Seacoast Stompers at the Acton Jazz Cafe
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
