Hot Steamed Jazz 2013 – Festival All Stars, led by Jeff Barnhart

Posted on July 28, 2013 by admin

Barnhart piano, Kaletsky clarinet, Palinko drums, Bocciarelli string bass

Beginning of the Hot Steamed Jazz Festival All Stars….

Jeff Barnhart led the Festival All Stars, starting out with four people on Friday night, including indefatigable Noel Kaletsky, who never stopped playing until the last note on Sunday! Tom Palinko was on drums, Lou Bocciarelli on string bass. Jeff said they were “happy to take requests, to keep the band riled up.” As the festival progressed, more All Stars sat in.

Noel Kaletsky on soprano sax

Back Home Again in Indiana, Noel plays soprano sax and clarinet with a passionate intensity.

Jeff said “This is an ironic name for a JRM tune in a tempo that Jelly Roll Morton called: Tempo Disturb the Neighbors.” Sleep.
Barnhart, Palinko, Bocciarelli, and indefatigable Noel in complete control on wild clarinet
Sleep. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiKdRIWGbNA

Winin’ Boy Blues accidentally started as Buddy Bolden Blues – Stop! Rewind! They decided on Winin’ Boy, Jeff proving that less is more on piano, leaving silent pauses – silence can be more important than sound to put over a tune; (Who said that?) Noel Kaletsky soared through the stratosphere on clarinet.

Al Bernard arrived from Rockport, MA, wrapped in sousaphone. Lou and Al took turns pushing the basses on Swing That Music. Jeff Barnhart gave us a lesson in Jazz History, explaining the difference between the music of the 20’s and 30’s. He played one chorus of the 20’s Sousa-feel with Al on sousaphone, and a second chorus with the 30’s two-beat Swing feeling with Lou walking the bass and Noel on swinging soprano sax.

China Boy (PC: East Indian Child) was a barn burner, Jeff tore into the piano, fabulous bass, they let Palinko loose on drums. JRM’s Ain’t Misbehaving.

Tom Palinko, Al Bernard, Lou Bocciarelli

What does one do with two basses? They experimented with having both a sousaphone and bass on the same band, taking alternate choruses. Never gets dull!
Bob Barta sang a poignant My Gal Sal with the 8-pc All Star Band:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JjfHEiUbMY

Eric Devine presents an excellent split-screen view of Barnhart/Barta scatting on:
Sweet Sue

More musicians appeared over time, Kaletsky on alto sax, Steve Taddeo drums, John Clark soprano sax, Fred Vigorito cornet, Lou Bocciarelli string bass, Ben Griffin trombone, Al Bernard sousaphone, Jamil Jorge, fresh out of Connecticut College, on trombone.

More All Stars

On Avalon, Jeff Hughes trumpet, Craig Ball sharing reeds with Noel, Bob Barta banjo, Jamil Jorge on trombone; two basses trading 4s.
Avalon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJXQF-3luB4

Jeff plays The Entertainer:

“1910 Shine, when there was nobody around except Noel Kaletsky; dedicated to me.” Jeff B. Barnhart’s hands blur playing stride, Kaletsky & Craig Ball reeds, Hughes, Barta, Jamil, Bocciarelli, Palinko WOW!
Shine

We caught the Festival Band again on Sunday, with Fred Vigorito on cornet, Albie Bernard sousaphone, Jeff Hughes trumpet, Ben Griffin Trombone, and Jamil Jorge on trombone for a barn-burning That’s a Plenty, with Noel, Fred, and Ben, both basses – complete insanity!

soprano saxes

Dans Les Rues D’Antibes – Steve Taddeo (Swing Senders) joined Palinko on drums, two basses, John Clark AND Noel Kaletsky on soprano sax. It just got wilder. Who made that request? Thank you!

John Clark and Noel Kaletsky are an orchestra unto themselves, mixing and matching all those reeds.

Fred Vigorito and Ben Griffin

Moving from all reeds to all brass, Jeff Hughes trumpet, Freddy Vigorito cornet, two trombones, Someday Sweetheart. Griffin plays a really sweet trombone!

Jeff Hughes’ golden horn led with Barnhart on vocal, Kaletsky & Craig Ball reed duet, Barta & Bocciarelli trading 4s on If I Had You.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhKrOBq7GFw

Everybody was wired for the Finale, High Society, everyone taking a shot at Alphonse Picou’s soliloquy, even Albie on sousaphone. Albie & Lou shared bass lines. Palinko and Taddeo shared drums. It was a wild ending to a fabulous weekend!

Thank you Shirley Bombaci and Crew for persevering and giving us another weekend of great Traditional and Dixieland Jazz. There will be more great bands next year – we’re looking for an appropriate date when they will all be available. We hope more volunteers will step up. How about it??

Hot Steamed Jazz 2013 – Midiri Brothers

Posted on July 25, 2013 by admin

Joe and Paul Midiri

Joe Midiri – Clarinet, Saxophones, Paul Midiri – Vibraphone, Trombone, Pat Mercuri – Guitar, Ed Wise – String Bass, and Jim Lawlor – Drums.

The Midiri Brothers, identical twins, graduated from Glassboro State College in the mid-1980s, and have been keeping Swing alive all over the country ever since.

Joe Midiri’s creativity, technique of breathing, and sound – as with his clarinet in D over High C, is unsurpassed. Paul does many of the arrangements, and his vibes remind us of the great Red Norvo in the Benny Goodman Sextet.

Shine:

Joe used the circle breathing technique for holding a note forever on After You’ve Gone. Ed Wise used his voice mike, humming along when he’s bowing that marvelous string bass.

Joe Midiri on soprano sax

Always, the song I sang to my grandchildren when they were babies. Joe moved to soprano sax, again holding long notes, for The September Song – sweetest soprano sax you ever heard!

Ed Wise Humming along with his string bass

Paul did the arrangement for a tune he heard on a Count Basie recording, Let’s Go – clarinet and vibes playing together in sync, with Ed humming in the background.

Joe Midiri sings Louis A.

Joe’s Louis Armstrong imitation is precious, sometimes on Wonderful World.

Here he’s Louis on Pennies From Heaven. Joe on alto sax, Paul trombone.

Pennies From Heaven

Pat Midiri

Pat Mercuri, guitar, plays catchy riffs, fills in any spaces.

Avalon:

Together:

Paul joins drummer Jim Lawlor for Lime House Blues

The Midiri Brothers are entertainers as well as virtuoso swing musicians. They keep the crowd laughing with their sibling rivalry banter. The Midiri Brothers Sextet keep dancers Swinging! Check out their schedule at The Midiri Brothers – New Jersey

Hot Steamed Jazz Fest 2013-Rt 17 Stompers

Posted on July 21, 2013 by admin

Route 17 Stompers

The photo shows (from left to right) J.T. Lincoln (piano) Caleb Jackson & Nathaniel Weir (trumpets) Jake Brunelle & Sky Hagner (sax) Kevin Bjarnason (clarinet) Emma Sayles (trombone) Andrew Zych (bass) Sam Gosner & Mike Schober (trombones) and Art Hovey on tuba. Not shown are Robert Young (piano) Ben Shorten (guitar & banjo) Brendan LeMieux and Molly Sayles (drums).

Sugarfoot Philharmonic (The Route 17 Stompers)

Most of Art Hovey’s Sugarfoot Youth Jazz Band http://nejazz.com/oldsite/HotStm12_Sugarfoot.htm members have graduated and moved on to higher education, many on their way to becoming professional musicians.

Art is now breaking in a new, much younger group – The “Route 17 Stompers” – mostly from Durham, which is just up Route 17 from the site of the old Millpond Taverne.
Some Sugarfoot alumni returned to assist the new band at the 2013 Hot Steamed Jazz Festival.

Mollie Sayles

Robert Young

Sky Hagner reeds

Emma Sayles

Molly Sayles started them out on drums on “By and By” and “Joe Avery’s Piece”, Robert Young sat in on piano, Sky Hagner on clarinet and sax, Emma Sayles on trombone, and Ben Shorten on banjo and guitar. They each contributed some unrehearsed solos and powerful additions to the ensemble.

Short African American Caleb and Tall Caucasian Nathaniel

Caleb and Nathaniel

In the new band, which has been rehearsing monthly for about a year, Nathaniel Weir is King Oliver, Caleb Jackson is Louis Armstrong. Jake Brunelle plays alto sax, Kevin Bjarnason plays clarinet, Mike Schober and Sam Gosner play trombone, J.T. Lincoln is on piano, Andrew Zych is on bass, and Brendan LeMieux was on drums.

Brandon Lemieux

The group kicked off with the old Sugarfoot arrangement of “Arab Strut”, with J.T. Lincoln soloing on piano.

J. T. Lincoln

Next was “By and By”, with Emma Sayles on trombone, a trumpet duet chorus by Nathaniel and Caleb, and a clarinet-sax duet by Kevin and Jake.

reeds” Jake, Sky, Kevin

King Oliver’s “Camp Meeting Blues” featured the famous trombone solo (harmonized) with Michael, Sam, and Emma, followed by the theme which Duke Ellington borrowed and re-named “Creole Love Call” played by Kevin and Jake.

Oliver’s “Canal Street Blues” featured improvised solos by Nathaniel, Kevin, Caleb, and J.T. “Careless Love” included a piano solo by Robert Young, a guitar solo by Ben Shorten, a trombone solo by Michael Schober, and a sax chorus by Sky Hagner.

Ben Shorten

Ja-Da – Sonny Rollins ‘re-invented it’ using the Ja-Da chords for his composition “Doxy” in 1954. Our arrangement begins with Doxy, reverts to Jada with half-chorus solos by J.T., Jake, Nathaniel, the trombone section and then returns to Doxy for the ending.

Jazz Me Blues, 1921 featured a trumpet duet chorus and a clarinet-sax duet. Joe Avery’s piece featured Molly, Nathaniel, Jake, and Sky. Melancholy was short and sweet.

Andrew Zych

Red Wing is a popular song written in 1907 with music by Kerry Mills and lyrics by Thurland Chattaway. Mills adapted the music from Robert Schumann’s composition for piano “The Happy Farmer, Returning From Work” from his 1848 work Album for the Young, Opus 68. The song tells of a young Indian maid’s loss of her sweetheart who has died in battle. In 1940 Woody Guthrie wrote what are probably the most familiar lyrics “Union Maid”. The Stompers version featured a short piano solo, another clarinet-sax duet, a trumpet solo, and a trombone duet.

Working Man Blues is another King Oliver number featuring duet breaks for the trumpets and for the clarinet and sax. Sugarfoot Jazz Band alumni showing off their sight reading skills on Lu Watters’ “Sage Hen Strut”. Lu was a leader of the Yerba Buena Jazz Band in San Francisco in the 40’s and 50’s. Turk Murphy started with this band.

There are some amazing budding musicians in this “Sugarfoot Philharmonic” Jazz Band. We’re looking forward to hearing what they’ll be playing next year!

Meantime, Art will help you keep track of their progress on this site http://greatctjazz.org/Sugarfoot/

Hot Steamed Jazz Festival – Heartbeat J.B.

Posted on July 21, 2013 by admin

Heartbeat Jazz Band (from video)

Bill Logozzo’s Heartbeat Jazz Band, “New England’s Most Lovable Jazz Band”, has many variations, but always plays great Traditional and Dixieland Jazz, and even some Rock & Roll. Bill picks the best musicians from Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, and Florida — they are all eager to be in this band.

This session, recorded by Eric Devine, has Sherman Kahn and Noel Kaletsky reeds, Tom Brown cornet, Skip Hughes trombone/vocals, Ben Griffen trombone, Steve Keeler guitar, Shari Lewis piano, Al Bernard sousaphone, Bill Logozzo drums, Jane Campedelli vocals.

Jane Campedelli

You can feel the camaraderie between the members. Skip Hughes starts the vocals on this one, Louisian-I-A; he motions Jane to join him. Albie backs them.

Jane, Albie, and Skip. (Marce photo from other session)

Skip Hughes is a gregarious singer, belts out the tunes, and really connects with the audience. But here in Georgia he reveals another, softer, side.

Roll the Patrol is usually Skip’s tune, but he let Janie start this one.

Ben Griffin takes the intro on When You’re Smiling. Marvelous! Bob Price couldn’t be here, Steve Keeler filled in, focused on guitar. You’ll be hearing more from him!

Stevedore Stomp is strictly instrumental, with two trombones, and Noel on alto sax, Sherman clarinet, Tom Brown on growling cornet.

Second session, multi-instrumentalist John Clark stepped in for Noel. Clark and Kahn work together and play off each other – superb craftsmanship.

John Clark joins band on bari and soprano sax

John Clark joins Heartbeat Jazz Band

Sherman Kahn alto sax and clarinet, John Clark bari sax, soprano sax, clarinet, Tom Brown cornet, Skip Hughes trombone/vocals, Ben Griffin trombone, Steve Keeler guitar, Shari Lewis piano, Al Bernard sousaphone, Bill Logozzi drums, Jane Campedelli vocals.

They opened with a good ol’ good one, New Orleans, and ended up with some Rock & Roll. With Skip and Jane singing, Clark took out the baritone sax for Goody Goody. They asked him to call the next tune, he chose Sweet Georgia Brown that featured two trombones.

Steve, Ben Griffin, Albie, Skip Hughes

Down in Honky Tonk Town, powerful, with Sherman on tenor sax, Clark on soprano sax, hot dazzling solos buoyed by propulsive rhythm section. Both on clarinet, they ‘worked like government mules’ on Avalon.

Sherman Kahn and John Clark

Jane and Skip are a show by themselves. Big discussion on who will start Just a Closer Walk With Thee, Jane says to Skip, “You start, like you always do”. Skip replies “And you’ll get the last word in, I’m sure”!

Jane and Skip go at it

Jane got the last word in, softly backed by Ben on trombone.

Tom Brown cornet

John Clark beat out a hard driving tempo for a scorching Running Wild. Clark’s soprano sax traded 4s with cornetist Tom Brown setting sparks flying.

Steve Keeler

Steve Keeler made the guitar intro to a Dolly Parton tune, Pretend, and pushed the beat on Hey Good Lookin’ Jane and Skip scatting. Please Don’t Talk About Me When I’m Gone.

Bill Logozzo is a most unique individual. This world needs more like him! Besides being a fine musician with a great band, he drums up charitable support for the needy with his high-powered Heartbeat Dixieland Jazz Band and Musical Dreams for Human Harmony.

Bill Logozzo

His mission: “To solicit and earn funds through musical productions and programs for the purpose of helping people from all religions, races and ages, with specific medical needs and/or handicaps. To achieve the highest donation rate possible, through minimal expenses and volunteer labor.”

Karen Senn is now letting the world know where they’re playing by emailing The Heartbeat Weekly Pulse and posting on Facebook.

Website: Heartbeat Dixieland Jazz Band – Connecticut

Ben Mauger’s Speakeasy Six Jazz Band

Posted on July 16, 2013 by admin

Bob Rawlins alto sax, Ben Maugher cornet, Bob Peruzzi trombone, Jason Roach bass sax

Ben Mauger’s Speakeasy Front Line

Ben Mauger – cornet, Bob Peruzzi – trombone, Bob Rawlins – clarinet/alto sax, soprano sax, Bob Kreitz – piano, Jason Roach – bass sax, Doug Kulp – drums
Ben Mauger’s Speakeasy Six Jazz Band from Pennsylvania is a real crowd pleaser, a New Orleans Dixieland/Traditional Jazz Band that plays music from the 1920’s-30’s. “Music is therapeutic! It’s Jazz – we enjoy what we’re doing, and making it up as we go.”

Ain’t she sweet

Kansas City Man Blues

Doug Kulp

Drummer Doug Kulp keeps impeccable two-beat time.

Honeysuckle Rose, My Honey’s Loving Arms, the classic Margie. Very danceable repertoire.

Take Your Tomorrows – with a different take:

Bob Petuzzi

Bob Peruzzi had the trombone talking in Somebody Stole My Gal, and was featured on Whispering.

This was Ben’s fourth appearance at the Hot Steamed Jazz Fest, The Speakeasy Six were a hit with Ben’s fluent and articulate cornet, their precise timing, and unusual bass saxophone.

Jason Roach

Jason Roach keeps everyone in time with the bass sax, and is featured on
Joe Avery’s Piece

Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gives To Me
.

Bob Kreitz

Bob Kreitz learned piano from playing old piano rolls; is always mindful of the melody.

Ben Mauger

Ben says that when he was in the 11th grade, somebody told him to go out for sports, football, something that was important, not the Band! Yet here he is, 56 years old, still playing and loving it. Music really is Therapeutic!

Ben has a band for every occasion, including a 10 piece “Roaring 20′s Hot Jazz Band”. Check him out at www.benmaugersvintagejazzband.com

Rawlins takes out the soprano sax, and Kulp is let loose on drums.
Star Wars Cantina Band

Ben Mauger’s web site: Ben Mauger’s Vintage Jazz Band – Pennsylvania

Dan Gabel and The Abletones at The Willows in Westborough

Posted on July 3, 2013 by admin

Dan Gabel and The Abeltones Big Band at The Willows, July 3, 2013

The Willows was opened in Westborough in 1987 by Danny and Dottie Salmon, who wanted to create a setting where active seniors could live life independently yet have the convenience and security of a familial, supportive atmosphere. Judging by the atmosphere here on the patio on July 3^rd 2013 the Salmon Family has succeeded admirably.

The residents, their family and friends, were here early, in high spirits, under umbrellas for protection from this fine sunny day. They were celebrating an early 4^th of July by singing many of our Patriotic songs, Yankee Doodle Dandy, It’s a Grand Old Flag, while waiting to hear Dan Gabel and the Abeltones Big Band. Dan even invited them to sing up on the stage, but they were too modest.

They heard the High Society Orchestra here last year, and were eager to hear more of their treasured Big Band Music, Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Glenn Miller, Les Brown. The Abletones were happy to oblige.

They began with a brief Whispering, checking out the sound system, then moved on to a rousing American Patrol, then Artie Shaw’s version of Cole Porter’s Begin The Beguine with John Clark featured on clarinet. For Independence Day, they played the Jerry Gray arrangement of Les Brown’s first theme song, Leap Frog.

Dan uses Abletones’ Jive to introduce each member of this 17-piece band:

Only 3 trumpets visible, with pianist Ross Petot

Four trumpets (one hidden) and Ross Petot piano

Trumpets: Kai Sandoval, Dan Fleury, Adam Mejaour, Don Clough

Five Saxophones, two tenor, two alto-one woman, one baritone

Five Saxophones, two tenor, two alto, one baritone

Saxes: Mike Caudill , John Clark, Lou Stamos, Emily Pecoraro, Tyler Birchfield

Four trombones, including leader Dan Gabel

Trombones: Dan Gabel, Larry Meade, Joe Burke , Quinn Carson

Also: Ross Petot piano, Bill Doyle guitar, Ken Steiner string bass, and Steve Taddeo on a 1939 Slingerland drum set.

They played a melody written by Isham Jones in 1924, arranged by Dan, calling on his 1940’s best crooner voice on It Had To Be You.

My Old New Hampshire Home was a nice waltz for their lead trumpet player from New Hampshire. It was the #1 song in the USA in 1899. Pianist Ross Petot followed the original score at the beginning and end.

There was a request for some Glenn Miller. Dan toured with the Glenn Miller Band for a year, and missed his New England. That gave him the idea for a CD called Homesick for New England. With assistance from vocalist Amanda Carr, the CD will be released July 24^th at Sculler’s Jazz Club.

Pennsylvania 6-5000 was the phone number for the Café Rouge in Pennsylvania. It was renowned for the performances by multiple artists including The Glenn Miller Orchestra. Glenn Miller returned to Hotel Pennsylvania frequently, not just to play in the Café Rouge, but to stay there. The Abletones were boosted by the audience’s whole-hearted response: “Pennsylvania 6 – 5 – Oh Oh Oh!!!”

With Gabel on trombone, the band played the Tommy Dorsey original 1935 arrangement of I’m Getting Sentimental Over You – twice. Dan is a perfectionist – they’ll be working on it again until they get it perfect. Do you think this is easy?

Everyone chimed in on vocal for a 1941 Vaughn Monroe old 78, Take It Jackson. That was easy – the only lyrics are repetitions of “Take it, Jackson”. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFZIw4iJQWM We’ll be hearing more about him. The Vaughn Monroe Appreciation Society has asked Dan to write his biography.

Dan Gabel and Bill Doyle in Dixieland Band

A band-within-a-band was created especially for this Fourth of July Holiday – 7 pieces, with a Dixieland influence. Dan Gabel trombone, Bill Doyle on banjo, Mike Caudill tenor sax, John Clark clarinet, Ken Steiner string bass, Steve Taddeo drums, a rousing Battle Hymn of the Republic.

7 members stand to form a Dixieland Band

Dixieland Band plays Battle Hymn of The Republic

Steve Taddeo and John Clark were featured for the Finale on the 1938 Benny Goodman/Gene Krupa Carnegie Hall Sing, Sing, Sing, with Clark taking a ten-minute BG solo to Taddeo’s electrifying tom tom drumming.

John Clark clarinet, duet with Steve Taddeo Drums on Sing, Sing, Sing

Steve Taddeo resurrects Gene Krupa on Sing, Sing, Sing, duet with John Clark

Taddeo took his Krupa walk-around, drumming on the cymbal and anything else he could find amidst the residents, without losing a beat. The Seniors loved it! It was a fantastic Finale for Dan Gabel and The Abeltones Big Band at The Willows in Westborough.

The Salmons’ dedication to quality and excellence at The Willows is second to none. Part of it is featuring many local bands for their residents’ enjoyment on Wednesdays at 7:15pm – Public invited. We’ll try to get the schedule and add it to our calendar.

Dan Gabel and the Abletones have an extensive schedule, including first Fridays at nearby Indian Meadows. Check it out at www.theabletones.com.

Note: The Jazz at Sunset Series in Worcester has been replaced by Swing at Sunset, thanks to The Big Band Preservation Society, WICN, and The Vets in Westborough.
The Abletones with vocalist Amanda Carr opened it this year on June 28th, as they did last year at the Ecotrium: http://www.nejazz.com/oldsite/DanGabel15Jun12.htm.

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.

Hot Steamed Jazz 2013 – Gospel Sunday

Posted on June 23, 2013 by admin

The Sunday Revival Band

Gospel Sunday, with the Reverent Jeff Barnhart (Rev. Josh Crowell couldn’t be here.)

Jeff Barnhart piano, Noel Kaletsky clarinet, Al Bernard sousaphone, Lou Bocciarelli string bass, Jamil Jorge trombone, Tom Palinko drums, Jane Campedelli vocals. “Jazz knows no age. Jamil just graduated from college, and he’s playing fine trombone.”

Jeff started on piano with Just a Little While to Stay Here. Before going into his homily, he thanked the appreciative audience for clapping in 2-4 time. “Those that clap in 1-3 time are doing a polka.”

Sunday Band, Noel Kaletsky alto sax

Down By The Riverside, with Noel on rip-roaring alto sax. He’s Got The Whole World in His Hands, Lead Me, a tune that came from Freddy’s J.P. Alessi Band.
Appropriate spirituals on this beautiful sunny Sunday!

Reverent Jeff Barnhart

Jeff’s sermon was a script he prepared appropriately for this Sunday, with the Theme “Sharing Gifts”, which is what these musicians are all about.

Jeff said he was petrified when he learned he was leading the Gospel, so he Googled the internet, looking for a Jazz connection, and found Psalm 150 was appropriate. “Praise the Lord with lute, harps, cymbals, Praise the Lord with song.”

Revival Meeting

Bob Seeley was helping him in the front row with his tambourine.
“I’ve got joy like a fountain in my soul.” Just voices and drums – our own revival meeting. Amen!!

Skip Hughes sings hymn

Skip Hughes stepped up with his formidable voice on Old Rugged Cross. It was a spontaneous epiphany.

Noel Kaletsky – Just a Closer Walk with Thee, in beautiful low-register clarinet, with Lou plucking string bass. Palinko watched Noel carefully, nobody knows what he’ll do next. His clarinet wrapped it up, rising way up to heaven.

Jane Campedelli sang Amazing Grace, with Noel Kaletsky backing her. They make a marvelous team, starting reverently and ending in a wild boogie.

Jane Campedelli sings Amazing Grace

“Everybody’s going to have a wonderful time up there.” She knows all the verses:
Everybody’s gonna have religion in glory,
Everbody’s gonna be singing that story,
Everybody’s gonna have a wonderful time up there,
(BASE) Oh, glory hallelujah!
Brother, there’s reckoning a coming in the morning,
Better get you ready cause I’m giving you warning,
Everbody’s gonna have a wonderful time up there.
This Little Light of Mine, Jane Skip and Jeff singing a capella. (You had to be there!)

Skip, Jeff and Janie sing a capella

Bob Seeley also played an Amazing Grace on piano, first slowly, then with great drama, moving into Boogie Woogie.
Video from Amazing Grace 2012: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iz6d6XaR1hc

The tent really felt like a chapel. Finale was The Saints, ladies with parasols marching up and down the aisles. Shirley Bombaci was having a great time!

ladies marching with parasols, Shirley Bombaci clapping along beside them

Marching parasols

Bob Seeley was right in the middle of them, dancing around with his tambourine.

Bob Seeley, marching and slapping his tambourine

Great Job, Reverent Barnhart!!

On with the 2014 Traditional/Dixieland Jazz Festival!!

Hot Steamed Jazz Festival 2013 – Wolverine Jazz Band

Posted on June 22, 2013 by admin

videos by Eric Devine (some are only highlighted)

John Clark’s Wolverine Jazz Band

The Wolverine Jazz Band has finally become recognized as one of the top Traditional and Dixieland Jazz Bands. It’s been a long time coming, since John Clark stepped in to fill in the reed section of the Paramount Jazz Band in 1994.

In his own words:
“I started at the Holiday Inn when Ray invited me to his 1994 Christmas party there – I thought it was an actual party and not a performance, so it was a good thing I thought to throw my bari in the car – it turned out to be an audition (I had played in a casual group with Ray the summer before). Apparently I passed, because I was put on the regular rotation after that (I believe the Christmas gig was the last local gig for both Gary Rodberg and Steve Wright – I think they both moved away within a week or so). That led to my subbing for Steve with the Paramount J.B. on the England tour in June, 1995.”

John continued his studies at Connecticut College, and soon formed the Wolverine Jazz Band, with its own ‘Bix’, Jeff Hughes on cornet and trumpet,Tom Boates trombone, Ross Petot piano, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Rick MacWilliams tuba, Dave Didriksen drums.

They have since been invited to the Bar Harbor Jazz Festival, America’s Dixieland Festival, Olympia; Arizona Classic Jazz Festival, Summit Jazz Festival, Hot Steamed Jazz Festival.

They kicked off this session with a tune Santo Pecora, trombone, played with the New Orleans Rhythm Kings. Check out our own Santo Pecora! She’s Crying For Me,.

Jimmy starts a swinging 1920’s Dardanella,

Jimmy sings Yellow Dog Blues

The one and only Jimmy Mazzy singing in the 1919 W. C. Handy’s Yellow Dog Blues.

(People in New England don’t jump up out of their seats and holler like the West Coast Trad Jazz Fans on Yellow Dog Blues.)

Sweet Jenny Lee is on one of the Woverines’ many CDs. Clark dug out the bari sax.

The Rhythm Boys keep the band jumping.

Dave Dickriksen

Rick MacWilliams

They stole a tune from Clarence Williams – “You can never get enough from him.” Cushion Foot Stomp, with Jimmy vocal, Dave wrapped it up with a loud crash cymbal.

The Halfway House Orchestra did this old chestnut in the 1920’. Wolverines updated it to 1925 style. Let Me Call You Sweetheart, Ross marvelous on stride piano.

Tom Boates

They moved to ‘western swing’ with a tune played by Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys, with Tom Boates’ captivating vocal. Cherokee Maiden, backed by Dave’s Native American drum beat.

Ross was back in stride with a hard driving tempo on Duke’s Street Beat CD, Birmingham Breakdown. Fabulous muted trombone and baritone sax.

Trumpet and banjo kicked off Irving Berlin’s 1929 Waiting at the End of the Road, featuring Jimmy; nice tight ensemble on Jimmy Blythe’s 1920’s Oriental Man.

The Wolverine Jazz Band plays at least once a month at the Sherborn Inn’s Tuesday Night Jazz, and always to a full-house. For their schedule, best get on John’s email list at jazzbnd@aol.com

Dr. John Clark and his Wolverine Jazz Band have a bright future ahead of them!!
Wolverine Jazz Band – Massachusetts

Hot Steamed Jazz Festival – 2013

Posted on June 21, 2013 by admin

2014 Hot Steamed Jazz Festival is
June 20, 21, 22

The Hot Steamed Jazz Festival June 21-23 at the Valley Railroad in Essex Connecticut was a complete SUCCESS – and Shirley Bombaci is now looking for an appropriate date in 2014 for a repeat performance! The spirits were with us this year with perfect sunshine, a slight breeze, and to top it all off, a Super Full Moon.

Shirley Bombaci

Shirley and the Committee worked tirelessly all year to pull the Festival together. President/Chair Shirley Bombaci, Vice President Bob Brummett, Treasurer Nina Sulinski, Secretary Beth Fitzsimmons; Members: Sue Brummett, Marge Olmstead, Nancy Loader (publicity) and Joanne Sousa who assembled the many volunteers. (They could have used more volunteers – Leo Martin was setting up the chairs on Thursday by himself.)

Music was top priority, they skipped frills like badges, expensive programs. The Friday night crowd was light, but Saturday and Sunday made up for it.

Eric Devine Videos

Jeff Barnhart

Gospel Sunday
Rev. Crowell couldn’t make it this year, so Jeff Barnhart was appointed temporary minister for He searched the internet for appropriate passages, and God answered him with Amazing Grace!

Jeff Barnhart and Bob Seeley Duet

Jeff and Bob Seeley managed to get together for a short 4-handed Boogie-Woogie.

Joel Silvestro and partner

Joel Silvestro was spotted on the dance floor, still demonstrating his marvelous dancing style.

THE BANDS at the 2013 Hot Steamed Jazz Festival included:

Festival All Stars, led by Jeff Barnhart. They started out Friday night with four people, including indefatigable Noel Kaletsky, who never stopped playing until the last note on Sunday! By Sunday, the Fest Band had a full stage.

Noel plays Sleep

Dan Levinson was here for the 16th year, bringing in a new generation of talented musicians, Dan Levinson’s Millenium All Stars from New York. We hope they will introduce Traditional Jazz to their peers at various venues there.

Bob Seeley will be 85 in September, that that hasn’t slowed this boogie-meister down at all!

The Midiri Brothers are entertainers as well as accomplished musicians. They are always crowd pleasers.

Ben Mauger is a Hot Steamed favorite, with a new clarinet player this year in Ben Mauger’s Speakeasy Six.

Route 17 Stompers were Art Hovey’s Sugarfoot Youth Band. All but a few of his Sugarfoot alumni have moved on to higher education, hopefully as professional musicians. Art is starting fresh with a whole new crew, mostly from Durham CT, who are already showing great promise, even a new Louis Armstrong and King Oliver. Some of his alumni were here to support the new group.

Heartbeat Dixieland Jazz Band was augmented by Skip Hughes, Jane Campedelli, and Ben Griffin. With a new manager in charge of publicity, Karen Senn – Watch Out! This band is going places.

Ladies marching with parasols, Shirley right beside them

Parasol Parade, with Shirley

The Wolverine Jazz Band has been practicing their performance on us at the Sherborn Inn for the last few months, and did not disappoint. This is a New England favorite, and has been invited to festivals all over the country. Dr. John Clark and this band have a great future!

Galvanized Jazz Band was also joined by Jane Campedelli. We missed Bob Price golden voice and banjo. Steve Keeler, Jazz Guitar subbed for Bob. You’ll be hearing more from him! Our own Sophie Tucker, Jane Campedelli was back from Florida, belting out tunes with the Galvanized and many other bands.

The Jazz Jesters from Cape Cod led by Jeff Hughes. Jeff has many bands playing music from the 20’s through the 50’s. The Jazz Jesters delve into the Jazz Decades of the 20’s and 30’s, (much as Ray Smith does every Sunday on www.wgbh.org 8-9pm.)

Funky Butt Jazz Band is led by Pierce Campbell, known for his finger-style guitar work and singing. He was appointed Connecticut State Troubadour for 2007-2008.

Bob Seeley leads more parasols with his tambourine

Proceeds from this festival benefited Paul Newman’s Hole In The Wall Gang Camp, celebrating its 25^th Anniversary this year. www.holeinthewallgang.org

In 1988, Paul Newman opened The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in Connecticut so that children coping with serious illnesses could have a special hideout where they could simply be kids. Music fans contributed in special cups placed at each tent, and there was a raffle of baskets full of items from the Camp.

The Committee may have skipped many of the frills, but there were Hot Steamed Festival Tee Shirts and Polo Shirts available at a very reasonable price. There will be more great bands next year. We hope more volunteers will step up. How about it??

Thank you Shirley Bombaci and Crew for persevering and giving us another weekend of great Traditional and Dixieland Jazz. See you all next year!

Marce

New England Traditional Jazz Plus

Swing, Traditional Jazz, Dixieland Jazz, Big Bands

Tag Archives: New England Traditional Jazz

Hot Steamed Jazz 2013 – Festival All Stars, led by Jeff Barnhart

Hot Steamed Jazz 2013 – Midiri Brothers

Hot Steamed Jazz Fest 2013-Rt 17 Stompers

Hot Steamed Jazz Festival – Heartbeat J.B.

Ben Mauger’s Speakeasy Six Jazz Band

Dan Gabel and The Abletones at The Willows in Westborough

Riverboat Stompers at the Sherborn Inn

Hot Steamed Jazz 2013 – Gospel Sunday

Hot Steamed Jazz Festival 2013 – Wolverine Jazz Band

Hot Steamed Jazz Festival – 2013

2014 Hot Steamed Jazz Festival is
June 20, 21, 22

2014 Hot Steamed Jazz Festival is June 20, 21, 22

2014 Hot Steamed Jazz Festival is
June 20, 21, 22