“Ragtime” Jack Radcliffe at Primavera Ristorante, July 14, 2016

Posted on July 18, 2016 by admin

“Ragtime’ Jack Radcliffe

“Ragtime Jack” came to Primavera solo for the first time, to give us a history and samples of Ragtime Piano, but interjected many fabulous tunes of the 1920’s.

He began with a vocal on W.C. Handy’s St. Louis Blues.

He said that noted musicologist and Morton biographer Alan Lomax first wrote that Jelly Roll Morton claimed to invent jazz.

“JRM played at Tipitina’s in New Orleans. He wrote Sweet Substitute, “ Jack’s fingers floating over the keyboard. He just returned from New Orleans and said “Tipitina’s has reopened”. http://www.tipitinas.com/

He began Up a Lazy River in a slow tempo, moving into triple time, then back to slow.

“Andy Razaf wrote lyrics for Fats. S’posin’ he wrote himself. “ Radcliffe interjected a ‘vocal trombone’ into the piece.

Jack talked about Andy Razaff when he was here previously, backing Bonnie.

He continues:
“Billy Strayhorn was a 19 year old country boy, living in Iowa, when he was asked to join Duke Ellington. On his way to New York, he wrote the lyrics to Take The A Train. “

Jack wanted to do something in French, adding some French lyrics (in a perfect accent ) to Do You Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans.
Going back to ragtime, he played Scott Joplin’s Easy Winners, one of Joplin’s most popular works.

He explained the fingering on Boogie Woogie, saying “The left hand played the rhythmic ‘Boogie’, while the right hand played ‘the Woogie’. “

He sang the verse to Georgia, holding an elongated note on vocal that seemed to take forever!

Back Home Again in Indiana was played instrumental – making the keyboard yell for Help!

“Richmond, Indiana was the birthplace of Glenn Miller. “ Radcliffe gave us his beautiful version of Sentimental Journey.

“Lazy Bones was written at a time when it was too, too hot to go fishing. “

“James P. Johnson wrote stride piano“. Jack has his Hungry Blues on one of his Wepecket Island CDs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avs20g901Fs

He closed with the 1924 Andy Razaf’s Porter’s Love Song to a Chamber Maid.

This was an interesting evening, filling in blanks on our knowledge of Jazz History, and backing it up with fine playing. Then he got away back to Newport, where he moved recently.

You can learn more about “Ragtime” Jack Radcliffe at http://www.wepecket.com/radcliffe.htm

Steve Taddeo Big Band at Bemis Hall, June 25, 2016

Posted on June 28, 2016 by admin

Steve Taddeo Big Band

by Harold McAleer

Trumpets: Larry Panzeri, Skip Gummoe, Bill Cable and Joe Hostetter.
Trombones: Chris D’Senzo, Kurt Thaler, Rick Ongoing and Bob Sinclair.
Saxes: Steve Gold, Maureen Ameral, Bob Tyler, Ben Petrucci and Dick Hieman.
Piano: Dave James, Guitar: John Deardon, Bass: Paul Brann
with Caroline Griep vocals and Steve Taddeo Drums and Leader.

Steve Taddeo has had a big band off and on since 1978, as well as The Swing Senders. He brought this 18-piece Big Band to Bemis Hall to a good appreciative crowd on June 25, 2016.. They opened the concert with Don’t be that way. Great band!

Highlights were the give and take between Caroline Griep and Steve about the origins of the songs. Caroline sang many songs that afternoon including, I’ve got the world on a String, Massachusetts, from the Gene Krupa book, Tangerine, How ‘bout you, Orange Colored Sky.

Trumpeter Larry Panzeri reprises this Sinatra special Luck Be a Lady!

The band roared thru a Count Basie tune, Freckle Face, Orange Coast (Bill Holman chart).

Caroline Griep is dedicated to her music. The whole spirit of the room perks up perceptibly when she sings.

I’ve Got The World on a String

They closed with the 1939 Gene Krupa Classic Drumming Man which featured both Caroline and Steve.

Steve has plans for bringing more musicians to Bemis Hall – Midiri Brothers and Dan Levinson:

Steve Taddeo’s Swing Senders with special Guests the Midiri Bros at Bemis hall Aug.13th, 2016. 2pm-5pm

Steve Taddeo’s Swing Senders with special guest Dan Levinson,Sept.24th 2016 at Bemis hall 3pm-5pm.

Bemis Hall is at 15 Bedford Rd. Lincoln MA 01773

Galvanized Jazz Band at Aunt Chilada’s June 19, 2016

Posted on June 24, 2016 by admin

Aunt Chilada’s

Galvanized Jazz Band at Aunt Chilada’s, Hamden, CT, June 19, 2016, celebrating Holman and Fran Rice 70^th Wedding Anniversary, 1946 – 2016!

by Jean Hadley
photos by Angelo

The Band: Freddy Vigorito, Russ Whitman, Noel Kaletsky, Bill Sinclair, Joel Schiavone, Bob Bequillard, Art Hovey, Tom Artin, Cythia Fabian

Holman and Fran with daughter Donna and her husband

Rice Family

As the Galvanized Jazz Band arrived, friends, fans and family gathered. It appeared we were going to have a packed house and an evening of much celebrating.

Balloons, posters, beads, cards, flowers, gifts, and parasols filled the room. Cameras were in abundance everywhere. This was going to be a night to remember.

Fran and Holman’s life started as youngsters in Maine, married after WW2, eventually finding their way to Connecticut, raised two boys and two girls. Their two girls live here in Connecticut and the two boys live in Arizona.

Holman and Fran Rice Singing,

Fran and Holman are proof that through good times and bad, a positive attitude, perseverance, the importance of family and friends and, above all, love and prayers have kept Fran and Holman together for SEVENTY years.

They sang If I Had My Live to Live Over.

I met Fran and Holman when I was first introduced to OKOM, at the Millpond Tavern, here in Connecticut (Galvanized Jazz Band’s Sunday night gig.) Holman was 65 (on Medicare) and Fran was about to catch up the next year. Do the math! Holman will be 90 this year and next year Fran will enjoy her 90^th.

Holman continues playing banjo and piano and belongs to the Elm City Banjo Society in his hometown of Wallingford, CT. Fran accompanies Holman at all his gigs and is his consummate supporter

Fran and Holman dance. Photo by Donna Rice

The room was filling, with family and friends, gathering to celebrate Fran and Holman’s union of 70 years and, listen and dance to music of 1946. Indeed, Fran and Holman still cut a rug. Freddy did a splendid job in selecting the music and the band performed top shelf!

Here are some of the songs that brought back memories for so many sitting in the audience.

Old Fashion Love, A Sunday Kind of Love, Blue Skies, If I Had My Life to Live Over (sung by Fran and Holman,) Beale Street Papa, There are Smiles, When Your Old Wedding Ring Was New (sung by Holman to Fran) and, a very touching moment. There were many more numbers and some beautifully delivered by Cynthia Fabian.

It was time for the band to take a break and bring out the cake. What a cake! During this time, friends and family from as far as Arizona, surrounded the happy couple’s table to congratulate them on such a memorable achievement; a very special “moment in time” to remember.

After the well-wishers played tribute to Fran and Holman, the band resumed; playing numbers that brought parasols front and center. The audience went mad!! So many wanted to take part in the parasol parade, we ran out of parasols and space. Even Freddy joined us.

Freddy chose some great songs for the second set. Cynthia belted out You Gotta See Mama Every Night, Walkin’ After Midnight, Is You Is or Is You Ain’t and, several others; ending with Zippity Do Da just for Fran and Holman. And, of course, the standard closing number When the Saints Go Marching In….which brought out the parasol parade once again. The fans went wild and didn’t want the evening to end. What a wonderful evening….thank you band, Aunt Chilada’s, wait-staff and friends. It would not have been possible without you.

Remember, it is not how long we live but how well we live our lives. Fran and Holman are certainly a wonderful example of this.

Jean Hadley

Back Bay Ramblers at Ken’s Steak House June 12, 2016

Posted on June 14, 2016 by admin

Bill Reynolds’ Back Bay Ramblers

Dan Gabel trombone, Bill Drake guitar, Mike Peipman trumpet, Bill Reynolds leader/drums, Billy Novick alto sax and clarinet, Stu Gunn tuba/string bass, John Clark clarinet, tenor and baritone sax, Ross Petot piano, Nancy McGhee vocals.

Bill Reynolds has revivified his Dad’s band, The Back Bay Ramblers, playing hot dance and jazz from the 20’s and 30’s. Four members remain from a previous band: Billy Novick and John Clark reeds, Ross Petot piano, and of course, Bill Reynolds drums. Filling in some very big boots are Mike Peipman for Jon-Erik Kelso, who now plays every Sunday at the Ear Inn in NY; Dan Gabel for Bob Connors, who moved to Florida and is collecting old movies; Bill Drake guitar for Peter Bullis banjo who is Manager of the New Black Eagle Jazz Band; and Stu Gunn for Vince Giordano, who needs no explanation.

Ed’s Back Bay Ramblers

They started with their theme song, Dream Sweetheart, and played many of Ed’s favorite songs and vocals, aptly sung by Nancy McGhee.

Nancy McGhee

Nancy gave a strong, effervescent singing performance, beginning with Daddy, Won’t You Please Come Home. Nancy is a graduate of Berklee and is Choral Director at Lawrence High School Performing Arts. She sang songs of the Boswell Sisters, An Evening In Caroline, Eva Taylor’s 1937 Clarence Williams’ Top of The Town, Mildred Bailey’s Commentating on You. She also touched on Ed’s favorite vocalist, Annette Henshaw, with The Right Kind of Man.

The Band played Little By Little done by the Louisiana Rhythm Kings in 1929. Tiny Parham’s dark, somber Congo Love Song, arranged by Bob Connors. Cho King was arranged by pianist Robin Verdier.

Dan holds megaphone with left foot

Alcoholic Blues, 1929 by Doc Daugherty, Dan Gabel with a slow, moaning muted trombone.

Dan was featured on The River and Me, playing trombone into a 4-foot megaphone braced on his left foot.

He took the first chorus on Red McKenzie’s 1929 Hello Lola, done by the Mound City Blue Blowers. It featured all the guys with many marvelous solos by the front line.

Front Line, Dan Gabel, Mike Peipman, Billy Novick, John Clark

Mike Peipman

The 1951 Nullabor was the most recent tune, an Australian Band jazz revival. It probably means ‘null arbor’, or no trees; a grassy plain, or desert? No one knows for sure. Bill ended it with a pulsating tom-tom drum beat.

Mike Peipman is Australian. His crystal-clear trumpet led many of the tunes.

Riding But Walking – My Wonderful You, arranged by Steve Wright, the interaction between the saxes was mind boggling!

Billy Novick on alto sax, John Clark on baritone sax

Stu holding tuba with string bass beside him

Stu Gunn had big boots to fill!

Fat’s Waller’s Vipers Drag was a knockout! Virtuoso bassist Stu Gunn gives the band energy and drive. He brought two instruments, string bass and tuba, excluding Vince’s bass sax.

A full time musician, Stu Gunn plays fine classical music in local symphonic orchestras, and is fantastic on Jazz and Blues.

Bill in black tux and bow tie, as are all members of the band.

Bill Drake on guitar

Bill Drake’s acoustic rhythm guitar is barely heard by the audience. You can ‘feel’ him more than hear him, but he adds depth to the music that would definitely be missed!

couple in their early 90's dancing, and they're good!

John and Gisella really enjoy dancing!

John and Gisella Bruneccini couldn’t resist dancing!

Ross smiling at camera - Ross Never smiles when he's playing!

Ross Petot is renowned for playing stride piano.

Ross played a solo on Clarence Williams Longshoreman’s Blues, improvising but never straying far from the melody. It was arranged by Billy who was on clarinet.

Shadows on The Swanee also had Ross’s fine piano.

Duke Ellington’s Red Hot Band was played by the Cotton Club Orchestra in 1927.

They closed with Joe Steele’s Top and Bottom, front line playing in staccato, saxes interweaving, twining around each other.

Bill Reynolds closes his eyes and listens

Bill Reynolds has a passion for this music. Ed Reynolds is looking down and smiling.

The Back Bay Ramblers brought a level of style and sophistication of jazz that is rarely heard today. We would like to hear them more often!

Bill has many CD’s of the various Back Bay Ramblers available for sale.

CD: The original band’s first album was in 1986, with Scott Philbrick, Johnny Battis & Billy Novick (no trombone), Robin Verdier, Jimmy Mazzy, Stu Gunn and Bill Reynolds
(Thank you for this, Steve Wright. He and Bob Connors joined the band when Johnny Battis left.)

There will be no Sunday afternoon Jazz at Ken’s Steak House for the summer. Stay tuned – we’ll definitely let you know when it’s back!

Blue Horizon Jazz Band June 2nd 2016 Primavera

Posted on June 4, 2016 by admin

Stan McDonald’s Blue Horizon Jazz Band

Phil Person trumpet, Stan McDonald soprano sax, Gerry Gagnon trombone, Stu Gunn string bass, Jack Soref guitar, Rich Malcolm drums

The Blue Horizon Jazz Band revived the passionate style and exuberant melodies of the New Orleans musicians of the 20’s and 30’s with tightly arranged solos and fine ensemble. They played many Sidney Bechet compositions, brought to life by leader Stan McDonald on the instrument that Bechet made famous, the soprano saxophone.

They began with I Can’t Believe That You’re In Love With Me, followed by a guitar intro to Georgia On My Mind, with fine ensemble and solid rhythm.

Phil on muted trumpet with Jack Soref behind him

Phil Person

Phil Person played powerful trumpet on Blue Turning Gray Over You. He and McDonald took turns taking the lead. Phil is a true gentleman, listens carefully, and plays with a light touch – until the tune calls for a powerful trumpet, then look out!

My Gal Sal showcased the band’s fine ensemble. Some Sweet Day was a rabble rouser!

Gerry Gagnon growling trombone

Bechet’s Blues In The Air brought out Gerry Gagnon’s growling trombone. Gerry has been with this band for about 17 years. An essential part of the front line, his trombone also fills in the “holes” in a tune with extensive use of the slide.

Jack Soref plays the same round hole guitar with very high action as Django Reinhardt.

It was great to have Jack Soref back from his Colorado tour with the Future Rhythm Quartet.
Jack was featured on Ochi Chernye (Dark Eyes), a Russian Folk Song.
Our Birthday Girl, Tina Cass, 80 years old today, surprised the band with the lyrics in Russian.

Stan said that Irving Berlin summed up Life with All By Myself, and did the vocal. He was featured on Bechet’s Petite Fleur, ending it in a flourish!

Stan on soprano sax with string bass and guitar

Stan McDonald featured on Petite Fleur with Stu Gunn and Jack Soref

Stu Gunn also plays classical music in local Symphonies.

Stu Gunn’s very deep, rich, “woody” sounding tone on string bass gives the music support and maintains that solid Traditional Jazz Beat. He played a superb solo on Dear Old Southland. His bass is always in sync with Rich Malcolm’s drum.

Rich on drums, bass, snare, top hat, two small cymbals and a bell

Rich Malcolm

Rich is the new drummer with The Blue Horizon Jazz Band, though he has played with the band in the past. He understands this music.

He gave Tijuana a sweet Latin beat. Steve Straus of the Riverboat Stompers says “You feel the rhythm rather than hear the drum beats by Rich Malcom”.

They played one of Malcom’s favorites, When I Leave The World Behind.

Stan’s soprano sax took the intro to Bechet’s I Remember When (Si Tu Vois Ma Mere). Beautiful!

There was a slow beginning on After You’ve Gone, then with a 4-bar drum pulse, the band went WILD! The distinctive front line and strong heartbeat of the bass and drums supported by Jack’s guitar prompted Jeannine, a ‘regular’, to say “This is the best I’ve ever heard this band play!”

The Blue Horizon Jazz Band plays at Primavera Ristorante on the first Thursday of every month; next one will be July 7th. Join us!

Steve Taddeo’s Swing Senders with Ken Peplowski, Bemis May 29, 2016

Posted on June 1, 2016 by admin

Ken Peplowski and Swing Senders

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

Taddeo by Ross's piano on small drum, with Ken on clarinet

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

Dixie Diehards at Primavera Ristorante May 12, 2016

Posted on May 14, 2016 by admin

Dixie Diehards

Ron L’Herault – MC – Vocals & Trombone
Carl Gerhard – Trumpet, Vocals – Music Director
Paul Peterson – Saxophone ( Soprano & Tenor )
Bill Kiesewetter – Keyboard
Chris Wadsworth – Tenor Banjo
Steve Shaw – Tuba
Lorrie Inglis – Drums
(absent) Bill Dube – Clarinet & Tenor Sax

The Dixie Diehards made their first appearence at Primavery Ristorante, delivering a heady dose of New Orleans traditional jazz, second line street parade music and early jazz classics. They played many New Orleans Chestnuts, Royal Garden Blues, Avalon, Bill Bailey, Basin St. Blues, San, Struttin’ With Some Barbecue, Curse of An Aching Heart, The Sheik.

Carl and Ron took first vocal

Carl and Ron kicked it off with a duet on Bourbon Street Parade.

Ron plays trombone into metal bowler hat mute

Ron L’Herault first played with Jack Phelan’s Scollay Square Stompers in the 80s, Now he leads the Dixie All Stars and subs with the Canobie Lake Park Dixieland bands, the Bay State Stompers, and the New New Orleans Jazz Band.

He sneaked in a snippet of When You’re In Love on trombone when The Diehards played an old favorite, Bill Bailey. It’s based on “Over The Waves;” He heard a recording of a New Orleans trombonist do it.

Ron sang many vocals; an especially nice one on Spencer Williams’ Basin St. Blues. Carl’s trumpet was resonant with feeling and warmth, with only Chris Wadsworth backing him on banjo.

Carl Gerhard has an extensive musical background

Carl Gerhard is an amazing trumpet player. He recently retired from the U.S. Navy after 30 years of service. He was the Director and Bandmaster of bands in Norfolk, VA, Yokosuka Japan, and Commander of the Navy Band – Northeast Region. His true love, however is playing traditional jazz in the New Orleans style.

Carl did a fine vocal on a ballad from 1928, originally sung by Adelade Hall in “Blackbirds of 1928, Ain’t She Sweet. He took the intro on I Can’t Give You Anything But Love, with Paul on tenor sax; (Ron sang this one using a megaphone!)

Dixie Diehards Front Line

Paul Peterson has been teaching music in the Bridgewater–Raynham School District for the last 34 years. He has been a member of many bands (too many to list), and plays regularly with the Downtown Players, a blues band from Bridgewater.

Bill Kiesewetter

Bill KIesewetter plays excellent stride piano; he was influenced by Fats Domino, Jerry Lee Lewis, Floyd Cramer and the Dukes of Dixieland.

Bill is retired from many years in the computer industry and spends winters in Florida where he leads the Flamingo All-Stars Jazz Band based in the Naples area.

A silent movie era film starring Rudolph Valentino inspired the next tune. They have the original lyrics and some updated ones as well, The Sheik.

The indispensable Rhythm Section……

Rhythm Section, Chris Wadsworth, Steve Shaw, Lorri Inglis

Chris Wadsworth, banjo, was one of Jeanne Kelly’s friends who played at the Colonial Inn in Concord on Tuesday night’s traditional jazz (before Jimmy Mazzy’s time.) Before that he played in New York with Buffalo Banjo Band the Scajaquada Creek Stompers. He’s part of the Stone Street Stummers. Chris gets the spotlight on a tune from 1913 written by “Al” Piantadosi, The Curse of an Aching Heart.

Steve Shaw tuba, was featured on Midnight in Moscow. He’s been their Tuba / String Bass player since 2008. He has been a member of the South Shore Circus Band since 1966, and the United Brass Band (South shore area) since 1978. Since 1995 he’s been a member of the Marion Town Concert Band during the summers, and free lances on the string bass and tuba with many musical theatre productions throughout New England. Steve is also a member of the Peasante Brass, a tuba quartet.

Lorri Inglis has been playing professionally since 1982. She owns her own drum store and recording studio. Her energy and enthusiasm help keep the band going; it’s obvious she’s having the time of her life playing with the Dixie Diehards. In her words, “This music is fantastic!”. She attacked the drums on a tune made famous by Marian Harris in 1918, After You’ve Gone, but used discreet cross sticking on snare drum for Louis’s Strutting With Some Barbecue.

They went back a few years to 1922 for the next piece, Way Down Yonder in New Orleans. Ron conjured up Al Jolson again for this next tune, also from 1922 and first performed in a stage musical by William Frawley, Carolina in the Morning.

Lorrie was featured on their last tune which started its life in a Yiddish Musical comedy production, “I Would If I Could.” In English it’s called “To Me You Are Beautiful,” but we all know it by its Yiddish title, Bei Mir Bistu Schoen.

The Diehards have a full schedule planned for this summer, most of them private. The next public appearance is Sweetberry Farm, Middletown, RI, July 19, at 6:00 PM.

Check out their web site: http://dixiediehards./com

Videos:
Dixie Diehards play Strutting With Some Barbecue at the Blackstone River Theatre https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6axfHxdKjSE

San at the Roarin’ 20’s show at the Marion Art Center https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7F1RzjNE_g

Jeff’s Jazz Jesters at Primavera Ristorante April 28, 2016

Posted on May 6, 2016 by admin

Jeff’s Jazz Jesters

Jeff Hughes trumpet, John Clark clarinet/alto and bari sax, Herb Gardener keys, Hunter Burgamy guitar, Craig Ball (Obediah Schwank) clarinet/tenor sax, Steve Taddeo drums, Sarah Nova vocals

The sextet kicked off with their theme song, a resolutely cheerful, My Lucky Day. It’s always a Lucky Day for us when these good natured musicians come to Primavera Ristorante and speak to us through their music. They are a joy, playing the music of the 1910’s to 1930’s, with their old school musicality, camaraderie and a lot of fun.

They were joined by amiable Sarah Nova, beginning with Everybody Loves My Baby. Everybody loves Sarah! She was joined by John on alto sax and Craig clarinet on a peppy, upbeat You’d Be So Nice To Come Home To. She resurrected memories of Billie Holiday with Miss Brown To You.

Sarah singing with Hughes on trumpet behind her

Sara Nova

Sarah is muti-talented, preserving our jazz for future generations by writing and producing CDs for Little Jumpers and Babes. She sang one of our favorites, It’s Raining Cats and Dogs (and the frogs are angry!) She keeps toddlers jumping and swinging at many local libraries.

Herb Gardner, multi-instrumentalist

Her Dad is Herb Gardner, a rock solid, all around player, whose style on piano or keys is between Dick Hyman and Teddy Wilson. He has played with just about everybody from here to New York. Herb is also first call on trombone. With the Jazz Jesters he’s both front line and rhythm.

Craig Ball

The Jazz Jesters sounded like a New Orleans Street Band with Peter Bocage and Armand Piron’s 1914 Bouncing Around. Fabulous!

Paducah is always a rabbel-rousing favorite. We don’t hear Walter Donaldson’s Little White Lies very often. The band sizzled on Deep Henderson with John and Craig on alto and tenor sax, then the two changed with John on smoking bari sax and Craig on clarinet hitting the stratosphere!

Hunter Burgamy is now the youngest member of the band.

Hunter Burgamy’s guitar presence was felt in every tune that the Jazz Jesters played. He’s a student at Berklee. His solos were impeccable, and he adds to the solid rhythm section with Bernard, Taddeo and Gardner, all complementing each other.

Benny Moten’s Jones Law Blues was sung by Annette Hanshaw, an American Jazz Age singer and one of the most popular radio stars of the 1930s. This was a first for us.

There was breathtaking ensemble on Blame It On The Blues, arrangement by Robin Verdier. He was the Paramount Jazz Band’s pianist and arranger, and the Jazz Jesters play many Paramount tunes.

Jeff Hughes plays fabulous Bix

Bix wrote a Debussyian piano piece in a tribute to his home town, Davenport Iowa. John Clark arranged this one, Davenport Blues. Excellent trumpet, piano and guitar.

Time for a spiritual, remembering Louis with Dear Old Southland (based on Deep River.) Jeff took the first chorus playing solemn trumpet, then the whole band entered, with both reeds on clarinet. Fine solos on tuba and guitar.

John Clark sings Zonky

Black Maria, a quintessential Clark arrangement, was a WILD one!

He sang another of his arrangements, Duke’s Zonky. Marvelous! This was the first time we ever heard the words.

Jeff said his Dad loved Empty Saddles in the Old Corral, a classic American cowboy song written by Billy Hill. It became widely known to the public in July 1936, when Big Crosby sang it. Herb on keys and Steve on drum provided the Cowboy ‘clip, clop’.

Steve Taddeo on new set of Slingerland Drums

Steve Taddeo is well known as a slam-bang Gene Krupa drummer, but he has adapted to the early 30’s drumming made famous by Krupa, Vic Berton, and Stan King.

He keeps time tapping rims, the cow bell or wood block, choking cymbals and playing press rolls.

Sarah returned with another Billie traditional, My Mother’s Son-in-Law, with the backing of her Dad. She followed with Billie’s Me, Myself and I, with John’s soulful bari sax.

Sarah Nova, Hunter Burgamy, Herb Gardner (hidden behind him) and John Clark on bari sax

Al Bernard pushes the band with his large tuba

They closed with a live-wire tune, ‘Leven Thirty Saturday Night, followed by Albie’s tuba sneaking in a departing snippet of the theme from The Little Rascals, Good Old Days.

The Jazz Jesters originated when the General Manager at Public Radio WGBH asked Jeff Hughes to recreate tunes similar to the late Ray Smith’s Paramount Jazz Band. Ray played Traditional Jazz every Sunday night on WGBH, and his tapes are still streaming. The Jesters have since created their own sound, without losing the exciting optimism of the Roaring 20’s. The joy is contagious!

They will return sometime on the last Thursday of the month at Primavera Ristorante. That particular month is committed to Jeff Hughes and any one of his many bands! Check our Calendars!

Marce

Wolverine Jazz Band at Primavera April 21, 2016

Posted on April 23, 2016 by admin

by Marce

Jeff Hughes trumpet, John Clark clarinet/baritone sax, Tom Boates trombone, Ross Petot keys, Jimmy Mazzy banjo, Rick MacWilliams tuba, Dave Didriksen drums.

There was never a dull moment with the Wolves at Primavera Ristorante preparing for the Capital City Jazz Fest in Wisconsin next weekend. The audience fed off the energy of the band and the band was invigorated by the responsive crowd. The band was so HOT it even provoked the infamous Mazzy ‘holler’.

four fans at front table (minus me) listening to Band

Fans treasure The Wolverine Jazz Band!

They started with a roaring take off on Shake It And Break It, then immediately changed the mood with a nice dance tune King Oliver released in 1923 Mabel’s Dream.

Jimmy Mazzy was featured with a sublime melody, When. Then John asked Jim what he wanted to do next – dangerous move; he has an enormous array of old tunes embedded in the recesses of his brain. You never know what he’ll come up with! He picked away at the banjo until they finally recognized River, Stay Away From My Door, and the band joined him.

John Clark on baritone sax

They practiced Sunset Café Stomp, a great tune of Chicago Jazz, It was as much of a show stopper as Louis’s Hot Five! Tuba intro, each instrument accenting with one note, and then they soared! Clark injects highlights with bari sax. This is real camaraderie and classic musicianship.

Tom Boates demonstated his singing prowess on With Plenty of Money and You, from Gold Diggers of 1937, backed by Jimmy on banjo, Dave Didriksen softly tapping the cymbal with brushes.

John Clark creates many of their arrangements, taken from the original charts. He’s been playing a great deal of swing with Dan Gabel’s Abletones Big Band for young dancers from the Greater Boston Vintage Society. (GBVS – they will keep our music alive way into the future with their Lindy Hops and Swing Dancing!)

How High The Moon was a real swinger! It will be on their next CD – the 15th? Jim on vocal, he knows them all! The band engaged in more superb ensemble. Prepare those dance floors!

trombone, trumpet, Jimmy banjo and Clark clarinet

Once in a While (not the ballad) was a barn burner, with hot clarinet and the Front Line in outstanding polyphonic ensemble

Betty Weaver, #1 Jazz Fan from the Band’s inception, has been pushing John Clark to sing for years. He followed through with My Gal Sal and a nice, bluesy 1911 Oceana Roll, about the ragtime player Jimmy McCoy on the Confederate Navy Sloop Alabama during the Civil War. There are innumerable stanzas; John had ALL the lyrics memorized!

Jimmy introduced another heartwarming ballad, That’s My Desire, made famous by Frankie Laine. Jimmy’s ballads are uniquely emotional and touching!

A good ol’ good one – Panama, was incredible! Jeff was playing a hand crafted, beautifully engraved trumpet by Joe Marcinkiewicz out of Chicago. From soft and mellow jazz to screaming lead, he pushed the band into a new high. Fans in Wisconsin will love this!

The Wolves soar on Panama!

They had to break after that one, and took the time to chat with their New England fans. They returned with a barn-burning High Society with Tom on growling trombone that had everyone paying attention!

Tom Boates

She’s Crying For Me was written by a trombone player. Tom enhanced it with a funnel mute.

Like Jack Teagarden, he has the ability to interject a blues feeling into virtually any piece of music.

Jeff Hughes on new (for him) engraved trumpet

Bix Beiderbecke did San Antonio Shout on cornet when he was with Frankie Trumbauer. Our Bix ‘shouted’ on trumpet.

There was a marvelous exchange between trumpet and clarinet trading fours and twos on a peppy There’ll Come a Time.

Tom was featured on a tune they learned from banjo player Bob Barta, Here Comes The Hot Tamale Man. Original Jelly Roll Blues was a slow bluesy number that Morton wrote in 1903. John started it on low register clarinet, then the band charged it with explosive ensemble!

Ross Petot, extraordinary pianist

Ross was featured on Sing You Sinners; Lillian Roth introduced it in the 1930 film “Honey”. His amazing notes and harmonies are all his own.

Ross detests playing keyboard. (It really doesn’t do him justice!)

The rhythm boys backed him with Dave tapping on cymbal and snare drum for accents. Jim took the vocal with Jeff backing on muted trumpet. Ross was appeased. He’ll be glad to have a real piano in Wisconsin!

Dynamic Rhythmic Duo:

Dave Didriksen knows his Traditional Jazz Beat

Rick behind big Tuba set on chair between his thighs

Rick MacWilliams pushes the chords.

Jim playing banjo and singing backed by tuba

Jimmy lets out the “Mazzy Holler” with Rick MacWilliams behind him.

The Wolverines will be playing the Sunday morning service at the Capital City Jazz Fest, so they practiced a pious spiritual, This Train is Meant For Glory. Jimmy got carried away, invoking the famous Mazzy shriek that we haven’t heard in a long time!

Fans from the Midwest will relish this septet of brilliant players, playing cherished tunes from the 1920’s. They closed with stirring solos on a song done by Albert Brunies and the Halfway House Orchestra in 1928, Let Your Lips Touch My Lips.

It was a splendid evening. Fans of Traditional Jazz were not disappointed. We wish them a successful weekend in Wisconsin – please take care of our guys! We need them back because May 15th, 4-7pm, The Wolverine Jazz Band will be at Ken’s Steakhouse, 95 Worcester Road, (Rt. 9 W) in Framingham, Massachusetts.

Eli and The Hot Six with Elaine Woo and Sarah Nova at Primavera Ristorante, April 14, 2016

Posted on April 20, 2016 by admin

Eli and The Hot Six

Bo Winiker trumpet/flugelhorn, Ted Casher clarinet, tenor and soprano sax, Herb Gardner back on trombone, Bob Winter keys, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Eli Newberger tuba, Bob Tamagni drums.

by Marce

Eli and The Hot Six presented a delightful evening of great Jazz, introducing new tunes with inspired playfulness and skill, making it up as they went along. They enjoyed it as much as the appreciative audience. Eli included two fine vocalists, Elaine Woo and Sarah Nova, and Carolyn Newberger on washboard.

Honoring Benny Goodman and Gene Krupa, Bob Tamagni introduced Swing, Swing, Swing, His unique methods of maintaining the Trad beat on drums are priceless! After the intro, the Hot Six went WILD!

Don’t Get Around Much Anymore, Bo moved from trumpet to flugelhorn, Jimmy scatting, trombone and tuba trading 4’s.

Poor Papa, written by Hoagie Carmichael, was new with Jim singing the sad vocal, backed by tuba.

Mama’s got shoes, Mama’s got clothes
Mama’s got these and Mama’s got those
But poor Papa, poor Papa, he’s got nothin’ at all

The mood changed with a roaring take off of Alexander’s Ragtime Band

Bob Winter

Bob took a solo on Ida, with stunning harmonies and sudden key changes that took our breath away. He would suddenly pause, leaving all of us anticipating the next note.
He loves playing with this band!

Eli introduced Elaine Woo, another Doctor, who is a Primary Physician in Geriatrics. She captivated the audience with It’s All Right To Me, and reading the lyrics to Body and Soul off a telephone without missing a beat!

Carolyn was a vital spark on washboard, She joined Elaine on an upbeat Darktown Strutters’ Ball. What an amazing duo! They returned with the band for an exilarating Route 66.

Carolyn on washboard, the band, and Elaine Woo singing

Carolyn Newberger and Elaine Woo – two captivating ladies!

Artist Carolyn Newberger keeps busy sketching the musicians, when she’s not performing. Her drawings, paintings and collage have achieved recognition and awards in juried and solo exhibition. Here’s Jimmy:

Everyone was having fun! But we had more surprises.

Eli joined Elaine on vocal!!

Eli and Elaine got together for
I Can Give You Everything But Love. (No mistake in the title.)

Who knew Eli could sing, too?

Vocalist Sarah (Gardner) Nova teaches Jazz for kids at libraries and Kindergardens all over New England. She has several CD’s, Jazz for Lil Jumpers and Jazz For Babies; Its Raining Cats & Dogs!

Having been raised with this music, she has an intuitive grasp of musical dynamics, The band backed her in stop time with the warning, Keep Your Hands Off It! Sarah was invited to stay on for another tune, Me Myself & I, with Dad backing her on trombone.

Sarah singing with Herb on front line playing trombone

Father and daughter make a great Jazz combination!

Herb was featured on the Platters’ Only You, singing, and playing rich, burnished tone on trombone..

Eli and The Hot Six continued with a rip-roaring Instrumental, Dinah, with Ted on tenor sax, and Bob Winter playing astounding keyboard. This was pure joy!

Bo with trumpet in the air holding a large handkerchief

Bo Winiker conjures up Louis Armstrong

Bo Winiker was featured on What a Wonderful World, playing trumpet and evoking Louis Armstrong with his vocal.

looks like a piece of cork near the clarinet's mouth piece

Ted and his new moose clarinet

Ted took the breaks on clarinet with a new addition – an actual piece of moose horn that gives it a distinctive sound – as if he needed it!

Bob hides the tambourine.

Our favorite was a lullaby that Eubie Blake wrote for his wife, Good Night Angeline. Jimmy puts heart and soul into this melody, like no other. We could hear a soft dinging in the background. It took some time to realize that Bob Tamagni was softly tapping an unseen tambourine on his bass drum.
His drum set is comprised of two drums and a hi hat (that he hardly used, except to tap the cymbal).

Jimmy Mazzy and Eli Newberger have played together for years.

Basin Street was an instrumental with marvelous tuba by Eli and Jimmy scatting throughout the whole song. The two are always in sync!

The repertoire and caliber of these musicians has made this a classic band. Fortunately for us, Eli and The Hot Six will be here regularly at Primavera on the 3^rd Thursday of the month. Spread the word and mark your calendars!

Check out their CD:
Eli & The Hot Six LIVE, Contemporary Classic Jazz $17 Purchase

New England Traditional Jazz Plus

Swing, Traditional Jazz, Dixieland Jazz, Big Bands

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