Despite the heavy rain Noreaster there was a sizable crowd anticipating Steve Taddeo’s Swing Senders with Special Guest Dan Levinson, this fine afternoon. Featured were Jeff Hughes and Pat Stout trumpet, Dan Levinson, John Clark and Craig Ball reeds, Dan Gabel trombone, Justin Meyer bass, Bill Doyle guitar, Ross Petot piano and Steve Taddeo drums and Leader. Guest vocalist Debbie Nordyke.
It was a top notch dream band and the greatest musicians in New England.
For those of us who couldn’t make it, Harold McAleer took videos. Thank you, Harold!!
Debby Nordyke sings Blue skies. John Clark on bari sax goes toe-toe with Dan Levinson on tenor sax,
Don’t Be That Way – Starting with Dan on clarinet, all get to improvise a solo
Just The Way You Look Tonight
Steve Taddeo featured – even tried Tap Dancing with Found a New Baby- 11.4 minutes:
Dan Levinson winds up the concert in Bemis Hall on Oct 27, 2018
with a hot tune – Stomping at the Savoy
The audience was not disappointed! Steve Taddeo brought together a top-notch group of musicians this afternoon at Bemis Hall. Thank you, Harold McAleer for sharing.
Dan Levinson enjoyed playing along with them, and said he’d like to return next year with his family!! Steve will keep us informed. Stay tuned!
Joe Midiri clarinet, soprano & alto sax, Paul Midiri vibes, Jeff Barnhart piano, Steve Taddeo drums, Caroline Griep vocals videos by Harold McAleer
Jeff Barnhart
Jeff Barnhart was excited to appear with The Midiri Brothers at Bemis Hall.
They were brought together by Steve Taddeo, with Caroline Griep vocals.
The Big 5 started early, practicing Ding Dong Daddy even before the crowd arrived. They were prepared!
Joe Midiri
Joe Midiri was fantastic on clarinet (Nagasaki), soprano sax (Nuages) and alto sax.
Nagasaki
Paul Midiri Photo by Tina Cass
His identical twin brother Paul stayed with Vibraphone this evening, keeping a miraculously fast pace.
Don’t Be That Way
Caroline Griep
Caroline Griep was a match for them with her natural warmth and easy swing. She kept up with Barnhart’s jesting between songs; and when he called on her on the spur-of-the-moment, she was prepared.
Taddeo kept up the beat, playing brushes behind many of them. He let go in the finale, his theme song – Dinah.
Note: The Midiri Brothers and Jeff Barnhart may return sometime next June – stay tuned to our calendars.
The Big 5 at Bemis Halll Photo by Tina Cass
Excellent videos by Harold McAleer, who also had a birthday this week. Thank you, Harold – Happy Birthday!
Pat Stout trumpet, Craig Ball clarinet, Herb Gardner piano, John Turner string bass, Steve Taddeo drums, Billl Doyle rhythm guitar, Debbie Nordyke vocals, featuring Eric Baldwin guitar.
Taddeo kicked it off with an upbeat Don’t Be That Way with two guitars, trumpet and clarinet – great start to a fine afternoon of propulsive Rhythm and Swing!
Debbie Nordyke
Steve wasted no time Introducing former Broadway actress and vocalist Debbie Nordyke, singing Blue Skies, and from Brigadoon – It’s Almost Like Being In Love.
Bill Doyle on rhythm guitar
Bill Doyle’s guitar adds perfect rhythm to the band’s beat!
Craig Ball and Eric Baldwin teamed up for Count Basie’s Air Mail Special.
Eric Baldwin was featured on Seven Come Eleven, with help from bassist John Turner:
Debbie returned with Duke’s 1943 Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me, and How About You.
Craig Ball
Craig Ball played a Memorial for a dear friend and drummer, Bobby Reardon, who passed recently, I Would Do Anything For You. Taddeo emphasizing drums.
Pat Stout
Debbie Nordyk actually worked on stage with Lorna Luft, Judy Garland’s daughter, bringing back memories with the ’39 Harold Arlen ballad, Somewhere Over The Rainbow. Pat Stout’s open bell trumpet soared!
Debbie continued with S’Wonderful and the Gerschwin’s tune from Funny Face, Our Love Is Here To Stay. It was the last musical composition George Gershwin completed before his death on July 11, 1937. His brother Ira published it later.
Herb Gardner
With a mood of creativity, Herb Gardner approaches tunes with a spirit essential to this kind of music.
A hot sextet tells us The World Is Waiting For The Sunrise
Sextet
Found a New Baby was WILD, with Taddeo’s famous ten-minute drum solo and walk-around.
Debbie calmed everyone down with a tune from Gerschwin’s Porgy & Bess, reminding us it was finally Summertime! and Just in Time.
Craig Ball and Pat Stout
Honeysuckle Rose, with the Craig and Pat duet, was a barn-burner.
They closed with a WILD instrumental, Sweet Sue, with improvised solos pushed by the drum & bass.
Another version of the Swing Senders will be appearing at Primavera Ristorante at 7pm on Thursday, June 28th. 20 Pleasant St. Millis MA. Come join us for a fantastic evening of Rhythm and Swing!
A full house greeted Jeff Barnhart and the Midiri Brothers at Bemis Hall in Lincoln MA. We were thrilled to have the Midiri Brothers back, and they were happy to return with Steve Taddeo.
This was Jeff Barnhart’s debut here; he enjoyed the antique Steinway piano and gave it a workout on High Society.
High society
Midiri Brothers were at their best with Jeff Barnhart singing My Gal Sal.
It’s the Talk of the Town
Caroline Griep joined them on vocals How About You,
“Regulars” enjoyed listening to a fabulous afternoon of Swing and Jazz presented by Harold McAleer and The Lincoln Council on Aging, and produced by Steve Taddeo.
Connie, Bob, Jeannine
Maryanne and Marie Mosiejczuk
Jeff Barnhart and The Midiri Brothers expressed their joy at playing here and said they would be back! We will definitely let you know!
Thank you, Eric Devine, for the videos, and Harold McAleer and the Lincoln Council on Aging for the presentation.
Eric Devine
Harold McAleer
Tune List:
Ding Dong Daddy From Dumas
My Gal Sal
It’s The Talk of The Town
How About You – Caroline
If I Had You “
Shimmy She Wobble
Honey Hush
High Society
Savoy
Dark Eyes
Song My Mother Taught to Me – Antonín Dvořák
Sheik of Araby
Jeepers Creepers – Caroline
Sunny Side of the Street
Crazy Rhythm
Paul Monat Cornet & Trombone; Dan Gabel Trombone, John Clark Reeds; Ross Petot Piano; Bill Doyle Guitar; Jon Dreyer Bass; Caroline Griep Vocals; Steve Taddeo Drums.
This was Steve Taddeo front and center. The outstanding drummer romped through the evening with great solo after great solo. He drove the band through lots of fast paced numbers featuring improvisation by the individual members.
Steve Taddeo
John Clark
John Clark held the band together with steady reed work. Plus, he soloed beautifully, especially on the Wabash Blues.
Don Gabel and Paul Monat were impressive on trombone duets – not something you see often.
I thought Bill Doyle on guitar paced the rhythm section while Jon Dreyer on bass was extremely consistent.
Bill Doyle
Jon Dreyer
Ross Petot blended in well on piano and soloed well later in the program.
Ross Petot
Caroline Griep
Caroline Griep sang several old standards, but I thought she was somewhat overpowered by the power of the band – which nullified her effectiveness.
The band played driving versions of standards mostly, and they certainly shook the rafters with sound. However, I thought they produced a little too much noise which hurt the overall effectiveness of the group.
Steve Taddeo is marvelous and always puts on a great performance. This was no exception. He is well worth the price of admission.
Avalon
Dan Gabel on Vaughn Monroe’s valve trombone
Don Gabel told an interesting story about his valve trombone. The family of the late, great Vaughn Monroe presented it to him and told him to play it, not let it sit idle. Old timers may remember Monroe’s version of “Racing With The Moon.” It was a big hit nationally.
by Bill Falk
photos by Marce
For more about Dan Gabel and Vaughn Monroe, see the October4-8 Calendar.
by Marce
Videos by CineDevine
(more upcoming)
September 24, 2016
Dan Levinson clarinet/tenor sax, John Clark baritone sax/clarinet, Jeff Hughes trumpet, Bill Cable trumpet , Paul Monat cornet, Dan Gabel trombone, Ross Petot piano, Justin Meyer string bass, Bill Doyle guitar, Steve Taddeo drums, Elise Roth and Paul Agnew vocals.
Dan Levinson with Steve Taddeo’s Swing Senders All-Stars
New York’s incomparable Dan Levinson joined Steve Taddeo’s Swing Senders for a fabulous evening of Jazz and Swing. The 10-piece band of All Stars began Hot with a At Sundown, and it never cooled down. CineDevine videos will be added soon.
Steve called up Abletones Big Band effervescent vocalist Elise Roth for a swinging Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen.
People sat on the edge of their seats listening to Dan Levinson and John Clark playing a rousing duet on Slow Boat To China.
Warm and engaging Paul Agnew sang Pennies From Heaven backed by Dan Levinson on clarinet and then Paul returned with the whole band for Ain’t She Sweet.
Paul Monat dug out his best Wild Bill Davison for Memories of You, with Dan Levinson playing counterpoint.
Elise Roth
Elise Roth returned with What a Little Moonlight Can Do, with both Jeff Hughes and Bill Cable trumpets, and Ross rippling up and down the piano keys.
Ross Petot
Ross Petot had Bemis’ marvelous vintage piano singing!
Steve walks up the aisle beginning his ‘walk around’.
The whole band backed up Steve Taddeo’s infamous ‘Drum Walk Around’ on Don’t Be That Way, with Harold McAleer video taping the whole thing. “Did you get that Harold??”
Steve tapped his way up the aisle to the back of the hall, to Marce’s table, and slammed Eric Devine’s Grandfather’s cymbal. (His Grandfather played jazz in the 50’s and 60’s in Chicago: Eugene T. Beckman 1906-1989).. As always, Steve ended the walk-around on Justin Meyer’s string bass.
An outstandiing quartet of Dan Levinson, Ross Petot, John Clark, and Steve Taddeo amazed the audience with a jazzy version of Irving Berlin’s 1927 Russian Lullaby.
Dan Gabel, leader of Abletones Big Band and High Society Orchestra.
Dan Gabel’s sophisticated trombone was featured on More Than You Know, reminiscent of Glenn Miller.
Elise continued with You Made Me Love You, with fantastic trumpet solo by Bill Cable.
Dan Levinson was featured solo on tenor sax, beginning with the verse of Song of Songs.
Finale: They blew the roof off on Steve Taddeo’s theme song – Dinah.
Finale – Dinah! Levinson also went WILD!! Bill Doyle’s rhythm guitar behind Ross’s piano solo.
Dan Levinson said he enjoyed being here and thanked everyone for their support. It was great playing with old friends he’d met at The Connecticut Traditional Jazz Festivals, and he made some new ones. He hopes to return next year.
Steve Taddeo said his All-Stars would be ready!
Ken Peplowski clarinet/tenor sax, John Clark clarinet/bari sax, Craig Ball clarinet, Jeff Hughes trumpet, Bill Doyle guitar, Dan Gabel trombone, Ross Petot piano, Justin Meyer bass, Steve Taddeo drums, Caroline Griep vocals.
Ken Peplowski
Ken Peplowski joined the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra under the direction of Buddy Morrow as lead alto. They played one-nighters every day for 48 weeks out of the year. In 1980, Ken moved to New York City, and was soon playing in all kinds of settings, from Dixieland to avant-garde jazz. In 1984, Benny Goodman came out of retirement and put together a new band, hiring Ken on tenor saxophone.
This afternoon with the Swing Senders, Ken Peplowski played virtuosic clarinet. He was very impressed with these musicians.
Caroline Griep
Vocalist Caroline Griep has excellent range and diction. She sang: All of Me, Taking a Chance on Love, Candy, S’Wonderful
She is the only vocalist we’ve ever heard say “Pick a key, I’ll find it.”
Lionel Hampton’s Flying Home was absolutely incredible with swinging ensembles and concise solos.
Ken listens to our musicians playing ensemble.
Ken listens to Dan Gabel, Jeff Hughes, and John Clark play Poor Butterfly
Taddeo’s Senders’ rhythm section is the best he has ever had, Bill Doyle on guitar, Justin Meyer on string bass, and Ross Petot on piano
Bill Doyle and Justin Meyer
Ross Petot
Clarinet Trio plays Sweet Sue – Craig Ball,, Ken Peplowski, John Clark
Steve, Ross and Ken do a rousing rendition of China Boy
Ken and Steve tom tom duet
They closed the Show with Taddeo’s theme song Dinah, Ken and Steve did a clarinet Tom tom duet and motioned for the whole band to join in and wail, and wail they did!!! .
Taddeo taps on string bass
Taddeo did his famous drum walk around and played a ferrous drum solo on Justin Meyer’s strings. The crowd loved it.
Enthusiastic Crowd
Peplowski was very impressed with the Swing Senders and said several times that he can’t wait to come back. He had one helluva swinging!!! The crowd gave the Swing Senders and Ken Peplowski a standing ovation.
TUNES:
Don’t Be That Way
Moon Glow
All of Me – Caroline
I Would Do Anything For You
Sweet Sue,
Taking a Chance on Love – Caroline
Flying Home (Love it!)
All God’s Chillun Got Rhythm
Candy – Caroline
China Boy – Ken, Steve, Ross
Poor Butterfly – Gabel, Hughes, and Clark
S’Wonderful – Caroline
If I Had You
Dinah
Gary Bohan cornet, Paul Monat cornet/tuba, Pete Collins clarinet, Dave James (Caponigro) Keys, Steve Taddeo drums
Paul Monat introduced us to some new faces with his Jailhouse 4+1 and lit up Primavera Ristorante on July 23rd. The Band is patterned after the Firehouse 5 + 2, but because of the late notice, Paul wasn’t able to line up more than five free musicians. Disney has ‘Firehouse’ patented, hence the Jailhouse 4+1. The Quintet lit Primavera on fire!
Paul Monat brought his monstrous brass bass along with his Wild Bill Davison influence on cornet. Cornetist Gary Bohan easily plays a range of styles including klezmer, jazz, mainstream, big band and Dixieland. Clarinetist Pete Collins was still streaming, fresh from his own Jazz Band Ball’s performance at Lobsterman’s Wharf in East Boothbay, Maine. Steve Taddeo was turbulent on his brand-new Slingerland Drums.
Last but not least, on the keyboard Dave (Caponigro) James is a band by himself. He is performing somewhere in the greater Boston area almost every night. His keyboard subs for trombone, banjo, vibraphone, you name it, and he is also a great vocalist. He played a memorable solo on keyboard, providing his own comp, and singing a soulful Rosetta.
Dave (Caponigro) James
Together the Jailhouse 4+1 sizzled! Jeannine in the audience exclaimed, “Who needs two more?”
Chinaboy.
Pete Collins, leader of The Jazz Band Ball Band
Clarinet lead on Indiana, piano slipped in some Yankee Doodle Dandy, before they let Steve loose on drums.
Found a New Baby, Avalon; Pete went wild on Way Down Yonder in New Orleans.
Abbondanza – Paul on his remarkable 5-valve tuba, Steve backing with clutch cymbal. Dave’s keyboard feigning a trombone.
Steve Taddeo backs Paul’s tuba
Tuba was featured on Them There Eyes, Paul intense on that monster brass. Steve on solo tapping every drum, cymbal, block, bell. Basin St. Blues. Keeping Out of Mischief Now, Dave singing with rhythmical cadence.
Shine
Gary Bohan and Paul Monat are amazing together
Memories of You with both cornets resurrected fond memories; Gary driving and adding distinctive shadings and tone, Paul emulating Wild Bill. Pete played low register clarinet; Dave played his own comp on keyboard solo.
The two cornets let loose on Swing That Music; keyboard playing banjo. WILD! They slowed for a sweet Honeysuckle Rose, Gary’s clear tone cornet, Pete sounding like Pete Fountain, Keyboard was playing vibraphone. Never got dull!
When You’re Smiling – Surprise – Pete Collins did the vocal! Pleasing voice. We’ve been following him for years, never heard him sing before.
Dinah – you know this was WILD! Ensemble intro, amazing duet between drums and Paul on cornet. It’s Taddeo’s theme song – he was ready with his Krupa walk around, heading for our table and tapping on everything in site, making melody out of several wine glasses.
It Don’t Mean a Thing if it Ain’t Got That Swing – The Jailhouse 5 had the Swing!
They brought the tempo down with a fine melody, Roseroom. Paul closed this hard driving performance with The Saints.
Paul Monat is determined to bring in new sounds with a Jailhouse 5+2. He’s here for the summer, so stay tuned for some more fireworks!
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 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!
.
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.
Steve Taddeo’s Swing Senders with Bucky Pizzarelli
Videos by Harold McAleer and Verne Welsh.
September 23, 2014 with Jeff Hughes trumpet, John Clark clarinet/alto sax, Dan Gabel trombone, Ross Petot piano, Bill Doyle rhythm guitar, Justin Meyer Bass, Steve Taddeo drums/leader, Caroline Griep vocals, and very special guest John “Bucky” Pizzarelli, 7-string guitar.
We’ve had many great Jazz Tuesdays at the Sherborn Inn over the last 19 years, but this topped them all! Bucky Pizzarelli inspired the men to play better than ever with his amazing 7-string guitar.
Bucky is a dynamic rhythm player as well as a great soloist; loves to play. He says “Every gig is a brand new day.” They opened with Don’t Be That Way.
Caroline Griep
The Swing Senders’ vocalist, Caroline Griep, stepped up with her own excellent interpretation of Blue Skies. She was also featured on I Can’t Get Started, Don’t Get Around Much Anymore,
Caroline tells Bucky S’ Wonderful:
Steve let his Krupa loose with Found a New Baby, going into his drumming walk-around, tapping anything within reach – tables, glasses, bottles on the wall at the bar. It concluded with Taddeo drumming on Justin’s bass, like Ray Bauduc and Bob Haggart on Big Noise From Winetka. Justin knew just what strings to pick – sounded fantastic!
Taddeo took the snare drum by the piano for a quartet with Ross, John Clark, and Jeff Hughes and a barn burning Dardanella.
The two guitars played it nice and easy on a duet of Darn That Dream.
They took turns leading and on rhythm. Marvelous!
Taddeo gave many of the musicians their own feature. Bucky played with the Vaughn Monroe Orchestra from 1944-1954, before he went into the service. Dan Gabel has been writing a biography of Monroe, and was featured on trombone with his theme song, Racing With The Moon. Bucky said he only played it about 4000-5000 times!
Justin Meyer was featured on Just You, Just Me, with George Darrah on the Slingerland drums. Bucky shines, playong soft and low on his solo of In a Mellow Tone and Send In The Clowns. His 7-string guitar is a joy to hear!
Jeff Hughes was featured with his 1946 Super Olds Trumpet on Prelude to a Kiss, marvelous trumpet, with piano backup, ending in a great extended flourish.
Ross Petot’s piano was featured with Bucky and the rhythm section of You Can’t Take That Away From Me.
For twenty five years Bucky played with the Benny Goodman’s Big Band and small groups. They did Sing Sing Sing from Goodman’s heyday. John Clark didn’t want to play Goodman, but Bucky coaxed him into it, with help from the rest of the band.
Steve let his Krupa loose and Bucky joined him, bringing this fabulous evening to a close with a standing ovation.
Bucky and Steve brought the evening to a close.
Bucky said these musicians were top notch, and Steve was a great drummer. He told Steve he’d be glad to return. He’ll also be at Sculler’s Jazz Club December 12th, 8pm for a Guitar Night with Gene Bertoncini and Ed Laub.
Bucky played a solo a year ago with Richard Rodgers’ 1935 It’s Easy To Remember (But So Hard to Forget) with Ed Laub, Walt Bibinger https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1tEEdM6JWM
He’s is a guitar genius, and also has had the expertise to remain a free agent. In a Pizzarelli Biography he talks about 200 one-night stands with Vaughn Monroe, with Skitch Henderson on the Today Show, Benny Goodman, The 7th String, Life and Tales of Bucky Pizzarelli https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goDqtP4MtqQ
Tunes played this evening;
Don’t Be That Way
Stomping At The Savoy
Blue Skies
S’Wonderful
Prelude to a Kiss
Stealing Apples
If I Had You
Found a New Baby
Dardanella
I Can’t Get Started With You
Darn That Dream
Honeysuckle Rose
Just You, Just Me
In a Mellow Tone
Racing With The Moon
Don’t Get Around Much Anymore
Send in The Clowns
Sing, Sing, Sing
