Bob Winter keyboard, Eli Newberger tuba, Jeff Guthery drums, Ted Casher reeds, Dave Burdette trumpet,  Herb Gardner trombone/vocals, last set: Caroline Newberger washboard.

The band was still wrapped in the glow of their full house and reception at the Barrington Stage Company in Pittsfield, MA at the Berkshire Theatre Festival. They were relaxed and jovial; there wasn’t even a set list.  Everyone was featured!  They played a game – “Let’s stump the trumpet player” – with Bo Winiker’s substitute, Dave Burdette.

But Dave Burdette is one of the most in-demand trumpet players in the country and can play jazz, classical and everything in between. The Dave Burdette orchestra played for 10 years at Boston’s Ritz Carlton Hotel Roof Top.

They began with Do Nothing ‘till You Hear From Me, Nice Work If You Can Get It, Limehouse Blues tore the house down!

Everyone had a chance to solo.  There was no amplification whatsoever, but that didn’t stop Herb from singing;  Wonderful World, special request for Bill Bailey. They began with the verse, front line magnificent, with Dave on muted trumpet, Jeff reverberating the tuba on the hi hat.   It was a never-ending tune, with Eli pointing to each musician to give it a final blast.

 

 

Bob Winter picked a solo that we haven’t heard for a long time, Rhode Island is Famous For You.
Astounding piano!!

 

 

 

Caroline Newberger arrived, with washboard, for what they called “Tap dancing routine #1” for Tea for Two  and  Perdido. Caroline added to the rhythm section for the whole last set.  She was featured on her special, and one of our favorites, Miami Rumba, accompanied by piano.  (Dave’s trumpet sounded like Herb Alpert in the Tijuana Brass.)  Jeff maintained the rumba rhythm on temple blocks.

The combined talents of this front line are remarkable!

 

 

With Eli’s prowess on the tuba, he was able to reach low, low and ended up high on Polka Dots and Moonbeams.  This brought back fond memories!

 

 

 

Dave’s version of Stardust was absolutely haunting, subtly backed by rhythm.   Beautiful!

Ted couldn’t resist this tune, came in with clarinet ending with a note that hit the stratosphere!

 

 

At The Jazz Band Ball started at a pretty good clip, with fine polyphony. Dave played trumpet softly then with passion, slipping in a bit of  ‘Stumbling’.

 

 

Herb sang many tunes, and his marvelous trombone was featured on Rose Room.

 

 

 

 

 

Jeff was let loose on Alexander’s Ragtime Band; he enjoys tapping on those variegated temple blocks!

Ben Pilch wrote:

“It was my second time seeing the group, Eli & the hot 6 concert on Thursday at Primavera.  I enjoyed the concert very much.  The group members are obviously excellent jazz musicians who are technically sound and very good improvisers. In addition, they have an obvious camaraderie, joie de vivre, and love of what they’re doing that is charming and infectious.”

“Another facet of their performance that I enjoyed was their spontaneity.  Rather than clinging to a set playlist, they seemed often to decide on the spur of the moment what would be a good tune to perform at that moment.  This allowed them to easily accept requests, and at this concert there were two, Bill Bailey and Alexander’s Ragtime Band.  I enjoyed these performances a great deal, and I was delighted to hear the verses to these songs, less commonly heard than the more familiar choruses.  A lovely atmospheric rendition of Stardust was, I thought, another high point.  A great show!       Ben Pilch (fan and audience member)

We’re declaring Dave Burdette winner of the “Let’s stump the trumpet player” game!  The Hot Six +1 closed with Louis’s Sleepy Time Down South.

They’ll be back at Primavera on September 10th and October 15th, September 20th. They are at the FREE family-friendly Autumnal Equinox celebration – 12th Annual Revels RiverSing at Harvard Square’s Winthrop Park. They will be at Ken’s Steak House.  They’re also looking forward to their 2nd appearance at Sculler’s Jazz Club on December 17^th.  Stay tuned.