Eli Newberger’s All-Star Septet, featuring Bob Winter and Randy Reinhart

Posted on January 14, 2014 by admin

Eli’s All Star Septet at the Sherborn Inn, January 14, 2014 Randy Reinhart trumpet, Ted Casher Reeds, Herb Gardner trombone, Bob Winter piano, Jimmy Mazzy banjo, Jeff Guthery drums, Eli Newberger tuba, Rebecca Sullivan vocals, Caroline Newberger washboard.

This was delectable hot jazz by musicians playing from the heart, enjoying the challenge of improvising, never quite knowing what was coming next, deeply listening to each other and responding in lively, pulsating jazz.

The All Stars opened with At the Jazz Band Ball, a jazz instrumental first recorded by the ODJB (Original Dixieland Jass Band) in 1917. Eli introduced Randy Reinhart , a celebrated virtuoso on cornet, trumpet and slide trombone, just back from playing in Japan. Randy played lyrical cornet on You Can’t Take That Away From Me, setting the tone for this splendid evening.

Randy Reinhart

Rebecca Sullivan’s phrasing adds to the sweetness of the songs. Blue Skies, Lullaby of Birdland, Them There Eyes sung in her own unique expressive nuances. She has an extraordinary broad range, and uses it to the fullest. Jimmy took the final vocal, with Ted on tenor sax, cornet interweaving with trombone. Fabulous!

Rebecca Sullivan

Rebecca was backed by all the instrumentalists in a poignant Georgia, with tuba solo that shows why Eli was voted best Traditional Jazz Tuba Player in polls by the Mississippi Rag and Jazzology Magazine.

Bob Winter loves playing piano!

Bob Winter has played with the Boston Pops and supported vocalists for over 30 years. He obviously enjoys making fine music and sharing it with us. His stunning harmonies and sudden key changes on Over the Rainbow took our breath away. Some of the band literally gasped. He was featured with a passionate and riveting Satin Doll and backed Rebecca’s capricious Dancing Cheek to Cheek with smooth walking bass notes.

Jimmy Mazzy plays and sings “Tomorrow Night”

Jimmy dug into his storehouse of great early 1900’s tunes and came up with Tomorrow Night. Just Jimmy and banjo; soul warming, he really gets his head around the lyrics:

Ted Casher, powerhouse tenor sax

Ted Casher is a precious gem. He’s a powerhouse on tenor sax, and was featured on a Lady Be Good that raised goose bumps. Let’s hope we get a video of this one! Eventually there will be a DVD,

Dynamic Front Line

What a Difference a Day Makes – the front line was a combustible combination, brilliant polyphonic improvisation with extraordinary give and take. They toned down for the piano solo backed only by Jeff’s fine brushing on the snare drum.

At times Randy’s cornet executed clever embelishments all around Eli’s tuba. Randy was relaxed and enjoying himself. So was the audience, intently listening to this fabulous music.

Only ten minutes left, Randy approached the close with an unforgettable Someday You’ll Be Sorry, a tip of the hat to his idol, Louis Armstrong.

Introducing Special guest, Carolyn Newberger, adding spice to the All Stars with her washboard on Jelly Roll Morton’s Ain’t Gonna Give Nobody None of My Jelly Roll.

Jimmy, Eli, Jeff, and Carolyn and washboard

Carolyn Newberger adds zest to the All Stars with washboard

They closed with a quick Tiger Rag, originally played by the ODJB in 1917. Eli’s All Stars played it with equal fiery enthusiasm, with a roaring tuba tiger, great solos – drummer let loose, nice muted trombone by Herb Gardner. Another barn burner! We’re looking forward to more lively New Orleans Jazz in the next version of Eli’s All Stars with Bob Winter, piano (Boston Pops) and Rebecca Sullivan, vocalist (New England Conservatory), and Bo Winiker, trumpet, with Ted Casher, clarinet and tenor sax, Herb Gardner, trombone, Jeff Guthery, drums, Jimmy Mazzy, drums, Eli Newberger, tuba, and guest washboard wizard, Carolyn Newberger at the Sherborn Inn, 33 N. Main Street, (inters. of Rts. 16 & 27) Sherborn, MA Reservations: 508-655-9521 or info@sherborninn.com. Hope to see you there!!

Videos by Kathy Wittman, recorded by WGBH’s Frank Cunningham

Tunes:

1. At the Jazz Band Ball
2. You Can’t Take That Away from Me
3. Blue Skies
4. Georgia on My Mind
5. Satin Doll
6. Stardust
7. Cheek to Cheek
8. Tomorrow (Jimmy’s banjo and vocal)
9. Ain’t Gonna Give Nobody None of My Jelly Roll
10. Them There Eyes
11. Our Love is Here to Stay
12. Lady be Good
13. Over the Rainbow (piano solo)
14. Lullaby of Birdland
15. What a Difference a Day Makes
16. Some Day You’ll Be Sorry (cornet feature)
17. Tiger Rag

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

Paramount Jazz Band

Posted on November 13, 2013 by admin

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 with Ray in front of Freight Car

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 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

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!

* * *

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

Jazz Tuber Sextet at the Sherborn Inn

Posted on October 1, 2013 by admin

Eli on piano, clarinet, banjo, string bass, and drums

Jazz Tuber Sextet

Jazz Tuber Sextet at the Sherborn Inn, October 1, 2013

Ted Casher clarinet, tenor and soprano sax, Jim Mazzy banjo/vocals, Eli Newberger piano/tuba, Rebecca Sullivan vocals, Andrew Schiller string bass, Jeff Guthery drums, Carolyn Newberger washboard

Jimmy Mazzy and Andrew Schiller

The Jazz Tuber Trio returned to the Sherborn Inn with three new members. Rebecca and Jeff have been with us before, but this was bassist Andrew Schiller’s initiation to the Inn.

The Tuber Trio kicked it off with a rousing HOT Dr. Jazz.

Jazz Tuber Trio

Then Eli moved to piano for Bessie Smith’s Put It Right Here, backing Jimmy’s vocal.
Eli loves to play both tuba and piano. His absolute rapture in making music is obvious, and he shares that joy with his audience.

Eli Newberger

Rebecca is a grad student at the New England Conservatory in jazz voice and contemporary improvisation, Andrew is also at NEC, Jeff is at Berklee College of Music. Eli let them loose with a sauntering swing on Perdido, with Rebecca’s refreshing vocal, and Andrew’s relentless pulse on string bass.

Rebecca Sullivan

Somewhere Over The Rainbow – Eli on piano backing Rebecca. She has a unique approach to the music, slowly nurturing, passionately stretching it out, reaching deep into the soul of the song. Summertime – Marvelous!

Ted Casher

Back Home Again in Indiana, Andrew on bass, Eli was back on tuba, trading 4s with Jimmy’s scatting. Ted’s soprano sax backed Rebecca on It Had To Be You. On Satin Doll he moved to tenor sax enlivening Jimmy’s singing and scatting. His moaning tenor backed Rebecca’s sentiment on Our Love is Here To Stay.

Jeff Guthery

The Tuber Trio with Andrew and Jeff went wild on Birth of the Blues. Never gets dull! Tenor sax took a whirling intro into I Got Rythm, with Eli on piano, Andrew bass, Rebecca vocal, featuring Jeff Guthery’s dynamic drumming.

And always in the wings, Carolyn Newberger came up front for her special Coney Island Washboard Roundolay – with the washboard that has been resurrected from the attic after 50 years. Retirement has its rewards! Jeff summed it up with one word: “Smokin!”

Carolyn now has more time to devote to her artwork, recently back from her showing, In The Moment, at the Harriet Tubman Gallery in Boston. http://www.carolynnewberger.com/

The evening closed with Mean To Me, with Eli back on piano, Jimmy banjo, Ted on soprano sax, Andrew string bass, Jeff swirling brushes on snare drum.

The Jazz Tuber Trio will return November 12^th with more surprises. See you there?

Riverboat Stompers at the Sherborn Inn

Posted on June 25, 2013 by admin

Riverboat Stompers

Steve Straus reeds, Larry Baxter cornet, Frank Batchelor trombone, Phil Hower piano, Jim Mazzy Banjo, Pierre Lemieux tuba, Rick Malcolm drums.

Riverboat Stompers played at the Sherborn Inn June 25^th, 2013, featuring the music of Hoagie Carlichael, Gershwin, Cole Porter, and more. They began hot and heavy with That’s-a-Plenty.

Steve Straus clarinet, Larry Baxter cornet, Frank Bachelor trombone

Front Line: Steve Straus, Larry Baxter, Frank Batchelor

Steve Straus moves easily from clarinet to soprano sax on New Orleans. Jimmy Mazzy had many of the vocals, but Larry Baxter took over for some tunes, Lady Be Good C’est Si Bon. Steve Straus also did a fine vocal on Cottontown.

Pierre Lemieux

Pierre Lemieux thoughtfully supports the band and each musician without pushing.

They dedicated Blue Turning Gray Over You to their late trombone player, Tom Page, who died about 1 ½ years ago. Ensemble vocal took the intro to Sophie Tucker’s Some of These Days, with Jimmy taking it over with soft backing by Baxter’s cornet.

Phil Hower

Pianist Phil Hower listens carefully; responds with delicate and resourceful phrases.

This is a fun band. Medley for today, with audience participation, Ain’t She Sweet, Five Foot Two, I’m Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover. Everyone gets into the vocal on Alabama Jubilee, and on kazoo. They have a ‘name this tune’ contest. Jimmy singing, scatting, carefully not giving away the title. But this time no one came up with the tune “South”. Maybe next time.

Rich Malcolm

Drummer Rich Malcolm is capable of slam banging with the best of them, but he’s unselfishly maintains the beat, letting loose on solos so that we sometimes hear the melody in his drums. He started with a Latin beat on Comes Love, with swinging bridges.

Jimmy Mazzy

They slowed the pace for Why, a little known tune played by Golden Gate Rhythm Machine on the West Coast, and the Riverboat Ramblers on the East Coast. Mazzy putting his heart into the tune in his own unique Mazzy style.

They closed with ‘Till We Meet Again. We might be able to catch them playing somewhere on the North Shore. Check out www.riverboatstompers.com for their schedule.

Tunes played today:
That’s a Plenty, New Orleans, Lady Be Good, Blue Turning Grey Over You, South, Alabama Jubilee, Why, Who’s Sorry Now, Home, Alexander’s Ragtime Band, Cottontown, I Can’t Give You Anything But Love, Miss Otis Regrets, Medley, Comes Love, Lulu’s Back in Town, C’est Si Bon, Some of These Days, ‘Til We Meet Again.

Jazz Jesters at the Sherborn Inn, May 28, 2013

Posted on May 30, 2013 by admin

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 singing and playing banjo, with Al Bernard and Steve Taddeo in background

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 24^th and November 28^th to hear more of these outstanding Jazz Musicians!

Williams Reunion Jazz Band at DBMS opening of the Bay 2013

Posted on May 25, 2013 by admin

Williams Reunion Jazz Band

Schooner Thomas E. Lannon

On Friday, May 24, the schooner Thomas E. Lannon sailed into Duxbury Bay for the Duxbury Bay Military School’s 16th Opening of the Bay, with the Williams Reunion Jazz Band.

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”. The core four here today were Williams College Boys: Bob Kingsbury ’58 on clarinet; Fred Clifford ’58 on Tuba; Tom Hayne ’59 on Drums and John Halsey ’59 on keyboard, with John Bucher cornet. (Amherst ’52.) They were joined by two permanent guests and members of the Wolverine Jazz Band, the inimitable Jimmy Mazzy Banjo/Vocals, and Tom Boates, trombone.

Opening of the Bay is a fund-raiser for the Duxbury Bay Maritime School. The school serves 1800 students from age 3 to adult, through educational and recreational programs that stimulate individual growth and an enduring love and appreciation of the sea. The Williams Reunion Jazz Band assembles every year for the event.

The day started out with a fine Youth Swing Band before the YRJB’s drum introduced some New Orleans Standards: Bourbon St. Parade, Dr. Jazz, with Jimmy Mazzy on vocals, drum tapping cymbals.

Let Me Call You Sweetheart was in an upbeat Dixie; never sounded better! Cornet growling, trombone responding with a growl.

Atlanta Blues, also Make Me a Pallet on Your Floor. If I Could Be With You One Hour Tonight.

Orie’s Creole Trombone.

Bob Kingsbury led the band, and explained the Heart and Soul of the WRJB:

John Bucher

Jimmy Mazzy

– The Heart John Bucher from NY, who was in the the Woody Allen Band for several years

The Soul: Jimmy Mazzy

Kingsbury on clarinet, Clifford on trombone and scatting

Bob Kingsbury, Fred Clifford

Kingsbury says he was Fred’s classmate for 50 years and never able to hold that Tiger back.

Tiger Rag

Everybody Loves My Baby, great cornet drum exchange, each member of the band trading 4’s with the drums. A tune WC Handy stole from Louis’s record Hesitation Blues featured a ‘diminished chord’ with clarinet intro of Edmund Hall. Nice blues.

The Finale was an upbeat Canal St. Blues, with a young couple enjoying a sprightly dance.

The band also played a dockside reception Friday night with an Island Creek Oysters raw bar, heavy hors d’oeuvres by the Silent Chef, and cash bar.
Sunday they played at the service for the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church.

Opening of the Bay is a fund-raiser for the Duxbury Bay Maritime School. The school serves 1800 students annually, through educational and recreational programs that stimulate individual growth and an enduring love and appreciation of the sea. Because of this fund-raiser, the school remains debt-free.

The WRJB will be back in May next year for the Duxbury Bay Maritime School’s 17th opening of the Bay! See you there!

New England Traditional Jazz Plus

Swing, Traditional Jazz, Dixieland Jazz, Big Bands

Tag Archives: Jimmy Mazzy

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For info: Band Manager Chuck Stewart cstewart42@cox.net or 623-535-4781.

For info: Band Manager Chuck Stewart cstewart42@cox.net or 623-535-4781.

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Williams Reunion Jazz Band at DBMS opening of the Bay 2013