A new era began as the Blue Horizon Jazz Band launched Thursday Jazz at the Primavera Ristorante in Millis, Massachusetts. Primavera is an excellent new venue for Traditional and Dixieland Jazz. It is a quality restaurant with a lovely atmosphere. It offers great service at an affordable price and makes you feel like you are dining in Italy.
The band plays in a separate function room with good sound and balance, but it doesn’t have a piano – yet. Stan McDonald had to rearrange some personnel. Dave MacMillan substituted for pianist Ross Petot, with banjo, vocals, and smiles.
Stan McDonald soprano sax, Jeff Stout trumpet, John Kafalas trombone, Dave MacMillan banjo/vocals, Gerry Gagnon tuba, George Darrah drums
George Darrah filled in for Steve Taddeo. He is a bright young drummer from Beverly. At age 16, he was rehearsing with the Dave Whitney Big Band. He’s become a fine musician and will be one of the keepers of the Classic Jazz flame.
Along with Gerry’s tuba, George provided sure-footed rhythm with his creative drumming.
Dave MacMillan kicked off the evening with banjo intro and vocals on I Can’t Believe That You’re In Love With Me.
Trombonist John Kafalas interjected the blues feeling in Wabash Blues. He has a Bach 42 trombone with a large bell that is generally used in a symphony, but works very well in this room.
Gerry Gagnon is a virtuoso bassist on tuba, and showed it on his solo on Rose of The Rio Grande.
Stan said he believes All By Myself is one of the greatest melodies of all time, an “organic whole”.
Old Fashioned Love featured Stan on soprano sax. They alternated with a Latin beat on St. Louis Blues, fortified by Jeff Stout’s powerful trumpet.
Trumpet and saxophone took a stirring, synchronized intro into When I Leave The World Behind, backed only by tuba. The ensemble worked together, playing for each other as well as the listening audience, on Sugar, Swing That Music, .
Some Of These Days was a barn-buster that had fans tapping their toes. Stout’s trumpet took a slow intro into Sunny Side of The Street with just the rhythm section behind him. Nice.
Since these musicians have never played together as a band, Back Home Again in Indiana was preceded by a big discussion. The result was inspired solos and ensemble, ending with Dave MacMillan, with a big smile, embellishing the vocals.
Jeff took the lead on Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gives To Me with Stan playing counterpoint.
Black and Blue was fresh and different, played with alternating tempos.
Darrah took a drum-pummeling four-bar break on the closure, After You’ve Gone.
Primavera will be a perfect venue for Traditional and Dixieland Jazz, with warm staff, hospitality and fine food. (Chicken Limoncello was delicious!) We look forward to returning next week for Eli and His Hot Six (formerly Eli’s All Stars) with pianist Bob Winter of the Boston Pops on keyboard. POSTER Join us!
Primavera Ristorante, 20 Pleasant St. Millis MA 02054 (Just off Rt. 109) 508-376-2026 http://www.primav.com/
The Blue Horizon Jazz Band took a romp through the music from the 20’s to the 50’s, playing happy, foot stomping Traditional Jazz. Jeff Stout was relaxed (he must have had a good day teaching at Berklee.) McDonald plays Traditional Jazz for the sheer spirit of it; he lives for this music. They were feeling each other out, trumpet playing lead, soprano sax counterpoint. Gerry Gagnon’s trombone complementing the front line. They were dynamic!
It all came together, starting with I Got Rhythm. They got rhythm! Save It Pretty Mama Stan vocal, and soprano sax with piano comping. Stu Gunn’s string bass is solid as a metronome. He stays sharp playing classical bass with the Cape Cod Symphony,
They haven’t played the catchy tune by Sidney Bechet, Lastik, in a long time. Great tune; trumpet and sax taking lead, muted trombone playing counterpoint. Gerry Gagnon pulls a multitude of sounds out of that trombone with different mutes.
Stan McDonald on clarinet
Jelly Roll Morton’s My Gal Sal has had many versions over the years. Piano intro with Stan on clarinet, they made it a fine instrumental, a bit slower than usual.
Bechet’s Tijuana, a Latin tune named after a bar in Kansas City; then to Irving Berlin with All By Myself. Roamin’ , Ross played a western loping on the piano.
Steve Taddeo lets go
Steve Taddeo maintained the feel of Trad Jazz with clean controlled drumming, He let loose on his drum solo on Running Wild.
Ross set a soft tempo for Sugar, trombone providing balance for sax and trumpet. Jeff’s silky trumpet solo was backed by subtle rhythm section. Beautiful.
Ross Petot listens carefully and keeps it all together.
Lyrics can be an integral part of melody. Stan contemplated, When I Leave The World Behind.
Stan McDonald puts heart and soul into his vocals
New Orleans, Jeff Stout on powerful trumpet. They changed the mood with Sidney Bechet’s Marchand de Poisson, warm melodic lines. Wild Cat Blues marvelous, intricate ensemble.
Gerry Gagnon reaches up and makes beautiful music on Sidney Bechet’s Spreading Joy. Astounding!
Gerry Gagnon
Si Tu Vois Ma Mere, another Bechet tune. Matt Chavin of ’20’s Jazz’, says “Stan McDonald is probably the closest living representative of the style of Sidney Bechet today.”
Jeff Stout and Stan McDonald complement each other
I Remember When sax and trumpet in sync, with piano playing riffs. Stan took the ending with a consummate high note!
With time growing short, the ensemble closed with a resounding lively finale of When I Grow Too Old To Dream.
The Blue Horizon Jazz Band will return with another romp through the music from the 20’s to the 50’s on December 16th. We don’t know yet what the new ownership in January will mean. But….
Dan Gabel’s High Society Jazz Band will be here December 2nd, and we’ll close the year on Tuesday December 23rd with a FREE-FOR-ALL JAZZboree with many familiar fine musicians! No admission fee, and cake for all!! Join us???
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.
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!
John Kafalas trombone, Paul Monat cornet, Stan McDonald clarinet and soprano sax, Ross Petot piano, Gerry Gagnon tuba, Steve Taddeo drums
Stan McDonald’s Blue Horizon Jazz Band presented another fine evening of Traditional Jazz at the Sherborn Inn on August 19th, with some changes in personnel. Gerry Gagnon moved to tuba, John Kafalas filled in for him on trombone. Paul Monat was back. He’ll be playing all around New England until September.
They kicked it off with congenial ensemble on All By Myself and Sugar, Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gives To Me. Gagnon plays a swinging tuba, 1955 Conn 20J recording bell-front, with a deep sonorous sound boosting the rhythm section. Monat said “It felt like playing on a magic carpet”. Gerry was tubist with the Boilermaker Jazz Band of Pittsburgh until 1994, when he moved to New England and joined The Blue Horizon Jazz Band. Seven or eight years later, Stan moved the band to string bass, and Gerry changed to trombone. Stan took the vocal on Darktown Strutters Ball, backed by this rock solid rhythm section with Ross Petot on piano, and Steve Taddeo drums. The evening was dedicated to John and Elizabeth, who chose to celebrate their 67th wedding anniversary at the Sherborn Inn with the Blue Horizon Jazz Band. Congratulations!!
Stan played elegant clarinet solo on Bechet’s lovely Blues in the Air. Clarinet and cornet collaborated on Memphis Blues, rich voices interweaving in New Orleans polyphony.
The front line played a captivating Tijuana with John Kafalas on fierce trombone. Listeners couldn’t sit still, dancing in their seats.
Stans’ soprano sax took the intro to a spirited Save It Pretty Mama. Paul Monat surprised us, putting heart and soul in the vocal. Not bad!
There was solid melody and harmony on Roses of Picardi, with McDonald back on soprano sax. His Blue Horizon Jazz Band has complete command of the Trad Jazz language! Stan asked that the next tune be played slow as possible. Taddeo set the beat, very, very, slow on Lotus Blossom; different, and very effective.
Paul’s cornet went wild on a tune recorded many times by Wilbur and Sidney DeParis, Yama Yama Man
Ross Petot introduced the closing tune with a four bar vamp on Dardanella; fine ensemble, closing with Stan’s soprano sax.
Traditional Jazz enjoyed a revival here in the mid-1970’s, but there are very few bands in New England still playing authentic Traditional Jazz; Stan McDonald only hires musicians that are comfortable with the genre. They’ll be back, as always, on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at the Sherborn Inn, September 16th. See you there?
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 3rd Tuesday of month, August 19th with more surprises.
Paul Monat will be in New England until September, when he returns to Florida. Stay tuned.
Neville Dickie piano with Jeff Hughes trumpet, Stan McDonald soprano sax, Steve Taddeo drums
Neville Dickie tours the U.S. every year around this time. Neville is from Surrey, England and is known worldwide for his stride piano, boogie woogie, with a powerful left hand and flashy fingering on the right hand. We all looked forward to his 13th appearance at the Sherborn Inn; thanks to Ellen and Stan McDonald.
He was joined by Steve Taddeo on drums, Stan McDonald on soprano sax, and Jeff Hughes trumpet. He is a charming entertainer, and enjoyed having a few beers and renewing acquaintances with the fans that come out to hear him every year. They come from all over New England – he fills the house.
Neville began his renowned “showing off for the Company”, backed by Steve Taddeo, with Jimmy McHugh’s Doing The New Lowdown, marvelous.
He said there’s nothing complete without Fats Waller, Keeping Out of Mischief Now. He’s known for his rapid left stride, but we like his active right hand toying with the melody.
He once heard Stan and Ross Petot play the Harlem Hotcha, written by James P. Johnson. It was originally done by the Omer Simeon Trio with Johnson on piano, Simeon clarinet and Pops Foster bass. Neville’s lightening left hand was supported by Steve feeling his way on snare drum and hi hat, trying not to be intimidated by the famous Dickie.
Neville invited Stan McDonald and Jeff Hughes to join them, with a piano intro to Rose of The Rio Grande. Neville played chugging, rocking chords, Stan on hot soprano sax also did the vocal, Jeff’s trumpet softly in the background. Neville started with the verse on a Darktown Strutters Ball, fingers floating over the keys. Stan on sax and singing.
Back to the duo of Neville and Steve with I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter, Neville playing in 6ths and left hand patterns like Jelly Roll Morton, giving his playing a “New Orleans” flavor. (I was coached by Ross Petot.)
Neville had several DVD’s for sale, he included a free CD with each one sold. He played ingenious stride on one of the tunes on his Back to Boogie DVD, Bells of St. Marys. He explained how the composer, Douglas Furber, was on a boat leaving South Hampton in England when he heard the Bells of St. Marys as the boat was leaving. It inspired him to write the tune. Dickie ended the piece with dramatic bell sounds on piano. Going back to boogie woogie, he turned to the jazz style of Albert Ammons with his 1940’s boogie, Shout for Joy.
Neville invited Stan and Jeff back. Neville’s right hand played warm, soulful, cascading piano to Jeff’s glorious horn solo on Bunny Berigan’s I Can’t Get Started. Sweet!
Jeff Hughes and Neville Dickie play Bunny “Berigan’s I Can’t Get Started”
Neville said “You won’t hear anything better than that!” We totally agree.
Neville enjoys sharing the stage, playing backup piano in the quartet for Maggie. The Ensemble’s powerful performance, with Stan’s scorching soprano sax turned Tijuana into a barn burner!
Stan’s scorching sax
Our own dynamic pianist, Ross Petot, sat at the piano playing haunting and elegant melodies during intermission. His hands crossed playing stride on I Hate Myself For Being So Mean To You by Isham Jones; Somebody Loves Me, Who’s Sorry Now, But Not For Me, Love For Sale, King of Araby.
New England pianist Ross Petot
In the middle of Araby, Neville returned and took over the treble end of the piano. The two together are remarkable piano pyrotechnicians. The baby grand vibrated with impeccable rhythm! We look forward to this every year!
Neville Joins Ross at piano
They trade places, playing 4-handed piano
Taddeo joins the pianists
Neville back at the piano with the volatile Finger Breaker. Jelly Roll Morton composed Finger Breaker; Willie ‘the Lion’ Smith called it Finger Buster. Either way, it’s extremely fast and difficult. Harlem Blues went from Blues to intense Boogie. It was the first blues ever published – 1940 – by Blue Note founder, Albert Lion.
Quartet resumes with All By Myself, Jeff backing Neville with soft trumpet; James P Johnson’s Old Fashioned Love, Stan on sax and vocals. Neville boogied with a hispanic tinge on Dardanella.
Steve back with Neville playing marvelous left-hand boogie woogie on Golden Earrings, from the movie with Marlene Dietrich. Swanee River Boogie was ecstasy! We never get enough boogie!
Closing time was approaching; Neville wanted to give Taddeo a chance to play. He said he’d make it easy, started Honeysuckle Rose with a slow, rolling left hand. Steve went along, adding a soft drum roll. By now he was comfortable with Neville, and tore into his Gene Krupa walk-around routine, stepping away from the drums with sticks tapping the beat, tapping on anything within reach, table, glasses, dishes, never missing a note. That caught Neville and the ladies at the nearest table by surprise! He tapped on, back towards Neville and returned to the drums to audience applause.
George Hannah
Steve has been teaching drums to student George Hannah. George sat in on drums, playing just the right accents and sounds with Neville on Indian Summer. We’ve been watching him grow up with drums – he’s come a long way!
The quartet returned with Wild Man Blues, with trumpet in glissando, staccato phrasing. They closed this evening with sax and trumpet intro to Lover Come Back To Me.
Myron Idleson called this the Mount Rushmore of Jazz Concerts. He said their talent is a gift from God, and their playing is their gift to God. I’ll add ‘to us too’.
Neville headed for New Jersey to play with the Midiri Brothers for the Tri State Jazz Society, then on to Maryland. If you’re ever in England, Neville and wife Pat started the Sutton Jazz Club where he plays monthly at The Thomas Wall Centre, Benhill Avenue, Sutton, Surrey. http://www.jazzpiano.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/advance_dates.htm
We look forward to having him back here again next year.
Steve will be in concert with the Midiri Brothers here on August 12th. Dick Donovan’s Big Band directed by Steve Taddeo is at the American Legion, 140 River Rd. Middleton MA every Monday evening.
Jeff will be back at the Sherborn Inn with The Wolverine Jazz Band, Swing Times Five, and Debby Larkin, Dave Whitney, Dan Gabel. They all want him. And He’ll still be wearing a hat.
Stan’s Blue Horizon Jazz Band will be back at the Sherborn Inn June 17th.
We are so fortunate to have all this marvelous jazz!! I count my blessings every day!
Stan McDonald soprano sax/clarinet, Jeff Stout trumpet, Gerry Gagnon trombone, Ross Petot piano, Stu Gunn string bass, Steve Taddeo drum
This has been a bad winter for Stan McDonald’s Blue Horizon Jazz Band. Fierce winter storms have forced the cancellation of the Band’s dates in both January and February, so we all had our fingers crossed for March. It was cold, but no precipitation, so he was able to perform the New Orleans Rites and Riffs of Spring, with plenty of Sidney Bechet and many beautiful New Orleans tunes. His Knowledge of Traditional Jazz is remarkable.
Stan dedicated this evening to Lynn Sickles, a fan who passed away January 18th. Our hearts go out to hubby Bob, who was here this evening; they were married 46 years. Family, friends and music help lighten the loss. Lynn’s favorite song was All of Me, and the band started with a glorious version of it, Jeff Stout taking the lead on trumpet with McDonald offering complicated counterpoint on soprano sax. Steve Taddeo holding choke cymbal on hi hat. Stu Gunn holding a steady beat on string bass, and we love the mellow sound of Gerry Gagnon’s tail-gate trombone.
Blue Horizon Jazz Band always has musicians with expertise who play in countless other bands in the area. They love what they’re doing, and play with passion and intensity, with no arrangements. When You and I Were Young Maggie, Earl Hines’ You Can Depend on Me, Strike up the Band, Marie Elena, my favorite Tijuana and more.
Gerry Gagnon, Steve Taddeo, Jeff Stout
Jeff Stout, Stu Gunn, Stan McDonald
Four or Five Times, originally done by the The Bechet-Spanier Big Four, was one of the more closely arranged tunes. They also did All By Muself. 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.
Stan plays Honky Tonk Town, Ross Petot on piano
Ross Petot was featured on What Is This Thing Called Love, playing his inimitable stride. Lovely!
Sidney Bechet (May 14, 1897 – May 14, 1959) was an American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, and composer. He was one of the first important soloists in jazz, and was perhaps the first notable jazz saxophonist with forceful delivery, well-constructed improvisations, and a distinctive, wide vibrato. Stan McDonald has been one of his staunchest afficionados, so several of his tunes were included: Blues in the Air, Lastik, Lotus Blossom, Rose de Picardie, Marchand de Poisson.
They ran out of time before completing all the songs on McDonald’s list, so they closed with When I Leave The World Behind.
Spring has finally arrived – it’s been a long winter! Hopefully no more snow storms! The next performance of The Blue Horizon Jazz Band will be April 15th, and thereafter on the 3rd Tuesday of every month at the Sherborn Inn, 33 N. Main Street, (intersection of Rts. 16 & 27) Sherborn, MA. $10 Please call for reservations at 508-655-9521 or info@sherborninn.com. See you there?
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 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!
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/
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 20th 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 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.
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??
The Sherborn Inn was packed elbow-to-elbow with eager fans for celebrated British pianist Neville Dickie’s 12th appearance at the Sherborn Inn on Tuesday, June 4, 2013.
After mixing with his fans, Neville sat at the baby grand and revived a fount of pieces from the 1920’s with ragtime, boogie, stride – pop. With drummer Dave Bragdon, he started on the 1920’s Charleston Mad, from one of his many albums. He turned to Dave and asked “What do you fancy doing?” They came up with a sunny and warm version of Benny Goodman’s Red Sails in the Sunset.
Neville and Dave
Dickie generally plays solo piano in concert. Not here; he takes it easy and becomes part of the band, giving him a chance to relax, walk around, talk with his enthusiastic fans.
Stan McDonald
Stan McDonald joined them on soprano sax, with Jeff Hughes on trumpet for James P. Johnson’s If I could Be With You, Neville starting with the verse, Stan on vocal and saxophone. Roses of Piccardie, It Had To Be You, with Neville’s clever backing and multi-layered playing.
Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams. Jelly Roll Morton’s Tijuana, crisp soprano sax.
Jeff was featured on a boogie that they created on the moment, The Sherborn Boogie, Jeff getting glorious sounds from a rare 1946 Martin Committee Olds Trumpet. (Jeff has a vast collection of instruments, and he makes them all sound great!)
Jeff Hughes feature
During the break, Ross Petot kept the piano hot, giving us umpteen inspiring variations of Gershwin’s Sentimental Gentleman from Georgia. He has a fantastic left hand of his own, definitely with some James P. Johnson influence.
Ross Petot and Neville
He slipped into some eight-to-the-bar (probably for Neville’s sake) and played his specialty stride piano on Stairway to Paradise.
Neville joined him for four-handed piano, two pyrotechnicians playing an ingenious variety of choruses.
Neville said he’s happy to see the same faces here, year after year, and remembered Lynn Sickle. She was in her special chair – always next to the piano, here with Janet Borgman. Neville played his own swinging version of All of Me, Lynn’s favorite – he remembered.
It’s hard to tell who is having the most fun here, Neville or the fans. He relaxes, tells tales, he’s “one of the guys”.
He says “Musicians like to drink, and I’m no exception. I read that liquor is the root of all evil, so I gave up reading.”
“I quit drinking once, it was the worse 20 minutes of my life!”
“I enjoy playing here at the Sherborn Inn; Stan provides the music, Ellen provides great beer”.
Neville relaxes
Ross took over at the piano and gave him a chance to mingle with the crowd.
Soprano sax and trumpet traded fabulous fours on Make Me a Pallet on Your Floor, Stan singing. After You’ve Gone was another lively one.
Ross Petot and Band
Dave & Neville returned with a sweet Keeping Out of Mischief Now, segue into a racing tempo on Handful of Keys, Neville’s fingers leaping across the keyboard. Marvelous.
Dave was featured on drums with Nagasaki, because Neville never could find a drummer who could keep up with his flying fingers. He continued playing at a dizzying pace, but Dave Bragdon kept up with him! Neville reprised the first boogie ever written, Pine Top Smith’s Sheik of Araby, with the left hand leaping back and forth on the keyboard.
There was a request for him to play solo piano – which is his general mien; he does for hours at most other venues. With Dave’s accompaniment, he played Willie the Lion Smith’s finger breaking Swanee River Boogie. He said “It’s a joy to do this gig – Sutton & Surrey.”
Too soon, the band closed with a sizzling Found a New Baby. As he was leaving, heading for New Jersey, Neville said “Please Keep supporting live jazz.”
We sure will. Thank you for being here with us, Neville, see you again next year!!
You may catch Neville when he’s at home in the Sutton Jazz Club, Thomas Wall Centre, Benhill Avenue, Sutton, Surrey, England. The Club was formed by Pat and Neville Dickie in 1989 and is noted its music, as well as Neville’s famous prawn vol-au-vents. They also serve a wide choice of hot food, such as fish, chicken, meat pie, saveloy, or vegeburger, all served with chips, and backed by Neville’s Trio comprising of Neville Dickie (piano), Terry Lewis (bass), and Norman Davey (drums). Top class musicians from the United States, Europe, Australia and, of course, Great Britain, join them each month.
Stan McDonald soprano sax, Jeff Stout trumpet, John Kafalas trombone, Dave MacMillan banjo/vocals, Gerry Gagnon tuba, George Darrah drums
