New Black Eagle Jazz Band
at the Sherborn Inn, April 12, 2012
by Marce
In its 41st year, the New Black Eagle Jazz Band continues its schedule
of New Orleans Traditional Jazz all over the East Coast.
Tony Pringle cornet, Stan Vincent trombone, Billy Novick reeds, Bob Pilsbury
piano, Peter Bullis banjo, Bill Reynolds on drums , who's been sharing that
position with Pam Pameijer for at least 20 years. The Eagles play every 2nd Thursday of the month
at what has become their home base, the Sherborn Inn in Sherborn Massachusetts.
The band has taken on new verve and energy since the addition of Jesse
Williams on amplified string bass.
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Signature of the New Black Eagle Jazz Band: Tony
Pringle on cornet, with his derby mute.
Tony led with his strong and unique New Orleans-based style. |
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.They pulled out some of the war horses that they haven’t played
in a long time for some delectable hot jazz, Shimmy She Wobble, Rent Party
Blues, Papa Dip, (one of Louis Armstrong’s nicknames).
Each instrument taking turns on the break.
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Bob Pilsbury had a breathtaking solo on Django's
Nuages, backed by the rhythm boys.
With the 1930’s Louis Russell
ballad Roamin’ Bob's mellifluous solo sounded almost
classical. Billy played low-register clarinet, with
Bob's gentle piano backup. Nice. "Gentle" isn't generally the
right word for most of Pillsbury's piano playing.
He played Dancing with Tears in my Eyes with great passion. |
Love Nest, theme from the George Burns and Gracie Allen TV show, had
fine performances by Vincent on muted trombone and Billy on alto sax.
They took some time looking over the songs and sorting them out, they must
have close to a thousand by now, and Jesse hasn't been around that long.
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They came up with Saturday Night Function,
and gave Jesse a chance to show his stuff on a 24-bar solo. Superb!!
Sometimes in the past, the Black Eagle's powerful sound drowned
out the string bass - but we have no problem
hearing Jesse!
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They finished the first set with Climax Rag, which
is not a rag at all – over time it has become hot Traditional Jazz. Stan Vincent was
in especially rare form all evening, and took a solo on this one that raised
goose bumps!
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Shine was another hot one, with Tony scatting
the lyrics, Billy going wild on alto sax. Jesse's bass was driving
the band, and frenetically trading 4's on slap bass with the trombone.
Billy was featured with the rhythm
section with a gripping, mesmerizing In a Sentimental Mood.
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Tony was still pulling out some oldies, White Ghost Shivers, and an old blues,
Steal
Away.Not enough said about the indispensable rhythm boys, Dave Bragdon, keeping the Traditional
Jazz Beat in sync with the bass. And for over forty years,
Pete Bullis's unremitting plink, plink, plink on the banjo. And his red
socks.
They closed with a wild Red Wing,
reminiscent of many nights at the Sticky Wicket, a real Barn Burner; and
sent us home with a theme song that also brought back fond
memories - and foretold the future - 'Till We Meet Again.
We're happy to have them on the East Coast. Folks on the West
Coast are anticipating their return to the Sacramento Music Festival
on May 26-28.
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They're
ready.
Brace yourself,
Sacramento! |
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| By Marce,
Updated April 22, 2012
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