Seacoast Stompers in 6th year at the Acton Jazz Cafe

Posted on September 7, 2013 by admin

Seacoast Stompers

Scott Philbrick cornet, Craig Ball clarinet, Lee Prager trombone, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Frank Stadler leader/piano, Albie Bernard sousaphone, Bobby Reardon drums

By Marce, Videos by Harold McAleer

The Stompers started right off with an explosive Jazz Band Ball that ignited the Acton Jazz Café, and they were smokin’ the whole afternoon.

Frank Stadler, leader of the Seacoast Stompers

Leader Frank Stadler has a list of every tune they’ve played in those 5+ years. He always brings in a list of new tunes or some they haven’t played lately.

But this is a democratic band, if they don’t like what he calls, they just do something else.

Jimmy Mazz singing, tuba and drums with him

Jimmy sings with Albie and Bobby support

Jimmy Mazzy is something else all by himself!

He sings Nagasaki with Al Bernard on sousaphone and Bobby Reardon raring to go.

The band actually all agreed on that tune, but not the key. Finely tuned ensemble; Craig’s clarinet set the pace, pushing the boundaries. Drums were vibrating off the floor!

Carrie Mazzy sings “Sugar”

Carrie Mazzy flashes a smile, singing Sugar.

They played Three Little Words in triple time, clarinet and cornet squeezing in multiple notes; difficult for trombone, but Prager is resourceful. Al Bernard’s sousaphone drove the band, Craig Ball sneaking in many other tunes – he can do that on clarinet.
Nice brush work by drummer. The musicians really appreciate Bobby Reardon’s drumming. He keeps them going, lays down perfect time, and never gets in the way.

Seacoast Stompers front line – Bob McHenry, former string bass, at right in blue shirt

The inimitable Jimmy Mazzy sings Kansas City. Cornet and trombone have remarkable interplay, but Scotty likes to tease Lee, playing rapid muted passages.
Watch what happens.
Kansas City

Lee Prager played a deep burnished trombone on I Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plans, with Jimmy singing a heartwarming, tender ballad.

Lee Prager on trombone

Lulu’s Back in Town was WILD, cornet trading fours with trombone, challenging Prager with vibrating cornet, Lee responding with vibrating trombone, it was hysterical! They actually gave each other high 5’s when it was over. Lee was having so much fun, he never stopped bouncing, except when he was playing. Great talent – it’s a pity we can’t hear him more often.

They moved on to a rabble-rousing China Boy, clarinet starting in nice low register, then moving up the scale into the stratosphere. Stadler prodded marvelous sounds out of the piano. Éva Balazs was back, listening to her favorite ‘humble piano virtuoso’.

They all agreed on Stadler’s call for the finale, Sweet Georgia Brown,
Bobby set the dynamic level:

The energy level was still high, leaving the audience with an adrenaline rush. We’ll all be back October 5th with more fun and upligting jazz with the Seacoast Stompers.

Tunes played this afternoon:

set 1
At The Jazz Band Ball
Someday You’ll Be Sorry
Squeeze Me
Smiles
Sugar
Kansas City
Tin Roof Blues
Old Fashioned Love
Nagasaki

set 2
I Can’t Get Started
Nobody’s Sweetheart Now
How Come You Do Me Like You Do
Oh Baby
Three Little Words
I guess I’ll have to change my plans
Jelly Roll (Ain’t Gonna Give You None)

set 3
Mandy Make Up Your Mind
Sweet Lorraine
Lulu’s Back In Town
China Boy
Sweet Georgia Brown

Swing Times Five with Debby Larkin and Jack Senier

Posted on August 27, 2013 by admin

Swing Times Five with Debby Larkin by Marce

Happy 75th Birthday Jerry Wadness – at the Sherborn inn August 27, 2013

Photos by Bennett Green

Jeff Hughes trumpet/flugelhorn, Dan Wiener guitar, Pete Tillotson string bass, Dave Didriksen drums, Debby Larkin vocals. Pianist Ross Petot was taking his eldest son to college so Jack Senier filled in. Jack is Boston’s greatest jazz and swing pianist, a seasoned veteran.

All the tunes played this evening came from 1938, the year Jerry Wadness was born. It was a good year – great tunes for a great guy. Jerry and Geri Wadness are ‘regulars’ at the Sherborn Inn. Last week, Jerry filled several CDs with tunes from 1938, complete with details of each tune, and offered them to Jeff Hughes; he made good use of them.

Boston’s Jack Senier (Marce photo)

Special guest pianist Jack Senier kicked it off with Artie Shaw’s Theme Song, Back Bay Shuffle, followed by Benny Goodman’s Don’t Be That Way, Hughes on Elden Benge trumpet, the band soaring with him. Dan Weiner’s guitar began Who Could Ask For Anything More? Indeed!

How about charismatic Deb Larkin singing a popular torch song of 1929, Moanin’ Low. From Young Man With a Horn, I Should Care. Jeff moving to flugelhorn for Gershwins’ Nice Work If You Can Get It.

Jack Senier’s pearly notes and chords were featured with the rhythm boys on two tunes, I’ll Never Be The Same, and Lullaby In Rhythm. No wonder he’s considered one of New England’s finest pianist. And Jack came to realize that this is an extraordinary audience – they LISTEN passionately to the music and support the musicians.

Lynn Sickle

Bob and Lynn Sickle were here as usual, sitting next to the piano. Debby sang Lynn’s favorite song for her, All of Me. Bob’s birthday was coming up, so I Put a Spell On You was dedicated to him.

Jeff Sings “You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby”

The 1938 Harry Warren–Johnny Mercer tune, You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby was dedicated to Sue Lewis’s upcoming birthday with Jeff singing and playing crisp, clear trumpet. Sue is often seen dancing on the Inn’s but fine dance floor. Senier made the piano sing, Tillotson’s string bass trading fours with the drums. John & Gisela Brunaccini have been married for 65 years – they skillfully glided across the dance floor all evening!

Dan Weiner and Pete Tillotson

Tenderly featured Dan Wiener on guitar with the Rhythm Boys. Jeff was into Count Basie’s Lester Leaps In, when Jeff Stout leaped in for fantastic two trumpet interplay. Drummer Dave Didriksen kicked it up, driving the band.

Waitress Sara Green arrived with Jerry’s birthday cake, large enough to share, and we all wished Jerry a happy 75^th birthday.

Young waitress Sara Green brings in Jerry's Birthday Cake

Sara brings in Jerry’s Birthday Cake

Jerry Wadness blows out the candles

Comedian Myron Idelson

The band took a break for our favorite comedian, funny man Myron Idelson. Myron can go on for hours telling new jokes appropriate for mixed company. “My Mother-in-law took a trip to the Thousand Islands.” “Why didn’t she spend a week on each?”

Deb and hubby Jeff Stout

Jeff Hughes played a wistful Kurt Weill September Song.

More 1938 tunes – Bunny Berigan’s I Cried For You, I Wished On The Moon, Artie Shaw’s Begin The Beguine, Duke Ellington’s Prelude To a Kiss.

Deb also did Ms. Brown To You and The Things We Did Last Summer. Dakota Staton recorded a tune that everyone thought came from the 70’s – but it was Irving Berlin’s Late, Late Show.

Approaching the finale, Deb hit lilting rhythm with Billie Holiday’s What a Little Moonlight Can Do, with the two soaring trumpets. We’ll Be Together Again – Senier and the rhythm boys kept playing while Deb and Jeff Stout, Gail and Stan Brown hit the dance floor. Jeff Hughes danced with Sue Lewis. The front line returned to the stage, finishing the tune with swinging piano, flugelhorn and trumpet.

1938 was a very good year for great tunes. Swing Times Five was happy to oblige and performed wholeheartedly for this special birthday. Many happy returns, Jerry! Thanks for a great evening.

Swing at Sunset 2013 – Compaq Big Band

Posted on August 12, 2013 by admin

Compaq Big Band directed by Al Saloky Photos by Marce

Wolverines/Vignola & Raniolo Compaq Big Band Hal McIntyre Orchestra

Compaq Big Band at Swing at Sunset, Friday, July 12, 2013

Director: Al Saloky, Vocalist: Rebecca Holtz, Sound Engineer: Jeff Hagan,
Piano: Dennis Cecere, Bass: Gil Bristol, Drums: Rick Hansen, Guitar: Dave King
From left to right:
Saxes: Chris Hildebrand (1st tenor) John Finocchiaro (2nd alto) Scott Tringali (1st alto) Paul Peeirolo (2nd tenor) Ryan Brooks (bari);
Trombones: Paul Cole (2nd) Scott Taylor (1st) Jeff Schiebe (3rd)
Leslie Havens (bass trombone);
Trumpets: Bruce McLeod, Jeff Sawyer, Scott Beckman, Michael Peipman, Peter Sokolowski

Many More Photos by C.S. Imming

Pretty blond girl in short black dress dancing on stage

Rebecca Holtz by Marce

The sky was threatening, causing some concern when The Compaq Big Band, directed by Al Saloky, played outside at the Vets Inc. in Shrewsbury. The band persevered, presenting a refreshing variety of Big Band styles, starting with Mercy, Mercy, Mercy, the title song of a 1966 album of Cannonball Adderley. Al introduced perky Rebecca Holtz, smiling, singing, and dancing all over the stage, I’ve Got a Lot of Living To Do.

Al announced they would do something different, then get into some some swing. There was space on both sides of the stage for dancing, but there’s no dancing to Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Big Band! Rebecca is comfortable singing in a variety of moods. She started with the Diane Reeves version of Big Phat Band’s Too Close For Comfort.

Rhapsody in Blue – Al called it the “The coolest American piece ever written”, with dynamic trumpet by Mike Peipman, and lead trombone, Scott Taylor.

Ryan on bari sax, Leslie (woman) behind him on bass trombone

Ryan Brooks and Leslie Havens

Ryan Brooks Baritone sax did the intro on Straighten Up and Fly Right, from Rebecca’s 2^nd Album. They moved to Diane Schuur’s Traveling Light.

Deedle’s Blues, done by Diane Schuur and Count Basie Band, is definitely not a Blues!

Peter Sokolowski on flugel horn

Intricate trombone intro to Tom Kubis’ arrangement of a song that should really be our National Anthem, America The Beautiful.

Peter Sokolowski took out his flugelhorn for Straight, No Chaser.

Chris Hildebrand (1st tenor)

Rebecca returned for Almost Like Being I Love and an old standard, Cheek to Cheek with fantastic tenor sax, Chris Hildebrand.

One of her favorite albums is the Count Basie Orchestra led by Frank Foster, I Caught a Touch of Your Love.

Rick Hansen, drums

Al stepped aside for the Buddy Rich arrangement of Love for Sale, letting drummer Rick Hansen loose; nice solo trumpet by Bruce McLeod.
Rebecca is a treasure, she speaks in tunes: I’ve Just Found Out About Love and I Like It. Why Don’t You Do Right.
The clouds moved on and the rain held off! They wrapped it up with another Diane Shuur – Count Basie Band, You Can Have It with Rebecca scatting, trading 4s with Scott’s tenor sax. “You can have it if you really want it, you can have the music all night long. Tell the drummer that you like his playing, tell the singer if you like the song.” Great! Let’s do it!

The audience called for more, but it was time to close. We left anticipating the Hal McIntyre Orchestra next week at Swing at Sunset.

black shirt listing all the places the band played in England in 2006

2006 Tour of Great Britain shirt

(Note – The Compaq Big Band’s shirt shows off their 2006 tour of Great Britain.)
Many thanks to Dan Gabel and The American Big Band Preservation Society, WICN, and Vets Inc. for presenting a great series this summer. Hope to see you again next year!!

The Vets – actually Veterans Inc. http://www.veteransinc.org/ provides homes and services for our veterans and their families. “They were there when we needed them. We must be there now that they need us.” Some actually reside here at 59 South St. in Shrewsbury, others at 69 Grove St. Worcester, MA.

Seacoast Stompers celebrate 6th Anniversary at the Acton Jazz Cafe

Posted on August 3, 2013 by admin

Full Band with Maureen in bright red jacket

Seacost Stompers with Maureen Benson

Videos by Hal McAleer

August 3, 2013, The Seacoast Stompers were back at the Acton Jazz Café with Dave Whitney trumpet, Craig Ball clarinet, Lee Prager trombone, Scott Philbrick guitar/cornet, Frank Stadler piano/leader, Al Ehrenfried string bass, Bobby Reardon drums, and Maureen Benson vocals.

The Seacoast Stompers are celebrating their 6^th year of appearing on the first Saturday of the month at the Acton Jazz Café. This was an exceptionally enjoyable afternoon, with Scott on guitar (which he prefers) and charismatic vocalist Maureen Benson. The venue sound system was shut down, with musicians controlling their own amplification, much better Traditional sound.

Whitney’s solo horn was free to interweave all kinds of tunes because Scott Philbrick was tied up on guitar, subbing for Jimmy Mazzy – most of the time.

Al on string bass, Scott guitar, and Bobby drums

The Rhythm Boys

Al Ehrenfried, was all smiles, picking at the string bass. Lee Prager happy to be back on trombone, bouncing with the music. Bobby was pulsating and alive. They all treasure his timing. It was infectious.

Craig Ball’s hot clarinet set the opening with All That Jazz, their theme song, and after that it was all improvised, with quick discussions over what and how they would play next.

Maureen Benson

A natural charmer on stage, Maureen came up for Slow Boat to China, If I Had You, Dave backing on muted trumpet.

Lee Prager

Lee Prager was featured on
I guess I’ll Have To Change My Plans.
We were happy to have him back.

Maureen returned for I Cried For you – usually done in a slow tempo, but there was nothing slow about this afternoon! There was no holding them back!

Bix time, Scott Philbrick moved to cornet with Dave Whitney trumpet duet for Singing The Blues. Fabulous!

Scott Philbrick and Dave Whitney

Piano took the intro to Claude Hopkins I Would Do Most Anything For You. Scott was back on flaming hot guitar for this barn-burner!

Dave’s version of Back O’ Town Blues is one of Frank Stadler’s favorites. Dave invited Maureen to join him. But she’s never heard the song before, didn’t even know the words. “I can handle Blues.”
This video shows her incredible spunk as she makes up her own words:

Frank and Al got together for an abbreviated Jitterbug Waltz, just piano and acoustic bass. Lovely – but too short, left us wanting more!

Whitney remembered Laurel & Hardy. Most people don’t realize that Oliver Hardy was also a good singer. He sang Lazy Moon in the 1932 Pardon Us, sensitively reprised here by Scott on guitar and Dave on trumpet and vocal.

Neil Moret wrote many beautiful tunes, including Chloe, and Song of the Wanderer, Ray Smith liked him so much he did a whole program on him.

(FYI, Ray Smith’s Jazz Decades is still playing Sundays 8-9pm on www.wgbh.org – even though we lost him a few years ago. Listen and learn about Our Kind of Music.)

Scott on guitar, Whitney on crystal clear trumpet on Song of the Wanderer.

The Saints prompted Alice Brunton to lead the a Parade, sans parasol. We’ll have one next month!

Alice Brunton leads the ‘Saints’ parade – no parasols!

Gray haired lady in bright red flower jacket, nice singer

Betty Countie

Surprise vocalist – Maureen introduced her Mom, Betty Countie, to sing a tantalizing Blue Moon. It’s obvious where Maureen gets her voice and charm!
The mood changed back to Bix and the normal four-piece front line. Their passion for this music is evident, they were really having fun with Since My Best Friend Turned Me Down.

Maureen with Scotty on guitar and Al on string bass

Maureen Benson and the Rhythm Boys

It Had To Be You, Maureen singing Bob Sickles’ favorite song made him happy; An explosive Swing That Music was dedicated to Vern, with Whitney on vocal.

Al Ehrenfried

Buddy Bolden’s Blues was the best Trad tune of the evening with Al’s tender bass solo.

Found a New Baby, found Al all smiles, bass in constant dialogue on this up-tempo tune. Lee bouncing up and down, slipping in some tunes of his own, Scott slipped in a bit of the Russian Ochi Chernye on guitar.

Frank Stadler softly touching keys

Approaching the finale, Maureen was called up for S’Wonderful, backed by Stadler, hands barely skimming over the piano.

They wrapped up this month’s session with Limehouse Blues. Piano rules – with energy and syncopation, setting the pace. Dave finally managed to sneak in Stumbling – he always gets that in somewhere.
This old music has so much energy and vitality, especially played by these accomplished musicians – it’s enlivening, . We’ll all be back, enjoying more of the Seacoast Stompers 6^th Anniversary at the Acton Jazz Café. See you there!

Maureen Benson lists Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, and Carmen McRae as her major musical influences. She is a mainstay on the North Shore jazz scene, and appears monthly with Jazzport at the Seaport Restaurant in Salem.

Dan Gabel and The Abletones at The Willows in Westborough

Posted on July 3, 2013 by admin

Dan Gabel and The Abeltones Big Band at The Willows, July 3, 2013

The Willows was opened in Westborough in 1987 by Danny and Dottie Salmon, who wanted to create a setting where active seniors could live life independently yet have the convenience and security of a familial, supportive atmosphere. Judging by the atmosphere here on the patio on July 3^rd 2013 the Salmon Family has succeeded admirably.

The residents, their family and friends, were here early, in high spirits, under umbrellas for protection from this fine sunny day. They were celebrating an early 4^th of July by singing many of our Patriotic songs, Yankee Doodle Dandy, It’s a Grand Old Flag, while waiting to hear Dan Gabel and the Abeltones Big Band. Dan even invited them to sing up on the stage, but they were too modest.

They heard the High Society Orchestra here last year, and were eager to hear more of their treasured Big Band Music, Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Glenn Miller, Les Brown. The Abletones were happy to oblige.

They began with a brief Whispering, checking out the sound system, then moved on to a rousing American Patrol, then Artie Shaw’s version of Cole Porter’s Begin The Beguine with John Clark featured on clarinet. For Independence Day, they played the Jerry Gray arrangement of Les Brown’s first theme song, Leap Frog.

Dan uses Abletones’ Jive to introduce each member of this 17-piece band:

Only 3 trumpets visible, with pianist Ross Petot

Four trumpets (one hidden) and Ross Petot piano

Trumpets: Kai Sandoval, Dan Fleury, Adam Mejaour, Don Clough

Five Saxophones, two tenor, two alto-one woman, one baritone

Five Saxophones, two tenor, two alto, one baritone

Saxes: Mike Caudill , John Clark, Lou Stamos, Emily Pecoraro, Tyler Birchfield

Four trombones, including leader Dan Gabel

Trombones: Dan Gabel, Larry Meade, Joe Burke , Quinn Carson

Also: Ross Petot piano, Bill Doyle guitar, Ken Steiner string bass, and Steve Taddeo on a 1939 Slingerland drum set.

They played a melody written by Isham Jones in 1924, arranged by Dan, calling on his 1940’s best crooner voice on It Had To Be You.

My Old New Hampshire Home was a nice waltz for their lead trumpet player from New Hampshire. It was the #1 song in the USA in 1899. Pianist Ross Petot followed the original score at the beginning and end.

There was a request for some Glenn Miller. Dan toured with the Glenn Miller Band for a year, and missed his New England. That gave him the idea for a CD called Homesick for New England. With assistance from vocalist Amanda Carr, the CD will be released July 24^th at Sculler’s Jazz Club.

Pennsylvania 6-5000 was the phone number for the Café Rouge in Pennsylvania. It was renowned for the performances by multiple artists including The Glenn Miller Orchestra. Glenn Miller returned to Hotel Pennsylvania frequently, not just to play in the Café Rouge, but to stay there. The Abletones were boosted by the audience’s whole-hearted response: “Pennsylvania 6 – 5 – Oh Oh Oh!!!”

With Gabel on trombone, the band played the Tommy Dorsey original 1935 arrangement of I’m Getting Sentimental Over You – twice. Dan is a perfectionist – they’ll be working on it again until they get it perfect. Do you think this is easy?

Everyone chimed in on vocal for a 1941 Vaughn Monroe old 78, Take It Jackson. That was easy – the only lyrics are repetitions of “Take it, Jackson”. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFZIw4iJQWM We’ll be hearing more about him. The Vaughn Monroe Appreciation Society has asked Dan to write his biography.

Dan Gabel and Bill Doyle in Dixieland Band

A band-within-a-band was created especially for this Fourth of July Holiday – 7 pieces, with a Dixieland influence. Dan Gabel trombone, Bill Doyle on banjo, Mike Caudill tenor sax, John Clark clarinet, Ken Steiner string bass, Steve Taddeo drums, a rousing Battle Hymn of the Republic.

7 members stand to form a Dixieland Band

Dixieland Band plays Battle Hymn of The Republic

Steve Taddeo and John Clark were featured for the Finale on the 1938 Benny Goodman/Gene Krupa Carnegie Hall Sing, Sing, Sing, with Clark taking a ten-minute BG solo to Taddeo’s electrifying tom tom drumming.

John Clark clarinet, duet with Steve Taddeo Drums on Sing, Sing, Sing

Steve Taddeo resurrects Gene Krupa on Sing, Sing, Sing, duet with John Clark

Taddeo took his Krupa walk-around, drumming on the cymbal and anything else he could find amidst the residents, without losing a beat. The Seniors loved it! It was a fantastic Finale for Dan Gabel and The Abeltones Big Band at The Willows in Westborough.

The Salmons’ dedication to quality and excellence at The Willows is second to none. Part of it is featuring many local bands for their residents’ enjoyment on Wednesdays at 7:15pm – Public invited. We’ll try to get the schedule and add it to our calendar.

Dan Gabel and the Abletones have an extensive schedule, including first Fridays at nearby Indian Meadows. Check it out at www.theabletones.com.

Note: The Jazz at Sunset Series in Worcester has been replaced by Swing at Sunset, thanks to The Big Band Preservation Society, WICN, and The Vets in Westborough.
The Abletones with vocalist Amanda Carr opened it this year on June 28th, as they did last year at the Ecotrium: http://www.nejazz.com/oldsite/DanGabel15Jun12.htm.

Lee Childs Memorial

Posted on June 19, 2013 by admin

Lee Childs, sitting, holding soprano sax, and enjoying ride on Jazz Boat

Lee Childs on Jazz Boat in 2012

Memorial for Lee Childs, June 19, 2013, by Marce.

JoAnne Childs gave Fans and Friends an opportunity to say a final “Goodbye” to Lee Childs, at the Lighthouse Inn in West Dennis, MA, a year after his sudden, unexpected death in 2012. It was a terrible shock for all of us!

Lee performed on clarinet and saxophone somewhere on Cape Cod and the Greater Boston area, many days a week for over 40 years. Some of the musicians who played with him were here to celebrate his life. A hot buffet and passed hors d’oeuvres were served.

The main band was led by Ted Casher, tenor sax, with Phil Person trumpet, Paul Schmeling piano, Michel Lavigniac banjo, Gary Johnson drums, and Laird Bowles string bass, playing many of Lee’s favorite tunes, Mood Indigo, That’s A Plenty; several musicians sat in.

Gary Johnson, Laird Bowles, Phil Person, Paul Schmeling, Ted Casher

Michel Lavigniac

Michel Lavigniac performed with Lee Childs for about 35 years. He continues Lee’s Sunday Jazz Boat out of Onset, with Rick MacWilliams tuba and Paul Nossiter reeds. Rick was here today.

Michel, Stu Gunn tuba, Gary Johnson drums, and John Clark reeds represented the band that Lee had for years at the Edaville Railroad. Jimmy Mazzy couldn’t be here because he’s at the Colonial Inn every Wednesday. Just a Little While To Stay Here, John Clark had to learn Riverboat Shuffle when he subbed for Lee. Just a Closer Walk With Thee; tuba and drum drove the band on Shine.

Gary Johnson, Stu Gunn, John Clark, Michel Lavigniac

Gene Blood

Gene Blood sat in on drums for When I Grow Too Old to Dream and At The Jazz Band Ball.

Barbara Nye

Barbara Nye, a real livewire vocalist from Monday nights at the Roadhouse Cafe, came up for rousing Cabaret.

Gary and Ted returned, with Ted singing When You’re Smiling.
Ted picked up the soprano sax, and sang The Best Things In Life Are Free (or at least reasonable). Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans. Fantastic! Back Home Again in Indiana was a hot one.

Pianist Bob Hayes was here with his grandson Kareem Sanjaghi. Kareem took over the drums for Honeysuckle Rose, with Ted, Paul and Laird all trading 4’s with the drums.

Kareem drums, Bowles string bass, Phil Person trumet, Paul Schmeling keyboard

Kareem, Laird Bowles, Phil Person, Paul Schmeling

Gary Johnson returned for the Finale, Lover Come Back To Me, and Lee’s special song “Think of Me” an arrangement done by Lee and Kurt Wenzel of the song from The Miz.

Jimmy Enright and I first heard Lee Childs playing outstanding clarinet in 1975, when he was in John Fuller’s New Cabaret Jazz Band with Jimmy Mazzy at Billy Mitchell’s Post Time in Nantasket. We’ve followed him since at some of the places he’s played: Jordan’s Furniture, Top of the Hub at the Prudential Building, Edaville RR, Embargo, Alberto’s, Cuffy’s, Del Mar Bar and Bistro, Isaac’s, on the Jazz Boat up and down the Cape Cod Canal, http://www.nejazz.com/oldsite/LeeChilds2011.htm .

JoAnne had a special tribute for her husband; a plane flew overhead, circling the Lighthouse Inn, trailing a banner that read “THINK OF ME. WE HEAR YOU LEE CHILDS. FOREVER! LOVE ME.

Banner

Swing Senders with the Midiri Brothers in Lincoln MA

Posted on May 22, 2013 by admin

Steve Taddeo’s Swing Senders were enriched by the presence of The Midiri Brothers at this year’s final performance of Classic Jazz at Lincoln Library in Lincoln, Massachusetts, on May 22, 2013.

Personnel: Midiri Brothers, Joe reeds, Paul vibes, trombone and drums; John Clark reeds, Jeff Hughes trumpet, Scott Philbrick cornet/guitar, Bill Doyle guitar, Dan Gabel trombone, Ross Petot piano, Justin Meyer string bass, Steve Taddeo drums, Caroline Griep vocals. They looked and sounded like a Big Band – ten pieces of the finest Swing you would ever want to hear!

Caroline Griep

Joe Midiri

Charismatic vocalist Caroline Griep flashed a gleaming smile and regaled us with Just You, Just Me, Jeepers Creepers, All of Me, improvising and scatting with Bill Doyle on guitar on Don’t Get Around Much Anymore.

She enjoys singing, and her pleasure comes through.

Paul Midiri

Consummate entertainers, the Midiri Brothers drove from New Jersey to Massachusetts to be here with the SteveTaddeo’s Swing Senders. Joe is a monster on reeds, whether on alto or soprano sax, or clarinet, had us on the edge of our seats when he hit D above high C and held it for a long note.

Lionel Hampton’s Flying Home, 1939-41, Paul flying on vibes. Steve closed it with the drum walk-around that is his specialty. “Got that Harold?”

Ross was featured on Crazy Rhythm, with Bill Doyle on guitar and Scott cornet and Paul Midiri playing drums.

A trio, band within a band, had Clark on clarinet, Steve drums, Ross’s marvelous stride piano, You Do Something To Me.

Stomping at the Savoy piano did the intro with the two fabulous guitars of Bill Doyle and Scott Philbrick, John on bari sax, Dan trombone, Jeff on trumpet, Joe clarinet, Paul vibes, Steve drums. A scorcher!

Joe was on alto sax for his infamous version of Sunny Side of the Street, singing in the Louis voice he does so well.

Midiri Brothers were featured on Avalon. ’nuff said!!

Dan Gabel and Jeff Hughes

Dan Gabel and Jeff were featured in a mellow Day Dream, a beautiful instrumental written by Billy Strayhorn and Duke.

Fred Waring’s Sleep is usually a Midiri’s full band feature, and it was marvelous with all the instruments, with drum intro, hot clarinet at each end.

They closed with the Swing Senders theme song, Dinah – video below in two parts, with hard driving tempo, Midiri on clarinet, Gabel trombone, ending with Paul and Steve battling it out on the drums. Videos by Harold McAleer.

Dinah Part 1, Dan Gabel takes off on trombone.

The sticks vie for dominance on this closing number of the Swing Senders at Bemis Hall — Harold McAleer videos.

Dinah Part 2

WOW!

Bob and Dan MacInnis

Can’t tell you how great it was to see another set of brothers here – Bob and Dan MacInnis. Welcome back!!

Charlie and Evelyn find a space to dance no matter how crowded it is!

This was an impressive evening of solid, hard driving Swing, with the Midiri Brothers joining the Swing Senders. Steve Taddeo assures us there will be more to come this summer.

Meantime, the Midiri Brothers left at midnight for that long ride home. They are seasoned musicians and inveterate entertainers!

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