Bob Winter keyboard, Eli Newberger tuba, Jimmy Mazzy banjo, Bob Tamagni drums, Bo Winiker trumpet, Herb Gardner trombone.
Jimmy Mazzy and Eli Newberger have performed together for years.
Jimmy opened singing a beautiful melody, C’est Ci Bon; he was right – this evening was SO good!
He and Eli later played the banjo’s National Anthem, The World is Waiting for the Sunshine – they’ve done this often with The Tuber Trio.
Eli and Bob
Eli joined Bob on Sentimental Journey for amazing four-handed piano.
Bob Tamagni, teaches drumming at Berklee
Bob Tamagni is a unique drummer, capable of interweaving beautiful melody on drums. especially when he let loose on Sentimental Journey.
This isn’t the Boston Pops – Bob winter explodes on a fast Sing, Sing a Song, You could have heard a pin drop when he played sweet and soft on Duke’s Sophisticated Lady.
Bo Winiker
Bo sings Louis’s Wonderful World.
He was featured on Lady Be Good on sublime muted trumpet, then trading 4’s on open bell with Eli on tuba. They do have fun!
He takes out a smokey flugelhorn when backing vocals.
Herb Gardner
Herb played and sang Walking Stick — tribute to the cane he’s not using anymore since he broke his hip in March.
He’s playing in MANY bands, here and in New York!
Elaine Woo
Elaine Woo is a spitfire on vocals, singing down and dirty on Route 66. She also sang Billie Holiday’s Getting Some Fun Out of Life, a sweet Embraceable You, and It Might as Well Be Spring. She joined Carolyn later.
Carolyn joins Hot Five for Washboard Round-o-lay.
…..and we loved Miami Rhumba!
Carolyn and Elaine brought the house down on Darktown Strutters Ball.
These world-class musicians really enjoy playing together every chance they get.
We really missed our favorite tenor sax, Ted Casher, and look forward to hearing him again.
It was a fun, unforgettable evening!! Hopefully, Eli and The Hot Six will be back August 18th. See you there?? Mark your calendars!
Tony Pringle cornet/leader, Billy Novick clarinet/soprano and alto sax, Stan Vincent trombone, Herb Gardner keyboard, Peter Bullis banjo/manager, Jim Guttman string bass, Dave Didriksen drums,
The New Black Eagle Jazz Band will be starting its 45th year next month; you can tell by Tony’s beat-up, metal bowler-hat mute. They filled the House at Primavera Ristorante with their authentic, happy, foot-tapping Traditional Jazz beat. People drove for miles to hear this band. It was worth it, just to hear Billy Novick playing soprano sax! That was new to us. It certainly adds dynamism to the music!
Jim Guttmann was a new face on string bass. The Black Eagles have been using many different string bass players (much as the original Black Eagles Jazz Band did.) They must be experts in their craft and also know the unique Traditional Jazz Beat. Tony is uncompromising, maintaining the band’s unique sound.
Jim Guttman
Jim Guttman, a full-time musician, filled the bill. He’s taught double bass and coached jazz and klezmer music ensembles at the Rivers School Conservatory since 1989. He’s performed with a myriad of groups including the Klezmer Conservatory Band, singers Eartha Kitt and Mark Murphy, the Really Eclectic String Quartet, blues masters Johnny Shines and James Cotton, the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, Texas swing legend Tiny Moore.
Dave Didriksen
Trad Jazz Drummers are also a rarity; Dave Didriksen filled in for Bill Reynolds; not an easy task. We’ve known Dave as a great drummer starting with the Commonwealth Jazz Band at The Outpost Farm in Holliston in the 80’s, then with the Wolverine Jazz Band, and now as drummer and Manager of Swing Times Five with Debby Larkin. Oh, and also Willows Book Store in Acton.
The New Black Eagles kicked it off with When Your Hair Has Turned to Silver, appropriate for most of us. (Where did the years go?) Savoy Blues, a tune that Louis Armstrong recorded in 1927, when he was just coming to prominence as an innovative cornet and trumpet virtuoso. Great string bass solo by Guttmann; Stan played his growling tailgate trombone.
Every band plays Shimme Sha Wabble differently. The front line was enhanced by Jim’s complex chords on string bass, pushed by Dave’s drum beat. and Herb’s titanic hands on keyboard.
Front Line
Herb Gardner has massive hands
Herb Gardner was featured on If I Had My Way, showing off his stride piano. He has always been a full-time musician, now with a full-time musical family with daughters Abby and Sarah. He bounces back and forth to the Carnegie Club in New York, even in the 4-feet of snow we had last winter. Herb has been filling in here in New England for many pianists, and has just about become the full-time pianist for the Black Eagles.
Peter Bullis
Tony, Peter and Stan are retired now, so they are playing full time too. Peter’s expression hasn’t changed. He is still plucking the banjo, maintaining that beat, as he did in 1971 at the Sticky Wicket, and he’s still wearing his Red Sox.
Once In a While, from Louis’ Hot Five, was fantastic with Billy on clarinet.
They slowed the tempo with a tune they haven’t played in a long time, Johnny Dodd’s Steal Away, with Jim bowing the string bass. Billy took the vocal on Jelly Roll Morton’s Sweet Substitute, backed by Tony’s sweet muted cornet.
Sam Morgan’s 1928 Short Dress Gal was one they played at the Wicket. (Tony mentioned that Cajun bands played this in their Patois in 1927.)
We’ve been listening to Billy since he added younger ideas to the Eagles back in 1986 – but this is the first time we’ve heard him playing soprano sax.
Noting the soprano sax, one fan requested a Sidney Bechet tune, The Fish Vender. He got I Remember When (Si Tu Vois Ma Mere) instead, with Billy and Jim Guttmann, Herb Gardner, and Dave Didriksen. Beautiful!
I’m kicking myself for not recording this from the beginning where Billy faithfully played Bechet’s passionate version. Once we recovered from that one, we heard an old Pop Tune, Girl of My Dreams, a lively tune. Billy started on clarinet but moved to alto sax in the end, backed by fine string bass.
There was some discussion about how to handle the beginning and ending of Delta Bound, ensemble or somebody on solo? They left it up to Billy; both beginning and end were amazing ensemble, Tony taking the lead with Billy comping on alto sax, Stan’s trombone stretched out low, low, as it could go.
They closed with Weary Blues, or Shake It And Break It – take your pick – same song. It was WILD; even Herb’s hands went wild on the keyboard. They ending as they began, with Billy on lovely soprano sax. WOW! What a night.
There were many dedicated New Black Eagle Fans here; they filled the room. They will be back at Brandeis University on October 4th; Cultural Center of Cape Cod on October 11th; Rogers Center for the Arts at Merrimack College, North Andover MA on November 6th. Primavera Ristorante November 19th.
I am not a jazz musician, nor am I knowledgeable about music, so this review expresses my feelings as an undying fan of over 70 years. I thought the band was sensational. They were really “hot” as they romped through many great standards with outstanding improvisation around the melodies. Jeff Hughes did a terrific job both leading the group and playing the trumpet. He blended everyone’s talents wonderfully – especially since his usual group of stalwarts were augmented by the addition of Jack Soref on guitar and Kellian Adams on vocals.
Soref plays in the style of the master gypsy guitarist Django Reinhart. He was phenomenal, and he blended in with his new mates quite easily, Jeff gave him plenty of time to show how terrific he is.
Jack Soref, gypsy Jazz guitar
Kellian can belt out tunes focusing mostly on middle range. She provided a change of pace nicely.
Kellian Adams Pletcher is a Joy!
Herb Gardner was outstanding on the keyboard as usual. He also entertained us with a couple of solos on the trombone.
Herb Gardner, keyboard and trombone
Herb’s daughter Sarah Nova was in the audience. She showed us she has the
inherited talent of her father when she got up and sang.
Sarah Gardner Nova
John Clark is an extremely versatile reed man as he alternated playing clarinet, soprano sax and baritone sax – all with excellent results.
John Clark on baritone sax
Steve Taddeo is really into it on drums. He’s wonderful setting the beat and soloing.You can tell the he really loves playing, and it rubs off on the audience.
Steve Taddeo on his brand new Slingerland Drums
Al Bernard handles the tuba great as he anchors the rhythm section – plus he solos excellently.
Al Bernard, tuba, rhythm,
Unfortunately, the heavy rain kept the crowd down, but Jeff and the group will return to the Primavera on October 22nd.
Come see them perform – you’ll love their music and they are a congenial, friendly bunch appreciative of everyone who comes to see them play.
The music took me back to the days when jazz was extremely popular, and bands like this played all over New England. I wish I could see more of this band – they are so great. They really have no weaknesses for an old time jazz fan like me.
Riverboat Stompers at Bellingham’s Concert on the Grass
Steve Straus, leader/clarinet/soprano sax/vocals, Neil Flewelling cornet, Frank Batchelor trombone, Phil Hower keyboard, Steve Caddick banjo/vocals, Pierre Lemieux tuba, Richard Malcolm drums
Videos by Marce
The Riverboat Stompers are a seven-piece ensemble specializing in Traditional and Dixieland Jazz of the 20’s to 40’s. It’s obvious that this is the music they cherish and have played for many years. They have been playing all over New England this summer – one of their best years ever. It was a pleasure to catch them in my home town, Bellingham MA. This was their first time here at the Bellingham Summer Concerts in the park – but they will be back!
They are masters of Dixieland Jazz, playing well-known standards with feeling and passion. The three members of the front line play tight ensemble, complementing each other. They keep this Jazz HOT!
Dave Flewelling, Steve Straus, Frank Batchelor
Steve sings You Took Advantage of Me:
Part of the ‘Dance Floor’ that surrounds the building.
Pierre Lemieux does a fine tuba solo. He keeps busy playing with many bands.
The band continued with Sweet Georgia Brown,
That’s a Plenty was plenty HOT!
Rich Malcolm plays great Trad. He also teaches at Berklee.
Phil Hower
The drummer is the heartbeat of Traditional Jazz. Rich is an excellent Trad drummer (hard to find!) and keeps the musicians in perfect time. He took the intro to SAN, starting with an Indian beat, hitting the toms, and continued backing Straus’s marvelous soprano sax – this tune was a gem!
Pianist Phil Hower listens carefully; responds with delicate and resourceful phrases.
Frank Batchelor
Frank Batchelor was featured on Basin St. Blues with a lyrical sliding melody linked to the original tailgate style of New Orleans. Awesome!.
Royal Garden Blues
Neil Flewelling, cornet
We were introduced to a tune: You Meet the Nicest People; this is the first time we’ve heard this tune. Fine cornet by Neil.
Neil Flewelling has admirable technique with solos that move lightly from phrase to phrase. We do meet the nicest people listening to Traditional and Dixieland Jazz!!
They added some fine blues, Jazz Me Blues. Buddy Bolden’s Blues was played slowly, melancholy and bluesy. Straus changed the mood singing a happy Floatin’ Down to Cottontown. “Hear the folks all singin’, banjos ringin’ ’till the break of day.”
Steve Caddick teaches banjo all over the world by Skype.
Steve Caddick (Banjo Hall of Fame inductee) on banjo and vocals, was a welcome addition to the band. Besides playing strong background rhythm, Steve Caddick had many vocals, There’ll Be Some Changes Made, Exactly Like You, Somebody Stole My Gal, Hard Hearted Hannah, It’s a Sin to Tell a Lie, My Honey’s Lovin’ Arms, Ain’t She Sweet, and the closing tune on banjo and vocals, drum finale.
Avalon
These Concerts on the Grass are broadcast on Bellingham/Mendon video station http://abmi8.org. You might be able to get them on line.
The Riverboat Stompers were heading for Cohasset the next day, with Jimmy Mazzy on banjo. Check our calendar on www.nejazz.com and search for Riverboat Stompers to find when this marvelous Dixieland Jazz Band will be in your neighborhood. www.riverboatstompers.com.
