Blue Horizon Jazz Band: Dave Didriksen, Stu Gunn, Gerry Gagnon, Phil Person, Jack Soref, Leader Stan McDonald
The Blue Horizon Jazz Band had a perfect mix of musicians this Thursday at Primavera with Phil Person leading on trumpet and Jack Soref on guitar. Phil brought along his sense of humor, tossing quips as they played, and everyone had fun. The whole band played a memorable, hard-driving performance!
The combined talents of the front line sharing ideas enlivened the evening.
Front Line
Phil Person
Phil Person is leader of the Phil Person Sextet, Quintet, and Quartet, and teaches all levels of Ear Training at Berklee. In the summertime, he teaches classes of teens. He kept this evening light with his good humor, adding jokes for the musicians. They obviously enjoyed playing together, and it reflected on the audience.
They kicked it in with ensemble playing I Can’t Believe That You’re in Love With Me.What Is This Thing Called Love?
Gerry Gagnon is a intense on that trombone.
All by Myself in The Evening – guitar played front line solo, Stan singing, tune has a nice bounce, with Gerry playing killer muted trombone!
Jack Soref on domed guitar
Soref’s guitar played rhythm and also became part of the front line. Jack soloed on It Had To Be You, playing gypsy flavored ‘jazz manouche’ with swing articulation.
Note the Selmer guitar favored by Django Reinhardt. The top of the guitar is gently arched or domed—a feature achieved by bending a flat piece of wood rather than by the violin-style carving used in archtop guitars.
Jack brings an added flair to the band.
Found A New Baby – Stan plays the verse on soprano sax, I Would Do Anything For You, Baby Ain’t I Good To You – great trumpet, clarinet comping, fine string bass behind them.
Dave Didriksen
Rose of the Rio Grande started with energized ensemble with Dave’s great timekeeping skills behind them. Dave Didriksen plays great Traditional Jazz, playing hi hat softly behind solos, brushes on snare drum. He lets the soloists shine. He let loose on one of the tunes showing he can romp with the best of them!
They played My Gal Sal in in marvelous fluid rhythm. They recalled that on the Jacky Gleason show, Gleason would be found wiping down the bar, singing the end of “My Gal, Sal” in his wonderful howl.
Stu Gunn
Stu’s magical string bass took the intro to W. C. Handy’s Ole Miss. Stu plays many styles of string bass, listening carefully, playing just the right cords.
Phil took the lead on trumpet with beautifully placed phrases, with Stan comping on soprano sax. Marvelous! Stan sang the vocal. Jack played a dazzling Django guitar solo.
Stan McDonald
Sidney Bechet’s Le Marchand de Poisson started with a 4-bar rhythm Habanera intro, Dave’s foot heavy on bass drum. Phil wasn’t familiar with it so Stan took the lead and played a fabulous first chorus on sop sax. Phil picked it up quickly. They played a fantastic Habanera ending with horns stinger taking it out.
Stan’s sax took a wild intro into Wild Man Blues, with two bar breaks on solos, Phil playing wa wa trumpet. Soref’s guitar began a wild finale, China Boy.
Fine musicians shared flow of ideas, playing in sync. It was a fine evening.
These fine musicians combined talents to play New Orleans old time jazz with new time energy and the fans took part with foot-tapping and head-nodding. The Jazz was fabulous, and we all had a good time!
Bo Winiker trumpet/flugelhorn, Ted Casher clarinet/tenor and soprano sax, Herb Gardner trombone, Bob Winter piano, Eli Newberger tuba, Carolyn Newberger washboard. (Jimmy Mazzy was on his way to the Olympia WA Festival.)
This was all about ME ME ME! Surprise birthday party with my son and daughter-in-law Charles and Carol Sardonini in collusion with Eli Newberger, Briana Musto of Primavera Ristorante, and my drivers Tina and Ralph Cass. They had this planned for a whole month and I never got wind of it!
It was a complete surprise!!
Many of my children and grandchildren were here. Youngest son, Dave Sardonini, and his wife Jennifer, and grandson DJ, flew up from Lake Mary Florida to be here. It was very festive, tables loaded with balloons, with a big 80 in the middle. It was a blast! Granddaughter Alison Sardonini took many PICTURES!
Eli and The Hot Six were fired up, having just returned from a very successful Swingin’ Gershwin at the Barrington Stage Company in Pittsfield. They led this evening off with Bo Winiker singing Louis Armstrong’s Hello Dolly.Muscrat Ramble was in a Bossa Nova beat, reinforced by Eli’s tuba and Jeff’s pulsating drums. Kid Ory retired to Hawaii on the proceeds of that tune!
Eli & Bo on Hold Tight
In the ensemble sections, clarinet, cornet and trombone played a three-part counterpoint line typical of 1920s New Orleans bands.
Eli and Bo were featured on Hold Tight.
Herb is multi-instrumental!
Ted was up up for more Gershwin with I’ve Got Rhythm on his awesome tenor sax.
Herb took the vocal on Pennies From Heaven. His voice is his other instrument, besides trombone, piano, and who knows what else!
The band swung into high gear. When the music gets to you, you gotta move! Eli’s tuba was the Tiger in Tiger Rag:
Son David (of the Sports Den in Orange City, Florida,) was thrilled to join the band with Cab Calloway’s theme song, Minnie The Moocher. Our official photographer, Alison Sardonini took this fine video of the band and our family. Dave Sings Minnie The Moocher.
Dave shook hands with each member of the band afterwards, elated to have been able to sing with this band!
Carolyn Newberger is an accomplished artist and usually sketches the musicians while they are playing. She caught David in the act. (Sorry Herb!)
Carolyn Newberger’s pencil sketch of David Sardonini with Eli and The Hot Six
Bo Winiker comes right up to our table with
The last set was mine – each of the band members played a song for me! Eli on a breathtaking tuba solo on Over The Rainbow, Bob Winter getting classicistic on Of Thee I Sing, Bo came right up to the table with The Very Thought of You.
Carolyn Newberger played exciting washboard on a Latin tune, Miami Rhumba
Ted plays Petite Fleur
Ted touched the bottom of my heart on soprano sax with Bechet’s Petite Fleur. This is a special for me, because I was born a “Petite Fleuette”.
Bo dedicated a tune to my whole family with I’ve Grown Accustomed To Your Face on flugelhorn. Herb played and sang You Can Depend on Me. He’s very dependable; has a famous family of his own – daughters all involved with music. Ted played clarinet and sang a rousing vocal on Swinging on a Star.
“Carry moonbeams home in a jar – And be better off than you are”. I sure was!
Bob Winter
Eli asked me to pick the last tune, I like Limehouse Blues, and wouldn’t you know, they had never played it together.
Bob Winter played the first chorus – of course they all knew it. Ted Casher sang the vocal with the actual lyrics written by Douglas Furber in 1922. This was the finale for this most auspicious evening.
Thank you, Eli and The Hot Six, Carolyn, Family: Joe and Ellen Sardonini, DeeDee Towne and Daniel Hulub, Dave and Jen Sardonini and Grandkids, Friends, Primavera, Tina and Ralph, Ali for her photos, and especially Carol and Charlie Sardonini for a birthday that I will never forget!
Eli and The Hot Six will be back here on August 20th, and Sculler’s Jazz Club on December 17th. Stay tuned – we’ll let you know if anything pops up in between.
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.
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”. They had a busy weekend, starting Friday…a fundraiser for the DBMS with a raw Oyster bar, heavy hors d’oeuvres and cash bar. The Williams Reunion Jazz Band returns every year Memorial Day weekend for the Duxbury Bay Maritime School’s Annual Opening of The Bay,
Duxbury Bay Maritime School on Duxbury Bay
On Saturday, they were scheduled for a one-hour deck concert at DBMS – open to all, but it was cancelled because of cold, raw weather. Saturday night they gave a free concert at the South Shore Conservatory Ellison Center for the Arts in Duxbury.
Sunday the Williams Reunion Jazz Band started the day with a Jazz Service at First Parish Church, followed by a noon brunch at the fabulous Windsor House Inn, 390 Washington St. in Duxbury, MA.
Williams Reunion Jazz Band with Jimmy Mazzy
The core three here today were Williams College Boys: Bob Kingsbury ’58 on clarinet; Fred Clifford ’58 on Tuba; and John Halsey ’59 on Piano (keyboard) with John Bucher cornet.( Amherst ’52.) Drummer Tom Hayne ’59 wasn’t here today because he had to leave early.
The band was joined by two permanent guests and members of the Wolverine Jazz Band, the inimitables Jimmy Mazzy Banjo/Vocals, and Tom Boates, trombone.
Jimmy Mazzy is ? on many bands.
They began with Jimmy singing Tishomingo Blues, a famous tune by Spencer Williams first published in 1917. We knew this was going to be a great afternoon! There were families with young children who were really enjoying this Jazz – let’s hope they pass it on!
John Bucher is fabulous on cornet.
Deed I Do, Beale St. Blues Tom Boates singing the vocal. Bye Bye Blues.
Bucher played sweet muted cornet on Buddy Bolden Blues.
Fred Clifford
Tuba intro on chorus of I Can’t Give You Anything But Love. Fred was playing a King tuba he found on Ebay (with the expert help of Eli Newberger).
Jimmy Mazzy had to leave early for another engagement. He was replaced by Mark Endresen, guitar.
Williams Reunion Jazz Band with Mark Endresen
Mark Endresen, guitar
Mark is a ‘regular’ here at the Windsor House. He often joins the Jimmy Mazzy Trio once a month here for a Sunday Brunch.
My Baby’s Loving Arms. Best Things in Life Are Free, which had been requested some time ago, but they had saved it for Mark to perform.
Tuba took the intro to a stunning Black & Blue. Running Wild had wild trombone and guitar and the band trading 4’s with the keyboard. Everybody Loves My Baby.
Tom Boates fantastic trombone feature
Tom Boates’ trombone was featured with John backing on cornet with Tin Roof Blues. This was one of my favorites!
John Halsey
In the absence of a drummer, keyboardist John Halsey took the stage for Avalon. This was frustrating for Halsey, who had been playing on fine Steinway pianos all weekend, but he came through with flying fingers!
Bob Kingsbury clarinet
Kingsbury played a fine low register clarinet on I’m Confessing That I Love You.
There was an especially fine musical exchange with cornet and tuba trading 4’s on Sweet Georgia Brown. We were right – it was a great afternoon with The Williams Reunion Jazz Band playing exceptional Traditional Jazz!
Opening of the Bay every spring is a critical financial fund-raiser for the Duxbury Bay Maritime School because it’s a struggling non-profit and needs the extra money. The school serves 1800 students from age 3 to 83 through educational and recreational programs that stimulate individual growth and an enduring love and appreciation of the sea.
The Williams Reunion Jazz Band will return next labor day for the 18th Opening of the Bay in Duxbury, Massachusetts with more fine Traditional Jazz. Come join us!
Dave Whitney and Paul Monat cornet, Blair Bettencourt clarinet, Dan Gabel trombone, Robin Verdier piano, Eric Baldwin guitar, Rick MacWilliams tuba, Reid Jorgensen drums
picture and videos by Harold McAleer
The Bay State Syncopators were at Bemis Hall in Lincoln MA on May 27, 2015. It was a reunion band formed in the 80’s by Paul Monat to rekindle the two-cornet sound of Bob Connor’s Yankee Rhythm Kings of the 70’s which had Paul Monat and Dave Whitney on cornet and Blair Bettancourt on clarinet. Bill Doyle subbed today on guitar.
The band carries on the New Orleans sounds of Louis, King Oliver and Jelly Roll, reborn in the 50’s by Lou Watters, Turk Murphy and Bob Helm in San Francisco.
Dave Whitney tells about how it felt to have the band back:
“Musically the Band sounded great! Despite lack of Rehearsal Time we surprised ourselves on most of the tunes. After 40 years, Blair, Paul and myself still remember most of the routines.
Highlights were Big bear Stomp—Too Late (from King Oliver 1930). Snake Rag, Cake Walkin’ Babies, Mabel’s Dream and Canal St. Blues.
Blair sang his specialty “Red Hot Mama” and I did Mississipi Mud, Cake Walkers and Memphis Blues.
Robin Verdier
Robin did a great Piano feature on Froggie Moore and Dan Gabel fit right in like he had been there in ’75.
Bill Doyle (file photo)
Also kudos to Bill Doyle who came in on short notice on guitar and banjo..
Us YRK veterans had a great time and it brought back happy memories of the Sticky Wicket and Sacramento Jazz Fest. Also a nice turnout of 60 or so people.”
Paul Monat is Blue and Broken Hearted – Wait for the high note at the end of this tour-de-force by cornetist Paul Monat!
The Bay-State Syncopators ended their concert in Lincoln with a rousing version of Lou Watter’s San Francisco favorite – Emperor Norton’s Hunch.
Eli and The Hot Six with Butch Thompson and Rebecca Sullivan at Sculler’s Jazz Club – Photos by Marce
WGBH’s Christopher Lydon was at Yale with Eli and Carolyn
The occasion was a benefit for Kids For Harmony at Scullers Jazz Club hosted by WBUR’s Christopher Lydon and the packed house was treated to a terrific evening of music by Eli and the Hot Six with special guest Rebecca Sullivan.
The Hot Six is a relatively new combo from tubist Eli Newberger, drawing from some of the best players on the traditional jazz scene. This performance featured a surprise appearance from Butch Thompson sitting in on piano and clarinet. Regular Hot Six pianist Bob Winter had a prior commitment that evening with the Boston Pops.
Eli sprinkled informative and entertaining commentary between songs, and directed the soloists from this fine band throughout the evening.
Rebecca Sullivan
Rebecca Sullivan took the spotlight occasionally during the set, a welcome presence from a lovely singer who showcased songs from an all-Gershwin show the Hot Six will be performing at the Barrington Stage Company in Pittsfield this coming June. Ted Casher, an excellent clarinetist, really shined with his turns on tenor sax.
Bo Winiker sings and plays Hello Dolly
A surprise highlight was Bo Winiker channeling Armstrong with a pitch perfect rendition of Hello Dolly on top of Jimmy Mazzy’s banjo, Bo going out with a ringing trumpet solo.
Jimmy lent his voice to a long and languid version of the classic St. James Infirmary that included plenty of solo space for the band.
Jimmy sings
Butch Thompson from Minneapolis
Butch Thompson delivered exquisite solo piano renditions of Willie the Lion Smith and Jelly Roll Morton numbers.
The piano chair was also occupied by Eli during a trio performance with Butch on clarinet, and later trombonist Herb Gardner tickled the keys while Thompson joined the horn section.
Eli takes over piano
Rounding out the evening was a delightful washboard performance by Carolyn Newberger and a brush solo on I Got Rhythm from drummer Jeff Guthery.
Eli & The Hot Six with Rebecca Sullivan will be Swingin’ Gershwin at the Barrington Stage Company’s Boyd-Quinson Mainstage, 30 Union Street, Pittsfield, MA on Monday, June 22nd, and the Hot Six will return to Primavera Ristorante, 20 Pleasant St. Millis MA on Thursday, June 25th.
This has been a busy Spring! I’ll be 80 years young next month; there’s no way I can keep up with all the wonderful Jazz we’ve had in this area since the last newsletter April 15th. But I do try.
Neville Dickie
Highlight of this month (so far) was the annual visit of Neville Dickie on May 12th at the Bella Costa Restaurant in Framingham, MA.
This year Neville was joined by Stan McDonald soprano sax, Jeff Hughes trumpet, and Steve Taddeo drums.
Neville Dickie Quartet,
The Quartet rotated with a duet of Neville and Steve, with the irrepressible Dickie pushing Taddeo to the max!
Neville challenges Steve to keep up with him – he did!
They ended the evening as always with four-handed piano when Neville is joined by our own stride master, Ross Petot. They obviously enjoy this duet!
Neville pauses as Ross goes into full stride.
Neville Dickie will return next year, for his 15th Annual sojourn to New England. He always begins here with Stan McDonald, before performing all over the country. Then he’ll return to Surrey, England.
April 16th Wolverine Jazz Band at Primavera Ristorante, 20 Pleasant St. Millis MA
Wolverine Jazz Band
Dave Didriksen drums, Dan Gabel trombone,Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Jeff Hughes trumpet, Rick MacWilliams tuba, John Clark leader/clarinet/bari sax, Herb Gardner keyboard.
With their intricate New Orleans Polyphony and glorious horn solos, the Wolves are one of the most popular Dixieland Jazz Bands in this area and at Festivals. They are now celebrating their 20th Anniversary, and played many tunes from their upcoming CD, their 13th, that should be issued sometime next month. Don’t miss them!!
Dan Gabel subbed for regular trombonist Tom Boates. Tom is the Music Department Chair at Guilford CT High School, and accompanied the Guilford High School Chorus at Disney World. (He’s forgiven for not being here!)
Tuesday, MAY 19, 7-9:30pm, The Wolves will be at the Sheraton/Needham. $10 cover – They will hopefully have their new CD ready to go for that day! They aren’t taking reservations, so just show up anyway! Sheraton Needham, 100 Cabot St, Needham, MA 02494 Phone:(781) 444-1110 .
April 24th High Society Jazz Band at Primavera Ristorante
High Society Jazz Orchestra with Elise Roth
Elise Roth
Personnel:
Dan Gabel: trombone, Elise Roth: vocals
Clarinets/Saxes: Tyler Burchfield, John Clark,
Richard Garcia
Trumpets: Pat Stout and Jeff Hughes
Piano: Ross Petot
Guitar/Banjo: Bill Doyle
Tuba: Rick MacWilliams
Drums: Steve Taddeo
Jazz, Big Band, and swing are American musical art forms that are being perpetuated by a young musician, and we are extremely grateful!! Dan Gabel brought his High Society Jazz Orchestra to Primavera Ristorante on April 24th, with Vocalist Elise Roth lending her expert talents on vocal numbers of the era, bringing back rarely heard verses and a classic vintage singing style. Dan Gabel and John Clark are experts at adapting original arrangements that were created in the early 20’s and 30’s. They played Ellington’s The Mooche, made famous at the Cotton Club, Irving Berlin’s Alexander’s Ragtime Band, Pat Stout trumpet was heard on St. Louis Shuffle by Fats Waller. Bill Doyle, manager and guitar, was featured on Glad Rag Doll by Milton Ager. Reeds played a stomping arrangement of Putting on the Ritz; Hughes trumpet was featured on Stardust that just went right through you! It was a fantastic evening of Jazz, Big Band, and Swing – and we’re looking forward to hearing much more from this band. Check them out at www.facebook.com/highsocietyorchestra.
April 30th Eli and The Hot Six celebrated International Jazz Day at Primavera Ristorante. Click on photos to enlarge.
Eli and The Hot Six
Bob Winter keyboard, Jim Mazzy banjo/vocals, Eli Newberger tuba, Jeff Guthery drums, Herb Gardner trombone, Bo Winiker trumpet/flugelhorn, Ted Casher clarinet and tenor sax
April 30th was International Jazz Day, spectacularly celebrated by Eli and The Hot Six at Primavera Ristorante. They began with The World Is Waiting for the Sunrise, featuring tunes form many countries. Eartha Kitt’s C’est çi Bon, Irish Black Bottom, (which is really authentic American Jazz), Hindustan, Ted Casher sang Bei Mir Bis Du Schoen in Yiddish, playing authentic Klezmer clarinet.
Bo sings Louis’s Wonderful World
Bo put heart and soul into Louis’s Wonderful World.
Jeff Guthery recalled the 20’s and 30’s drumming, tapping on graduated temple blocks befitting that early jazz. You’ve never heard Oh By Jingo played like Bob Winter, with blazing runs up and down the keyboard! Thanks to Kathy Wittman, we have a video of it back at the Sherborn Inn. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvWIIwCU-jg
Eli and The Hot Six will be joined by renowned pianist Butch Thompson at Sculler’s Jazz Club on May 21st for their CD release of Eli & The Hot Six LIVE, Contemporary Classic Jazz.
May 3rd Wolverine Jazz Band started a new monthly series at Ken’s Steak House, Rt. 9 Framingham, MA. We had Tom Boates back from Disney World! Please read the fine REVIEW by Myron Idelson! It was a great success!
Wolverine Jazz Band at Ken’s Steak House, on a Sunday afternoon
Tom Boates trombone (he’s back!) Dave Didriksen drums, Jeff Hughes trumpet, Rick MacWilliams tuba, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Ross Petot piano, John Clark clarinet/bari sax.
May 7th Blue Horizon Jazz Band played the first Thursday of the month at Primavera Ristorante
Blue Horizon Jazz Band
Steve Taddeo drums, John Kefalas trombone, Gerry Gagnon tuba, Jeff Hughes trumpet, Dave MacMillan guitar, Stan McDonald soprano leader/sax/vocals.
This is fine Traditional Jazz! Jeff’s trumpet took the melodic lead, with Stan flitting around the melody with embellishments, and John’s trombone filling in the “holes” with extensive use of the slide. The solos were filled with exemplary improvisations, Gerry Gagnon is one of the finest tuba players in this area; he coordinated with Steve on his 1938 Slingerland Drums, tapping on a tiny Grecko cymbal attached to the bass drum, keeping perfect time. It was great to have Dave MacMillan back on rhythm guitar after a long recovery from an accident. Welcome back, Dave!!
May 9th Seacoast Stompers Quartet at ACT III in Littleton, MA
ACT IV in Lowell ran into another bureaucratic headache and could not open. Thank you Gwenn and Josely for your immeasurable patience!! Seacoast Stompers had to trim down to a Quartet to play in ACT III in Littleton.
Frank Stadler piano, Jeff Hughes trumpet, Jim Mazzy banjo/vocals, Al Bernard tuba.
Seacoast Stompers Quartet
Jeff Hughes has many faces, Bix Beiderbecke, Bunny Berigan, Joe ‘King’ Oliver, Buddy Bolden, with his lyrical style and melody-based improvisations. He and Jimmy Mazzy are brothers at heart, having played together since the 1980’s, especially with Ray Smith’s Paramount Jazz Band. Frank Stadler’s piano set them free to exchange riffs, play intricate melodies and counterpoint, and Albie Bernard provided the perfect bass lines. It was a memorable afternoon!!
Act III is a small venue, but has a bar and serves a fine assortment of Mediterranean cuisine. When Act IV in Lowell is finally allowed to open, the full 7-piece band will play on the 2nd Saturday of the month from 2-5pm. We hope!
In the meantime, we are all extremely grateful to these wonderful musicians for making this a great life for ALL ages!!
Wolverine Jazz Band at Ken’s Steak House, Sunday afternoon
Review of Wolverine Jazz Band at Ken’s Steak House, May 3, 2015 – by Myron Idelson
On May 3rd, 2015, the venerable restaurant, Ken’s Steak House in Framingham Massachusetts launched a new venue for Traditional Jazz. Hosted by the Wolverine Jazz Band, led by John Clark, the music made by seven formidable talents from 4pm to 7pm blew all credibility by reaching new heights of Jazz brilliance.
The members of the Band: John Clark clarinet and bari saxophone, Jeff Hughes cornet, Jimmy Mazzy banjo and vocals, Ross Petot piano, Tom Boates trombone, Rick MacWilliams tuba and Dave Didriksen drums… were all guilty of playing excessive, appealing, ingratiating, bright, inventive, and intense extraordinary music causing a seismic shaking of Musical Joy, registering a 10 on the Richter Musical Scale.
The music played by the Wolverines was a Blue Ribbon Salute to their talents… and the audience became immensely wealthy. The unusual arrangements, the swinging tempos, the integrity of the Jazz in the slow tempos, the exciting refreshing impressive new insights showed the seven Giants were possessors of fantastic tone and range with never a hint or sound of a pallid solo.
The pleasing Hot choruses, the brilliant arrangements, were infusing and sparking the boys to unmitigated and scintillating new heights. There was never even a minor flaw the entire evening. It was a full and rich shattering experience – we were in the presence of ‘Musical Diety’. The future of Ken’s is predictable – more of the same with a parade of other bands to follow.
The Opening Night of our second new venue takes place on May 19th, 2015 at the Sheraton Inn in Needham, Massachusetts, 7pm to 9:30pm. The Wolverine Jazz Band as our host ensures us, once again, of another arousing night of Great Traditional Jazz.
Ken’s Steakhouse and The Sheraton Inn will offer a “Who’s Who” of Traditional Jazz.
Wolverine Jazz Band with Dan Gabel and Herb Gardner
Jeff Hughes cornet, John Clark clarinet and bari sax, Dan Gabel trombone, Jim Mazzy banjo/vocals, Herb Gardner keyboard, Rick MacWilliams tuba, Dave Didriksen drums
Wolverines are a favorite, not only in New England, but across the country. They had a couple of substitutes this evening. Dan Gabel was on trombone, subbing for Tom Boates, whose High School Jazz Band was on stage at the Epcot Center.
Herb Gardner has been ‘pianist of choice’ here since Ross Petot teaches on Thursday evenings. John Clark spent about 30 seconds explaining arrangements to the two substitutes, and then they all fell in together and soared.
It was the day after tax day, so they began with an upbeat We’re In The Money, from their 1st CD. They took When My Dreamboat Comes Home from The Paramount Jazz Band, who took it from the Jim Cullum Jazz Band, with Jimmy doing the vocals as he did with Paramount. From the 1920’s, Dardanella, fine tuned duet between cornet and clarinet, tuba pushing the beat, Jimmy took it out on banjo..
Jimmy is always Jimmy, remarkable!
Jimmy Mazzy was featured on a Muddy Water’s tune, playing himself, incredible as usual, with a little bit of support from cornet and clarinet.
Some Rogers and Hart was on the docket. Bless That Mountain Greenery was recorded by Jabbo Smith. It will be on the Wolves’ upcoming CD, #13. (They don’t really count No 1 because there was no trombone.)
Rick took a tuba solo on a dreamy, bluesy Michigander Blues, with the three on the front line slipping into a deep glissando slide. They finished with smiles on all their faces; it must have been signaled at the last minute and played on the fly!
Jim Mazzy and Jeff Hughes play Sleepy Lagoon.
Jimmy Blythe’s Oriental Man is Chicago jazz, with Clark playing hot Johnny Dodds clarinet. I Want to Linger was done by Rosy McHargue and his Dixieland Band as well as the Andrew Sisters. John Clark did the vocal with Hughes playing soulful vibrato on his Olds Recording cornet, vintage 1953. It looks like new with offset ergonomic valves and trigger slide, it plays excellent and has a wonderful sound. But then any instrument in Hughes’ hands has an excellent sound.
Jeff and Jimmy played a song for the late Jim Enright – his favorite, Sleepy Lagoon. Thank you both for remembering Jim!
Jimmy Mazzy’s choice – he has a million of them in that genius head of his, but this was a relatively new one. The front line followed with inventive solos. The You and Me That Used to Be was voted Best Record of the Year in 1972, and Jimmy Rushing voted Best Male Singer in the Down Beat music poll.
Jeff’s favorite, After You’ve Gone, recorded by Johnny Dodds’ Black Bottom Stompers, realased in 1927, was a nice danceable tune, melodic and lyrical clarinet with trombone playing harmony, and Jimmy singing,
Dip Your Brush In The Sunshine, Ted Lewis 1931, Uplifting and warm with Jim vocal and Jeff responding.
Rick MacWilliams pushes the band on tuba
Rick MacWilliams let go on a fine tuba solo on Johnny St. Cyr’s Oriental Strut. He provides a cushion of solid beat with the right chords supporting the band every note of the way.
Stomping at The Savoy swings from beginning to end; you never heard anything like it! Pity no one was recording. They haven’t played Blues in My Heart in a long time, Sweet.
Band played a unique Stomping at the SavoyA
Jerry Wadness requested Herb play trombone. Herb joined Dan in a hot fiery duet backed by the buoyant rhythm section on Harry Warren’s Lulu’s Back in Town, with Herb also singing it. They are a combustible combination!
Rose of The Rio Grande, high spirited playing with Dave Didriksen tapping on wood block and hi hat, then he let go with excited commentaries; crashes and rolls. Jeff followed on cornet with John on clarinet for an exciting duet, with Dan responding with short bursts on trombone.
Dave Didriksen keeps a fine beat
Lawrence Brown wrote another Jim Enright favorite, Memories of You, played by piano and clarinet. Superb. Jimmy singing with Jeff support, as they used to do with the Paramount Jazz Band. This will be on their 13th CD.
Time for one more. What, already??
He’s dangerous on that baritone sax.
They closed with a special version of Dinah with a soft 16 bar intro on cornet. John Clark’s full-throated lower register on baritone sax caught us right in the solar plexus!
Dan Gabel’s exuberant trombone followed, Herb’s fingers flying over the keyboard, Jimmy was carried away with his infamous holler. Dave’s drum cymbal rolled into the final ensemble chorus, with a closing cymbal crash for a WILD finale!. We were left breathless!
Where do we go from here??
Herb Gardner keeps busy
Herb Gardmer keeps busy. The following week, after the usual Wednesday night at Swing 46 in Manhattan NY, Friday the 24th he’s playing with the Black Eagle Jazz Band at Amazing Things Arts Center in Framingham. Saturday he’s on trombone for a Benny Goodman ’38 Carnegie Hall Jazz Concert tribute at Merrimac College in North Andover. Then Sunday down to Piermont, NY for two shows with Red Molly at The Turning Point. He says “Who has as much fun as us jazz musicians?”
Dan Gabel is always phenomenal. He teaches at Holy Cross College in Worcester, barely makes it here on time and always arrives hungry. He wolfs down a fine Italian dinner during the first ten-minute break.
Extending the slide to its maximum length, he’s constantly improvising, sometimes being forced to, as when playing trombone to a saxophone chart (not with the Wolves). Here he was given the chart to the wrong tune, but still performed with such passion that we never knew. His High Society Orchestra will be here at Primavera April 24th, 7pm.
As for the Wolverine Jazz Band, mark your calendars. They will be at Ken’s Steak House, Framingham MA on May 3rd, 4-7pm FLYER and the Sheraton Needham May 19th, 7pm, a new venue at 100 Cabot St, Needham, MA. Come hear the Wolves in a beautiful new setting – great menu, easy parking. On June 18th they’ll be back at Primavera, 7pm. John Clark keeps their site update! www.wolverinejazzband.com.
Scott Philbrick cornet, Craig Ball clarinet, Steve Piermarini trombone, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Frank Stadler leader/piano, Al Bernard sousaphone, Bob Reardon drums
The Seacoast Stompers were back at Bemis Hall at their regular daylight time, 2-5pm, Saturday afternoons – great time to listen to great Jazz. They are wonderful, lyrical players, inspire one another, enjoying what they do, pleasing their audience. We especially enjoy Jimmy’s many songs. (We’ve been listening to Jimmy for over 43 years, and he is still unique.)
They began as always with their theme song, At The Jazz Band Ball. Frank Stadler leads the band, but Scott Philbrick is their ‘music’ leader. Frank held a list of tunes they would play. Something new had been added – all the endings were kept short and abrupt. Each one caught us by Surprise!
This was Craig Ball’s first sorti after breaking bones in his hand when he slipped on ice four weeks ago. He still should have had at least two weeks recovery, but was climbing the walls. So he returned to playing clarinet with a swollen left hand, clarinet still reaching for the stratosphere!
Everybody Loves My Baby – check out that clarinet.
I Would Do Most Anything For You, Scotty racing so fast on cornet, it almost made us dizzy, it was a Wowzer!
Moving to more moderate tempo, Mama’s Gone, Goodbye, Jimmy at his best with Albie’s powerful brass, Stadler offering just the right chords, drum tapping on crash cymbal.
Jimmy solo backed by Frank Stadler on piano and Al Bernrd tuba, plus drum not pictured
China Boy (video by Marce)
Baby, Won’t You Please Come Home had Scott playing sweet smooth cornet with Jimmy backing on banjo.
Upbeat Lady be Good, band in great New Orleans polyphony with exciting individual solos, Scott sneaking in tidbits of other tunes, Jimmy’s banjo pushing the beat with Bob beating hard on every drum he had!
Frank said that half of the tunes in this idiom seem to be in the key of F. So they moved to Rose Room, in the key of A♭, Scott’s cornet almost talking. Nice dance tune; there’s room at the back of the hall for dancing.
Al Bernard wrapped in sousaphone
Albie not only pushes the beat wrapped in sousaphone, but softly responds to solos In My Honey’s Loving Arms.
Strutting With Some Barbecue was wild!
Mood Indigo had an extraordinary cornet and trombone duet, with Scott throwing in some wa wa on muted cornet.
Scott Philbrick and Steve Piermarini in great muted duet
Jimmy’s choice, Nagasaki, in B♭, cornet leading, trombone playing counterpoint, Jimmy startling vocal. Piano took the intro to My Monday Date with Jim vocal.
It’s been a long time since they played I Ain’t Got Nobody, Pieranunzi playing fine growling muted trombone. Blue Lu, Bob Reardon with left stick on snare drum, right on splash cymbal, pushing the band.
Bobby’s choice of tunes – he always picks my favorite, Limehouse Blues. Piano intro, Bob’s brushes on tom tom drums, arms flailing in the air.
Bobby Reardon hitting all the drums!
E♭ banjo 16 bar intro into Louisiana, band following with exciting Dixieland Jazz.
Chicago was HOT, a barn burner with Jimmy scatting. Another upbeat, Found A New Baby with Jim vocal, Bob ended it with a stinging crash cymbal.
Wish I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate. Frank loves playing this 1870 Steinway!
They closed with another rouser, Swing That Music. Bobby wouldn’t let it end, playing two moving drum encores.
They also played Swing That Music here in January, with Dave Whitney on cornet and Scotty on banjo. This was before Craig broke his hand. That tune is always an excellent closer.
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This music touches the heart and spirit. The musicians consider themselves lucky to be jazz players; they love this music. The don’t use charts, they listen to each other, improvising, sometimes challenging each other. They don’t necessarily get rewarded, except from the crowd that shows appreciation by applauding their marvelous talent.
Seacoast Stompers will be moving to a new venue. It’s been fun being here at Bemis Hall, thank you Harold McAleer and Vern Welch for making it possible. Next month on Saturday, May 9th, the Seacoast Stompers move to ACT IV, (formerly Acton Jazz Café) now at Jameson’s Restaurant, 26 Andover St, Lowell, Massachusetts 01852 still from 2-5pm. Come have a good meal (5 ½ Stars), a drink, and enjoy this great band!! We hope to see you there – bring a friend.
Harold McAleer with trusty video camera
We expect Harold will be taping at Jameson’s restaurant also. We hope they have good lighting!
