spend a week on each?”
Deb and hubby Jeff Stout
Jeff Hughes played a wistful Kurt Weill September Song.
More 1938 tunes – Bunny Berigan’s I Cried For You, I Wished On The Moon, Artie Shaw’s Begin The Beguine, Duke Ellington’s Prelude To a Kiss.
Deb also did Ms. Brown To You and The Things We Did Last Summer. Dakota Staton recorded a tune that everyone thought came from the 70’s – but it was Irving Berlin’s Late, Late Show.
Approaching the finale, Deb hit lilting rhythm with Billie Holiday’s What a Little Moonlight Can Do, with the two soaring trumpets. We’ll Be Together Again – Senier and the rhythm boys kept playing while Deb and Jeff Stout, Gail and Stan Brown hit the dance floor. Jeff Hughes danced with Sue Lewis. The front line returned to the stage, finishing the tune with swinging piano, flugelhorn and trumpet.
1938 was a very good year for great tunes. Swing Times Five was happy to oblige and performed wholeheartedly for this special birthday. Many happy returns, Jerry! Thanks for a great evening.
Neville Dickie at the Sherborn Inn, June 4, 2013
Neville Dickie and Band
The Sherborn Inn was packed elbow-to-elbow with eager fans for celebrated British pianist Neville Dickie’s 12th appearance at the Sherborn Inn on Tuesday, June 4, 2013.
After mixing with his fans, Neville sat at the baby grand and revived a fount of pieces from the 1920’s with ragtime, boogie, stride – pop. With drummer Dave Bragdon, he started on the 1920’s Charleston Mad, from one of his many albums. He turned to Dave and asked “What do you fancy doing?” They came up with a sunny and warm version of Benny Goodman’s Red Sails in the Sunset.
Neville and Dave
Dickie generally plays solo piano in concert. Not here; he takes it easy and becomes part of the band, giving him a chance to relax, walk around, talk with his enthusiastic fans.
Stan McDonald
Stan McDonald joined them on soprano sax, with Jeff Hughes on trumpet for James P. Johnson’s If I could Be With You, Neville starting with the verse, Stan on vocal and saxophone. Roses of Piccardie, It Had To Be You, with Neville’s clever backing and multi-layered playing.
Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams. Jelly Roll Morton’s Tijuana, crisp soprano sax.
Jeff was featured on a boogie that they created on the moment, The Sherborn Boogie, Jeff getting glorious sounds from a rare 1946 Martin Committee Olds Trumpet. (Jeff has a vast collection of instruments, and he makes them all sound great!)
Jeff Hughes feature
During the break, Ross Petot kept the piano hot, giving us umpteen inspiring variations of Gershwin’s Sentimental Gentleman from Georgia. He has a fantastic left hand of his own, definitely with some James P. Johnson influence.
Ross Petot and Neville
He slipped into some eight-to-the-bar (probably for Neville’s sake) and played his specialty stride piano on Stairway to Paradise.
Neville joined him for four-handed piano, two pyrotechnicians playing an ingenious variety of choruses.
Neville said he’s happy to see the same faces here, year after year, and remembered Lynn Sickle. She was in her special chair – always next to the piano, here with Janet Borgman. Neville played his own swinging version of All of Me, Lynn’s favorite – he remembered.
It’s hard to tell who is having the most fun here, Neville or the fans. He relaxes, tells tales, he’s “one of the guys”.
He says “Musicians like to drink, and I’m no exception. I read that liquor is the root of all evil, so I gave up reading.”
“I quit drinking once, it was the worse 20 minutes of my life!”
“I enjoy playing here at the Sherborn Inn; Stan provides the music, Ellen provides great beer”.
Neville relaxes
Ross took over at the piano and gave him a chance to mingle with the crowd.
Soprano sax and trumpet traded fabulous fours on Make Me a Pallet on Your Floor, Stan singing. After You’ve Gone was another lively one.
Ross Petot and Band
Dave & Neville returned with a sweet Keeping Out of Mischief Now, segue into a racing tempo on Handful of Keys, Neville’s fingers leaping across the keyboard. Marvelous.
Dave was featured on drums with Nagasaki, because Neville never could find a drummer who could keep up with his flying fingers. He continued playing at a dizzying pace, but Dave Bragdon kept up with him!
Neville reprised the first boogie ever written, Pine Top Smith’s Sheik of Araby, with the left hand leaping back and forth on the keyboard.
There was a request for him to play solo piano – which is his general mien; he does for hours at most other venues. With Dave’s accompaniment, he played Willie the Lion Smith’s finger breaking Swanee River Boogie. He said “It’s a joy to do this gig – Sutton & Surrey.”
Too soon, the band closed with a sizzling Found a New Baby. As he was leaving, heading for New Jersey, Neville said “Please Keep supporting live jazz.”
We sure will. Thank you for being here with us, Neville, see you again next year!!
You may catch Neville when he’s at home in the Sutton Jazz Club, Thomas Wall Centre, Benhill Avenue, Sutton, Surrey, England. The Club was formed by Pat and Neville Dickie in 1989 and is noted its music, as well as Neville’s famous prawn vol-au-vents. They also serve a wide choice of hot food, such as fish, chicken, meat pie, saveloy, or vegeburger, all served with chips, and backed by Neville’s Trio comprising of Neville Dickie (piano), Terry Lewis (bass), and Norman Davey (drums). Top class musicians from the United States, Europe, Australia and, of course, Great Britain, join them each month.
Jazz Jesters at the Sherborn Inn, May 28, 2013
The Jazz Jesters
Jeff Hughes trumpet, John Clark and Craig Ball Reeds, Ross Petot piano, Jim Mazzy banjo/vocals, Al Bernard tuba, Steve Taddeo drums, and special guest Bob MacInnis on cornet.
This is My Lucky Day – always is when the Jazz Jesters start their theme song and bring Hot Dance music of the Jazz Decades to the Sherborn Inn; plentiful 20’s and 30’s early Bix and Bunny Berigan. We were especially delighted to have a surprise guest sitting in!
Ross playing stride piano
Dot Prescott was remembered with Ross Petot featured on stride, But Not For Me. The first time they ever played it was in concert at the Prescott Traditional Jazz Library at UNH, with Johnny Battis.
Radio – remember radio, when the DJ would play something familiar, then sneak in something new? Jesters played Breakaway, and sneaked in Con Conrad’s Broadway Melody.
What’s the Use is one of Steve Taddeo’s favorites, by Isham Jones. Bobby Hackett recorded it on the Commodore label. Craig was featured on clarinet with Three Little Words.
Reedmen Craig Ball and John Clark
The dynamic reed-men Craig Ball and John Clark are as expressive as the multi-reeds sections of a Big Band, changing combinations, saxophones on Song of India, clarinets on East Coast Trot. They inspire each other, alternating alto and tenor sax and clarinet, and challenge the leader by changing the program on him.
The charts you see are just suggestions for chords. No one tells these spirited Jazz musicians how to play, (although Jeff sometimes gets head arrangements to work).
Bob MacInnis
Surprise treat was the appearance of Bob MacInnis on cornet. He’s back!! Better than ever! Eight-piece band, with trumpet and cornet, played fantastic ensemble on Bix’s Deep Down South.
Steve Taddeo
Taddeo was behaving himself with sensitive, smooth brushwork, and soft tapping on choke cymbal. He’s getting the hang of this Trad Jazz!
Jeff let him loose on Irving Berlin’s 1927 Russian Lullaby, then Steve’s inherent Gene Krupa materialized, backed by the band in stop time. Fabulous!
Jimmy Mazzy, with Steve Taddeo and Al Bernard
There Ain’t No Land Like Dixieland, Melody From The Sky, Cabin in the Pines, Jimmy Mazzy vocals. Eat your heart out, Europe!
Jeff gave Jimmy his choice from the myriad collection of tunes stored in his genius brain. They ducked for cover, never knowing what Jimmy will come up with. This time it was Sam the Accordion Man.
Pardon My Southern Accent, Jeff Hughes taking a very expressive vocal. MacInnis added “Another one I don’t know”, but jumped right in.
They closed with a WILD Fats Waller stride tune. Dismissing us with Fats is a good choice, making sure we all return – Zonky. We’ll come back September 24th and November 28th to hear more of these outstanding Jazz Musicians!
Swing Senders with the Midiri Brothers in Lincoln MA
Steve Taddeo’s Swing Senders were enriched by the presence of The Midiri Brothers at this year’s final performance of Classic Jazz at Lincoln Library in Lincoln, Massachusetts, on May 22, 2013.
Personnel: Midiri Brothers, Joe reeds, Paul vibes, trombone and drums; John Clark reeds, Jeff Hughes trumpet, Scott Philbrick cornet/guitar, Bill Doyle guitar, Dan Gabel trombone, Ross Petot piano, Justin Meyer string bass, Steve Taddeo drums, Caroline Griep vocals. They looked and sounded like a Big Band – ten pieces of the finest Swing you would ever want to hear!
Caroline Griep
Joe Midiri
Charismatic vocalist Caroline Griep flashed a gleaming smile and regaled us with Just You, Just Me, Jeepers Creepers, All of Me, improvising and scatting with Bill Doyle on guitar on Don’t Get Around Much Anymore.
She enjoys singing, and her pleasure comes through.
Paul Midiri
Consummate entertainers, the Midiri Brothers drove from New Jersey to Massachusetts to be here with the SteveTaddeo’s Swing Senders. Joe is a monster on reeds, whether on alto or soprano sax, or clarinet, had us on the edge of our seats when he hit D above high C and held it for a long note.
Lionel Hampton’s Flying Home, 1939-41, Paul flying on vibes. Steve closed it with the drum walk-around that is his specialty. “Got that Harold?”
Ross was featured on Crazy Rhythm, with Bill Doyle on guitar and Scott cornet and Paul Midiri playing drums.
A trio, band within a band, had Clark on clarinet, Steve drums, Ross’s marvelous stride piano, You Do Something To Me.
Stomping at the Savoy piano did the intro with the two fabulous guitars of Bill Doyle and Scott Philbrick, John on bari sax, Dan trombone, Jeff on trumpet, Joe clarinet, Paul vibes, Steve drums. A scorcher!
Joe was on alto sax for his infamous version of Sunny Side of the Street, singing in the Louis voice he does so well.
Midiri Brothers were featured on Avalon. ’nuff said!!
Dan Gabel and Jeff Hughes
Dan Gabel and Jeff were featured in a mellow Day Dream, a beautiful instrumental written by Billy Strayhorn and Duke.
Fred Waring’s Sleep is usually a Midiri’s full band feature, and it was marvelous with all the instruments, with drum intro, hot clarinet at each end.
They closed with the Swing Senders theme song, Dinah – video below in two parts, with hard driving tempo, Midiri on clarinet, Gabel trombone, ending with Paul and Steve battling it out on the drums. Videos by Harold McAleer.
Dinah Part 1, Dan Gabel takes off on trombone.
The sticks vie for dominance on this closing number of the Swing Senders at Bemis Hall — Harold McAleer videos.
Dinah Part 2
WOW!
Bob and Dan MacInnis
Can’t tell you how great it was to see another set of brothers here – Bob and Dan MacInnis. Welcome back!!
Charlie and Evelyn find a space to dance no matter how crowded it is!
This was an impressive evening of solid, hard driving Swing, with the Midiri Brothers joining the Swing Senders. Steve Taddeo assures us there will be more to come this summer.
Meantime, the Midiri Brothers left at midnight for that long ride home. They are seasoned musicians and inveterate entertainers!
Jazz Jesters at the Sherborn Inn April 30, 2013
Jeff Hughes trumpet/leader, John Clark and Craig Ball reeds, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Ross Petot piano, Al Bernard tuba, Steve Taddeo drums
Ross was toying at the piano as usual as we arrived. I Can’t Get Started, Honeysuckle Rose.
Craig Ball came in at exactly 7 P.M. right on time! (He has just returned from a class reunion in England.)
These are busy musicians, Ross plays in several bands and teaches, Craig leads the White Heat Swing Orchestra, John Clark’s Wolverine Jazz Band was at the the Choo Choo Jazz Fest in Chattanooga, Tennessee May 3rd. Steve leads the Swing Senders and directs the Dick Donovan Big Band. Jeff has many bands, the most active being Swing Times Five and the Jazz Jesters.
Jeff distributed arrangements and they soared with their theme This Is My Lucky Day, Craig on tenor sax, John Clark on clarinet. (Baritone sax was left at home.)
Jeff kept these tunes from the 20’s and 30’s refreshing by varying the solos, pointing to an instrument, as if he’d just thought of it. The musicians were ready, carefully keeping an eye on him, and the arrangement, and reacted with inspiring solo work.
Jeff Hughes and John Clark
Jeff is in firm control of the band, except for Jimmy. Jimmy lives in his own world, in the Jazz Decades.
Jack Teagarden liked Ben Pollack’s Diane. There isn’t a trombone in this band, but Craig’s smooth tenor sax did just fine, getting the dancers up early.
They played a couple of early Bix tunes, before he joined Goldkette, when he was in the Wolverines. There Ain’t No Land Like Dixieland started with Jimmy & Jeff in sync – the two go back many years to Ray Smith’s Paramount Jazz Band.
In 1926 Bix recorded and wrote a tune dedicated to his home town, Davenport Iowa, Davenport Blues. Craig took the lead, Jeff and John playing harmony.
Staying in the Bix tradition, with the Wolverines before he became famous, I Need Some Petting, and a Gershwin fox trot Kicking The Clouds Away
Jeff thanked Steve Taddeo for being here. He said, “Steve plays drums better than anybody.” Taddeo was on a 1939 Slingerland Drum Set, with cymbals that were given to him by Bud Schutz who played with the Benny Goodman and Jimmy Dorsey Orchestras. Exudes energy!
Steve is a Gene Krupa devotee. For these tunes from the Jazz Decades, he maintained the Classic Jazz beat with a Krupa original, pinging the Hi Hat stand.
A Walter Donaldson tune featured Jimmy scatting on Changes. Lovely, one of our favorites.
The Kentucky Derby was coming up this Saturday; of course they had to play My Old Kentucky Home. Jimmy’s heartfelt vocal sounded as if he was really homesick for Kentucky. (We’ll ask him if he’s ever been there, when he returns from the 22nd Keswick Jazz Festival in England.)
Jean Goldkette first recorded this in 1926 in Detroit, Idolizing. That band included Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, Joe Venuti and Bix Beiderbecke.
Jeff tapped out a break-neck beat, chorus and then verse, eyes were focused on the arrangements, all except Jeff, and Jimmy – he doesn’t need them, ever.
From Billy Hill’s Empty Saddles in the Old Corral, Jeff introduced There’s a Cabin in the Pines, with Jimmy vocal. That was another tune from the Paramount Jazz Band.
One of Jeff’s favorite memories is hearing a recording of Bunny Berigan playing Louis Alter’s A Melody From the Sky. Jimmy gave it his own unique interpretation.
Hearing Jeff sing Broadway Melody, was a special treat. It comes from a 1929 American musical film – the first sound film to win an Academy Award for Best Picture.
“all talking, all singing, all dancing picture!”
Jimmy returned with a sweet version of It’s Wonderful. After that tender vocal, Vincent Youman’s 1920 I Know That You Know was absolutely WILD!
Jeff has an envious collection of instruments. This magnificent tone trumpet was custom-made for him last March at the local Osmun Trumpet in Acton, MA. They adapted a 1972 Yamaha Tuneable Bell with a wide trumpet bell that would have a warm cornet sound. Just what he wanted.
Many bands of the 30’s and 40’s delved into Classical, then changed the repertoire to Jazz. Rimsky- Korsakov’s Song of India was Bunny Berigan’s last recorded solo. The Jazz Jesters nailed it with trumpet, alto and tenor sax, prompting someone to say “That’s a piece of woik!”
Albie was featured on House of David Blues, by Elmer Schoebel, and recorded by Coleman Hawkins in 1923.
We caught that handsome fella hiding behind the tuba.
Jeff said that “High Society Blues by James Hanley had a beautiful 1930’s bittersweet feeling at the beginning of the 1929 Depression.” From High Society Blues, Jimmy sang Charles Lawman’s I’m in the Market For You, followed by another depression tune, Cottage For Sale.
Enough of that! This is a time to Be Happy!
The mood changed with the Finale, an upbeat, joyful Zonkie. They let Steve go on drums. He gave it the full Krupa treatment with a rousing, cacophony of sound, concluding with his famous drum walk-around.
9:30pm – we were supposed to be out of here, but nobody wanted to leave. They squeezed in one more tune.
Craig Ball took over. Craig’s clarinet went full scale from high to deep rich tones on Laughing at Life.
It was the right ending to a perfect evening:
“Lose all your blues laughing at life
Live for tomorrow, be happy today
Laugh all your sorrows away
Start now and cheer up
The skies will clear up
Lose all your blues laughing at life”
Jeff delved deep into the Jazz Decades for tonight’s performance – and we hope there will be many more like it. That would keep us happy! We’ll all be back for more.
Jeff’s Jazz Jesters will return May 28th – see you here!
Jazz Jesters at the Sherborn Inn July 24, 2012
Jeff Hughes trumpet/leader, John Clark reeds, Craig Ball reeds, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Ross Petot piano, Albie Bernard tuba, guest drummer Steve Taddeo.
When people want to be entertained, they generally go out for dinner, drinks, music, fun conversation, but Traditional Jazz followers are very picky; they aren’t looking for ‘background music’. They want to hear their music first – everything else is just superfluous. No talking while the music is playing, please!
Jeff Hughes is one of their favorite band leaders for that reason – Jeff has a band for all seasons, and tonight was ours. We knew it was going to be a fun night when Craig Ball walked in at the last minute (Craig always comes in at the last minute) and spotted another reed player, John Clark, asking him “What are we doing?” John replied, “I don’t know.”
Jeff distributed charts and they found out. They started with a 1927 tune that symbolized the feeling we all had today, This is My Lucky Day.
Jeff dug down deep for some very old material, the best and hottest of the 20’s and 30’s, some we have never heard before – and probably the musicians too. They had fun with it, inspiring and provoking each other, adding their own interpretations to these old tunes. It was an enlightening and entertaining evening! They really enjoy playing together. Their camaraderie is infectious – we all were having a good time. Couldn’t help it.
Not Much we’ve heard before, but not Dream Kisses. Another tune Bix recorded in a 1930 session with Jack Teagarden, Deep Down South.
Guest drummer Steve Taddeo, usually loud and flamboyant like Gene Krupa, played fine restrained trad, with the use of brushes on the snare drum and his special 1939 cymbal (the original cymbal that Buddy Schutz played on Benny Goodman’s Angels Sing). Good job, Steve!
Ross was featured in pulsating, effervescent stride on Cole Porter’s Riding High. Albie Bernard, driving the band on tuba, took a high spirited solo on Breakaway.
Jimmy had the vocal on Oh Miss Hannah, and Changes with Jeff backing him on his 1946 Olds trumpet.
Jeff let Taddeo cut loose with this one, with drum sticks beating energetic Gene Krupa style!
There aren’t many Mouldy Figs left here – Bea Page is our finest. The band walked up to her table, playing a swinging Happy Birthday, and continued with her favorite tune Moon Glow.
Manager Phil Cocco caught Bea by surprise for her “29th birthday” with a delicious birthday cake prepared by the chef – that she shared with all of us.
Back to the ‘stage’ – John Clark on clarinet and Craig Ball on tenor sax with a poignant duet on Irving Berlin’s Russian Lullaby.
Memories of the Depression in the1930’s – I’m In The Market.
A 1911 tune that is still being played in colleges today, Sweetheart of Sigma Chi.
The band played Who, dedicated to another fan, Joan Murray. (Her birthday is in August.)
Jeff took out the flugelhorn for a sweet When Day is Done. 1910? Jolson’s Golden Gate(California Here I Come.) Weary Man Blues. There Ain’t No Land Like Dixieland,Cottage for Sale, Old Folks.
They sent us home with Farewell Blues.
This is a new band for Jeff Hughes, separate from the Jazz Jesters Novelty Orchestra, that sounded much more like the Paramount Jazz Band. Nevertheless, he delved deep into the Jazz Decades for tonight’s performance – and we hope there will be many more like it. Wish we had a video!!