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.
Jeff Hughes trumpet, John Clark clarinet/bari sax, Tom Boates trombone, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Ross Petot keyboard, Rick MacWilliams tuba, Dave Didriksen drums
The Wolves were on FIRE at Primavera, playing hot freewheeling Traditional Jazz to an erudite, attentive audience. This was Joy of music with a Bang! John Clark selected tunes from their 13 CDs in preparation for their performance at the end of June at America’s Dixieland Festival, Olympia, WA http://www.olyjazz.com/. We were privileged to participate!!
They meant business, bringing heavy equipment, Jeff on flugelhorn and a 1927 limited edition Vintage Bach Stradivarius trumpet, dating back to the first quarter of the 20th century.John Clark with his clarinet, alto and bariitone sax.
Tom Boates
Tom Boates usually drives two hours from Connecticut to get here. But Tom was already in the neighborhood for his son’s wedding, and raring to go, with his whole family here to support him. His zealous tailgate trombone elevated the whole band to another plane!
It was a beautiful June Night, and that tune set off this fantastic evening, followed by a captivating Memphis Blues.
Ross Petot, extraordinary stride pianist
Ross Petot is back now that school is out. He is a teacher, composer and arranger.
He was featured on complex, rhythmic, stride piano on Don’t Be Late.
John Clark’s clarinet on Cushion Foot Stomp from their Street Beat CD was phenomenal. A Good ol’ good one, a swinging Let Me Call You Sweetheart. Jimmy vocal with Dave Didriksen simply tapping on a clutched cymbal.
Jimmy Mazzy picks one of his umpteen tunes
They gave Jimmy a choice, which is always dangerous with his familiarity with millions of tunes from 1919 to the 30s; the members never heard some of them. He chose a relatively late one, If I Didn’t Care, a tune made popular by the Ink Spots in 1939; the band eased in behind him.
They honored the late Banjo Bob Sundstrom with Elmer Schoebel’s Prnce of Wails. Tom took a vocal on the 1920’s Here Comes The Hot Tamale Band,
John Clark on baritone sax
John Clark’s baritone sax was spellbinding on Sidney Bechet’s Passport to Paradise.
This was their maiden voyage for this tune.
Dixieland: they challenged the ODJB with The Original Dixieland One Step that is on their 13th CD – Baker’s Dozen. It’s their latest and available now. (Their first CD was The Wolverine Jazz Band Live, recorded by Ed Williams in 1999 at the Sherborn Inn.
Rick MacWilliams hidden behind monstrous tuba
Rick played the poignant melody on tuba with his drum colleague keeping time tapping on woodblock.
Jelly Roll Morton was well represented with Original Jelly Roll Blues. FrankieTrumbauer’s on There’ll Come a Time, from their Michigander Blues CD, featured Tom’s virtuosic trombone.
John Clark has been singing more tunes (at the insistence of his #1 fan, Betty Weaver). He sang all the verses of Oceana Roll from memory! Dr. Jazz verse sung by Tom, with exciting exchange between trombone and banjo, and Tom scatting to the end.
Jeff Hughes on flugelhorn
Jeff played a full, rich, smoky flugelhorn for Don Redman’s Save It Pretty Mama.
Ross played the chimes on piano on King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band Chimes Blues, followed by another K.O. with Jimmy scatting on a lively Shake It and Break It.
Drummer Dave Didriksen sparks the band by providing solid support every note of the way.
Dave Didriksen keeps the beat
There was never a dull moment; the crowd was feeding off the energy of the band and the band was feeding off the responsive crowd! (Be prepared, Washington!)
They calmed down with Jimmy singing an Elvis tune, Love Me Tender, with each musician taking a solo between Jimmy’s many smoldering stanzas. They finally closed with On The Mall, from their CD of the same name – trombone and clarinet connected, trombone going wild! Fans left elated!
On the following Saturday,, on a warm and sunny June afternoon, the Greater Boston Vintage Society featured The Wolverine Quintet on the S. S. Samuel Clemens, a reproduction of a 3-deck riverboat at Rowe’s Wharf; on a 3-hour Boston Harbor Cruise. It was their first Dixieland Jazz Boat, and filled with Swing Dancers. We had a ball!!
We’lll have many chances to hear this top Traditional Jazz Band again, when it returns from Washington, as John noted in his email:
“We will be heading out to the West Coast to do America’s Dixieland Festival in Olympia, WA for the last weekend in June, but we have quite a few concerts when we get back:
Sherborn Town Concert Weds 7/1 630-8 (weather permitting)
Willows at Westboro Weds 7/8 7-830
Wayside Inn Tues 7/14 (info and tickets at http://www.wayside.org/node/286)
Bar Harbor Summer Music Sunday 7/198-10pm (info and tickets at http://barharbormusicfestival.org/2010_calendar.html Weston Town Concert Weds 7/22 7-830 (weather permitting)
St, Matthew’s in Acton Sunday 8/2 6pm West Boyleston Town Concert Sunday 8/95-7pm (weather permitting)
Natick Senior Center, Thursday 8/20 Stark Park, Manchester, NH Sunday 8/232-4pm (weather permitting)
Walpole Town Concert Tues 8/256-8pm (weather permitting)”
You can join John’s once-a-month emails at jazzbnd@aol.com
and purchase many of their 13 albums here.
Jeff Hughes trumpet, John Clark reeds, Tom Boates trombone, Ross Petot piano, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Rick MacWilliams tuba, Dave Didriksen drums
The Wolves were in rare form, back from a six-hour recording the previous day on their latest CD, #13. They’re on their way to the Arizona Jazz Classic Festival this weekend. They practiced on us, playing early New Orleans music with fiery enthusiasm – How LUCKY are WE???? They were asked to play King Oliver tunes at the Arizona Jazz Classic Festival, and we heard many of them, plus other tunes from the 20’s and 30’s, with original arrangements by John Clark.
They started Hot and Heavy with Michigander Blues, and a joyous New Orleans Stomp. A tune Bix Beiderbecke did with Frankie Trumbauer, There’ll Come a Time.
Tom Boates was featured on Snake Rag, a King Oliver tune that is always a big request. We only get to hear Tom once a month – the lucky folks at Bill’s Seafood in Westbrook Connecticut hear him every Friday with the Bill’s Seafood All-Stars. Boates sang the vocal on St. James Infirmary Blues, alternating choruses with each of the musicians. Nice touch. He closed with a growling trombone and drawn-out flourish.
Front line, featuring Tom Boates, with Jeff Hughes trumpet and John Clark clarinet
Jimmy Mazzy doesn’t use arrangements.
Jimmy had many vocals (We never get enough of them!) All from memory. Just Pretending, which is seldom played by any other band. The Halfway House Orchestra did some self-loathing tunes, I Hate Myself for Loving You and I Hate Myself For Being So Mean To You. John took out the baritone for that one.
Rita Brochu and Kathleen Howland
Another King Oliver tune, Olga, nice dance tune, then a romping New Orleans tune Buddy’s Habit. Another K.O. tune that Louis played with his Hot Five, Sunset Café Stomp, got Kathleen Howland up and dancing with her Mom, Rita Brochu. It was Kathleen’s birthday. Dr. Howland is a teacher of Music Therapy, both in private practice and at several schools, and plays one heck of a baritone sax! Special request for Kathleen, one of Jimmy’s favorite depression songs, Dip Your Brush in the Sunshine had everybody up dancing.
Betty Weaver requested a song from John Clark, and he obliged with The Oceana Roll, a popular RagTime tune written in 1911 about the U.S. Navy and the USS Alabama: “Billy Mccoy was a musical boy On the Cruiser Alabama he was there at the piana Like a fish down in the sea, he would rattle off some harmony.” Never gets dull!!
John Clark sings The Oceana Roll
Jimmy was asked to lead on a K.O. tune, I’m Lonesome Sweetheart, powerful trombone pushing the band. Someday Sweetheart, another Jimmy vocal, gave Rick MacWilliams a chance to shine on tuba. We haven’t heard Chimes Blues in ten years, it was fabulous, with Ross Petot playing the chimes on piano.
Rick MacWilliams and Ross Petot, fabulous rhythm section
Excellent drummer Dave Didriksen completes the rhythm section, keeping time with rim tapping on snare drum and cymbals.
Dave Didriksen
Their final tune, a sizzling Panama, was recorded by Kid Ory’s Creole Jazz Band. The Sherborn Inn furnished some Pyrotechnics:
We’ve been so fortunate to listen to this dynamic Wolverine Jazz Band from its inception, They celebrate their 19th anniversary next month.
We don’t mind sharing them with the folks in Arizona! Enjoy!
Williams Reunion Dixieland Jazz Band at Opening of the Bay May 23-25 2014
The Williams Reunion Jazz Band was born on New England college campuses in the 1950’s when Dixieland was alive and well and “runnin’ wild”. Band members now include four Williams College boys: Bob Kingsbury ’58 on clarinet; Fred Clifford ’58 on Tuba; Tom Hayne ’59 on Drums and features: John Halsey ’59 on Piano who is a PhD, teacher and a featured pro in NYC having played with all of the greats in Jazz.
Three permanent guests from Amherst, Bates and U. Mass are: John Bucher who for 25 years led the Woody Allen Band at Michael’s Pub in NYC and plays a wonderful Beiderbecke/Hackett style; Jimmy Mazzy on Banjo who is well known to everybody, and Tom Boates on trombone who plays in the style of Jack Teagarden and Miff Mole and is featured with the Wolverine Jazz Band.
The WRJB name goes back to 1983 when, at a formal jazz concert in Williams College Chapin Hall, the seven first played together. Through the years, their reputation in Williamstown has blossomed into a year ’round schedule of performances at private parties, country clubs, weddings, church masses, jazz festivals, jazz cruises, and special events across the USA.
The band returns every Memorial Day weekend to Duxbury MA for the Duxbury Bay Maritime Academy’s “Opening of the Bay”, their 17th this year. Friday night’s GALA was Traditional Jazz, cocktails and heavy hors d’oeuvres and Island Creek Oyster reception under the tent, and Dixieland Jazz.
Duxbury Bay Maritime Academy
Saturday afternoon is family day, with face painting, balloon animals, vendors, food and drinks. It was a New England cold, damp day. We caught the Williams Reunion Dixieland Jazz Band under the tent on the deck by the Bay.
The inimitable Jimmy Mazzy
They opened with a lively Dr. Jazz, Jimmy vocal and banjo – Jimmy Mazzy has a unique hold on the bridge that allows him to make sounds like no one else!
Boates’ powerful trombone opened My Honey’s Loving Arms. Ensemble took the intro to Rose Room, followed by engaging personal solos first by clarinet, then cornet, trombone, banjo, piano.
Bob Kingsbury, leader, clarinet
Kingsbury’s clarinet started with the verse on W. C. Handy’s Hesitation Blues; ensemble parts twining around each other leading to a Jimmy Mazzy hearty shout. They played a final chorus, Hayne closing with a cymbal CRASH!
Tom Boates plays Kid Ory’s Creole Trombone
Tom Boates is always featured on Kid Ory’s Creole Trombone, no matter what band he’s in. We hope he never gets tired of playing it because we never get tired of hearing his magnificent growling trombone!
Memphis Blues was a soft wistful blues, clarinet playing high over the whole ensemble, cornet and piano building long, melodic solos. Jimmy’s scatting was more like a soft moaning,
John Bucher, Bix-style cornet
John Halsey rippled up and down the keyboard.
Fred Clifford
They revved it up with S’Wonderful, nice low register clarinet start, Jimmy singing ballad, marvelous Bucher cornet, tuba holding long notes. Clifford is the band’s rhythmic engine. Banjo solo was backed by drum softly tapping cymbal and snare drum.
Let Me Call You Sweetheart, clarinet, cornet, piano played melody, with trombone counterpoint accents. Kingsbury moved over to Boates for a wonderful trombone/clarinet duet.
Tom Hayne drives the band with his Dixieland Beat
At The Jazz Band Ball was explosive, with great New Orleans polyphony, then they let Tom Hayne go wild on drums.
Their music has a joyful, timeless spirit. It all ended too soon, but there was a cold wind blowing in from the Bay and they were glad to pack up and move on.
* * *
WRJB did a week in Florida again this year, what they call “Spring Training”, with five appearances, one in Ponte Vedra, three in Vero Beach and finished at the Bath and Tennis Club in Palm Beach. And they just finished their annual Boston/Duxbury weekend with six appearances ranging from the Somerset Club in Boston to the South Shore Conservatory, First Parish Church and Winsor House in Duxbury. Then a full Reunion weekend in Williamstown from June 13-15 capped by a private party in Bretton Woods, NH.
Jeff Hughes cornet, John Clark clarinet/bari sax, Tom Boates trombone, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Ross Petot piano, Rick MacWilliams tuba, Dave Didriksen drums
They will be busy locally this summer: June 1, Melrose (noon-4); July 9 – Willows at Westboro; July 29 – Southgate at Shrewsbury; July 30 – Sherborn Center; August 20 – Norwood; August 21 – Natick Senior Center
All stellar Jazzmen who invoke the spirit of New Orleans Jazz, we are fortunate that they rehearse with us at the Sherborn Inn! They began with a new song that will be on the CD coming out the end of this month – Dear Old Girl – for the sentimental Irish.
Jeff Hughes
Savoy Blues, Jeff raucous on 1954 Long Model, “K-Modified” Selmer cornet, and being Bix Beiderbecke on There’ll Come a Time. He’s an expert on many famous cornetist and trumpeters, and is known for always wearing a hat.
Jimmy Mazzy
We have many Jimmy Mazzy vocals, Al Jolson’s California Hear I Come, T’Ain’t So, Jelly Roll Morton’s Sweet Substitute, with Jeff comping, more below.
Dave Didriksen
This was the 115th anniversary of Duke Ellington’s birthday, so naturally there were some Duke’s: Sweet Mama (they haven’t played before).
1929 Cotton Club, Duke’s, Digga Digga Do let Dave Didriksen go on drums.
Jimmy volcal on Al Jolson’s California Here I Come, backed by bari sax, drum rim-tapping behind him. Pre-Cotton Club Creole Love Call – Jimmy whistling the Adelaide Hall riff. A tune Paramount Jazz Band did, and always messed up the beginning: Who Wouldn’t Love You? The Wolverines don’t mess up.
Ory’s Creole Trombone
Tom was featured on Ory’s Creole Trombone. Magnificent!
Rick MacWilliams hidden behind tuba
King Oliver recorded Olga in 1930 on Victor, Rick recreating the tuba solo, great New Orleans polyphony by front line. This is a song that nobody ever plays.
Panama is one of our favorite Ragtime Marches,Jimmy Scatting, John Clark on that monster baritone saxophone.
Ross was featured with the Trio on a more modern tune, In a MellowTone, stride piano giving it a Ragtime feel, joined by Jeff on cornet at close.
A no-holds-barred rendition of Sunset Café Stomp had all the feet tapping. The first tune John Clark ever heard that captivated him and moved him toward Traditional Jazz was Mugsy Spanier‘sI’m Sorry I Made You Cry. Mood Indigo, Clark on low register clarinet, Jim vocal, soft muted trombone and cornet. They hit all our favorites! They closed with a Spanish beat on Oriental Man.
Look above for all the places this marvelous Traditional Jazz Band will be playing this year. Also check our calendars, and get on John Clark’s email list: jazzbnd@aol.com He sends out email updates once a month to everyone on his list.
Jeff Hughes trumpet, John Clark leader/clarinet/bari sax/vocal, Tom Boates trombone/vocal, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Ross Petot piano, Rick MacWilliams tuba, Dave Didriksen drums
The Wolverines are busy preparing for their trips to Festivals and their regular summer venues. They’ve been invited to the Hot Steamed in Essex, CT, America’s Dixieland Jazz Festival in Olympia, WA, Arizona Classic Jazz Fest. They rehearse with us at the Sherborn Inn – how fortunate is that??
They will be busy locally this summer: June 1, Melrose (noon-4); July 9 – Willows at Westboro; July 29 – Southgate at Shrewsbury; July 30 – Sherborn Center; August 20 – Norwood; August 21 – Natick Senior Center.
However, St. Patrick’s Day was approaching, so instead of their theme song, they kicked it off with an popular tune – Wearing of the Green, a song about the Irish rebellion of 1798.
We had special guests up from Connecticut – their first time here – Jean Hadley, Joan Boutelle , and friend/driver Angie. Thanks for coming folks!!
Inspired by one another, the Wolverines play incredible Dixieland, Satanic Blues, John Clark already on baritone sax, Tom Boates growling trombone. Smokin’!
They tried out new tunes, preparing for their next CD, creating arrangements as they played them. “Some mighty fine guesses going on here.”Chimes Blues will be on their new album, Ross Petot playing chimes on piano.
Jeff Hughes watches Ross Petot play amazing stride piano
We’re always ready for a Jimmy Mazzy vocal, and there were many: T’aint So. (Yes, ‘tis!) Come Rain or Come Shine. Lonny Johnson’s Tomorrow Night, a 1920’s tune that changed over the years from the 40’s to 50’s Rock & Roll; even Elvis recorded it. Jimmy’s special ballad, After You’ve Gone with Jeff soft trumpet behind him; Rick MacWilliams majestic tuba solo. Sound of the Wanderer, a 1920’s tune that featured Helen Hughes, incredible interplay between trumpet and trombone.
Sunset Cafe Stomp was a Charleston. It was named after the Sunset Cafe, also known as The Grand Terrace Cafe, a jazz club in Chicago in the 20’s to 40’s.
Recorded by Louis Armstrong:
“Gentlemen, ladies too
Push ’em round n round
They loose their head
They’ll drop dead …. doing the Sunset Stomp.”
Tom Boates and Jim Mazzy
Eubie Blakes Memories of You sweet Clark clarinet feature, Tom on muted trombone.
Tom Boates set sparks flying on Snake Rag!
Zero by Santo Pecora, New Orleans trombonist was HOT!
John Clark finds his voice
From their latest CD, a fun tune, Egyptian Ella, with John Clark vocal.
Jeff Hughes, trumpet
This band never disappoints! They showed what a good band can do. There were many more great tunes.
They closed with a big hit at all the festivals, Dinah, Jeff Hughes’ sharp trumpet intro with banjo riffs, gave Dave Didriksen a chance to let go on drums; it was so hot it triggered the famous Jimmy Mazzy shout!
Hot Band!
They’re more than ready for the upcoming festivals. We don’t mind sharing them. You can even Hire them. They’ll be back here again on April 29th and June 14th (for those of you keeping track.) Folks come from all over; Marilyn will probably be driving from down Maine.
Hope to see you here! Sherborn Inn, 33 N. Main Street, (inters. of Rts. 16 & 27) Sherborn, MA Reservations: (508) 655-9521 or info@sherborninn.com. Please make a reservation – the Wolverines tend to fill up the room.
On Friday, May 24, the schooner Thomas E. Lannon sailed into Duxbury Bay for the Duxbury Bay Military School’s 16th Opening of the Bay, with the Williams Reunion Jazz Band.
The Williams Reunion Jazz Band was born on New England college campuses in the 1950’s when Dixieland was alive and well and “runnin’ wild”. The core four here today were Williams College Boys: Bob Kingsbury ’58 on clarinet; Fred Clifford ’58 on Tuba; Tom Hayne ’59 on Drums and John Halsey ’59 on keyboard, with John Bucher cornet. (Amherst ’52.) They were joined by two permanent guests and members of the Wolverine Jazz Band, the inimitable Jimmy Mazzy Banjo/Vocals, and Tom Boates, trombone.
Opening of the Bay is a fund-raiser for the Duxbury Bay Maritime School. The school serves 1800 students from age 3 to adult, through educational and recreational programs that stimulate individual growth and an enduring love and appreciation of the sea. The Williams Reunion Jazz Band assembles every year for the event.
The day started out with a fine Youth Swing Band before the YRJB’s drum introduced some New Orleans Standards: Bourbon St. Parade, Dr. Jazz, with Jimmy Mazzy on vocals, drum tapping cymbals.
Let Me Call You Sweetheart was in an upbeat Dixie; never sounded better! Cornet growling, trombone responding with a growl.
Atlanta Blues, also Make Me a Pallet on Your Floor. If I Could Be With You One Hour Tonight.
Orie’s Creole Trombone.
Bob Kingsbury led the band, and explained the Heart and Soul of the WRJB:
John Bucher
Jimmy Mazzy
– The Heart John Bucher from NY, who was in the the Woody Allen Band for several years
The Soul: Jimmy Mazzy
Bob Kingsbury, Fred Clifford
Kingsbury says he was Fred’s classmate for 50 years and never able to hold that Tiger back.
Tiger Rag
Everybody Loves My Baby, great cornet drum exchange, each member of the band trading 4’s with the drums. A tune WC Handy stole from Louis’s record Hesitation Blues featured a ‘diminished chord’ with clarinet intro of Edmund Hall. Nice blues.
The Finale was an upbeat Canal St. Blues, with a young couple enjoying a sprightly dance.
The band also played a dockside reception Friday night with an Island Creek Oysters raw bar, heavy hors d’oeuvres by the Silent Chef, and cash bar.
Sunday they played at the service for the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church.
Opening of the Bay is a fund-raiser for the Duxbury Bay Maritime School. The school serves 1800 students annually, through educational and recreational programs that stimulate individual growth and an enduring love and appreciation of the sea. Because of this fund-raiser, the school remains debt-free.
The WRJB will be back in May next year for the Duxbury Bay Maritime School’s 17th opening of the Bay! See you there!
