Jeff Hughes’ Swing Times Five

Jeff Hughes trumpet, Elmer Drotos clarinet/tenor sax, Dan Weiner guitar, Ross Petot piano, Pete Tillotson string bass, Dave Didriksen drums, Debby Larkin vocals.

Every once in a while we are privileged to be at a Jazz Experience that is priceless.  You never know when it will happen, you just have to be lucky.  This was one of those evenings.  (Jeff Hughes is responsible for many of them, bringing in special guests!) Tonight, it was a pleasure to hear for the first time, reed-man Elmer Drotos, even though he’s been around for many years:

“Saxophonist Elmer Drotos is one of the most virtuosic instrumentalists in the business. He has performed with bandleaders Lawrence Welk and Tex Beneke and toured with Artie Shaw, who called him “one of the best saxophone players I’ve ever heard.” 

Jeff kicked this evening off with Benny Carter’s When Lights Are Low, and You and The Night And The Music, with Drotos on clarinet, I Thought About You on tenor sax.  You could feel the whole band being lifted up by his intensity.

Debby Larkin, embodiment of Swing!

Even Debby Larkin was affected, flashing a gleaming smile, with a delightful I’ll Always Be In Love With You, and You Turned The Tables on Me backed by a tenor sax sounding like Ben Webster.

Richard Rodgers’ Have You Met Miss Jones was fierce, Pete Tillotson’s string bass trading 4s with Dave Didriksen’s drums.  The two are always in sync, and push the band.  Ross Petot keeps it all together, listening carefully to what each instrument is doing, nudging, filling in any blanks.

Jeff Hughes with 1941 hand-made Elden Benge trumpet

Jeff’s trumpet reached a wide range of resonance and tone on Shine; it was WILD!

John and Gisele

Gershwin’s The Man I Love, with Dan Weiner’s sweet sound on custom D’Aquisto‎ arch-top  guitar had John and Gisele dancing.   They’ve been married over 60 years and still love dancing here at the Sherborn Inn.

Debby was back with an enchanting Dream a Little Dream of Me.  She continued with a tune made famous by Billie Holiday, Yours and Mine.

Drotos was featured in a tune reminiscent of Radio and The Cavalcade of Bands, written by Gordon Jenkins, Goodbye.  It is a  sad tune.   Jenkins actually wrote this when he lost his wife and child in childbirth.  Published in 1935, it became well known as the closing theme song of the Benny Goodman orchestra.  With Drotos on clarinet backed by the rhythm boys, it was mesmerizing!
(Thank you for the history lesson, Dan Gabel.)

Debby returned with a swinging What a Little Moonlight Can Do,  Love For Sale.
Delighting in the melody and words, she swings without a letup!

There were several musicians in the crowd.  Vocalist Lisa Yves stepped up with  a rousing rendition of I’m Beginning To See The Light.  Lisa’s JAZZ FOR KIDS is the result of her dedication to making music exciting, innovative and fun for her young students.  www.lisayves.com.

Vocalist Freddy Shaw has been here previously with the Riverside Stompers.  He doesn’t need a partner – sings both the male and female voices with Somebody Stole My Gal.  He’s a hoot!

Our own Henny Youngman, ie, Myron Idelson, has been here many times.  He never repeats a joke, and they can be told in mixed company.  This evening he roasted the band, even got a laugh out of Ross Petot! (That’s not easy!)
Debby returned with a song dedicated to Bob Sickles, in memory of our late Rockette, Lynn Sickles.   All of Me was Lynn’s favorite song, and all the bands here played it for her.  She’s here in spirit!

It was a fascinating evening.  Fortunately for us, Elmer Drotos is now playing in Greater Boston  and Cape Cod.  This was his first time at the Sherborn Inn, and he said he really enjoyed playing here with Jeff Hughes, and was looking forward to returning.

Time was running out.  Jeff called in Dan Gabel and his Glenn Miller trombone for an upbeat Undecided.  With a full stage of fabulous musicians, Jeff sent us home with our fervent wish:  We’ll Be Together Again.  I sure hope so!  We might get lucky again – you never know.