by Marce

Bo Winiker trumpet/flugelhorn, Ted Casher clarinet/tenor and soprano sax, Kenny Wenzel trombone, Bob Winter keyboard, Jim Mazzy banjo/vocals, Eli Newberger tuba, Elaine Woo vocals

The Hot Six were full of surprises last month! Substitutes tend to make changes in the sound of a band; even one sub makes a difference.  But we had two subs and a delightful addition this evening!  Bob Tamagni was on drums for Jeff Guthery.   Herb Gardner was out with a broken hip so trombonist Kenny Wenzel filled in.

The delightful addition was vocalist, Elaine Woo (another Doctor) who immediately captured us,  picking just the right tempo  and interacting with the audience.

The band started with a Bossa Nova on Muskrat Ramble, setting the mood for an evening of delectable, hot music.Their livewire ensembles were spontaneous and creative!

 

Eli introduced Elaine Woo, who is a Primary Care Physician in Geriatrics.She was a joy! She seemed delighted to be here and her pleasure came through, captivating us with fine vocal on Who Could Ask For Anything More, Embraceable You; with Ted on tenor sax and Bo on flugel horn.  This was a killer!  Elaine couldn’t stand still, and was dancing and quietly humming along behind the soloists.

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Do Nothing ‘Till You Hear From Me featured Bo playing warm melodic lines on muted trumpet, Bob Winter playing rich tones on keyboard, with soft drumming by Tamagni.   Winter suddenly jumped the beat, setting the band into breakneck tempo!

 

 

 

They slowed the pace Jimmy singing a beautiful ballad made famous by Eartha Kitt, C’est çi Bon.

 

 

 

 

Elaine returned with Just in Time,  picking up just the right tempo.  She was softly humming behind soloists, and ended it with expert scat singing.  She continued with Cole Porter’s It’s All Right With Me, with Tamagni softly slapping a tambourine in the background.

Bob’s drum set is very sparse; bass, snare, small tom and one cymbal.  But his drumming and expressions are priceless!  He says drums are just as musical as any other instrument, and demonstrated by playing melody on drums on San.

Kenny on trombone and Bo on trumpet played an amazing duet on Limehouse Blues.

 

 

The tune was cut short so they could play Happy Birthday for Jeannine James, who was celebrating here with her daughter. and some friends.

Jeannine is one of the ‘regulars’, here every Thursday at Primavera.

 

 

Ted Casher has to be the busiest musician in New England – he’s playing almost every night!  He was at his best tonight playing a breathtaking solo on Stardust, with Kenny Wenzel on trombone.
Stardust

Kenny Wenzel is at Martini’s in Plymouth every Tuesday.

 

For the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day, Bob Winter played Little Town in the Old County Down.

Bob loves to play piano (or in this instance, keyboard) and takes absolute rapture in making music.  He followed with When Irish Eyes Are Smiling with everyone joining in singing.

 

 

Medium-fast, Get Happy, his keyboard was backed by tambourine; smooth flugelhorn, with Tamagni taking a romping drum solo. Eli closed it with a curt tuba phrase: “Shave and a haircut, two bits.”

Bo was on smokey flugelhorn again on Errol Garner’s Misty, with trombone and tenor sax playing harmony, followed by Jimmy’s inimitable vocal.  We never get tired of listening to Jimmy sing ballads.

With time running out, Eli surprised us on Royal Garden Blues, with a rousing tuba solo backed only by the front line playing in stop time.

All of these seasoned veterans have the expertise gained from years of experience.  They have a special passion for the music, respectfully listening and supporting each other –  playing as much for each other as for the fans.

They returned April 14th, and it was even more fun!  We’re working on that one now.

They will be at Primavera regularly for your listening pleasure on the 3rd Thursday of every month – next one is May 19^th.    Come join us for some matchless, timeless music!