by Marce

Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Carol Moeller and Moishe Feldman piano, Gid Loring cornet, Frank Bachelor and Jack Martin trombone, Dave First washtub bass, Derek Lane-Smith English concertina, Carrie Mazzy vocals

Jimmy Mazzy has been playing Wednesdays at the Colonial Inn for as long as we can remember.  Carol Moeller has been with him on piano for about 30 years.   Today was a special birthday party to help the sprightly Carol celebrate her 90th birthday.

They started appropriately with My Buddy with Carol’s fingers flying, much as her father’s did during the silent film era.

Carol’s father was called “Flying Finger’s Bray”.   During the depression, he did a radio show in exchange for advertising for piano lessons and performances. 

He developed a method for teaching “stride piano”  and his best student was Carol.  He often sent her out to cover for him when she was still in her teens.  She shared her love of jazz with many people, and was a major influence on Jimmy Mazzy.   Carol generally plays the last set of the evening on Wednesdays.

Moishe took over on the piano for Back Home Again in Indiana.
Why? from Call Me Madame – hot solo by Batchelor on trombone, and Derek Lane-Smith on concertina.

Carol showed off her birthday cards.

There isn’t much advance planning here.  Jimmy decides to play something, and starts on a few notes.  When the musicians recognize it, they slip in, one by one. 

Jimmy sings many of his oldies but goodies, the rhythm section falling in behind him.  Billie Holiday’s Riffin’ the Skotch, Pappy.

There’s a request for Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans.  Jimmy sings it in his own unique, inimitable style.  The place is starting to fill up – it’s a small venue.

Moishe, a Russian classically-trained pianist who loves jazz, has his own unique style too.  Sometimes his huge hands caress the piano, sometimes they make it plead for mercy.  When backing a soft solo or vocal, he only uses one finger.  Less is more!

Gid Loring has been playing cornet with Jimmy for many years also.

Dave First on washtub bass has a steady beat, pushing out those chords, as good a bass man as you can find anywhere!

Walking My Baby Back Home.   Carrie Mazzy comes up for a vocal, dedicating it to Carol, I Know a Little Bit About a Lot Of Things.

Then Carrie brings out the birthday cake with nine large, glowing candles.

Surrounded by dedicated friends and great jazz, it’s a great way to spend a 90th birthday,  Happy Birthday, Carol!!  And many, many, more!!