Riverboat Stompers
Frank Batchelor trombone, Neil Flewelling cornet, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Phil Hower piano, Gerry Gagnon tuba, Rich Malcolm drums. We heard fantastic, Toe Tapping Traditional Jazz, with just a short break from beginning to end!
Frank and Neil shared leadership because Steve Strauss was unable to be here. We missed his clarinet and jovial repartee.
There were no announcements. Before each tune, Neil and Frank spent about a minute discussing keys and tempos with the rest of the band, and then, except for one short break, played solid, Classic Jazz from 7 to 9:30pm.
The hot sounds of the jazz age came alive as soon as they hit the first note in Original Dixieland One Step.
Jimmy Mazzy
The inimitable Jimmy Mazzy singing and scatting many songs, Somebody Stole My Gal, introducing Sweet Lorraine, It’s a Sin To Tell a Lie, Blue Turning Grey Over You, and more.
Jimmy will be honored as the 2019 American Banjo Museum’s Hall of Fame inductee in the category of Performance, 4 string Banjo. Hall of Fame ceremonies are held the weekend following Labor Day each year, as part of the ABM’s Banjofest weekend. He is definitely an asset in many bands!!
Neil Flewelling
Cornetist Neil Flewelling took over vocal for I Can’t Give You Anything But Love.
Neil drove two hours to get here, stopping on the way to pick up Marce. A dedicated musician, he shared the lead with Frank. Neil plays cornet with passion and emotion coming through his horn, inspiring others to play better.
The band played livewire ensemble. Rose of Washington Square. Someday Sweetheart. One of Neil’s favorites – Sleepy Time Down South. Bei Mir Bis Du Schoen. Floating Down to Cottontown. Muskrat Ramble was a barn burner!!
Gerry Gagnon
Pierre Lemieux was unable to be here. His enormous footprint was filled by Gerry Gagnon, who transforms the ungainly horn into a viable solo instrument. He plays in the Boilermaker Jazz Band, Blue Horizon Jazz Band, and more. He let loose on that monstrous tuba starting with Coney Island Washboard Roundolay.
Rich Malcolm
Rich Malcolm, staff member at Berklee College of Music, knows Trad Jazz drums, a rare treasure. He kept it simple, maintaining that beat, keeping them in proper time, with subtle tapping on snare drum, rims, hi hat. Backing vocals and solos, he only used a soft, discreet hi hat. He let loose on Coney Island Washboard, Somebody Stole My Gal.
Phil Hower
Phil Hower offers suggestions on keys and more, relentlessly listening to the other members of the band. He shrewdly enhances or complements each one, and plays inspiring solos of his own. it was all great Jazz.
Frank Batchelor stood guard in the band, discussing the next tune, listening to suggestions.. Generally they started with a duet, Neil on cornet, with Frank playing riffs and embellishment behind him. Then each took a solo, and nodded at whoever would play next. Each musician is a Jazz Titan in his own right, so there was no hesitating. They generously supported each other without interrupting and stirred up some Fantastic Traditional Jazz!!
Frank Batchellor and Neil Flewelling lead the band,
Louisiana Fairytale was on their list. But they chose If I Had You, eerily similar, which was far down on the list. There just wasn’t enough time to do all the tunes. Jimmy took the vocal. Worked out fine.
The Band backs Jimmy on Somebody Stole My Gal. 
The evening was coming to a close; we wished there was more time!!
Neil closed out this evening of great Jazz, singing Ain’t She Sweet.
They will be back!! Join us next year on January 31 and March 14. You’ll hear some fantastic Traditional Jazz! The Riverboat Stompers never disappoint.
