Swing Senders Dream Team at Bemis Hall June 10, 2015

Posted on June 21, 2015 by admin

Steve Taddeo’s Swing Senders Dream Team

Paul Monat cornet, John Clark tenor sax/clarinet, Craig Ball clarinet, Gerry Gagnon tuba, Bill Doyle guitar, Ross Petot piano, Justin Meyer string bass, Steve Taddeo Drums, Caroline Griep vocals, and special guest Jack Soref, guitar.

Harold McAleer videos,
Marce photos

Steve Taddeo presented his Swing Senders at Bemis Hall on June 10th, with an amalgamation of New England’s finest musicians, and special guest, Jack Soref on guitar. With a great four-piece front line and two guitars, we were guaranteed an evening of outstanding Swing!

They began with Steve’s explosive drum intro into Savoy. Paul Monat said It was like being in a Gene Krupa concert!

Caroline Griep does it all with style.

Caroline Griep puts heart and soul into I Can’t Give You Anything but Love, with the Quintet of John Clark on tenor sax, Craig Ball clarinet, Soref playing Django style guitar, Justin Meyer string bass, Steve drums.

Paul Monat Wishing Upon a Star

Paul Monat was featured on When You Wish Upon a Star, citing his idol, Wild Bill Davison. The high ceiling of this large hall provided a beautiful echo enhancing Paul’s excellent cornet.

Caroline was back for Slow Boat to China. Her voice is rich, with a great range and many layers.

Justin was featured on Just You, Just Me, bowing the base in rich harmony, bolstered by intricate improvised solos.

On one tune, Taddeo joined him with their own version of “Big Noise From Winnetca”

Justin playing string bass while Steve taps on strings with drum sticks

Justin and Steve mimic Ray Bauduc and Bob Haggart

Harold filmed an impressive video of the Swing Sender’s Theme Song, Dinah.

There was an innovative interchange between the two guitars on Everybody Loves My Baby, backed by two clarinets. They all love making music!

Jack Soref, Bill Doyle

Dave Didriksen sits in.

Steve asked Dave Didriksen to sit in on Flat Foot Floogie. Dave is a fine drummer, and manager of the group Swing Times Five with Debby Larkin.

Dave took over the drums. He said it was worth it to give Steve Taddeo a rare chance to sing. Who knew Steve could sing?

Caroline returned with a soaring vocal on Jeeper Creepers.

The band broke into quartets; the first featuring Jack Soref on a tune we had been anticipating, Django’s Minor Swing, with Bill Doyle adding rhythm guitar, Justin on string bass, and Steve drums. Judge for yourself:

John Clark on tenor sax

Can’t We Be Friends was led by John Clark with a brilliant interchange between tenor sax and string bass.

Ross Petot makes sure there are no blank spaces.

Moonlight in Vermont captivated the audience with only Ross Petot backing Caroline Griep – just the two of them, letting the song shine through. Beautiful!

Djangology gave Soref another chance to feature his expertise on Django Rheinhardt. For half of 2011, Jack studied the music of Django Reinhardt at its source by moving to Paris, France. We hope to hear more from him in the future.

Finale, with a drum intro into Stomping at the Savoy. Wonderful solos… concluding with Steve Taddeo’s extended solo on his Antique 1939 Slingerland Drums, in high energetic and buoyant style, crossing cymbals, using press rolls and cymbal techniques. The room exploded!
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This really was a Dream Team! The musicians and audience were high from this fantastic Swing music and didn’t want it to stop. John Clark continued with I Got Rhythm, fine trombone by Gerry Gagnon and classic interchange between Craig Ball clarinet and Jack Soref. They hadn’t discussed how to end this, so Taddeo made it a wrap!

Steve Taddeo always come through with the finest musicians and amazing Swing. Save the date: Wednesday, August 12th. Steve is bringing back the marvelous Midiri Brothers to Bemis Hall. Details to follow.

Marce

Wolverine Jazz Band at the Sherborn Inn, November 4, 2014

Posted on November 5, 2014 by admin

John Clark’s Wolverine Jazz Band

Jeff Hughes trumpet, John Clark reeds, Tom Boates trombone, Ross Petot piano, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Rick MacWilliams tuba, Dave Didriksen drums

The Wolves were in rare form, back from a six-hour recording the previous day on their latest CD, #13. They’re on their way to the Arizona Jazz Classic Festival this weekend. They practiced on us, playing early New Orleans music with fiery enthusiasm – How LUCKY are WE???? They were asked to play King Oliver tunes at the Arizona Jazz Classic Festival, and we heard many of them, plus other tunes from the 20’s and 30’s, with original arrangements by John Clark.

They started Hot and Heavy with Michigander Blues, and a joyous New Orleans Stomp. A tune Bix Beiderbecke did with Frankie Trumbauer, There’ll Come a Time.

Tom Boates was featured on Snake Rag, a King Oliver tune that is always a big request. We only get to hear Tom once a month – the lucky folks at Bill’s Seafood in Westbrook Connecticut hear him every Friday with the Bill’s Seafood All-Stars. Boates sang the vocal on St. James Infirmary Blues, alternating choruses with each of the musicians. Nice touch. He closed with a growling trombone and drawn-out flourish.

Front line, featuring Tom Boates, with Jeff Hughes trumpet and John Clark clarinet

Jimmy Mazzy doesn’t use arrangements.

Jimmy had many vocals (We never get enough of them!) All from memory. Just Pretending, which is seldom played by any other band. The Halfway House Orchestra did some self-loathing tunes, I Hate Myself for Loving You and I Hate Myself For Being So Mean To You. John took out the baritone for that one.

Rita Brochu and Kathleen Howland

Another King Oliver tune, Olga, nice dance tune, then a romping New Orleans tune Buddy’s Habit. Another K.O. tune that Louis played with his Hot Five, Sunset Café Stomp, got Kathleen Howland up and dancing with her Mom, Rita Brochu. It was Kathleen’s birthday. Dr. Howland is a teacher of Music Therapy, both in private practice and at several schools, and plays one heck of a baritone sax! Special request for Kathleen, one of Jimmy’s favorite depression songs, Dip Your Brush in the Sunshine had everybody up dancing.

Betty Weaver requested a song from John Clark, and he obliged with The Oceana Roll, a popular RagTime tune written in 1911 about the U.S. Navy and the USS Alabama:
“Billy Mccoy was a musical boy
On the Cruiser Alabama he was there at the piana
Like a fish down in the sea, he would rattle off some harmony.” Never gets dull!!

Clark singing with trumpet and piano in backgrund

John Clark sings The Oceana Roll

Jimmy was asked to lead on a K.O. tune, I’m Lonesome Sweetheart, powerful trombone pushing the band. Someday Sweetheart, another Jimmy vocal, gave Rick MacWilliams a chance to shine on tuba. We haven’t heard Chimes Blues in ten years, it was fabulous, with Ross Petot playing the chimes on piano.

Rick MacWilliams and Ross Petot, fabulous rhythm section

Excellent drummer Dave Didriksen completes the rhythm section, keeping time with rim tapping on snare drum and cymbals.

Dave Didriksen

Their final tune, a sizzling Panama, was recorded by Kid Ory’s Creole Jazz Band. The Sherborn Inn furnished some Pyrotechnics:

We’ve been so fortunate to listen to this dynamic Wolverine Jazz Band from its inception, They celebrate their 19th anniversary next month.

We don’t mind sharing them with the folks in Arizona! Enjoy!

Blue Horizon Jazz Band’s first 2014 Fall Session at the Sherborn Inn

Posted on September 16, 2014 by admin

All the Blue Horizon Jazz Band ‘regulars’ were back!!

This was a special evening with no summer substitutes; all the Blue Horizon ‘regulars’ were back with their powerful brass front line.

trumpet and soprano sax on either side of string bass

Jeff Stout and leader Stan McDonald make a powerful team. Stu Gunn’s steady bass gives them freedom to fly!

They began with All By Myself, Stan taking the first of many vocals. Jeff’s trumpet was crystal clear on Roaming, Ross’s piano picking up riffs. Their repertoire consisted of tunes from the 20’s to the 40’s, strongly based on melody. They have a genuine passion and feel for this music: Tishumingo, Bechet’s Lastic, Roses of Picardie, Gershwin’s Strike Up The Band. Rosetta was hard-charging and wild! Honky Tonk Town had Stu weaving from side to side with the beat.

The front line is bolstered by the deep rich tone of Gerry Gagnon’s trombone.

Stan played a forceful soprano sax solo on Save It Pretty Mama. He played low register clarinet on a rhythmic Wild Man Blues, with every instrument taking spontaneous, off the cuff solos on its many breaks.

I Would Do Most Anything For You, Taddeo maintained a resourceful Traditional Jazz beat on his Swingerland drums all evening with the use of brushes,wood block, bell, choke cymbal and pinging the hi hat stand.

Ross Petot was featured with the rhythm section on You Can’t Take That Away From Me, keeping the music fresh by using his magical left hand as a walking bass line instead of his famous stride piano. Marvelous!

Ross Petot strayed from his famous stride piano to keep the music fresh.

Trumpet and sax were perfectly synchronized on When I Leave The World Behind, undergirded by Steve’s drums and Stu’s pulsating string bass.

The band has had fine substitutes like Paul Monat cornet and John Kafalas trombone over the summer (Gerry moved to impressive tuba). But it was refreshing to have the whole band back for the Fall Season. They sent us home with a gentle, sweet, Rose of San Antone.

The Blue Horizon Jazz Band is in its 19th year at the Sherborn Inn. They’ll all be back, along with our New England Fall Foliage on October 21st. Take a nice ride and join us!

Blue Horizon Jazz Band with Paul Monat at the Sherborn Inn July 22

Posted on July 15, 2014 by admin

Blue Horizon Jazz Band with Paul Monat and Al Ehrenfried

The Blue Horizon Jazz Band presented a romping New Orleans take on Sidney Bechet’s jazz and blues, with the five-piece group working together in a true spirit of cooperation. We were surprised to find cornetist Paul Monat substituting for trumpeter Jeff Stout, who has had a death in the family. Al Ehrenfried, string bass, came out of retirement for this evening.

It was a five-piece band, with Stan McDonald and Paul Monat cornet, holding the front line with the superb backing of the rhythm section, pianist Ross Petot, Al Ehrenfried bass, and Steve Taddeo drums.

They kicked it off with the New Orleans sound with Meet Me Tonight in Dreamland, and continued with Ross Petot’s robust piano intro to What Is This Thing Called Love.

Ain’t Gonna Give Nobody None of My Jelly Roll, Bechet’s I Remember When, Everybody Loves My Baby. The two were in sync, twining around each other. Stan started Lastic on clarinet, with Paul playing a long, sustained, note. The two make some powerful music together, drums and string bass maintaining the Traditional Jazz Beat.

When You and I Were Young Maggie. Bechet’s Blues In The Air, nice blues lead by Stan McDonald.

Ross was featured on Lucky Day, backed by string bass and drums.

Ross Petot Featured

It was Steve Taddeo’s birthday. Monida surprised him with a cake while the band played the Birthday Song.

Happy Birthday, Steve!

Stan and Paul in unison on Bechet’s Marchand de Poisson. Bechet’s Fantasy, Paul slipped in some of his mentor, Wild Bill Davison.

When I Leave The World Behind, had Stan on vocal, great soprano sax; continuing on Lonesome Road. Getting into overtime now with Bechet’s Dans Les Rues D’Antibes, with Al playing a superb bass solo, backed by Steve’s adept drumming.

It was an unforgettable evening. The Blue Horizon Jazz Band will return as usual on the 3^rd Tuesday of month, August 19^th with more surprises.

Paul Monat will be in New England until September, when he returns to Florida. Stay tuned.

Wolverine Jazz Band at the Sherborn Inn, April 29, 2014

Posted on May 9, 2014 by admin

Wolverine Jazz Band

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

The Wolverines are busy – new CD out anytime soon, and preparing for their trips to Festivals and their regular summer venues. They’ve been invited to the Hot Steamed Jazz Festival in Essex, CT, America’s Dixieland Jazz Festival in Olympia, WA, Arizona Classic Jazz Fest.

They will be busy locally this summer: June 1, Melrose (noon-4); July 9 – Willows at Westboro; July 29 – Southgate at Shrewsbury; July 30 – Sherborn Center; August 20 – Norwood; August 21 – Natick Senior Center

All stellar Jazzmen who invoke the spirit of New Orleans Jazz, we are fortunate that they rehearse with us at the Sherborn Inn! They began with a new song that will be on the CD coming out the end of this month – Dear Old Girl – for the sentimental Irish.

Jeff Hughes

Savoy Blues, Jeff raucous on 1954 Long Model, “K-Modified” Selmer cornet, and being Bix Beiderbecke on There’ll Come a Time. He’s an expert on many famous cornetist and trumpeters, and is known for always wearing a hat.

Jimmy Mazzy

We have many Jimmy Mazzy vocals, Al Jolson’s California Hear I Come, T’Ain’t So, Jelly Roll Morton’s Sweet Substitute, with Jeff comping, more below.

Dave Didriksen

This was the 115th anniversary of Duke Ellington’s birthday, so naturally there were some Duke’s: Sweet Mama (they haven’t played before).

1929 Cotton Club, Duke’s, Digga Digga Do let Dave Didriksen go on drums.

Jimmy volcal on Al Jolson’s California Here I Come, backed by bari sax, drum rim-tapping behind him. Pre-Cotton Club Creole Love Call – Jimmy whistling the Adelaide Hall riff. A tune Paramount Jazz Band did, and always messed up the beginning: Who Wouldn’t Love You? The Wolverines don’t mess up.

Ory’s Creole Trombone

Tom was featured on Ory’s Creole Trombone. Magnificent!

Rick MacWilliams hidden behind tuba

King Oliver recorded Olga in 1930 on Victor, Rick recreating the tuba solo, great New Orleans polyphony by front line. This is a song that nobody ever plays.

Panama is one of our favorite Ragtime Marches, Jimmy Scatting, John Clark on that monster baritone saxophone.

Ross was featured with the Trio on a more modern tune, In a MellowTone, stride piano giving it a Ragtime feel, joined by Jeff on cornet at close.

A no-holds-barred rendition of Sunset Café Stomp had all the feet tapping. The first tune John Clark ever heard that captivated him and moved him toward Traditional Jazz was Mugsy Spanier^‘s I’m Sorry I Made You Cry. Mood Indigo, Clark on low register clarinet, Jim vocal, soft muted trombone and cornet. They hit all our favorites! They closed with a Spanish beat on Oriental Man.

Look above for all the places this marvelous Traditional Jazz Band will be playing this year. Also check our calendars, and get on John Clark’s email list: jazzbnd@aol.com He sends out email updates once a month to everyone on his list.

Swing Times Five at the Sherborn Inn, March 25, 2014

Posted on March 25, 2014 by admin

Guitar, drums, string bass, trumpet, piano, tenror sax

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.

Wolverine Jazz Band at the Sherborn Inn March 11, 2014

Posted on March 11, 2014 by admin

Wolverine Jazz Band

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

The Wolverines are busy preparing for their trips to Festivals and their regular summer venues. They’ve been invited to the Hot Steamed in Essex, CT, America’s Dixieland Jazz Festival in Olympia, WA, Arizona Classic Jazz Fest. They rehearse with us at the Sherborn Inn – how fortunate is that??

However, St. Patrick’s Day was approaching, so instead of their theme song, they kicked it off with an popular tune – Wearing of the Green, a song about the Irish rebellion of 1798.

We had special guests up from Connecticut – their first time here – Jean Hadley, Joan Boutelle , and friend/driver Angie. Thanks for coming folks!!

Inspired by one another, the Wolverines play incredible Dixieland, Satanic Blues, John Clark already on baritone sax, Tom Boates growling trombone. Smokin’!

They tried out new tunes, preparing for their next CD, creating arrangements as they played them. “Some mighty fine guesses going on here.” Chimes Blues will be on their new album, Ross Petot playing chimes on piano.

Jeff Hughes watches Ross Petot play fantastic piano

Jeff Hughes watches Ross Petot play amazing stride piano

We’re always ready for a Jimmy Mazzy vocal, and there were many: T’aint So. (Yes, ‘tis!) Come Rain or Come Shine. Lonny Johnson’s Tomorrow Night, a 1920’s tune that changed over the years from the 40’s to 50’s Rock & Roll; even Elvis recorded it. Jimmy’s special ballad, After You’ve Gone with Jeff soft trumpet behind him; Rick MacWilliams majestic tuba solo. Sound of the Wanderer, a 1920’s tune that featured Helen Hughes, incredible interplay between trumpet and trombone.

Sunset Cafe Stomp was a Charleston. It was named after the Sunset Cafe, also known as The Grand Terrace Cafe, a jazz club in Chicago in the 20’s to 40’s.
Recorded by Louis Armstrong:
“Gentlemen, ladies too
Push ’em round n round
They loose their head
They’ll drop dead …. doing the Sunset Stomp.”

Tom Boates and Jim Mazzy

Eubie Blakes Memories of You sweet Clark clarinet feature, Tom on muted trombone.

Tom Boates set sparks flying on Snake Rag!

Zero by Santo Pecora, New Orleans trombonist was HOT!

John Clark finds his voice

From their latest CD, a fun tune, Egyptian Ella, with John Clark vocal.

Jeff Hughes, trumpet

This band never disappoints! They showed what a good band can do. There were many more great tunes.

They closed with a big hit at all the festivals, Dinah, Jeff Hughes’ sharp trumpet intro with banjo riffs, gave Dave Didriksen a chance to let go on drums; it was so hot it triggered the famous Jimmy Mazzy shout!

Hot Band!

They’re more than ready for the upcoming festivals. We don’t mind sharing them. You can even Hire them. They’ll be back here again on April 29^th and June 14^th (for those of you keeping track.) Folks come from all over; Marilyn will probably be driving from down Maine.

Hope to see you here! Sherborn Inn, 33 N. Main Street, (inters. of Rts. 16 & 27) Sherborn, MA Reservations: (508) 655-9521 or info@sherborninn.com. Please make a reservation – the Wolverines tend to fill up the room.

Marce

White Heat Swing Quintet at the Sherborn Inn, October 22, 2013

Posted on October 24, 2013 by admin

Dave Whitney trumpet, Craig Ball tenor sax/clarinet, Ken Steiner string bass, Ross Petot piano, Dave Bragdon drums.

White Heat Quintet is a solid Swing Band with memorable Benny Goodman tunes, some Bix, Gershwin, a tribute to Louis Armstrong, and tonight, even some Rudy Vallee.

Craig Ball on tenor sax

Craig started the evening on gut-wrenching tenor sax on Linger a While, presenting a sample of what was forthcoming this evening.

Whitney did his tribute to Louis Armstrong with multi-layered trumpet playing on Gypsy, with a vocal backed by Ross’s fine piano, Craig said, “No wonder he’s called Dean of Swing Trumpet”!

Get Happy was a blistering tune. Bragdon let loose on drums and they wrapped it up with WILD trumpet and clarinet challenging each other, setting sparks flying.

Ross was featured on piano with Gone With The Wind, resurrecting James P. Johnson; Dave’s soft, rolling brushes on snare drum backed Ken’s string bass solo.

Ken Steiner slapping that bass!

Found a New Baby, Whitney led on trumpet, Craig comping on clarinet. We can’t get enough of Ken Steiner’s fantastic slap bass, strings bouncing off the finger board!

San, began with the verse, Whitney’s trumpet sounding like Bix Beiderbecke when he was with Paul Whitman; fun Turkey Trot. Craig’s Benny Goodman clarinet on Begin The Beguine brought back fond memories.

I Would do Most Anything For, Whitney on vocal, drum and string bass were right behind him, Craig playing fast run on clarinet. It Don’t Mean a Thing if it Ain’t Got That Swing – Barnburner! They followed with something sweet and slow, Deep Night, written by Rudy Vallee for Vagabond Lover. This was a first for us.

Ross Petot with a big smile - very unusual!

Ross is actually smiling!

Then it was Gershwin time – Ross playing ragtime, Nice Work If You Can Get It, segueing into a fine Swing number. If you’re looking for SWING, this is the place!

For the last half hour, Craig called for a Swing Jam, inviting musicians to join them. First man up was Marty Lieberman on clarinet with Bye Bye Blackbird. (Marty is responsible for starting Sam’s Jam about 30 years ago.) Peter Gerler joined them on guitar for I Never Knew.

Laurie Young

Vocalist Lorrie Young likes Billie Holiday, stepped up with Can’t Help Loving That Man of Mine. She’ll be back here in a few weeks. Her ‘alter ego’ Stacie Brandon joined her for How High The Moon. (We hope the names are correct.)

Jeff Hughes just listening in the audience finally stepped up with his mellow, melodic flugel horn; I Let a Song Get Out of My Heart, with warm interplay with Whitney’s trumpet. When these two get together, it’s pure magic!

The White Heat Swing Quintet finished with Wholly Cats, that the Benny Goodman Sextet did in 1940 in NYC with Charlie Christian, Cootie Williams, George Auld, Artie Bernstein and Harry Jaeger.

Trumpet and flugel horn duet trading fours in vibrato, fiery clarinet, Ross offering just the right chords on piano, Peter Gerler’s supple fingers on guitar, Bragdon’s driving drums, Steiner slapping that bass – closed a formidable evening of Sensational Swing!

A Group of ‘swingers’ passing by from the dining room stopped dead in their tracks, surprised to find such great Swing here at the Sherborn Inn. They loved it! Let’s hope they return and bring friends.

Blue Horizon Jazz Band’s Indian Summer at the Sherborn Inn, October 15, 2013

Posted on October 24, 2013 by admin

Blue Horizon Jazz Band, with Dave Didriksen drums

Stan McDonald clarinet/soprano sax, Jeff Stout trumpet, Gerry Gagnon trombone, Ross Petot piano, Peter Gerler guitar, Al Ehrenfried string bass, Dave Didriksen drums.

Blue Horizon Jazz Band, now celebrating 18 years at the Sherborn Inn, performed another evening of fine Traditional Jazz, with a superb front line backed by the splendid rhythm section.

Stan started on clarinet for Meet Me Tonight in Dreamland, moving to soprano sax, complemented by the powerful trumpet of Jeff Stout and tailgate trombone of Gerry Gagnon. Gee Baby Ain’t I Good To You, Rose of the Rio Grand. Four or Five Times is always played in a slow beat.

All By Myself – Berklee Professor Jeff Stout was introduced to ‘new’ old tunes played by the Bechet-Spanier Big Four. The Big Four consisted of soprano sax and trumpet with only guitar and bass – but the Blue Horizon also has invaluable trombone, piano and drum.

Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gives To Me, Stan conjuring the echo of Sidney Bechet on soprano sax, with trumpet and trombone following in rhythmic harmony.

Stan McDonald sings Lotus Blossom

Lotus Blossom, Stan singing one of his favorites.

Ross’s lovely piano solo was backed by Dave’s soft brushes on snare drum. Stan closed it with crisp high note on soprano sax.

Ross on piano, Peter Gerler behind him on guitar

Ross Petot, pianist extraordinaire

PIanist extraordinaire, Ross Petot’s artistry as a stride pianist is renowned; he played improvised New Orleans stride on W. C. Handy’s Ole Miss, backed by Peter Gerler’s guitar.

Kansas City Man Blues was a sublime piece of ensemble playing. Bechet recorded it with Bob Wilbur in 1947.

Gerry Gagnon, Dave Didriksen, Jeff Stout

Al Ehrenfried

Marie Elena was played in Habanera style, front line inspired by the burning tempo. Didriksen listened carefully, anticipating where they were heading, with Al Ehrenfried’s pulsing string bass beside him. Exciting!

Gagnon, head back, mouth wide open, drummer Didriksen in back, smiling.

Gerry Gagnon belts it out!

Lonesome Road, Stan began on vocal, then gave Gerry Gagnon a chance to belt it out. Astounding! He could reach the back of a theater without a mic!

Stan doesn’t stray far from Bechet, returning with Marchand de Poisson.

They Closed with rapturous Indian Summer, this month’s theme. This timeless song was written by Victor Herbert in 1919 but not made famous until 1940 by Sidney Bechet. In 1978, Stan recorded his own compelling version (available on Blue Horizon Records). http://bluehorizonjazzband.com/

Marce

Blue Horizon Jazz Band, with Dave Whitney and Dave Didriksen

Posted on August 20, 2013 by admin

photos by Bennett Green

Blue Horizon Jazz Band, with Dave Whitney trumpet and Dave Didriksen drums

Dave Whitney trumpet, Stan McDonald clarinet/sopranos sax/vocals. Gerry Gagnon trombone, Ross Petot piano, Peter Gerler guitar/banjo, Al Ehrenfried string bass, Dave Didriksen drums

It’s Tuesday at the Sherborn Inn, and we’re ready for an evening of our favorite Traditional Jazz. The Blue Horizon began with Meet Me To-night in Dreamland, Dave playing melodic trumpet with a congenial Stan McDonald on subtle clarinet, and Gerry Gagnon’s trombone using broad slides. Peter Gerler was on banjo.

Sidney Bechet and Mugsy Spanier’s Four or Five Times wasn’t raucous, but had a nice easy beat, Whitney playing melody, Stan with intricate counterpoint on soprano sax, Peter on guitar.

Then they revved it up, with a rollicking Honky Tonk Town, with tight New Orleans polyphony, and suddenly they had the listeners sitting at the edge of their seats. The band was on fire, lit by sparkplug Dave Whitney. You could feel it in the air. Save It Pretty Mama, Stan on soprano sax, muted trombone.

They kept the fires burning with Jelly Roll Morton’s Tijuana, with solo by Stan.

Stan had vocals on My Gal Sal and When I Leave The World Behind.

This band plays music of the early 20^th century. Shim-Me-Sha-Wabble, by spencer Williams was published in 1917. Marie Elena was a fine Latin beat. Dave Whitney on propulsive trumpet, If I Could Be With You.

Ross Petot has amazing technical prowess on piano.

There was much discussion about who would start the next tune, Ross won, playing the beautiful verse of When I Leave The World Behind, Dave keeping steady drum beat. Magnificent solos by the front line, with Stan closing in a high cadenza.

Ross introduced What Is This Thing Called Love?

Bechet’s Marchand de Poisson and Blues in The Air were exceptional, with Dave and Stan on a roll.

Dave and Stan with Al on string bass in backgrund

Dave Whitney and Stan McDonald in high gear. photo by Marce

The crowd was ecstatic, responding to the band, and the band was feeding off the crowd.

All listen while Al Ehrenfried plays acoustic string bass

Ehrenfried keeps a full, rich tone, playing proper bass lines, lifting the whole band.

Gerry Gagnon makes fine use of many mutes.

Gerry’s trombone lead into a solid up-tempo Good Ol’ New York. Dave Didriksen let go on drum solo.

Don’t You Leave Me Here Whitney in wa wa, vibrato trumpet, Gagnon on muted trombone.

Didriksen with big smile, giving high sign with fist

Dave Didriksen thoroughly enjoying the band

Time was running short, they were really cookin’ with I Got Rhythm, and everyone knew it.

They closed with Bechet’s Dans Les Rues D’Antibes, with horns holding on to the last note.

Dave Whitney and Dave Didriksen don’t usually sit in with the Blue Horizon Jazz Band, but the chemistry was there from the start; the band worked together with heartfelt solos and ensembles. We were fortunate to have shared this deeply moving evening of fine Traditional Jazz!

Stan McDonald’s Blue Horizon Jazz Band is in its 19th year at the Sherborn Inn, every 3rd Tuesday of the month. See you there September 17th??

New England Traditional Jazz Plus

Swing, Traditional Jazz, Dixieland Jazz, Big Bands

Tag Archives: Ross Petot

Swing Senders Dream Team at Bemis Hall June 10, 2015

Wolverine Jazz Band at the Sherborn Inn, November 4, 2014

Blue Horizon Jazz Band’s first 2014 Fall Session at the Sherborn Inn

Blue Horizon Jazz Band with Paul Monat at the Sherborn Inn July 22

Wolverine Jazz Band at the Sherborn Inn, April 29, 2014

Swing Times Five at the Sherborn Inn, March 25, 2014

Wolverine Jazz Band at the Sherborn Inn March 11, 2014

White Heat Swing Quintet at the Sherborn Inn, October 22, 2013

Blue Horizon Jazz Band’s Indian Summer at the Sherborn Inn, October 15, 2013

Blue Horizon Jazz Band, with Dave Whitney and Dave Didriksen

photos by Bennett Green