Back Bay Ramblers at Ken’s Steak House June 12, 2016

Posted on June 14, 2016 by admin

Bill Reynolds’ Back Bay Ramblers

Dan Gabel trombone, Bill Drake guitar, Mike Peipman trumpet, Bill Reynolds leader/drums, Billy Novick alto sax and clarinet, Stu Gunn tuba/string bass, John Clark clarinet, tenor and baritone sax, Ross Petot piano, Nancy McGhee vocals.

Bill Reynolds has revivified his Dad’s band, The Back Bay Ramblers, playing hot dance and jazz from the 20’s and 30’s. Four members remain from a previous band: Billy Novick and John Clark reeds, Ross Petot piano, and of course, Bill Reynolds drums. Filling in some very big boots are Mike Peipman for Jon-Erik Kelso, who now plays every Sunday at the Ear Inn in NY; Dan Gabel for Bob Connors, who moved to Florida and is collecting old movies; Bill Drake guitar for Peter Bullis banjo who is Manager of the New Black Eagle Jazz Band; and Stu Gunn for Vince Giordano, who needs no explanation.

Ed’s Back Bay Ramblers

They started with their theme song, Dream Sweetheart, and played many of Ed’s favorite songs and vocals, aptly sung by Nancy McGhee.

Nancy McGhee

Nancy gave a strong, effervescent singing performance, beginning with Daddy, Won’t You Please Come Home. Nancy is a graduate of Berklee and is Choral Director at Lawrence High School Performing Arts. She sang songs of the Boswell Sisters, An Evening In Caroline, Eva Taylor’s 1937 Clarence Williams’ Top of The Town, Mildred Bailey’s Commentating on You. She also touched on Ed’s favorite vocalist, Annette Henshaw, with The Right Kind of Man.

The Band played Little By Little done by the Louisiana Rhythm Kings in 1929. Tiny Parham’s dark, somber Congo Love Song, arranged by Bob Connors. Cho King was arranged by pianist Robin Verdier.

Dan holds megaphone with left foot

Alcoholic Blues, 1929 by Doc Daugherty, Dan Gabel with a slow, moaning muted trombone.

Dan was featured on The River and Me, playing trombone into a 4-foot megaphone braced on his left foot.

He took the first chorus on Red McKenzie’s 1929 Hello Lola, done by the Mound City Blue Blowers. It featured all the guys with many marvelous solos by the front line.

Front Line, Dan Gabel, Mike Peipman, Billy Novick, John Clark

Mike Peipman

The 1951 Nullabor was the most recent tune, an Australian Band jazz revival. It probably means ‘null arbor’, or no trees; a grassy plain, or desert? No one knows for sure. Bill ended it with a pulsating tom-tom drum beat.

Mike Peipman is Australian. His crystal-clear trumpet led many of the tunes.

Riding But Walking – My Wonderful You, arranged by Steve Wright, the interaction between the saxes was mind boggling!

Billy Novick on alto sax, John Clark on baritone sax

Stu holding tuba with string bass beside him

Stu Gunn had big boots to fill!

Fat’s Waller’s Vipers Drag was a knockout! Virtuoso bassist Stu Gunn gives the band energy and drive. He brought two instruments, string bass and tuba, excluding Vince’s bass sax.

A full time musician, Stu Gunn plays fine classical music in local symphonic orchestras, and is fantastic on Jazz and Blues.

Bill in black tux and bow tie, as are all members of the band.

Bill Drake on guitar

Bill Drake’s acoustic rhythm guitar is barely heard by the audience. You can ‘feel’ him more than hear him, but he adds depth to the music that would definitely be missed!

couple in their early 90's dancing, and they're good!

John and Gisella really enjoy dancing!

John and Gisella Bruneccini couldn’t resist dancing!

Ross smiling at camera - Ross Never smiles when he's playing!

Ross Petot is renowned for playing stride piano.

Ross played a solo on Clarence Williams Longshoreman’s Blues, improvising but never straying far from the melody. It was arranged by Billy who was on clarinet.

Shadows on The Swanee also had Ross’s fine piano.

Duke Ellington’s Red Hot Band was played by the Cotton Club Orchestra in 1927.

They closed with Joe Steele’s Top and Bottom, front line playing in staccato, saxes interweaving, twining around each other.

Bill Reynolds closes his eyes and listens

Bill Reynolds has a passion for this music. Ed Reynolds is looking down and smiling.

The Back Bay Ramblers brought a level of style and sophistication of jazz that is rarely heard today. We would like to hear them more often!

Bill has many CD’s of the various Back Bay Ramblers available for sale.

CD: The original band’s first album was in 1986, with Scott Philbrick, Johnny Battis & Billy Novick (no trombone), Robin Verdier, Jimmy Mazzy, Stu Gunn and Bill Reynolds
(Thank you for this, Steve Wright. He and Bob Connors joined the band when Johnny Battis left.)

There will be no Sunday afternoon Jazz at Ken’s Steak House for the summer. Stay tuned – we’ll definitely let you know when it’s back!

New Black Eagle Jazz Band at Ken’s Steak House April 17, 2016

Posted on April 19, 2016 by admin

New Black Eagle Jazz Band

Tony Pringle cornet, Stan Vincent trombone, Billy Novick clarinet/alto sax, Herb Gardner piano, Peter Bullis banjo, Pete Tillotson string bass, Bill Reynolds drums

The NBEJB is in its 44^th year, but they’re still called ‘New’, and still playing to a full house as they did at the Sticky Wicket in 1971. Original members still with the band are Tony Pringle, Stan Vincent, and Peter Bullis. They kicked it off in tight ensemble with Sweet Fields.

Tony Pringle

Leader Tony Pringle sang Willie The Lion Smith’s The Old Stomping Grounds. (Tony’s old stomping grounds were in Liverpool.) The band hasn’t played a Duke Ellington tune in a long time; they amended that with Black and Tan Fantasy, Tony on muted cornet. Bill ended it with his famous drum roll.

Billy Novick has had considerable influence on the band for over 30 years. He was featured on exhilarating alto sax on If Dreams Come True, trading 4’s with Reynolds’ drum.

Billy Novick Alto Sax with Rhythm Section

Bill Reynolds

Original drummer Pam Pameijer relishes retirement in Florida with wife Huguet. He sometimes returns for special occasions. Meantime, Bill Reynolds enjoys maintaining the Traditional Jazz Beat on snare drum, body weaving with the rhythm. He often taps on choke cymbal, as when the band let loose on Georgia Camp Meeting, Herb’s piano playing riffs.

Herb Gardner

The band plays so tight that they leave no ‘holes’ for the pianist – it’s a real challenge. Bob Pilsbury retired after 43 years, then Herb Gardner joined the band.
He says he gets a real “High” playing with them. He cleverly weaved in fine stride piano on Hear Me Talking To You, and played elegant solo on Jabbo Smith’s Sweet And Low Blues, with Peter strumming banjo.

Peter with mouth open, wearing red sox, strumming banjo

Peter Bullis

Manager Peter Bullis keeps the flame of Traditional Jazz alive strumming, as in Bouncing Around, with Billy Novick interweaving clarinet on Stan’s trombone solo. Pete is still wearing his red sox especially woven for him by a fan.

Stan was featured on Shine, remembering Preservation Hall trombonist, Jim Robinson. Robinson played Short Dress Gal as a spiritual – this band played it with spontaneity. They kept a spiritual for the last set, In The Sweet Bye and Bye, from the Raymond Navarro movie, using chords changed by Billie & DeDe Pierce.

Stan Vincent plays Shine with the rhythm section

Pete Tillotson

The band has had several string bass players over the years. Pete plays regularly with Swing Times Five. This was his debut with this band, his chords steering the band and keeping it in time. He also is adept at bowing the bass.

Groupie Ron L’Herault has been following the band since its inception and is still selling their CDs. They have some copies of their 40^th anniversary CDs with their former members playing Traditional Jazz from 1971 to 2011.

They closed with a breathtaking Love Song of the Nile, in tight ensemble, with Billy Novick adding body language, shoulders swaying with his saxophone. It finished with another of Reynolds’ notorious drum rolls.

The New Black Eagle Jazz Band is determined to keep this uniquely American Art Form alive. They recently returned from playing in Vermont, and have an active schedule planned for this year. Watch for them!

Dave Whitney Big Band at Ken’s Steak House, April 3rd 2016

Posted on April 8, 2016 by admin

14-pc Big Band, 4 saxes, 4 trumpets, 2 trombones, guitar/vocalist, piano, string bass, drum

Dave Whitney Big Band

By Marce
Videos by Harold McAleer

Saxophones
Lou Stamas alto sax
John Clark tenor sax/clarinet
Bob Drukman alto sax
Ted Casher tenor sax/clarinet

Trumpets
Dave Whitney, leader
Joe Musumeci
Jeff Hughes
Gary Bohan

Trombones
Scott Hill
Mike Strauss

Guitar: Karen Quatromoni,
Piano Steve Dale,
Bass Dave LeBleu,
Drums Reid Jorgensen

Because of two bands playing at the same time, we arrived late – just in time to catch a memorable arrangement of Duke Ellington/Juan Tizol’s straightahead swing of Perdido.

Dave Whitney started the second set with a Dixie Band, playing a superb Dixieland arrangement of Ain’t Gonna Give Nobody None of My Jelly Roll..

Dixie Band

He continued with a tune from Louis’s Hot 5, Struttin’ With Some Barbeque.
Harold McAleer took a break from videotaping to enjoy a dance with Sue Lewis.

Georgia on my Mind had a unique beginning, with just Dave’s trumpet and LeBleu’s string bass. Dave LeBleu has been with this Big Band since it’s inception and consistently offers up an earthy tone, flawless intonation, and fluid finger work. Joe Musumeci has been with the band close to 20 years and is now lead trumpeter.

John Clark was on hot clarinet for Fletcher Henderson’s Stealing Apples, with Steve Dale on piano and Jeff Hughes trumpet.

Karen Quatronomi

The Band’s new vocalist, Karen Quatromoni gives an indomitable singing performance, with clear voice reminiscent of Anita O’Day. Her vocal on East of the Sun was followed by fine solos. She aced the Benny Goodman arrangement with Peggy Lee, Let’s Do It, and Johnny Mercer’s Harlem Butterfly.

Ted Casher was on clarinet for Karen’s version of You Turned The Tables on Me.

The band continued with Harry James & His Band, The Music Makers, with a tune of the same name, featuring the saxophone section. Lou Stamas led on alto sax with Moment to Moment.

Sax leader Lou Stamas

Keeping them on their toes, Whitney pulled a switch on the group with Les & Larry Elgart’s Paradise.

This was John Clark’s birthday weekend, and he had the good fortune of fulfilling an item on his ‘Bucket List’, playing tenor sax with our living legend, Ted Casher. Lionel Hampton’s Flying Home was the highlight of this evening!!

Leader Dave Whitney

The Dave Whitney Big Band continued with Horace Henderson’s Big John Special that Benny Goodman played at his Carnegie Hall Concert, with Dave’s majestic trumpet and John Clark’s rich and mellow clarinet.

Billie Eckstein’s Band did Blues For Sale; Chris Powers wrote it. Dave gave the band extra solos and completed it with his own fine vocal.

Will Hudson, Eddie De Lange’s Sophisticated Swing was popular in the 1930’s, Jimmy Dorsey had nothing on this band!

Mike Strauss was featured on trombone on an up-tempo, bouncy swing from the postwar Les Brown orchestra, Lover’s Leap.

Time for some fun – with Karen and Dave singing together on Daddy. This was Bobby Troup’s first hit in 1941, done by The Sammy Kaye Orchestra.

Dave and Karen duet on “Daddy”

Dave makes good use of the musicians – Stomping at the Savoy featured John Clark on clarinet, Gary Bohan trumpet, and Steve Dale piano.

The Rhythm Boys were tucked into the right corner. Dave LeBleu string bass, Steve Dale piano, and Reid Jorgensen drums are the foundation of the Dave Whitney Big Band.

The Rhythm Boys

They wound up this fabulous evening with their closing theme, a Steve Dale arrangement, nice and slow, with Dave Whitney’s trumpet on Pete Kelly’s Blues.

Dave made this a 14-piece Big Band for a reason – like Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw, it’s all about SWING! Their next gig is Sunday June 5th 1-3pm at Canobie Lake Park, 85 N Policy St, Salem, NH 03079.

Marce

Swing Times Five with Debby Larkin at Ken’s Steak House, February 21, 2016

Posted on February 21, 2016 by admin

Swing Times Five – Dave Didriksen, Dan Weiner, Bob Sinicrope, Jeff Hughes, Ross Petot

Jeff Hughes cornet/flugelhorn, Dan Weiner guitar, Ross Petot piano, Bob Sinicrope string bass, Dave Didriksen drums, Debby Larkin vocals.

This is an unusual combination of instruments for playing Swing, but SWING they did, just as well as any big band!! They captivated the crowd by rekindling fond memories, starting with their theme song, When Lights Are Low, with Jeff on cornet. His rhythmic concept on cornet and flugelhorn lifted the whole band. He moved to flugelhorn for a Johnny Mercer tune, Dream.

Debby Larkin

Vocalist Debby Larkin sings with authority, good voice and knows just the right style, whether singing a rousing number or a ballad. She sang many Frank Loesser tunes, If I Were a Bell, Everything But You. Slow Boat to China was a rouser! Billie Holiday’s Moanin’ Low; an all-time favorite All Of Me, upbeat and swinging; even Tommy Dorsey’s Opus One. She shook things up with the satirical Everything I’ve Got Belongs To You, looking at hubby Jeff Stout, sitting at a front table.

Singing I Fall In Love Too Easily, she was backed by Jeff Hughes on dark, smokey flugelhorn. They charmed the audience, many of whom were seniors nostalgically reconnecting the music to memories of their youth.

Jeff on flugelhorn, with Sinitrope in background

Jeff Hughes on silky smooth flugelhorn

Jeff left the audience spellbound with incredible intonation on Jerome Kern’s I’m Old Fashioned, ending with a virtuosic coda. Perfect! People will remember this one for a long time!

Ross looking down at keys playing Yamaha piano

Ross Petot

Ross Petot is a great performer of Gerschwins, he was featured on Of Thee I Sing, and referring to the current political season, Who Cares? He performs unceasing rhythmic motion on the fine Yamaha piano. He picked an odd one, All God’s Chillun Got Rhythm, backed by Dan Weiner’s fingers floating across the guitar.

Dan Weiner on swinging guitar

Dan was featured on Lullaby of The Leaves, dazzling guitar, fingers flying; his spontaneity is very much representative of the swing era.

They picked many tunes from the American Song Book:
Dorothy Fields/Jimmy McHugh Doing The New Lowdown
Julie Stein’s It’s You Or No One.
Sammy Cahn’s I’m Falling in Love.
Sinatra’s All The Way
Irving Berlin’s A Pretty Girl Is Like a Melody
Cole Porter’s I’ve Got You Under My Skin

John and Gisela love to dance, and this is their kind of music! They had a family reunion with their three daughters. John persuaded one of them to dance.

couple in their 90's dancing up a storm!

John and Gisela Bruneccini

John and one of his daughters

John and Gisela and four adult daughters

John and Gisela Bruneccini Family

Bob Sinicrope

George Gershwin’s They Can’t Take That Away From Me gave Bob a solo, playing melody on upper register.

Bob Sinicrope’s string bass gave support and richness that moved the music along. Bob is head of the Jazz Program at Milton Academy, and an old friend of Jeff’s.

Dave Didriksen

Dave Didriksen is a fine drummer, softly brushing across cymbals and snare drum behind solos; he lets the soloists shine. He finally let loose on Frank Loesser’s The Lady’s In Love With You, showing he can romp with the best of them. (He also manages the band and it’s website www.swingtimesfive.com and books all the dates at Ken’s Steak House.)

They closed with the band and Jeff’s flugelhorn softly backing Debby on Sky Lark. Magnificent! Taking an “Exit Poll” – everyone said this was one of the best music they’ve heard!

The Swing Spirit continues to thrive with the unique Swing Times Five and vocalist Debby Larkin. We hope to hear more from them! Check out their great Swing CD, Raincheck; email Dave Didriksen at info@swingX5.com.

Wolverine Jazz Band at Ken’s Steak House January 31, 2016

Posted on January 31, 2016 by admin

Wolverine Jazz Band

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

by Marce

It doesn’t get any better than this!! Each musician has an infinite flow of music in him; together their relentless drive make them titantic! They played songs from various CDs including their latest, #14, and tested out songs for the next one in the works. They also inserted some rarely heard Dixie like Cushion Foot Stomp and some standards There were many surprises!

Jimmy Mazzy kicked it off with The Curse Of An Aching Heart; and the rarely heard Sugarfoot Stomp – out came John’s baritone sax.

Tom Boates and Jeff Hughes raised the 1915 Weary Blues to new heights, with Jeff playing a short melodic phrase, Tom repeating it, sometimes slightly varied or in a different pitch. Amazing!

Tom Boates

Jeff Hughes

Tom was featured on Ory’s Creole Trombone. John joined him on bari sax for Sidney Bechet’s Passport to Paradise, buoyed by the splendid rhythm section. He sang W. C. Handy’s Beale St. Blues, adding some scatting. Connecticut is fortunate to have this stellar musician in their neighborhood!

Dynamic Duo – the Wolverine’s rhythmic engine.

Dave Didriksen

Rick MacWilliams

Jeff Hughes had many requests, starting with Elmer Shobel’s Prince of Wails, the front line playing tight New Orleans polyphony.

Phenominal Front Line

The 1929 Rhythm Aces’ Michigander Blues is on their Baker’s Dozen CD, #13 with a tuba solo by Rick MacWilliams, dramatic and straightforward.

Come Back Sweet Papa was composed in the 50’s by drummer Paul Barbarin.

Ross Petot

Ross was featured on his own version of Caravan, one of our favorites, with the band joining him; glorious piano ending. He likes playing this fine Yamaha piano.

Jimmy Mazzy

Another surprise – Jimmy Mazzy actually crooned Frank Sinatra’s All The Way, with Sinatra’s unfaltering enunciation. We understood every word! Jimmy’s ballads are extraordinary, but this one was astounding.

John Clark on baritone saxophone

He introduced a nice jazzy number, done by the Blue Steele Orchestra in WWI, Sugar Babe I’m Leaving. The Wolves went wild with John again on bari sax.

Approaching 90 years-old, couple dancing fox trot

John and Gisela Bruneccini are fine dancers

Ken’s had a full house, with many loyal fans returning from the Sherborn Inn. There were dancers in the crowd. John and Gisela were happy to dance to a sweet ballad, Stairway to the Stars. Gisela is a war bride. They met during WWII in England when John was playing trumpet in the U.S. Army Band. They set a fine example for us; people congratulated them on their fine dancing.

Dr. David and Mrs. Bailen brought their whole family.

Husband and wife, son, daughter-in-law, grandson and 2 granddaughters

Dr. David and Helene Bailen and Family

Sue Lewis

Sue Lewis loves dancing too. It’s a joy to watch her!

John Clark surprised us with a vocal on Irving Berlin’s At The Devil’s Ball. He’s a fine singer, but generally leaves the singing to Jimmy. (Thank you, Betty Weaver, who has been pushing him to sing for years.)

Rick MacWilliams requested Moonlights, playing a fine tuba with clarinet playing softly in background.

Their next CD will bring memories of Ray Smith’s Paramount Jazz Band, with a takeoff on Robin Verdier’s arrangement of Who Wouldn’t Love You. That one moved the dancers.

Jimmy was featured on a new vocal, Strangers, with interesting interaction between bari sax and tuba. They did justice to Satanic Blues, originally played by the ODJB, Original Dixieland Jazz Band, in London in 1919.

Then came the biggest surprise of all – Sarah Spencer was here from Connecticut; she joined the band on tenor sax and singing. We haven’t seen Sarah in years! She plays in Traditional Jazz Style, and has dedicated her life to this music. Originally from England, she has her own band, Sarah Spencer’s Transatlantic Band.

Sarah on tenor sax, Ross on piano behind her

Sarah Spencer on tenor sax

She began with her own matchless vocal on Love Song of The Nile, then played tenor sax in New Orleans revival style, with interplay by John Clark on bari sax. Words can’t describe the explosion of wondrous sounds!

Swing That Music was the final tune of the evening, John and Sarah inspiring each other trading fours for sixteen bars, then Jeff leading and Tom stealing his riffs for the next sixteen bars, as they did in the beginning. Jimmy went wild on banjo and song; Ross made the Yamaha sing. The rhythm section adding to the drive and momentum, reveling in pure sound and enjoyment! The audience gave them rousing applause. Whew!

Wolverine Jazz Band with Sarah Spencer

The Wolverine Jazz Band will be back February 18^th at Primavera Ristorante, and March 20^th at Ken’s Steak House.

Swing Times Five will be at Ken’s Steak House February 21^st, the only band in February at Ken’s.

Sarah Spencer will have a new CD out in the Spring, maybe called Sarah Spencer’s Transatlantic All-Stars, featuring Jimmy Mazzy and Mike Owen trombone (from England). Stay tuned.

Ken’s Steakhouse Sunday Jazz Series Cancelled!

Posted on December 30, 2015 by admin

95 Worcester Rd. (Route 9w) Framingham, MA 01701
PH: (508) 875-4455 MAP IT

IMPORTANT NOTICE! PLEASE READ!

The ownership (not the management) of Ken’s Steakhouse has decided to cancel ALL jazz sessions at Ken’s —indefinitely!

CANCELLED:

September
18 Wolverine Jazz Band

October
2 Swing Times Five
9 Dan Gabel High Society Orchestra
16 Black Eagle Jazz band
23 Wolverine Jazz Band

November
6 Riverboat Stompers
13 Black Eagle Jazz Band
27 Dave Whitney Orchestra
with vocalist Nancy McGhee

December
11 Black Eagle Jazz Band

New Black Eagle Jazz Band at Ken’s Steak House

Posted on December 3, 2015 by admin

New Black Eagle Jazz Band at Ken’s Steak House, November 22, 2015

Tony Pringle cornet/vocals, Billy Novick reeds, Stan Vincent trombone, Peter Bullis banjo, Moishe Feldman piano, Jim Gutmann string bass, Bill Reynolds drums.

by Peter Gerler and Marce

November 22, 2015, Framingham, MA. The New Black Eagle Jazz Band brought their romping classic New Orleans Jazz to Ken’s Steak House and were greeted by a colony of loyal fans. They came from all over—New York, Connecticut, even London—including many from the former Sticky Wicket. Marilyn Charkins, present in the house, was in her 20’s when she first heard the NBEJB at the Wicket. Elizabeth Mazza sold CDs at the breaks.

Ruth Schwab was there, driven by Joe Grassia. Ruth’s husband Walter created the first Black Eagle CD in their cellar. The Bob Chicoine family was here celebrating Bob’s birthday–his fervent wish. Artist Joe Mathieu accompanied them; he created our logo and has illustrated many Jazz CD covers. This band has faithful, steadfast friends.

Jim Guttmann excellent bowing string bass

They started the set with a prescient When I Grow Too Old To Dream, then Special Delivery Blues, Jim bowing bass for the first time of many.

Tony Pringle

Of Jelly Roll Morton’s Froggie More Blues, Tony Pringle said the title was supposedly taken from a contortionist who did frog imitations. (On the other hand, there is a corner of Joe “King” Oliver’s hometown, Donaldsonville, LA, known as “Froggie Mo’”) Pringle played lovely muted cornet (as did Oliver), underscored by rollicking piano and rhythm from Feldman, Pameijer, Guttman, and Reynolds.

On Roaming, Billy Novick rendered some great alto sax. The tune was recorded by Luis Russell’s Band in 1930, with Henry “Red” Allen on vocal.

Stan Vincent

Stan’s trombone was featured on Ain’t Misbehaving, along with a Pringle/Feldman muted cornet/piano duet. Guttman and Reynolds followed, laying down fine bowing against soft brushes.

Following Cole Porter’s It’s All Right With Me, the band rolled out Paul Barbarin’s New Orleans chestnut Bourbon St. Parade. Second liners with parasols were nowhere in sight. We’ll have to fix that!

On Sam Morgan’s Bogalusa Strut, Novick played dance-step angulations, his solo echoing the original from Morgan’s 1927 New Orleans recording. Moishe’s piano threw gossamer over the heat.  Morgan’s band was first in New Orleans to record spirituals in jazz time—a marker, since the black church was a crucible for swing.

This band is one of the few that still plays authentic traditional jazz as it was played in 20s and 30s New Orleans. Leader Tony Pringle is adamant that this beat be maintained, which is what these people come to hear – tight ensemble and challenging New Orleans polyphony.

Peter on banjo, mouth open, still wearing his red sox

Peter Bullis, original member since 1971

The band has just begun its 45th year. The original members, still with the band since 1971, are Tony Pringle, cornet and leader; Peter Bullis (still wearing red socks), banjo and manager; and Stan Vincent, trombone.

Bill Reynolds started subbing on drums when Pameijer moved to Connecticut, but Pam pops back in for special occasions. Billy Novick arrived in 1986 and has had a big influence on the band.

Moishe (Michael) Feldman

Sitting in were Jim Guttman on string bass – he plays regularly with Novick at Gloucester’s Franklin Cafe –and pianist Moishe Feldman. Moishe revels in being part of it, his hands evoking soft riffs and touches, giving distance to the soloists. It’s a perfect, conversational alliance.

The last set was a short one. On Ellington’s Rent Party Blues from 1929, Billy’s alto sax echoed Johnny Hodges’ lyricism, while Stan’s trombone evoked a New York City nightscape. Swaying at the keyboard, Moishe answered the band’s every move.

Bill with drum stick raised over snare drum

Bill Reynolds

They closed with a fine solo by Bill Reynolds—one of New England’s best trad drummers–on the barn-burning Weary Blues. The Black Eagles have always burned that prairie fire—no different here. The tune symbolizes the New Orleans polyphony. A 1978 recording has the Louis Nelson Band with Butch Thompson, Sammy Rimmington, and Danny Barker, all of whom have played with the Black Eagles at one time or another.

Danny Barker, along with Tommy Sancton, were the last guests to play at the Sticky Wicket – it closed the next day, November 1990. But the New Black Eagle Jazz Band continues with concerts all over the country, and the support of faithful fans.

High Society Orchestra at Ken’s Steak House August 18, 2015

Posted on August 19, 2015 by admin

Dan Gabel’s High Society Orchestra

Dan Gabel’s High Society Orchestra roared into Ken’s Steakhouse on Tuesday August 18 after a busy summer playing the town gazebo circuit throughout New England. The 11-piece band was “hotter than ever” said one patron, and “Dan Gabel and his bands never disappoint!”

Gabel’s 11-piece outfit featured Elise Roth on vocals presenting favorites and rarities of the 1920s including some rarely-heard verses and patters to some old unpublished songs. Liz of Millbury said “Elise’s voice is the absolute best, and her wardrobe is tops, bar none!”

An enthusiastic crowd came early and stayed late, filling half of the expansive room at the steakhouse. Several couples danced, and the band was extremely well-received by the mixed-age audience. A couple in their mid-20s and one in their late 70’s danced to the band’s catchy dance rhythms. Some first-time listeners were in the audience as well who came for dinner, but were all thrilled to enjoy some live music as well, and even purchase several CDs.

“This is a fantastic space” said Bill Doyle, banjo, guitar, and band manager. “The room has a great, warm, sound, and a nice audience to band connection.” The band concurred.

“Playing here was particularly special for me” said bandleader Dan Gabel. “As the President of the American Big Band Preservation Society, and working on a biography of my hero Vaughn Monroe, it was great to be able to play right next to where Monroe’s Meadows club was, and at Ken’s, a historic venue itself. Also, it’s right here in Framingham where I call home, and a great location. We’re looking forward to next time!”

Dan Gabel

Everyone agreed: there should be a next time. Ken’s Steakhouse is negotiating to bring in more bands, either on a Sunday afternoon or Tuesday evening.

For more information about this band, recordings, and upcoming dates, visit: www.highsocietyorchestra.org

For more on Dan Gabel, visit: www.theabletones.com

Band personnel for Tuesday August 18:

John Clark, Tyler Burchfield, Maureen Amaral: sax and clarinet

Adam Mejaour and Dan Gabel: trumpet and cornet

Steve Piermarini: trombone

Bill Doyle: banjo and archtop guitar

Rick MacWilliams: tuba

Ross Petot: piano

Steve Taddeo: drums

Elise Roth: vocals

NE Trad Jazz May 2015

Posted on May 12, 2015 by admin

This has been a busy Spring! I’ll be 80 years young next month; there’s no way I can keep up with all the wonderful Jazz we’ve had in this area since the last newsletter April 15th. But I do try.

Neville Dickie

Highlight of this month (so far) was the annual visit of Neville Dickie on May 12th at the Bella Costa Restaurant in Framingham, MA.

This year Neville was joined by Stan McDonald soprano sax, Jeff Hughes trumpet, and Steve Taddeo drums.

Neville Dickie Quartet,

The Quartet rotated with a duet of Neville and Steve, with the irrepressible Dickie pushing Taddeo to the max!

Steve slam-baning drums while Neville plays piano and laughs

Neville challenges Steve to keep up with him – he did!

They ended the evening as always with four-handed piano when Neville is joined by our own stride master, Ross Petot. They obviously enjoy this duet!

Neville pauses as Ross goes into full stride.

Neville Dickie will return next year, for his 15th Annual sojourn to New England. He always begins here with Stan McDonald, before performing all over the country. Then he’ll return to Surrey, England.

April 16th Wolverine Jazz Band at Primavera Ristorante, 20 Pleasant St. Millis MA

Wolverine Jazz Band

Dave Didriksen drums, Dan Gabel trombone,Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Jeff Hughes trumpet, Rick MacWilliams tuba, John Clark leader/clarinet/bari sax, Herb Gardner keyboard.
With their intricate New Orleans Polyphony and glorious horn solos, the Wolves are one of the most popular Dixieland Jazz Bands in this area and at Festivals. They are now celebrating their 20th Anniversary, and played many tunes from their upcoming CD, their 13th, that should be issued sometime next month. Don’t miss them!!
Dan Gabel subbed for regular trombonist Tom Boates. Tom is the Music Department Chair at Guilford CT High School, and accompanied the Guilford High School Chorus at Disney World. (He’s forgiven for not being here!)

Tuesday, MAY 19, 7-9:30pm, The Wolves will be at the Sheraton/Needham. $10 cover – They will hopefully have their new CD ready to go for that day! They aren’t taking reservations, so just show up anyway! Sheraton Needham, 100 Cabot St, Needham, MA 02494 Phone:(781) 444-1110 .

April 24th High Society Jazz Band at Primavera Ristorante

High Society Jazz Orchestra with Elise Roth

Elise Roth

Personnel:

Dan Gabel: trombone, Elise Roth: vocals

Clarinets/Saxes: Tyler Burchfield, John Clark,
Richard Garcia

Trumpets: Pat Stout and Jeff Hughes

Piano: Ross Petot

Guitar/Banjo: Bill Doyle

Tuba: Rick MacWilliams

Drums: Steve Taddeo

Jazz, Big Band, and swing are American musical art forms that are being perpetuated by a young musician, and we are extremely grateful!! Dan Gabel brought his High Society Jazz Orchestra to Primavera Ristorante on April 24th, with Vocalist Elise Roth lending her expert talents on vocal numbers of the era, bringing back rarely heard verses and a classic vintage singing style. Dan Gabel and John Clark are experts at adapting original arrangements that were created in the early 20’s and 30’s. They played Ellington’s The Mooche, made famous at the Cotton Club, Irving Berlin’s Alexander’s Ragtime Band, Pat Stout trumpet was heard on St. Louis Shuffle by Fats Waller. Bill Doyle, manager and guitar, was featured on Glad Rag Doll by Milton Ager. Reeds played a stomping arrangement of Putting on the Ritz; Hughes trumpet was featured on Stardust that just went right through you! It was a fantastic evening of Jazz, Big Band, and Swing – and we’re looking forward to hearing much more from this band. Check them out at www.facebook.com/highsocietyorchestra.

April 30th Eli and The Hot Six celebrated International Jazz Day at Primavera Ristorante. Click on photos to enlarge.

Eli and The Hot Six

Bob Winter keyboard, Jim Mazzy banjo/vocals, Eli Newberger tuba, Jeff Guthery drums, Herb Gardner trombone, Bo Winiker trumpet/flugelhorn, Ted Casher clarinet and tenor sax

April 30th was International Jazz Day, spectacularly celebrated by Eli and The Hot Six at Primavera Ristorante. They began with The World Is Waiting for the Sunrise, featuring tunes form many countries. Eartha Kitt’s C’est çi Bon, Irish Black Bottom, (which is really authentic American Jazz), Hindustan, Ted Casher sang Bei Mir Bis Du Schoen in Yiddish, playing authentic Klezmer clarinet.

Bo holds handkerchief, and smiles like Louis

Bo sings Louis’s Wonderful World

Bo put heart and soul into Louis’s Wonderful World.

Jeff Guthery recalled the 20’s and 30’s drumming, tapping on graduated temple blocks befitting that early jazz. You’ve never heard Oh By Jingo played like Bob Winter, with blazing runs up and down the keyboard! Thanks to Kathy Wittman, we have a video of it back at the Sherborn Inn. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvWIIwCU-jg

Eli and The Hot Six will be joined by renowned pianist Butch Thompson at Sculler’s Jazz Club on May 21st for their CD release of Eli & The Hot Six LIVE, Contemporary Classic Jazz.

May 3rd Wolverine Jazz Band started a new monthly series at Ken’s Steak House, Rt. 9 Framingham, MA. We had Tom Boates back from Disney World! Please read the fine REVIEW by Myron Idelson! It was a great success!

Wolverine Jazz Band at Ken’s Steak House, on a Sunday afternoon

Tom Boates trombone (he’s back!) Dave Didriksen drums, Jeff Hughes trumpet, Rick MacWilliams tuba, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Ross Petot piano, John Clark clarinet/bari sax.

May 7th Blue Horizon Jazz Band played the first Thursday of the month at Primavera Ristorante

Blue Horizon Jazz Band

Steve Taddeo drums, John Kefalas trombone, Gerry Gagnon tuba, Jeff Hughes trumpet, Dave MacMillan guitar, Stan McDonald soprano leader/sax/vocals.
This is fine Traditional Jazz! Jeff’s trumpet took the melodic lead, with Stan flitting around the melody with embellishments, and John’s trombone filling in the “holes” with extensive use of the slide. The solos were filled with exemplary improvisations, Gerry Gagnon is one of the finest tuba players in this area; he coordinated with Steve on his 1938 Slingerland Drums, tapping on a tiny Grecko cymbal attached to the bass drum, keeping perfect time. It was great to have Dave MacMillan back on rhythm guitar after a long recovery from an accident. Welcome back, Dave!!

May 9th Seacoast Stompers Quartet at ACT III in Littleton, MA
ACT IV in Lowell ran into another bureaucratic headache and could not open.
Thank you Gwenn and Josely for your immeasurable patience!! Seacoast Stompers had to trim down to a Quartet to play in ACT III in Littleton.

Frank Stadler piano, Jeff Hughes trumpet, Jim Mazzy banjo/vocals, Al Bernard tuba.

Seacoast Stompers Quartet

Jeff Hughes has many faces, Bix Beiderbecke, Bunny Berigan, Joe ‘King’ Oliver, Buddy Bolden, with his lyrical style and melody-based improvisations. He and Jimmy Mazzy are brothers at heart, having played together since the 1980’s, especially with Ray Smith’s Paramount Jazz Band. Frank Stadler’s piano set them free to exchange riffs, play intricate melodies and counterpoint, and Albie Bernard provided the perfect bass lines. It was a memorable afternoon!!
Act III is a small venue, but has a bar and serves a fine assortment of Mediterranean cuisine. When Act IV in Lowell is finally allowed to open, the full 7-piece band will play on the 2nd Saturday of the month from 2-5pm. We hope!

In the meantime, we are all extremely grateful to these wonderful musicians for making this a great life for ALL ages!!

Marce

Wolverine Jazz Band at Ken’s Steak House May 3, 2015

Posted on May 12, 2015 by admin

Wolverine Jazz Band at Ken’s Steak House, Sunday afternoon

Review of Wolverine Jazz Band at Ken’s Steak House, May 3, 2015 – by Myron Idelson

On May 3^rd, 2015, the venerable restaurant, Ken’s Steak House in Framingham Massachusetts launched a new venue for Traditional Jazz. Hosted by the Wolverine Jazz Band, led by John Clark, the music made by seven formidable talents from 4pm to 7pm blew all credibility by reaching new heights of Jazz brilliance.

The members of the Band: John Clark clarinet and bari saxophone, Jeff Hughes cornet, Jimmy Mazzy banjo and vocals, Ross Petot piano, Tom Boates trombone, Rick MacWilliams tuba and Dave Didriksen drums… were all guilty of playing excessive, appealing, ingratiating, bright, inventive, and intense extraordinary music causing a seismic shaking of Musical Joy, registering a 10 on the Richter Musical Scale.

The music played by the Wolverines was a Blue Ribbon Salute to their talents… and the audience became immensely wealthy. The unusual arrangements, the swinging tempos, the integrity of the Jazz in the slow tempos, the exciting refreshing impressive new insights showed the seven Giants were possessors of fantastic tone and range with never a hint or sound of a pallid solo.

The pleasing Hot choruses, the brilliant arrangements, were infusing and sparking the boys to unmitigated and scintillating new heights. There was never even a minor flaw the entire evening. It was a full and rich shattering experience – we were in the presence of ‘Musical Diety’. The future of Ken’s is predictable – more of the same with a parade of other bands to follow.

The Opening Night of our second new venue takes place on May 19^th, 2015 at the Sheraton Inn in Needham, Massachusetts, 7pm to 9:30pm. The Wolverine Jazz Band as our host ensures us, once again, of another arousing night of Great Traditional Jazz.

Ken’s Steakhouse and The Sheraton Inn will offer a “Who’s Who” of Traditional Jazz.

Myron Idelson

New England Traditional Jazz Plus

Swing, Traditional Jazz, Dixieland Jazz, Big Bands

Tag Archives: Ken’s Steak House