SHERBORN INN TUESDAY JAZZ
7:00-9:30pm $10 unless otherwise noted
Dec 23Free-for-all Jazzboree* *Free admission Dec 23. Numerous Tuesday Jazz musicians will be here to thank you for 19 years supporting Tuesday Jazz at the Sherborn Inn.
In January the Sherborn Inn ownership will change. The new owners have not indicated they will continue a jazz program. We understand they plan to renovate or redecorate during January and February. We hope you will continue to dine at the Inn after the sale goes through. The buyers have an excellent reputation for the food they serve at their restaurant La Morra in Brookline.
There is one more jazz night in 2014 at the Sherborn Inn. On December 16th come thank the Blue Horizon Jazz Band, responsible for beginning and nurturing the long run of jazz at the Sherborn Inn. On December 23rdthe Tuesday Jazz Musicians invite you to attend a “Free-for-all Jazzboree” with numerous Tuesday Jazz musicians from many bands who wish to thank YOU for your support over these 19 years. No admission charge December 23rd.
After we finish celebrating 19 years of Tuesday Jazz we may be moving the series to Primavera Ristorante in Millis where it will become Thursday Jazz, beginning January 15th 2015 with the Blue Horizon Jazz Band.
Wolverine Jazz Band is scheduled February 19th. Final details are being worked out. Primavera is 15 minutes away from the Sherborn Inn at 20 Pleasant Street, Millis MA 02054 (off Route 109) Stay tuned for the Primavera Ristorante schedule.
Frank Stadler – piano and leader, Scott Philbrick – trumpet, Craig Ball – clarinet, Steve Piermarini – trombone, Jimmy Mazzy – banjo, Al Bernard – tuba, Bobby Reardon – drums
This Saturday was unique in more ways than one. This being the last Saturday of the month, Steve Piermarini filled in for Lee Prager on trombone. He’s been with us before – fine player. The Seacoast Stompers picked songs at random from their vast repertoire, and featured two new vocalists. This would be their last gig here at Nagog Park. The Acton Jazz Café was forced to close May 1st.
Steve Piermarini
At The Jazz Band Ball, Everybody Loves My Baby, appropriate for this day – There’ll Be Some Changes Made, with Jimmy vocal, Craig on low register clarinet and Steve on growling trombone.
Frank introduced the first vocalist, Maureen Benson. Maureen sings with Jazzport, Frank is pianist, at the Cape Ann Brew Pub in Gloucester, MA. She started with I Don’t Know Enough About You.
Maureen Benson A Train – video speaks for itself!
Scott Philbrick had the vocal on From Monday On, the whole band playing fantastic New Orleans polyphony. Jimmy introduced Take Your Tomorrow and Give Me Today with banjo and a vocal, Scott backing him on silky cornet. Craig resurrected Artie Shaw with his clarinet on Blue Lou.
I Would Do Most Anything For You was a barn burner! Fast and Hot clarinet, Scott followed with quick multiple notes on cornet, wild trombone, finally ended with bang-up drumming by Bobby Reardon. WOW! They continued up-tempo with Undecided, smearing gliss on clarinet, piano flying high, bass drum pushing the band.
Carrie and Jimmy Mazzy
Carrie Mazzy crooned to husband Jimmy on Write Myself a Letter.
Sandy Cash
Sandy Cash, charming vocalist from New Orleans, sang a lively Basin St. Blues, and won over every heart in the Café.
Emily Shamieh
Makin’ Whoopee was sung by another fine vocalist, Emily Shamieh, of Jamaica Plain, Boston
Struttin’ With Some Barbecue, Jazz Me Blues. Maureen returned with As Long As I Live, making the song her own, and a lively I Cried For You. They closed with Bobby’s favorite, Limehouse Blues.
We were all feeling the Blues. The Seacost Stompers were three months short of six years at the Acton Jazz Café, presenting the highest level of entertainment. They gave us an extra tune with Swing That Music, before ending it for who knows how long. Frank thanked Gwenn for her devotion to live jazz. She spent unbelievable hours featuring Live Jazz close to seven days a week at the Acton Jazz Cafe, sometimes two and three bands in one day. That’s pure devotion!! Thank you Gwenn. Be well, we hope to hear from you soon!
Seacoast Stompers at the AJC, 26 April 2014
Set 1
1 At The Jazz Band Ball
2 Everybody Loves My Baby
3 There’ll Be Some Changes Made
4 I Don’t Know Enough About You (maureen-vocal)
5 Take the A-train (maureen-vocal)
6 From Monday On
7 Take Your Tomorrow
8 Blue Lou
9 I Would Do Anything For You
Set 2
1 What Can I Say After I Say I’m Sorry
2 Undecided
3 I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And Write (Carrie-vocal)
4 Stealin Apples
5 Makin Whoopee (Emily-vocal)
6 Struttin With Some Barbecue
Set 3
1 Basin Street Blues (Sandy Cash-vocal)
2 Jazz Me Blues
3 As Long As I Live (Maureen-vocal)
4 I Cried For You (Maureen-vocal)
5 Limehouse Blues
6 Swing That Music
Dan Gabel and The Abeltones on stage at the Imperial Ballroom in Mendon, MA
by Marce
Photos by C. S. Imming
Dancing and Dining to a Big Band is back at the Imperial Ballroom, 6 Nipmuc Drive, Mendon, Massachusetts. For the second month in a row, over 100 dancers from several generations delighted in dancing to the authentic Big Band of Dan Gabel and the Abletones. This is an 18-piece Big Band specializing in an the Big Band sound thanks to a high level of musicianship and a library of over 4,000 arrangements.
Leader Dan Gabel
Many of the musicians are from the New England Conservatory of Music, and have never heard the original big bands, but thanks to the enthusiasm of their leader, Dan Gabel, they succeed in recreating the authentic sounds of the Big Bands from the 30’s to the 50’s like Tommy Dorsey, Jimmy Dorsey, Les Brown, Benny Goodman, Count Basie, and the Latin sounds of Tito Puente.
Swing has become the dance for many of the youth of today, who have been taking lessons and filling dance halls with their Swing and Lindy Hop. They had a whole weekend March 20-23 at the Newton Marriott Hotel in Boston recently. But Dan Gabel and the Abletones introduced dancers to much more – the Fox Trot, Waltz, Cha Cha, Tango, Mambo, Samba, Boogie Woogie.
Georgina and David Woodycheck knew every dance!
Marvelous dancers Georgina and Dan Woodyshek knew ALL of them, and could have given us all lessons!!
The Band played some of the songs of the era, Whispering, Song of India (Tommy Dorsey version), Abletone Jive (Gabel’s arrangement where he introduces the members of the band); East Side West Side, The Angels Sing, There’ll Be a Change in the Weather, April in Paris, Alice Blue Gown, Take it Jackson (with the whole band singing), Dipsy Doodle
Elise Roth has natural, clear delivery
Vocalist Elise Roth has natural, clear delivery and beautiful smile. She could be Anita O’Day without the hat, singing Bei Mir Bis Du Schoen, Moon River, Sentimental Journey, I Don’t Know Why I Love You Like I Do, and more.
Steve Taddeo, devotée of Gene Krupa
With the help of Steve Taddeo, his Slingerland drums and 1939 cymbal given to him by Jimmy Dorsey’s drummer, Buddy Schutz, they played a Gene Krupa feature of the song Massachusetts.
Greek pianist Nikolas Anadolis graduates this year
Nikolas Anadolis was on keyboard. He’ll be graduating from NEC this spring and is hoping to join the faculty at the University of Lausanne on Lake Geneva, Switzerland. We’ll miss him. He and Dan Gabel have been performing all over New England.
The dancers thoroughly enjoyed the Abletones Big Band.
We came away with the happy feeling of an earlier, care-free time. At the end of May the Imperial Ballroom will feature the Tom Nutile Big Band on the last Friday of the month. The following week, Dan Gabel and the Abeltones will have everyone taking lessons and dancing at SAC Park in Shrewsbury. Check the calendars.
Some of the cast of the Independent Movie, Tumbledown, stopped in at the Colonial Inn in Concord, MA on a Wednesday night and discovered the marvelous pianist Moishe Feldman performing in the Forge Tavern. They were amazed at what they heard. Moishe said “If you think this is good, come back next week and hear Jimmy Mazzy”.
The following week, 40 members of the cast filled the Forge Tavern at the Colonial Inn and heard Jimmy Mazzy and The Last Minute Men. They were asked if they would like to be in the movie. Were they ever!! Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Craig Ball clarinet, Gid Loring cornet, Al Bernard tuba, Ron L’Herault trombone, Nick Ribush banjo, Derek Lane-Smith Britich concertina, were given a small part in the film.
TUMBLEDOWN: A young woman struggles to move on with her life after the death of her husband, an acclaimed folk singer, when a brash New York writer forces her to confront her loss and the ambiguous circumstances of his death.
An extension of Dave’s small bands, this fourteen piece orchestra was formed in 1989. The focus of this band is playing and preserving the classic sounds of the big band era. The orchestra is comfortable playing for the listener and is equally at ease playing for dancers. Besides saluting the big name bands such as Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Tommy Dorsey, Glenn Miller, and Harry James, the Whitney Orchestra also plays the music of other fine bands such as Tony Pastor, Vaughn Monroe, Frankie Carle, Scat Davis and Red Nichols. Dave was with the Chris Powers band, and some of his musicians have stayed on with him. Dave LeBleu bass is a charter member of the band. Some members of the band came from Lucinda Ellert’s Happy Feet Orchestra. Blair Bettencourt played with Dave in the Yankee Rhythm Kings. Mike Strauss has filled in with the band since Angelica’s. An invaluable addition to the band has been vocalist and trumpeter Christine Fawson.
Reeds
Ted Casher
Bob Drunkman
Blair Bettencourt
Art Bakopolus
Trumpets
Dave Whitney
Joe Musumeci
Mel Deveau
Jeff Hughes
Christine Fawson
Trombones
Mike Strauss
Scott Hills
Rhythm
Steve Dale piano, arrangements
Reid Jorgensen drums
Dave LeBleu string Bass
Dave Whitney is a beacon of swing. He opened with Harry James’ Music Makers, What a fabulous Big Band sound! Charlie Spivacks Star Dreams got John and Gisela Brunecini up dancing quickly. Dave’s theme song, a Roy D’Innocenzo arrangement, When Somebody Thinks Your Wonderful – Dave vocal with whole band in harmony behind him. This moves right along very quickly!
One O’Clock Jump came from Count Basie’s Kansas City Swing Band; Dave played with the Chris Powers band and has many of his arrangements that had Ted on tenor sax, Mike Strauss trombone, with Dave LeBleu really Jumping!
Christine Fawson has it all, congenial and fun, fantastic trumpeter and vocalist
Special guest Christine Fawson has played with Whitney’s smaller bands, but this was her first time with the Big Band, wishing she could do this every night! She picked a tune by Lerner and Lowe-arranged by Lenny Niehaus, Almost Like Being in Love. Her favorite composers were the Gershwins – Our Love Is Here To Stay. She turned to scatting on a Cole Porter arrangement, of Let’s Do It.
Art Bakopolus has been with the band almost since its inception
Art Bakopolis on alto sax for a tune Johnny Hodges did, I Got It Bad and That Ain’t Good.
A 1945 Eddy Howard tune – the ‘Boy Singer’ Dave Whitney took the vocal on My Adobe Hacienda. Kay Kyser’s College of Musical Knowledge, Swing Era, 1942 Pushin’ Sand was recorded in 1942 but wasn’t released until a year after because of the AFM recording ban. Dave does an imitation of Lawrence Welk calling out Guy Lombardo’s Everywhere You Go.
Mike Strauss, featured trombonist.
Mike Strauss featured on trombone with Night Train, made famous by Buddy Morrow, and also Rose of The Rio Grande.
Jeff Hughes featured on trumpet for Bunny Berigan’s classic 1937 I Can’t Get Started – the dancers’ version. Christine returned to the party for Bobby Troup’s Daddy.
Ted Casher, a New England Treasurer!
Our other treasure, Ted Casher on tenor sax with Billy Strayhorn’s B.P. was Awe inspiring!
Duke’s swing classic, Stomping At The Savoy and Neal Hallett’s Boston Tea Party were the set closers.
For the Dixielanders in the audience, Dave began set two with a “little band within a big band”, using Bob Crosby’s March of the Bob Cats with “DaveCats”, Blair tenor sax, Jeff and Dave trumpets, Ted clarinet, Mike Strauss trombone, Steve Dale piano, Dave LeBleu bass. Check the interaction between Jeff and Dave trumpets, plus swinging sax, clarinet and trombone.
Louis’ 1925 Struttin’ With Some Barbecue is always a favorite. In 1938 Louis did it with his Big Band. Tiny Hill’s Skirts was a tune they often did at Angelica’s, Dave loves to sing this one.
Christine sang All of Me – a Lenny Niehaus arrangement, for our dearly departed Lynn Sickle.
Christine praised the rhythm section, the backbone of this band.
Dave LeBleu
Reid Jorgensen
Steve Dale
Joe Musemeci
Trumpeter Joe Musemici, Chris vocal Ted on clarinet for a tune Duke did with the Be Bop trumpets Nearness of You, a Steve Dale arrangement. Ted was featured on clarinet on Honeysuckle Rose with the Bebop trumpets.
Another Duke – there’s always room for him – Do Nothing ‘Till You Hear From Me. Duke did this as a Concerto for Cootie (Williams)
From The Gene Krupa Band, Christine sang a favorite tune of the swing era with Anita O’Day, Boogie Blues – Karpopolis making use of the complete alto sax register, Strauss trombone, rhythm backup, Christine scatting on a 240° Hot One!
Bettencourt followed it with a fine baritone vocal on Ray Eberly’s Blue Champagne. We never knew Blair could sing!! He’s great!
In 1985 Dave recorded Pie Face with the Chris Powers Band. They made room for Christine in the trumpet section for a fun 3-piece trumpet tuning, Christine, Jeff, and Dave.
Three-Trumpet Tuning
Dick Cathcart was the jazz trumpeter behind actor Jack Webb’s portrayal of the legendary Pete Kelly in the 1955 film Pete Kelly’s Blues. Dave and Christine on trumpet, closed this marvelous evening.
It was a pleasure to see Ruth Schwab back. She always opens her home for this band’s rehearsals.
Ruth Schwab, Joe Grassi, and Elke
We’ve been listening to Dave Whitney’s Big Band playing and preserving the classic sounds of the big band era. ever since it’s inception. This was an outstanding performance. Dave said “This is the best edition of my Big Band since I started it in 1989”. We have no argument with that!!
Watch for them at Canobie Lake Park. June 8th, 1pm in the Ballroom. Free admission for age 60 plus.
Frank Stadler, piano and leader, Craig Ball – clarinet, Jimmy Mazzy – banjo and vocals, Scott Philbrick – trumpet, Lee Prager – trombone, Al Bernard – sousaphone, Bobby Reardon – drums.
by Marce
Videos by Harold McAleer
This was the Seacoast Stompers’ 6th year at the Acton Jazz Café; they play the 1st Saturday of every month. Their music warmed our hearts and melted the snow! They started with their theme At The Jazz Band Ball without reed-man Craig Ball, who had been delayed.
Leader, Frank Stadler
Leader Frank Stadler announced there would be a different format this month – three 50-minute sets with 15-minute breaks. He also wanted to involve the audience.
He sorted through their past 285 tunes and distributed a list of the most popular ones to the audience so they could pick what they wanted to hear. (Live music is a social experience, it makes people happier.) When all the lists were returned, all the tunes had been picked! So Frank turned the lists over to Scott Philbrick.
Scott is their “music leader” – he let the musicians choose from the lists. Jimmy began with Oh Baby, banjo and vocal – good choice. Someone hollered “Better than New Orleans!” We have no argument with that.
Lady Be Good, Prager grinning ear to ear – he enjoys being with this group, keeping up with Scotty’s multiple notes. There’ll Be Some Changes Made was Frank’s call.
I’ve Got The World On a String, Jimmy vocal, with Lee’s muted trombone in rippling vibrato. Albie’s choice of tunes – ‘Deed I Do. Jimmy’s interchange with Albie was fabulous. Craig arrived; his clarinet does make a difference! Found a New Baby, drum intro with Craig Ball reaching for the sky on clarinet. WILD! The set closer was delectable hot jazz, Sweet Georgia Brown.
The audience insisted on Limehouse Blues starting the 2nd set.
Prager began the trombone intro to I Guess I’ll Have to Change My Plans.
Especially for Lynn Sickle – they played a sweet All of Me.
Jimmy Mazzy is revered in Europe.
Dr. Jazz – Jim scatting, not quite into his infamous holler. We are privileged to have him here with us, singing and scatting to many tunes. Rosetta was sweet. Albie requested Dinah. Jimmy went wild – he can be a tiger too.
Is You Is Or Is You Ain’t My Baby – the interaction between cornet and trombone is unbelievable!
Tin Roof Blues, soft tuba intro to this New Orleans jazz standard – one of the most often played early New Orleans jazz pieces. The Stompers did it justice in slow, N.O. tempo.
Jack Phelan,Trad Jazz afficionado, requested Ain’t She Sweet. He was here with his family and the Charlie Hoar family. Some history: Jack and Eleanor Phelan, Charlie and Margaret Hoar and the Enrights, traveled all over New England and Canada in the late 60’s and early 70’s, hearing all the best Traditional Jazz Bands of the day: East Bay City, New Black Eagle Jazz Band, Kid Sheik, Barry Martyn (here from England.) Their kids grew up with this music.
Jack is in the back on the right, with the Red Rock sweatshirt.
Carrie Mazzy
Carrie Mazzy sang her own poignant interpretation of Just Because.
Blue Lou was uptempo with inspired solo work. Three Little Worlds was also in blazing tempo, clarinet & trumpet leading, trombone playing counter melody. Their performance is awe inspiring!
The Rhythm Boys, Al Bernard and Bob Reardon
Al Bernard pushes the band playing chords on tuba; Bob Reardon keeps them in proper time. They keep the rhythmic fires burning bright.
The finale was imaginative and swinging – Swing That Music. It raised goose bumps!
Then Gwenn Vivian dropped a bombshell: The AJC must move out by May 1st – a new tenant with more $$ moving into their corner of the Nagog Park Mall.
But this is the Jazz Club you can’t crush! She has a new partner Josely Nogueira which gives them more strength and chutzpa – they will reopen when they find the perfect spot, and this band WILL be there, and so will we. “You’ve been a great audience – loved us and the band – don’t disappear.” She hopes to reopen the Acton Jazz Café somewhere in June.
Meanwhile, The Seacoast Stompers Jazz Band have been given an extra day on April 26th to play here in Acton before they close the doors. See you there? Guaranteed, this music will make you happy!
Seacoast Stompers
Tunes played on April 5, 2014
Set 1
1 At The Jazz Band Ball
2 Oh Baby
3 Lady Be Good
4 There’ll Be Some Changes Made
5 I’ve Got the World on a String
6 Deed I Do
7 I Found A New Baby
8 Sweet Georgia Brown
Set 2
1 Limehouse Blues
2 I guess I’ll Have To Change My Plan
3 All of Me
4 Doctor Jazz
5 Is You Is Or Is You Ain’t My Baby
6 Tin Roof Blues
7 Dinah
Set 3
1 Ain’t She Sweet
2 Blue Lou
3 Just Because
4 Rosetta
5 Three Little Words
6 Swing That Music
Jazzin’ with the Stars, Saturday, April 12, 2014 at Winthrop Middle School,
Deep River CT, Benefit for Autism Services & Resources in Connecticut
By Sue Finn
Videos by Cinedevine
Pictures by Ray Ross
Heartbeat Dixieland Jazz Band with special guests:
Dave Somerville – lead singer of The Diamonds
Jimmy Jay – DJ to the Stars
Jason Senn
Fred Vigorito – Trumpet
John Clark – Clarinet, saxophone
Noel Kaletsky – Clarinet, saxophone
Skip Hughes- Trombone, vocals
Shari Lucas – Piano
Steve Keeler – Guitar
David Uhl – Bass
Bill Logozzo – Drums
This was the 3rd annual ‘Jazzin’ with the Stars’ concert, the first at this venue, and was just as much fun as the first two. The first half of the show was Heartbeat at its best with a new twist.
Fred Vigorito, Shari Lewis
Fred Vigorito gave a history of jazz from its birth in the 19th century to the present; blues, ragtime, spirituals, swing and everything in between, all the way up to rock & roll. He also gave us information on the origin of each of the instruments in the band. And of course, there were examples of most of the genres he discussed:
Tin Roof Blues – Skip, vocal Just a Closer Walk with Thee – Skip, vocal
Tiger Rag
The Entertainer
Original Dixieland One Step
Heartbeat ended with a very energetic medley that summed up the entire history of jazz, starting with ‘Royal Garden Blues’ and ending with Skip singing choruses of ‘Jump, Jive & Wail’, ‘Shake, Rattle & Roll’ and ‘Flip, Flop & Fly’.
After the break, Sara Reed of Autism Services in Connecticut, gave us a brief description of the programs her organization provides and thanked everyone for their support. Then Jimmy Jay gave out the prizes to the raffle winners.
Dave Somerville & Jimmy Jay
Dave Somerville
Then it was time for Jimmy Jay to introduce Dave Somerville. Dave took us all down memory lane with stories about the rock stars he traveled with and their chart-topping songs and, of course, all the big hits of his own group, the Diamonds. He sang many of the songs, some as medleys. Too many to list them all but here are some highlights:
Why Do Fools Fall in Love
Goody Goody
The Stroll
Love Love Love, Little Darlin’, The Stroll, Silhouettes on the Shade, Sweet Little Sixteen, Johnny Be Good, Maybelline, One Summer Night, I’m Walking, Blueberry Hill.
Oh Boy
Through this part, Heartbeat accompanied Dave, all seated and reading his music. Then they went back to their usual band formation and Dave sang ‘Route 66’ and ‘Goody Goody’ with them. He stayed on the stage until the end of the show.
Noel and John did “Running Wild”
Skip sang “Hello, Mary Lou”
Jason sang “What a Wonderful World
Freddy and the Band help Jason with his song
And the finale was ‘The Saints’ of course. We all had a great afternoon’s entertainment and there was lots of audience-participation throughout the show.
photo by Sue Finn
After the show there was a ‘meet & greet’ for fans to get autographs, buy CD’s and T-shirts and obtain information on the Autism Programs.
Eli has gathered seasoned professionals who have made jazz music their life’s work for over 50 years – it’s their first love. They came from everywhere, Herb Gardner from the New Jersey Jazz Society gig the day before, Jimmy Mazzy from a week in Florida with the Williams Reunion Jazz Band, Ted Casher from the Crosby Whistle Stop in Charlestown. Bob Winter – who knows? Bo Winniker is younger, but he was raised listening to his parent’s Winniker Orchestra. With friendly competition and improvisational skills they sound more dynamic with each new appearance at the Sherborn Inn They connected with each other, and they connected with the audience, right from the start – with Ted on clarinet for 1917 Rose Room, and a fiery At The Jazz Band Ball, first played by the Original Dixieland Jass Band in 1917.
Rebecca Sullivan, vocalist with Eli’s All Stars
Rebecca Sullivan is already a jazz vocalist, songwriter and educator. She’ll receive her degree this year from the New England Conservatory of Music, and head for Scotland in August. You can hear Billie Holiday inflections in a lovely Stardust, but her voice is attractive wholly on its own. She continued with Bo Winniker’s trumpet and Ted Casher’s tenor sax at breakneck speed on ‘Deed I Do.
Cheek to Cheek:
Summertime provided marvelous solos:
Somewhere Over The Rainbow with fresh and different solos by piano, trumpet and muted trombone.
Eli Newberger on circa 1909 Holton Del Negro CC tuba
Eli embraces his circa 1909 Holton Del Negro tuba as he offers just the right chords behind soloists.
It’s a gorgeous instrument, with an expressive quality unlike other tubas – and no one better to express it!
Squeeze Me
Jeff Guthery on New Orleans Traditional Jazz Drumset
Jeff Guthery provides the propulsion so these All-Stars have the freedom to follow their fancies. New Orleans bands of 20s couldn’t record bass and drums, so they played on wood block and bell. Jeff’s drum set is very simple, just a snare drum, floor tom, wood block, cow bell, 6” cymbal. Not even a high-hat. He added a suspended ride cymbal, just arrived. Fresh out of the box, he brought the 20” Turk Ride Cymbalin for its first trial.
He took an eight-bar intro to I Got Rhythm, Ted following on tenor, Bo’s amazing trumpet solo with band in stop-time, Rebecca vocal, followed by the whole ensemble making rhythm swing. The listeners were sitting on the end of their seats. This enthusiastic audience does listen!
The inimitable Jimmy Mazzy
At the request of the front line, Jimmy gave a demo of when D flat comes in on Fidgety Feet. Jimmy instinctively played the whole thing. They said: “ We’ll keep going ‘till we get it right”. Sure sounded right to us! Jimmy and Eli had a duet on a song that has many names – we’ll stick to Chicago Breakdown, with Jim scatting. They make a great team
Jimmy sings Till Then
Eli says, “Here is a tender interpretation by Jimmy Mazzy, the banjo virtuoso and singer, of a popular song written by Eddie Seiler, Sol Marcus, and Guy Wood to express a World War II soldiers plea to his sweetheart to await his coming home. Its sweetness and uncertainty — and Jimmy’s profound sense of the poetic and musical meaning — is complemented by Bo Winiker’s gorgeous flugelhorn solo and Bob Winter’s sensitive exploration of the melodic line.”
Ted Casher was featured on Body & Soul, using tenor sax subtones like Coleman Hawkins’ masterpiece that makes women swoon. Sensational!
Bob Winter creates a concerto out of Oh By Jingo!
Eli asked Bob for a fast tune. Oh By Jingo became a hit in the post-World War I era, 1919. With prodigious technique, he made this novelty tune sound like a concerto!
Eventually these marvelous videos may end up as a DVD. We hope.
Time for one more tune, an old New Orleans favorite sung by Jimmy, who feels the pain in every word. No pain in the music, it was so hot and heavy, Eli jumped up to join Bob at the piano for a rocketing chorus of St. James Infirmary Blues. Amazing ending.
Eli joins Bob Winter on swinging hot St. James Infirmary Blues
We are so fortunate to have these professional musicians playing here for us at the Sherborn Inn. Anyone passing through wonders how come they haven’t heard this before? Because it’s not played on radio or television; you can only hear this fantastic aggregation of musicians right here at the Sherborn Inn. Join us On May 1st and the 1st Thursday of every month for more Great Jazz!
By Marce
Videos by Kathy Wittman, BallSquare films,
Sound by Frank Cunningham
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.
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!
SHERBORN INN TUESDAY JAZZ
After we finish celebrating 19 years of Tuesday Jazz we may be moving the series to Primavera Ristorante in Millis where it will become Thursday Jazz, beginning January 15th 2015 with the Blue Horizon Jazz Band.
