New Black Eagle Jazz Band
at Amazing Things Arts Center, 23 January 2009
photo by Ron L'Herault |
| The New Black Eagle Jazz Band was
first heard September 30th, 1971 on the ship Peter Styveson, docked at
Anthony's Pier 4 in Boston, Massachusetts. (The ship sank
shortly afterwards.) The band has performed ever since, notably for 19 years at
the Sticky Wicket in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, and now on the 2nd Thursday
of the month at J.P. O'Hanlon's Irish Pub and Restaurant in Ayer.
It's always an exciting evening when this premier Traditional Jazz
Band brings its classic jazz anywhere. Over 30
decades suddenly melted away when five of the New Black Eagle Jazz
Band's original members from the 1971 Sticky Wicket days performed
authentic New Orleans Traditional Jazz to a full house at the Amazing Things
Firehouse in Framingham Massachusetts. Tony Pringle
leader/cornet, Stan Vincent trombone, Bob Pillsbury piano,
Pete Bullis banjo, the original drummer, Pam Pameijer, plus Bill
Novick clarinet & alto sax
and Barry Bockus string bass. It was like old home week
with wives, and fans from 1971-1990 getting re-acquainted, some after almost 20 years' absence.
Michael Moran introduced the band and noted that Billy Novick plays
here at the Firehouse so much it should be called " the Billy Novick Art Center." He recently
made an appearance with Duke Robillard, and again with guitarist Guy VanDuser. The
Eagles started with When I Grow Too Old To Dream - which pretty much
describes most of us in the audience. This band has a
repertoire of close to a thousand songs to choose from. The
next tune, which they hadn't played for awhile, was a cross
between ragtime and early jazz, played in the 1940's in New Orleans, - Black Cat On The Fence. |
Billy Novick
photo by Ron L'Herault |
Tony Pringle
photo by Marce |
| Duke Ellington's
The Mooche - is always a favorite, the band soaring with Tony's
infamous 'clipped' cornet, the signature of the New Black Eagle Jazz
Band; and pulsating jungle rhythm, with Pameijer's driving drum beats
bolstered by Pete's banjo and Barry's string bass. Billy's
clarinet sweeping from high notes to mellow chalumeau tones;
Stan's raucous trombone. It doesn't get any better than this! |
|
Pameijer is a Consultant on biomedical research in
restorative dentistry. He's just finished two books and an
article in a scientific journal in Brazil. His world travels often
conflict with the band's schedule,
so he will only play with the band three, maybe four times this year. He
does make a difference. Tony and Stan visibly relax when Pam
is driving the band. |
 |
Bob Pilsbury |
Barry Bockus |
Bob has a unique, identifiable
sound, a balance of simple and complex, two-fisted piano. He was
featured on the baby grand with a mournful, plaintiff How
Long Blues, accompanied by a nice string bass solo.
Barry Bockus's thumping bass really propels the ensembles.
Like Pops Foster, he keeps the tradition of slap bass alive. |
|
Sweet Peter, a Jelly Roll Morton tune and the perfect
setting for Pilsbury's expertise. Tony explained that he used to know
this tune when he
was 30, but drinking Coca Cola has weakened his memory.
(Amazing Things doesn't have a liquor license - yet.) Oh well. Next was
a song Louis Armstrong played with Earl Hines and Zooty Singleton,
Hear Me Talkin' To
Ya, Pam softly keeping time with
rim taps.
Red Wing, another favorite of a couple of long lost fans,
Joe Rogers and Queenie. Ghosts were definitely hovering- you could feel them in the air.
After so many years, the musicians have a kind of telepathic
relationship, Tony on muted cornet and Billy on alto sax, Pameijer driving,
and a marvelous solo by Peter on banjo. (He doesn't get many
solos.) |
|
Manager and banjo, the other
two-beat driver, Peter Bullis, is steadfast and reliable as a
metronome, and still wearing his red sox after 37 years. |
photo by Ron L'Herault |
| The ensemble took
the intro on a lovely tune from the mid-30's that
Tony says Louis
spoiled for everyone else - That's My Home, featuring a
sensitive vocal by
Tony. Awesome string bass solo, backed by piano and drum.
Buddy's Habit was named a bass player who drank a lot of beer
and couldn't leave the stage until the band took a break. Then
he took a beeline.... |
|
Band Aide Ron L'Herault (sitting) set up a new
tape system, front and center, to get the best reception of this
evenings concert!
Michael Moran, Director, talked about Amazing Things, which
is no longer a
Not-for-Profit organization. With corporate funds diminishing,
it's now a For-Loss Operation.
He's invited everyone to join, and/or volunteer to join this "feel-good"
Community."
www.amazingthings.org |
 |
|
The Amazing Firehouse is in the
middle of Framingham, a hard place to find for Stan Vincent, who was
driving in from Falmouth. But he realized when he got here that
he'd been driving by the Firestation for 19 years on his way to the Sticky
Wicket. That's dedication!
Nearing the end of the two hours, the band played one of its many
spirituals, Old Rugged Cross. They ended with Panama,
another rip-roaring war horse.
Slipping into their tender theme song, Purple Rose of Cairo,
(Georgia, not Egypt) a
1920's tune, Tony invited the crowd to come hear the band as it
advances into it's 38th year every 2nd
Thursday of the month at J. P. O'Hanlon's
Restaurant and Pub, 9 Main St. Ayer MA (978) 772-9282
www.hanlonspub.com. |
BACK TO TOP |
| By Marce,
Updated January 26, 2009
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