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:

Four trumpets (one hidden) and Ross Petot piano

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

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.

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.