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Tony Pringle cornet, Stan Vincent trombone, Billy Novick reeds, Bob Pilsbury piano, Jesse Williams string bass, Peter Bullis banjo, Bill Reynolds drums Memories of the Sticky Wicket!! 100 people were packed in at the Sherborn Inn's Senior Jazz Luncheon, to hear the New Black Eagle Jazz Band, now in it's 41st year, play some of their most memorable tunes. Many Seniors are bussed in from local Senior Centers. It was like old times, as the band opened with the familiar beat of
the New Orleans parade -
Second Line.
Everybody wanted the tables in front of the band! But they were reserved early on by Sticky Wicket 'Regulars', the few who are still with us. There is no long U-shaped table with 12 people like the one that circled the band at the Sticky Wicket. Jesse Williams, youngest member of the band, performed superb bowing on string bass, supporting Bob Pilsbury on an early Duke tune, Misty Morning.
Precious - Love Nest evoked memories of the George Burns-Gracie Allen television show. Harking back to our Grandmother's time, Stan Vincent played trombone solo and sang the love song, You Tell Me Your Dream, And I'll Tell You Mine.
Pete Bullis' beat on banjo carries on the Traditional Jazz sound that is the heart of this band. (Yes, he was wearing his Red Sox.) Elder statesman of the band, Bob Pilsbury, went even farther back in time with his vocal of Love Song of the Nile, a song associated with Theda Bara, a vamp from the old silent films.
They closed the first set with an early 30’s tune by the Luis Russell Orchestra, an up-tempo Roamin’. 'Groupies' Elizabeth and Marilyn were in their 20's when they started listening to the Black Eagles, and still faithfully follow the band.
The second set began with a rabble-rousing Saratoga Shout - named after a club in Harlem, not the Saratoga Springs race track. Froggy More Rag featured Billy's brilliant clarinet
solo backed by the rhythm boys, while Tony headed to the bar for a beer.
Everyone was back for more Black Eagle eloquent ensemble on Duke Ellington's 1931 pop tune, In a Sentimental Mood. A couple named Frankie and Connie was celebrating their Wedding Anniversary. Tony mischievously considered dedicating Frankie & Johnny for this happy occasion, but thought better of it, and settled for When Your Hair Has Turned to Silver; much more appropriate, and appreciated. Bill Reynolds let loose on drums, prompting much applause
from the audience, right in the middle of his stellar performance!
Bill Reynold's remarkable drums and Jesse's unrelenting pulse on amplified string bass drive the band. They put a fresh snap into the old tunes. They approached the end of the evening with Special Delivery Blues, a mournful blues recorded by blues singer Sippie Wallace with Louis Armstrong in 1929. They closed with an upbeat Weary Blues. (Peter finally got to play a banjo solo.) Time just flew by listening to this fantastic LIVE jazz! Brahm’s Lullaby ushered us out the door. The Band will be back at their regular appearance here on the 2nd Thursday of the month, May 9th.
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