As always, it was a mixture of the familiar and the new. There were musicians and songs that have thrilled previous House Party audiences, as well as new performers and songs that have not visited the House Party before now.
Banu Gibso
Banu Gibson was the new headliner and brought an interesting mix of musical talent (she stuck with vocals for the House Party), charts and humorous stories. She is a consummate performer and was well received from her Friday night spotlight and throughout the whole weekend. She stuck primarily to working with “charts” – it is difficult to travel and develop a quick rapport with new musicians to back up your vocals – but it all came out very well.
She actually arrived in New York City a few days earlier and spent some time with the NYC crew.
Vince Giordano and Banu
Friday night she was backed by Vince Giordano (on his multitude of instruments), Dan Levinson (on reeds), Tom Palinko (on drums) and Jeff Barnhart (on keyboards). She also featured some vocal duties by Vince and Jeff. The charts gave the show more structure than we usually rely upon.
Jeepers Creepers
Banu Gibson – Vocal Mike Davis – Trumpet Dan Levinson – Reeds
Jim Fryer – Trombone Dalton Ridenhour – Piano
Vince Giordano – Bass
Kevin Dorn – Drums
Banu and Joel Schiavone
At the start of her career, Banu actually worked for Joel Schiavone, so it was a homecoming of sorts for her. Your Father’s Mustache was alive and well in Branford this past weekend!
Vince Giordano – My Blackbirds are Bluebirds Now
For the rest of the weekend most of the structure was Jeff’s freewheeling mix of musicians and styles. He always prepares a list of which musicians are featured for
each song with only a suggestion of style of music and a nominal tune caller. Then he tells the musicians that they are free to ad lib and add others as they go.
On some of these Banu used charts and on others she joined into the loose structure for which we are known.
New for this year was Jeff’s depiction of a NYC crew and suburban crew.
The suburban crew included Jeff, Tom Palinko, Joel, Frank Tate (on bass), Fred Vigorito (on trumpet and cornet), Tom Boates (on trombone) and the inimitable Noel Kaletsky (on reeds). China Boy
Big Noise From Winnetka featured Tom Palinko drums.
The NYC crew included Vince, Dan, Jim Fryer (on trombone and other brass instruments), Kevin Dorn (on drums), Dalton Ridenhour (on keyboards) and Mike Davis (on trumpet). Dalton and Mike were new to the House Party and performed well beyond their years. Note their names because you will be hearing more about them as time goes on. They were great new additions.
Shake It and Break It
Canal Street Blues
Jeff & Dalton play 4-handed piano – Everybody Loves My Baby
More than a quarter of our seats for October are sold. We’ve kept prices for the three session tickets at $225 per person. Remember each session includes a meal. (Friday Night tickets will be available at $30 per person for every 3 session ticket purchased before July 1, 2015. After July 1, single session Friday Night tickets will be $40.00.
A personal gift for you or a special gift for that special person is available right now!
Jeff and Joel and the JJHP volunteers are jazzed up planning the next House Party October 9, 10 and 11, 2015.
Volunteers Glenn Ott and Harry Hom serve dinner
Some of the Musicians for October 2015
Peter and Will Anderson — reeds Fred Vigorito – cornet
Scott Philbrick – trumpet/banjo Gordon Au–trumpet
Noel Kaletsky – reeds Dan Levinson – reeds
Tom Boates — trombone Jim Fryer — trombone
Gen Rose -– bass Brian Nalepka –- tuba/bass/vocals
Molly Ryan –- vocals and guitar Jeff Barnhart –- piano/vocals
Joel Schiavone–banjo/vocals Don Trenner – piano
Kevin Dorn–drums Jim Lawlor –drums
As many of you jazz aficionados remember, every performance since the inception of the House Party has been a toe-tapping, finger-snapping, body rocking time. Hope you all have visited YouTube to see and hear many selections from all our previous House Parties. If not, please go to YouTube, type in Jeff and Joel’s House Party and enjoy. We defy you to sit still.
Volunteer Harry Hom serves breakfast
Please contact 203-208-1481 and Maureen will answer any questions and upon payment guarantee reservations in a confirming e-mail to you and/or your guest(s). So, don’t miss out on this opportunity as we fully expect the October 2015 performances will be sold out. (This past October all sessions were essentially sold out. We will open sales July 1, 2015 for single sessions.) Please note our website is being updated.
by Sue Finn
videos by Eric Devine (we’re still adding more!)
pictures by Marce
Musicians:
Jeff Barnhart – piano Joel Schiavone – banjo
Fred Vigorito – cornet Lew Green – cornet
Bob Ferguson – trumpet & flugelhorn Herb Roselle – trombone
Herb Gardner – trombone & piano Will Anderson – reeds
Noel Kaletsky – reeds Peter Anderson – reeds
Dan Levinson – reeds Molly Ryan – vocals
Vince Giordano – bass, tuba & bass saxophone Genevieve Rose – bass
Tom Palinko – drums Bill Reynolds – drums
……and, from ‘Your Father’s Mustache’, Chris Fennimore & Bob Whyte on banjo
Saturday Night at Jeff & Joel’s House Party
The fifth Jeff & Joel’s House Party was held October 10, 11 & 12, 2014. This time the party was not at Joel’s house but just around the corner at the Guilford VFW Hall. There was some trepidation about the new venue – nobody likes change! – but it turned out to be a perfect location and they hope to have it there again in October 2015.
As always, it was a wonderful weekend – I consider it my annual ‘retreat’ and always feel rejuvenated at the end, probably because it reminds me of my teenage years when I first knew and loved traditional jazz music (during the ‘trad boom’ in England in the early 1960’s)! The food was delicious and the volunteers did their usual magic. We see only the magic but it is the result of much hard work all year long. Many thanks to all of them and to Jeff & Joel for all the organization.
The program worked a little differently this time. Instead of the combination of musicians changing for every number they generally stayed together for three selections, chosen by three different band members. This worked well with less ‘traffic’. Many of the musicians had never even met, never mind played together before and it is a source of awe for many of the members of the audience when, after a few short words of discussion, the song is played perfectly. Sometimes, some of the band members had never even heard the song before! This was particularly true of the two young reed players, Will & Peter Anderson
Pete and Will Anderson
The Friday night program was performed by Dan Levinson, Molly Ryan, Jeff Barnhart, Bill Reynolds and Vince Giordano. This was the first time Dan & Molly had appeared at the House Party and they were there only for the Friday session.
Dan Levinson and Molly Ryan
Molly sang a wide variety of songs from traditional ballads to novelty numbers and everything in between.
I Was Saying To The Moon
Her voice is always beautiful and she was a pleasure to listen to and of, course, Dan is a virtuoso on the clarinet and C-melody saxophone.
Where the Morning Glories Grow:
Silver Dollar (A Woman goes from Man to Man) Vince on bass sax:
Love Is Just Around The Corner, Reynolds shows his versatility trading 4’s with Dan.
My Baby Just Cares for me:with Vince, Dan Jeff Barnhart, and Bill Reynolds:
The entire evening was a treat, my favorites were ‘Meet me Tonight in Dreamland’, ‘Oh Daddy’, ‘Bewitched, Bothered & Bewildered’ and ‘What a Little Moonlight Can Do’. ‘You’ve Got the Right Key but the Wrong Keyhole’ was a lot of fun. Dan played an old favorite of mine ‘Wildcat Blues’ which I haven’t heard in more years than I care to remember. I hope we’ll see them both at the House Party again soon.
Lew Green
The other 3 sessions included all the musicians, with Noel Kaletsky only there on Sunday and Lew Green only Saturday evening when Fred Vigorito was away.
Saturday afternoon:
Anderson Brothers play Indian Summer:
More Saturday coming….
The following is a description of some of the performances from the Sunday afternoon session.
The program started with ‘Darktown Strutters Ball’, ‘Shine’ & ‘Avalon’. Avalon:
Then Fred called ‘Someday You’ll Be Sorry’ with Jeff doing the vocal.
Herb G. sang ‘Happy Feet’.
Noel & Will did a fantastic duet on two clarinets on ‘Sweet Georgia Brown’.
Noel Kaletsky fiery solo on Sleep, with Jeff Barnhart, Tom Palinko, and Gen Rose.
Jeff played a piano solo and sang a song entitled ‘I Left My Sugar Standing in the Rain and My Sugar Melted Away’. Joel join in on ‘Dippermouth Blues’ with Bob Ferguson trumpet and Freddy cornet, Roselle’s fabulous trombone:
Next came ‘South’, then ‘Lester Leaps In’ with three saxes and Herb G, Gen & Tom in the rhythm section, followed by ‘I’m Confessin’ That I Love You’ and ‘The Sheik of Araby’, the latter with three clarinets and Jeff, Tom & Vince.
Joel sang ‘Row, Row, Row’ with Fred, Herb R and Vince on bass sax. Then Vince sang a song which no-one else knew called ‘Take Your Tomorrow & Give Me Today’. He gave Herb G the chord changes written on a paper plate! Fred, Peter and the rest of the band followed along and, as always, it all turned out perfectly………..
Ain’t Misbehavin’: Will Anderson, Freddy, Roselle, Jeff, Gen and Tom
Herb Roselle was in Your Father’s Mustache and fired up the band.
Herb R. told us about the Philadelphia Mummers Parade and he and Bob F. played a medley of ‘Linger Awhile’ and ‘June Night’.
Bob Ferguson’s wife Rita sang a very emotional version of ‘You Made Me Love You’ with Bob playing a trumpet solo.
Peter, Bob F, Herb G, Jeff, Tom & Gen played ‘When Your Lover Has Gone’ followed by a valiant attempt by Herb G. to sing ‘Please Don’t Talk About Me When I’m Gone’ with Joel at the other mike singing ‘Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue’ at the same time.
A rousing version of ‘South Rampart Street Parade’ was next with three reeds, trumpet, cornet, trombone and banjo. Then Chris and Bob W joined Joel on stage for the banjo band sing along (which happened in both Saturday sets as well). This part is always fun because the audience joins in. (Including me – I try to lip sync but get carried away sometimes – fortunately there was enough noise going on that I don’t think my awful off-key voice bothered too many people, except my long-suffering fellow fans in the front row!)
Susan Breig, Sue Finn, Joan Boutelle and 91 yr. old George Hatch
The banjo band was followed by a brass band, all the brass instruments and no reeds playing ‘Swing That Music’ backed by Tom, Vince and Jeff who did the vocal.
The next three numbers had all the reeds. The first was ‘Mood Indigo’ with three clarinets, Tom, Vince who did scat and a vocal by Jeff.
Vince sings Three Little Words
Vince did the vocal on ‘Three Little Words’
and then we had four saxophones, Noel – soprano, Will – alto, Peter – tenor and Vince on bass.
The session ended with ‘Strike Up the Band’ and the grand finale, a very loud and wonderful version of ‘Panama’ with all the musicians on the stage playing their hearts out and the audience clapping and cheering.
Finale – photo by Sue Finn
PICTURE SLIDES: Sorry, all the pictures were encrypted by a Trojan Horse and had to be deleted.
JAZZ LIVES – Michael Steinman, said it all: VERTIGO!
Photos by Eric and Sherral Devine
Next party: April 20-21, 2013Top: Noel Kaletsky, Sal Raniello, Genevieve Rose, Freddy Vigorito, Ross Petot, John Clark, Paul Monat
Stairs: Pam Pameijer, Craig Grant, Jim Fryer, Vince Giordano, Bob Barta, Jeff Barnhart, Joel Schiavone
Because of the decline in Traditional Jazz Festivals, Joel and Donna Schiavone again opened their 1804 home to eager Jazz aficionados.
At the last House Party, Jeff Barnhart picked the band, gave it a leader, and let them improvise JAZZ. This time, he picked the band (but anyone could opt in or opt out), picked a leader, gave them a theme “Play some Louis”, Play some Eddy Condon” Play some Blues”, “Play something HOT”. But only for two tunes.
Then the musicians moved out to the right, next band moved in from the left. It was absolute insanity! There were musicians and instruments constantly moving through the audience. But what else would you expect at Jeff and Joel’s House Party?
Paul Monat had the first band, with Jim Fryer trombone, Noel Kaletsky clarinet, Jeff Barnhart piano, Bob Barta banjo/vocal, Genevieve Rose string bass, Sal Raniello drums
I lost track of how many bands, or how many tunes (over 100).
I’m sorry I made you cry
Someday You’ll be sorry
Jazz Me Blues
two cornets
two clarinets
Two trombones- turbulent duet!
Shimme she-wobble
Only ONE –
Vince Giordano, whose music for Boardwalk Empire won a Grammy award this year.
Back Home Again in Indiana
Breeze
Paul Monat traded 4’s with himself on cornet and tuba.My Gal Sal
On the more serious side – Believe it or not, Jeff Barnhart does have a serious side.
He chose classical music for himself, Frederic Chopin – Nocturne In E Flat Major, Op.9 No.2
Ross Petot, New England’s best kept secret, pianist, teacher, composer, arranger. In his own signature stride piano, Gone With The Wind. He made the melody come alive.
Noel on clarinet, with Pam and Ross: Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans. Dinah – I love Pam’s Trad beat!
Craig Grant on trombone: Milenberg Joys
Paul & Freddy, two cornets, Vince on bass sax, Storyville Blues
Dinners and breakfast were First Class, thanks to Carol and Glenn Ott.
photos by Marilyn Snow
Dippermouth Blues:
Genevieve Rose’s set had Jeff on piano, Barta banjo, Pam drums for Shanty in Old Shanty Town. She was unfamiliar with these tunes and has never played most of them.
A resourceful pro, she listened to the others, played rich tones, and maintained a powerful, full beat. Amazing!
Joel recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of “Your Father’s Mustache”
at Carnegie Hall.
Of course we had sing-alongs – with a four-piece banjo band, Joel, Bob Barta, Noel, and even Vince Giordano. Everyone got into the act. (I wish the camera had been on Michael Steinman!) Marce
Pam on washboard
Vince on drums
Jim Fryer on euphonium, with Sal Raniello and Jeff on piano: The Gypsy
This music spans all ages. Special surprise guest, ‘Red’ Balaban singing Porter’s Love Song To a Chamber Maid. Balaban played at Your Father’s Mustache in New York. He worked extensively as a sideman, for musicians such as Wild Bill Davison, Eddie Condon, Gene Krupa, Dick Wellstood, and Kenny Davern. He co-led Eddie Condon’s house band with Ed Polcer from 1975; other noted musicians in this outfit included Vic Dickenson, Warren Vache, and Connie Kay. The club closed in the mid-1980s. Balaban continues playing today in Connecticut. (Wikipedia)
Jeff introduced Fourteen-year-old Andrew Ferno, who covered the music spectrum with fine piano renditions of Do The Hucklebuck and Thelonius’s Blue Monkk. Neighborhood Music School in New Haven, CT
More videos:
Melancholy Blues
You Made Me Love You
Young And Healthy
When Did You Leave Heaven?
The Mooch
Darkness on the Delta
Stevedore Stomp
Up a Lazy River
Sherral’s Family:
The Austin Family from St. Augustine Florida, Fairfield CT and Northborough, MA
This weekend was what Jeff called “An embarrassment of riches!”
Special thanks to the volunteers: Kitchen crew: Carol and Glenn Ott and Bruce and Lecia Scranton. Musician liaison (outstanding job by the way) Judy Postemsky; Anne Barnhart in charge of CDs; Mairi Bryan – finance tracker; Irene Cowern – publicity maven extraordinaire, Eric Devine – technical genius, John Hedden – gatekeeper/checkeriner; Zachary Lysobey – webmaster, Andrew Carolla – parking person, Joel and Donna Schiavone – hosts with the most;
Maureen Cunningham, who is way too modest! She does a ton of things, compliments everyone else – and never takes credit for a thing! Telephone Reservations, Seating Grids (including weekly up-dates), Badges, Typing/Printing, Chair/Cushion Delivery. (Thanks for the cushions!)
And thanks to Donna for sharing your fabulous home!
We’re looking forward to the next House Party April 20-21, 2013 Join us, tickets go on sale December 1st
