Jeff’s Jazztetwith vocalistMara Bonde at Thursday Jazz, January 28, 2016 at Primavera Ristorante
This is one smokin’ band! Performing before a packed house, Jeff Hughes led the group through three great sets. His solos throughout the night on trumpet and flugelhorn were outstanding, as was his leadership of an extremely talented, upbeat band. Craig Ball excelled on clarinet and alto sax – producing many terrific solos. Jeff and Craig played off each other perfectly. Herb Gardner on keyboard is always steady working with the rhythm section –using his vast experience to great advantage whether backing up the front line or soloing. Steve Taddeo on drums set a great beat, plus he brought the house down with a Krupa solo on “Jabberwocky.” Ken Steiner makes the upright bass sing. He did a marvelous job helping the group rock, plus he threw in some fine solos. Eric Baldwin on guitar complimented the great rhythm section, and showed he can really swing.
The band was swinging all night, plus they featured Mara Bonde on vocals. It was unusual to have a soprano combine with a swinging group like this one, but it worked very well once they adjusted to each other after one or two numbers. I don’t recall ever seeing this attempted, but the crowd loved it. In fact, those in attendance enjoyed everything they saw and heard all night.
Mara opened with an upbeat version of “The Song is Ended”, then did several ballads beautifully. She added a wonderful touch to a great evening.
All in all, the performance was memorable to me. It possessed all the right ingredients – great band, excellent singer and a happy tone. I’m sure everyone there loved it. If you get a chance, go to see and hear these performers.
Bill Falk
Mara Bonde
Jeff backs Mara on I Thought About You
Steve Taddeo plays Krupa on Jabberwocky
Mara sings My Funny Valentine
Ken Steiner – one of a kind!
Craig is featured on I Would Do Anything For You
Rhythm Boys, Eric Baldwin, Ken Steiner, Herb Gardner
Tunes:
1st set
The Song is Ended – Mara uptempo
I Thought About You – Mara
S’Wonderful
Someone to Watch Over Me
Ciribiribin – instrumental
They Can’t Take That Away From Me – Mara
720 In The Books – instrumental
2nd set
Jabberwocky
It’s Been So Long
You’d Be So Nice to Come Home To – Mara
Funny Valentine – Mara
I Get a Kick Out Of You – Mara
It Might As Well Be Spring – Mara
Blue Lu – Craig Ball feature
3rd set
Nearness of You – Mara
‘Till There Was You – Mara
I Would Do Anything For You – Craig Ball feature
Speak Low – Mara
Thou Swell – Mara (closure)
Bill’s Seafood Allstars Fridays 7pm to 9pm
at Bill’s Seafood Restaurant, 548 Boston Post Rd, Westbrook, CT 06498
(860) 399-7224 www.billsseafood.com
January 22, 2016
Bill Sinclair piano, leader
Tom Boates trombone, vocals
Noel Kaletsky reeds
Lou Bocciarelli bass
Tom Palinko drums
Every Friday evening Bill’s Seafood presents their Allstars, a band made up of very talented local musicians. They play mostly Dixieland along with some swing and other types of jazz with occasional surprises from various other genres thrown in. There is always a full house at Bill’s with many regular fans.
Tom Boates
Every performance is exciting and tonight’s was no exception. It started with a rousing rendition of Canal Street Blues, followed by Little Girl, then Tom Boates vocal on St. James Infirmary Blues. Tom also sang Dr. Jazz later in the program. He’s the frontman for the band and plays a mean trombone.
Noel Kaletsky, Tom Palinko
The Allstars have several Wilbur de Paris numbers in their repertoire and usually play at least one. Tonight it was the fast and furious Tres Moutarde.
Noel was featured on I Got Rhythm and, on the soprano sax, in a beautiful rendition of When Day is Done. He also played back and forth with Tom Palinko’s drums on the final number of the evening, one of the group’s standards which always gets wild applause from the audience, Duke Ellington’s Caravan.
Noel Kaletsky, Lou Bocciarelli, Tom Palinko
The audience also participated – clapping, waving napkins, etc – on a rousing version of Bourbon Street Parade. All the musicians get plenty of solo spots during most of the numbers, Bill’s piano and Lou’s bass are always great and everybody loves Tom’s drum solos.
Noel’s sax, Lou Bocciarelli, Tom Palinko, Tom Boates trombone, and leader Bill Sinclair behind piano.
As always, we all enjoyed the evening. The band is wonderful and the food is excellent.
The Allstars will be making a special appearance on Tuesday, Feb 9th for a Mardi GrasCelebration. It will start early, from 6:30 to 9:30, with the band playing from 7pm – 9pm. Bill’s is NOT taking reservations for the Mardi Gras party. Just come as if it were a Friday. There will be a variety of food items associated with New Orleans cooking which will be incorporated into Bill’s regular menu.
Bonnie and Hot Stuff made their debut at Primavera Ristorante on January 21st with a mixed audience of ‘Regulars’ and some of their fans who followed them here.
Bonnie Jeanne
Bonnie Jeanne has been performing classical, Jazz, Blues, and Country music for many years. She also studied vocal performance at the New England Conservatory of Music and is an avid member and frequent guest performer at many New England to Nashville showcases at Loretta’s Last Call in Boston. http://www.bonnieandhotstuff.com/
Hot Stuff is comprised of Bonnie Jeanne on vocals, ‘Ragtime’ Jack on keys, and Don Barry on upright bass; but Don Barry was unavailable, so this evening was just Bonnie and Jack. They worked together on love songs, Patsy Cline and Willie Nelson country favorites. Some 20’s Jazz and Ragtime.
Bonnie brought her own sassy, upbeat and modern sounds to their repertoire, with a wide variety of eras: All of Me, Squeeze Me, It Had To Be You; a tune Elvis recorded in 1957, Don’t. Louis and The Hot Five – Big Butter and Egg Man. Both sang in harmony, like the Everly Brothers with Love Hurts. Bonnie evoked Nine Simone’s Since I Fell For You.
They moved to a spiritual, Ramsey Lewis’s Wade In The Water. I’ve Got a Weakness, Jack’s fingers flying across the keyboard. An upbeat Bessy Smith’s Ain’t Nobody’s Business changed the mood. Jack warned us that the next tune was bawdy with Bonnie singing a lively Wild About That Thing.
Jack played solo with Jelly Roll Morton’s Don’t You Leave Me Here, and Keeping Out of Mischief Now. He is immersed in Jazz history, recounting when Andy Razaf came to Tin Pan Alley and got a job as an elevator operator. One day a very large gentleman stepped in the elevator, very upset because he had a tune to present, but it needed lyrics. Andy said “How about Every honey bee, fills with jealousy, when they see you out with me”? That’s how Fats Waller finished Honeysuckle Rose, and Andy Razaf embarked on a career as a lyricist.
Jack embarked on a wild Honeysuckle Rose, followed by his own composition, Newport Getaway, stride piano; he thanked James P. Bonnie returned with lovely songs, When I Fall in Love, and singing soft and slow, You Don’t Know Me.
That’s The Story of Love and Making Whoopee was a fun upbeat medley, with Bonnie and Jack singing the two songs simultaneously. Amazing!
Jack joined Bonnie on Willie Nelson’s Remember Me, beating time with snapping fingers. She continued with Bessie Smith’s 1927 Blackwater Blues, about the first New Orleans’ flood.
Crazy – the tune Willie Nelson wrote at age 19; the words paid off all his fines! Walking After Midnight. They went from Patsy Cline to Nina Simone’s You Know How I Feel.
“Ragtime” Jack
Jack embraces a wide variety of emotions and textures in his work. Ragtime’ Jack Radcliffe has been performing for more than 45 years. He is a master ragtime and stride piano, of traditional country blues, and is a powerful singer/songwriter, as well. www.wepecket.com/radcliffe.htm
He is going to N. O. from February 11 to March 2nd, right after Mardi Gras, making his home at Check Point Charlie’s, a popular night spot in New Orleans. He played and sang a heartfelt Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans? and continued with Scott Joplin, “who wrote much timeless classical music.” In 1904 Joplin wrote Easy Winners, a ragtime two-step. Jack absorbed it, added a little ‘Papa Joe’.
Time was running out. Bonnie returned with As Time Goes By, and then Duke Ellington’s, Don’t Get Around Much Anymore.
They closed with Utah Phillips’ “Starlight On The Rails.
“Looking back, down along the road I’ve traveled
Every mile could tell a million tales.
Each year is like some rolling freight train
And cold as Starlight On The Rails.”
Bonnie and Hot Stuff with Don Barry are at Blackthorne Publick House, 402 Turnpike St., So. Easton, MA. February 12, 8pm, folloiwing The Boston Boatmen. Jack will be in New Orleans.
Phil Person trumpet, Ted Casher clarinet, soprano, and tenor sax, Herb Gardner trombone, Bob Winter keyboard, Jim Mazzy banjo, Eli Newberger tuba, Bob Tamagni drums
Eli Newberger integrated a lively group of Berklee Professors into his Hot Six and put them through their paces playing Dixieland Jazz. (Bob Winter, piano, Phil Person, ear training, and Bob Tamagni, percussion.) Their fiery enthusiasm captivated the audience!
They opened with a stunning Sheik of Araby, Jimmy singing with uncontrolled Mazzy passion. Phil Person followed with on trumpet, then Ted on clarinet, then Herb trombone, the soloists playing for each other as much as the people out front. Bobby Tamagni had only one drum, playing Traditional Jazz by tapping the snare drum or hitting drum sticks together. Eli directed them, then just sat back smiling, listening, enjoying every second. Jimmy ended it shouting scat choruses. This was going to be one exciting evening!
Phil Person
None of the musicians knew what they were going to do – they’ve never played together as a band. Eli asked Phil if he knew Do Nothing ‘Till You Hear From Me. Phil answered, “I wrote it!”, took the lead and ran with it!
Phil Person performed all through the session with beautifully simple phrasing, deep understanding of the emotions of the music, and respect for the other players. He’s a true gentleman, who always listens and plays with a light touch.
Bob Winter does amazing things with Traditional Jazz!
Eli looked for a Trad Jazz War Horse and settled on Royal Garden Blues. Jimmy and Tamagni trading fours, then Bobby playing a vast range of dynamics on his one snare drum.
Winter playfully demonstrated his energetic musicality with Tamagni tapping a tambourine on his hip. Eli took a masterful tuba solo. It was never ending with each one taking a solo, sharing their joy in making music.
Henry Red Allen was a New Orleans visionary with a sound all his own. He recorded a tune that Eli gave to Herb Gardner, playing trombone and singing Who Cares. Ira Gershwin went over the top with the lyrics: Who cares if the sun cares to fall in the sea? Who cares what banks failed in Yonkers? As long as you’ve got a kiss that conquers!
Herb Gardner featured on Who Cares? with vocal and trombone
Next was Ted Casher featured on gut-wrenching, smoldering tenor sax with Blue and Sentimental. Pure rapture and euphoria! We can’t hear it often enough! We needed a breather after that one.
Eli said “This is a great country – we’ve got to hold it together” and called for a Patriotic tune, Gershwin’s masterpiece Of TheeI Sing, played solo, by Bob Winter, with great feeling and delight.
Eli ……
Back to The Big Easy, a fine New Orleans anthem with Jimmy taking the intro on Basin St. Blues with banjo and song as only he can. Bob Winter played it light and airy. Eli came up with the tuba hitting high and low, low, low. Jimmy finished it off singing heartfelt blues.
Bob Tamagni rim tapping on drum
The World is Waiting For The Sunrise, an anthem of hope – the banjo player’s national anthem, was introduced by Jimmy rapidly picking banjo, of course, Tamagni taking rim shots on snare drum!
Ted Casher makes up his own vocals on the MTA. Velma Coffey photo.
Ted was featured again with a special vocal all his own, with all of us joining in the chorus, Charlie on The MTA. Ted had some choice words making up new verses about all the problems we’ve been having with the MBTA. Bob Winter was laughing and enjoying the whole scene.
Eli asked Sarah (Gardner) Nova to come up for a vocal. (That’s one very musical family!) She sang a commanding Keep Your Hands Off It. Sarah has an intuitive grasp of musical dynamics. She has created several CDs that teach children the joy of music – especially Jazz.
Sarah Nova sings Keep Your Hands Off It!
Carrie Sings with Jimmy and Eli backing
Carrie Mazzy was called up next, looking lovingly at Jimmy, singing When I Fall In Love. They have been married for close to 30 years. Seems like yesterday!
Carolyn Newberger plays washboard to Miami Rumba (file photo)
Carolyn Newberger put down her scratch pad and picked up an old washboard for one of my favorites, Miami Rumba. Her fervor fascinates the audience!
The whole band joined in, with snare drum in rumba beat.
(Check her sketches below.)
Tough act to follow; Jimmy played and sang a gripping, emotional, Georgia On My Mind.
Eli completely changed the mood with another barn-burning Dixieland tune, At The Jazz Band Ball, with the band going WILD with ultra-tight all star intensity! Ted pushed it on hot soprano sax, drum interacting with tuba. Fantastic!
Everyone needed a break!
Jimmy came up with a breathtaking St. James Infirmary Blues, with lyrics by Josh White. “I want 6 crapshooters to be my pallbearers, three pretty women to sing a song, Stick a jazz band on my hearse wagon, Raise hell as I stroll along.” Bobby Tamagni was enjoying himself beating the snare drum with his hands.
It was already closing time. The band finished with livewire ensemble; outgoing and infectious on a New Orleans tune – wait for it – When The Saints Go Marching In!
But here is even more…. Carolyn Newberger never stops. She kept busy as usual with pencil and sketchbook, getting lost in the fabulous Trad and Swing and drawing across both pages! She shared some of her marvelous artwork with us:
Eli Newberger
Jimmy Mazzy
Bob Tamagni
This was indeed a fascinating evening. Berklee professors can actually play Traditional Jazz, and play this happy, foot-stomping music with cheerful enthusiasm!
My apologies for the quality of the photos – I borrowed my son’s camera and didn’t
know how to use it. Many thanks to Sarah
for her help in making it useable!! Marce
Blue Horizon Jazz Band at Primavera Ristorante, January 7, 2016
Stan McDonald leader/soprano sax, Phil Person trumpet, John Kefalas trombone, Jack Soref guitar, and Gerry Gagnon tuba.
Stan McDonald anxious to play!
Stan McDonald was raring to go after a two-month hiatus from Jazz, and immediately led the band into a dynamic Rosetta. What Is This Thing Called Love, It Had To Be You. He sang My Gal Sal with passion.
A vital sparkplug, Gerry Gagnon’s booming tuba keeps the band in time, reinforced by Jack Soref’s guitar.
Wild Man Blues was a hot tune! Trumpet leading, sax taking the breaks, guitarist Jack Soref in a dazzling gypsy-flavored solo with tuba backup. Phil Person’s muted trumpet played from the heart, followed by Stan’s formidable sax. Embellishing the tune was Gerry’s roaring tuba solo.
Gerry Gagnon on monster tuba
Gerry Gagnon doesn’t get the recognition he deserves. With constant motion, he keeps the band in time, and softly backs solos.
They followed with a soft, sublime melody, Roaming, nice soprano sax.
John Kafalas
John Kafalas’ mellow trombone tugs at your heart strings, playing warm melodic lines.
An unusual guitar/tuba intro to Running Wild really energized the audience, followed by an equally captivating Tijuana. Moving to inspiring ensemble, Stan was pleased with Soref’s guitar on Blues My Naughty Sweety Gives To Me.
Stan McDonald joins Jack Soref on Sweet Sue
Jack plays the same gently arched Selmer guitar as Django Rheinhardt.
Jack was featured with a roaring takeoff solo on Sweet Sue backed by tuba.
He will present a Gypsy Jazz Trio for the first time at Primavera on February 25 and March 17. For anyone who hasn’t heard this yet, it will be an initiation to Django Rheinhardt!
Phil Person, marvelous musician
Phil Person’s trumpet, so beautiful and moving, resonated on Rose Of The Rio Grande, inducing tuba and guitar into a fiery rhythms.
Irving Berlin’s Blues In The Night – a twelve bar blues, announced the approaching end of the evening. The Band closed with Bechet’s Marchand de Poisson, beginning and ending with a feisty Habanera.
The Blue Horizon Jazz Band will return to Primavera on February 4th with another presentation of early 20’s and 30’s Hot Jazz. Hope to see you here!
(My apologies for the poor quality of the photos. My main Nikon camera has been sent back to the company for three weeks for repairs. Marce)
Tunes played tonight:
Rosetta
What Is This Thing Called Love
It Had To Be You
My Gal Sal
Tijuana
Wild Man Blues
Roamin’
Running Wild
Blues My Naughty Sweety Gives To Me
My Gal Rocks Me (With one Steady Roll)
Sweet Sue
Rose of The Rio Grande
Black and Blue
When I Leave The World Behind
Blues In The Night
Marchand de Poisson
NOVEL JAZZ RETURNS TO SKIDOMPHA LIBRARY FOR A WINTER EVENING OF HOT JAZZ
Novel Jazz Septet
NOVEL JAZZ RETURNS TO SKIDOMPHA LIBRARY- Novel Jazz Septet will be performing classic jazz at Skidompha Public Library, 184 Main St., Damariscotta, ME, on Thursday 21 January, 2016, 7PM to 9:30PM. The performance will feature Barney Balch (trombone), Dave Clarke (guitar), Mickey Felder (piano), Bryan Jones (Alto Saxophone), Herb Maine (acoustic bass), Michael Mitchell (trumpet) plus Bill Manning (drums) This evening will be the first Skidompha Novel Jazz evening of their 2016 season, beginning their 12th year at Skidompha. If you have never attended and are curious, come check them out to see why the Novel Jazz evenings at Skidompha have been so popular for so long! Admission is $14 for adults, $12 for seniors, $6 for young adults 12-18, under 12 accompanied by a parent go free. For more info, call 207-563-5513 or point your web browser tohttp://www.skidompha.org/ or the band’s web site —–www.mainejazz.net . (Photo by Tara Mitchell).
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After a busy year of concerts featuring Ellington and Strayhorn compositions during the Strayhorn centennial, the Novel Jazz Septet begins their 2016 season at the Skidompha Public Library atrium, 184 Main Street, Damariscotta, Maine, on Thursday, 21 January 2016, from 7-9:30 PM, for an evening of music from the Great American Songbook. These events began with the observation that lovers of books often are lovers of jazz. The superb acoustics of Skidompha’s atrium, plus the seating “in the round”, make it a superior place to see and hear jazz, all in a relaxed, informal atmosphere. It was while performing at Skidompha that the band decided to forge deeper into the music of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. Trombonist Barney Balch began visiting the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. to work in their Ellington collection, digging out gems of these musical geniuses and bringing them back to life in summer time concerts.
The musicians of this group have been playing straight-ahead jazz for audiences throughout Maine (and beyond) for several decades. Collectively, they share over two centuries of experience in the jazz idiom. Performing this evening will be Barney Balch (trombone), David Clarke (guitar), Mickey Felder (piano), Mike Mitchell (trumpet), Bryan Jones (alto), Herb Maine (bass) and Bill Manning (drums).
Admission is $14 for adults, $12 for seniors, $6 for young adults 12-18, under 12 accompanied by a parent go free. We encourage parents to bring their children, the future of this art form. The library is located at 184 Main Street in downtown Damariscotta. Call 207-563-5513 during business hours for more information. Note, if there is any question about weather, please call the Skidompha Library during business hours. Skidompha’s winter closure policy is that of the local school district (AOS 93); if the schools are closed, so is the library. For more info, point your web browser to http://www.skidompha.org/ or the band’s web site www.mainejazz.net .
This promises to be a very special night of jazz as the band celebrates the beginning of their twelfth year of performances at Skidompha. If you have never attended a Novel Jazz event and are curious, check them out and see why the Novel Jazz evenings at Skidompha have been so popular for so long. Come to Skidompha on 21 January… music to keep both your soul and toes warm during this cold winter season!
The Dave Whitney Trio kicked off 2016 at Bullfinch’s Jazz Brunch for the 22nd consecutive year with swinging ensembles and brilliant solos. It was standing room only, demonstrating the respect and affection that musicians and fans have for Dave Whitney. He is known as New England’s Dean of Jazz, usually on trumpet, but today leading with melody and harmony on cornet.
Dave Whitney cornet, Jon Wheatley guitar, Mark Carlsen bass, and special guests Gray Sargent guitar, Jim Porcella and Mollie Malone vocals. What a fantastic way to start the New Year!
The Brunch began unusually early, at 10am, with just a few customers straggling in, but that soon changed. The Trio began with a soft Moonglow; folks relaxing after a hectic New Year’s Eve.
Jon Wheatley
These Foolish Things, featured Jon’s sweet and sultry guitar with bass backup, and Dave sounding like Bunny Berigan.
Dave sang several tunes, connecting with the mood of each song: Irving Berlin’s Blue Skies, The Gypsy, Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans? and more.
He added a Latin beat with Jobim’s Bossa Nova, Triste. ( Meaning sad) By now the tables were filled. They picked up the pace with a ‘good ol’ good one’, Found a New Baby with Mark cleverly slapping the bass.
Folks were getting reacquainted, (lots of talking). Gray Sargent was here with his wife Pam and brother John; Betty Weaver and Paul DeMille have been present at these New Year’s Brunches since they started over 20 years ago. There were many musicians in the room whose names we don’t know. Jim Porcella, Peter Gerler, Mollie Malone were in the audience. A Sticky Wicket ‘regular’, Ruth Schwab arrived with Joe Grasia.
Mark Carlsen bowing string bass
You Took Advantage of Me. Mark was bowing the string bass.
His rhythm moves!
The band took a well deserved break – this is a four-hour program.
Dave Whitney
They returned for a special request, a tune done by Bing Crosby and Louis Armstrong, You’re Sensational. You’d Be So Nice To Come Home To.
Dave played riveting cornet on Clyde McCoy’s Sugar Blues.
This band Swings from start to finish! They moved upbeat with Back Home Again in Indiana. Dave took the vocal on The One I Love Belongs To Somebody Else, giving Mark a crowd pleasing string bass solo.
Tin Roof Blues, is always a favorite, with captivating cornet and guitar, Mark walking and bowing the bass.
Mollie Malone
Dave introduced Mollie Malone. Mollie sings in Billie Holiday style with I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm, and a sweet I’ve Got a Crush On You.
Jim Porcella
Bombay Jim Porcella of the Swinging Saphires and Swinging Tenors was here. He was called up with It Don’t Mean a Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing (of course!) and Don’t Get Around Much Anymore.
Special treat was seeing and hearing Gray Sargent again! He once had his own Trio – now he and Marshall Wood are backing Tony Bennett all over the world.
Gray Sargent
Gray joined the Trio, thrilling the crowd with sheer joy and mastery on 9:20 Special by Count Basie, and Isn’t It Romantic?
The musical highlight of this afternoon was a breathtaking Lady Be Good, with two virtuoso guitars, Gray Sargent and Jon Wheatley playing together with real camaraderie and classic musicianship. The Quartet closed this four-hour afternoon with heartfelt, hot music.
Jon Wheatley and Gray Sargent play Lady Be Good
This was a Joyful Affair from beginning to end, with many surprises! We’re looking forward to hearing the Dave Whitney Trio at another Bullfinch Jazz Brunch in the near future. We’ll keep an eye out for Gray Sargent and Tony Bennett.
We definitely plan on being here again next year celebrating New Year’s Day 2017 at Bullfinch’s Jazz Brunch, and for many years to come!
Eli & The Hot 6 celebrated Eli’s upcoming 75th Birthday with style at Sculler’s Jazz Club on December 17, 2015. The 8pm show sold out in no time and they had to add another at 10pm. The music at Scullers was up to their best,
The Hot Six feature some of Boston’s finest, legendary musicians: Eli Newberger on tuba, Bob Winter on piano, Herb Gardner on trombone, Bo Winiker on trumpet and flugelhorn, Ted Casher on clarinet, soprano and tenor saxes, Jimmy Mazzy on banjo and vocals, Carolyn Newberger on washboard, Jeff Guthery on drums, Rebecca Sullivan vocals.
Eli and The Hot Six with Rebecca Sullivan
Eli & The Hot Six’s approach honors the New Orleans tradition of ensemble improvising while featuring the solo brilliance of its distinctive, contemporary musical personalities.
Eli wrote:
“The music is stunningly beautiful and swings like mad. Everyone is both at ease and acutely tuned in, projecting emotional pinpoints and delivering delightful surprises.
Rebecca’s treatment of Ira Gershwin’s verses is unbelievably touching. Bob is like an Impressionist painter, deploying the whole piano as his palette, mixing stunning new colors and inventing heavenly harmonic washes in his solos. Herb’s punchy singing of “You Cares” sounds like he’s channeling Henry “Red” Allen, especially in his ironic take on Ira’s immortal line, “Who cares if banks are failing in Yonkers, when it’s your kiss that conquers?”
Ted, Jimmy, and Bo are so focused the ensemble — and vice versa– that even their brilliant solos (and there are too many to count) weave new threads into the gorgeous fabric of improvising:
Ted, for example, quotes Count Basie’s “Lil’ Darling” and Bob tosses it all over 3 choruses later in his pianistic evocation of the whole Basie band, even as Jeff does his best Jo Jones. Bo performs 2 “stop choruses” that ignite lightening storms — with flashes of instrumental accents through the remaining portions of those songs.
Jimmy shouts 3 fantastic final choruses on “St. Louis Blues,” (ending with an exalting Mazzy scream of “I love that gal like a schoolboy loves his pie, like a Kentucky colonel loves his rock and rye!” that Frank Cunningham was obliged to compress — because Jimmy almost lifted the track off the mixing board). This makes Ted into a Texas tenor and transforms Herb into a tailgate tiger. (Programming note: I included this W.C. Handy song both because he so influenced Gershwin, but because the “Summertime” melody uncannily resembles Handy’s second, minor, strain. And in real time at Scullers, I asked Rebecca to sing “Summertime” next (and did she ever!), but I refrained from pointing this out, so as not to shatter the mood.”
Ted Casher, Bo Winiker, Herb Gardner
Rebecca Sullivan
Jazz singer Rebecca Sullivan added an additional instrumental voice to the ensemble, in addition to her own deeply-felt interpretations of iconic vocal masterpieces.
Jimmy Mazzy and Eli Newberger have been together for years
Bob Winter, master improviser
Carolyn Newberger
Washboard Artist Carolyn Newberger Strikes Up The Band on washboard.
Carolyn and Rebecca chortling after Bob Winter’s and Carolyn’s humorous piano-washboard “conversation” on “Strike Up the Band!” It was one of the high points of the first set at Scullers!
Bo Winiker
Ted Casher
Herb Gardner
Jeff Guthery
Eli joined Bob for 4-hand piano on “St. Louis Blues.”
Bob shares piano with Eli
Eli and The Hot Six forthcoming public performances are all at Ristorante Primavera, 20 Pleasant St. Millis, MA 7 to 9:30 as always.
January 14
March 19
April 14
Professional Photographer Eric Antoniou caught beautiful photos despite the low light. Frank Cunningham’s preliminary CD cuts are nearly all top notch, so a Hot Six Gershwin CD is going to happen, soon! Stay tuned.
This was Traditional Jazz at its height, leader Bill Reynolds choosing tunes mostly from the early 20’s that we have never heard before. This was an enchanting revival of Bill’s Dad, Ed Reynolds’ Back Bay Ramblers. The musicians were all dressed in tuxedos, because his father insisted that “The ‘Band had to be dressed as well as the listeners”, and the listeners in Ed’s time wore fancy dresses and tuxes.
This was Ed’s concept and style of music. It was not only popular music of the day, but it also contained a lot of jazz. Ed took pop music and chose tunes that had a lot of section work between horn, trumpet, saxes, and clarinet. What the arrangements did was feature very tight section work by these four professional musicians. It was all written, except for the solos. Ed respected good musicianship, you couldn’t fake it, so you had to be a good reader and good technician to play this music.
Bill’s Back Bay Ramblers were definitely up to the task. He has two amazing sax players in Billy Novick and Mark Earley, Mike Pipeman taking the lead on trumpet, the ubiquitous Dan Gabel, leader of the Abletones Big Band, on trombone, Ross Petot magnetic on piano, with Jim Guttman’s string bass and Bill’s drum working in sync to maintain the proper Trad beat; music to our ears!
Some of the first tunes were requested by Dan Gable, Hello Lola, that was played by a star studded band in 1929, The Mound City Blue Blowers with Coleman Hawkins (ts) Charles “Pee Wee” Russel (cl); Glenn Miller (tb) William “Red” McKenzie (kazoo); Jack Bland (g); Eddie Condon (bj); Pops Foster (b); Gene Krupa (d); Bill said he hoped this band would make them proud.
Nancy McGhee has a great feeling for this music.
Bill introduced Nancy McGhee with Dreaming ‘Bout My Man 1931, done by Hunters’ Serenaders, a Territory Band. Nancy is a beautiful and talented vocalist, a graduate of both Berklee and The New England Conservatory. She teaches music at Lawrence High School…. and is also Bill’s cousin.
She sang Concentrating on You that was done by Connie Boswell in 1931. She was featured on Honeybunch, made popular by Jane Green in 1926. Down Among The Sugar Canes, sung by Lilian Roth in the 1930’s.
The Ramblers played Duke Ellington’s Riding But Walking that Duke’s Cotton Club Orchestra played in 1926. Fine trumpet by Mike Peipman who took the lead on every tune. It’s on their Red Hot Band CD, and for sale.
Both saxes were marvelous together on the 1929 That’s Where You’re Wrong 1929. Dan Gabel was blowing his trombone into a megaphone. More about that later.
Mark has a collection of saxes.
Top and Bottom was recorded by the Joe Steele Orchestra in 1929. Trumpet lead, with the band backup. Nice bass by Jim Guttmann. Mark Early on baritone sax.
Raising The Roof was done by Henderson’s Roseland Orchestra in 1929, starting here with two clarinets, then Mark moving to tenor sax. Very abrupt ending – this was repeated on many tunes, always catching the audience by surprise.
Ross Petot looks great in a tux!
Ross Petot is marvelous on piano, anchoring the band with rhythmic motion.
Here comes Marjorie is a peppy tune that was played by Benny Moten’s Kansas City Orchestra in 1930.
We’re fortunate to have Australia’s Mike Peipman here in New England!
Really modern for this band, Stomp Miss Hannah was done by Australian Lazy Ade Monsborough in 1951. He was an important force and a popular figure for decades in his native country. We have our own Australian, Mike Pipeman, who plays trumpet in many New England Bands.
The Back Bay Ramblers’ version was arranged by Billy “The Kid” Novick. Fantastic saxophones!
Bill Reynolds on choke cymbal
Good Feeling Blues was done in 1929 by Zack White and His Chocolate Beau Brummels, The whole band played an abrupt quarter beat on the first measure, and then there was a brief silence before the band continued with the melody, playing in stop time, with Bill on choke cymbal. Great trumpet with two saxes, and Ross on piano solo. They have never played this before. Amazing!
The Musical Stevedores’ Happy Rhythm from 1929 was taken slower than written, but still fast; Dan on magnetic muted trombone.
Nancy returned with Without You Sweetheart, done by the Vincent Lopez Orchestra in 1927. Nancy’s vocal brought it fresh nuance, backed by Ross’s piano.
Absolutely amazing saxophones by Billy Novick and Mark Earley
Lotta Sax Appeal was done in 1929 by Andy Kirk and His Twelve Clouds of Joy. Mary Lou Williams was arranger, composer and piano player for Andy Kirk.
Ross took a piano intro, with Billy leading on alto sax. The range and diversity of our two saxophones was captivating!
It’s on the Back Bay Ramblers’ CD, Red Hot Band. Billy asked if anyone knew what year this was. Jeannine James won a CD for picking the year of this tune. It wasn’t very difficult – 1929 of course.
I’m Gonna Meet My Sweety Now was sung by 19-year-old Kate Smith in 1927. The Ramblers played it as an instrumental, featuring Dan on trombone, playing through a megaphone.
That idea came from a famous trombone player, Spiegel Wilcox, who went to see Paul Whitman, with trombone player Sammy Lewis. Spiegel saw the megaphone jerry-rigged up to a bird cage holder, with Sammy playing trombone through the megaphone. Spiegel thought it sounded amazing and made one himself and used it frequently.
Dan Gabel was creative, supporting the megaphone with his feet!
That To Do was recorded by Benny Moten’s Kansas City Orchestra. This needed audience participation, with all of us obliging with “Yeah” and “Right”. It’s on the Ramblers CD Cuttin’ Up. Dan added flair with his ‘laughing trombone’. Billy played clarinet, Mark tenor sax, with fascinating interplay between drum and sax.
The River and Me. Recorded by Duke. Dan playing on megaphone traded 4’s with Billy’s clarinet. It’s a good swinging tune that was specially arranged for the band.
Vipers Drag – was recorded by Cab Calloway in 1930. Finally a song we knew, but we’ve never heard it played this way. Dan making guttural, talking, trombone sounds; Mike’s muted trumpet playing riffs. The whole band made the melody come alive.
There was time for one more tune; brought Nancy back for 1929 I Have to Have You. It was an enchanting evening, with Bill’s Back Bay Ramblers playing the beautiful music rooted in the 1920’s, just as Ed Reynolds had. Thank you, Bill!
Also:
The Ramblers played the previous night to a full house of GBVS (Greater Boston Vintage Society) dancers dressed in vintage attire at the Crane Estate in Ipswich, MA. Dance floor was loaded, and they were actually screaming when Nancy sang, she had an instant fan club!
GBVS in vintage attire dancing to the Back Bay Rambles.
So what is the future for this style of music? The 20’s will return – it will soon be 2020. See you there!
To hire the band, or get a CD: email drumkits@verizon.net
