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They moved to the Sticky Wicket in Hopkinton in October of 1971, with Eli Newberger on tuba, and Stan McDonald on clarinet and soprano sax. There have been several iterations of reeds and basses since then, but the band now thrives with Billy Novick on clarinet and alto sax, and the youthful exuberance of Jesse Williams and his Pops Foster string bass. The Collings Foundation was an excellent venue for their anniversary celebration. Located near Lake Boon in Stow, Massachusetts, it is a non-profit educational foundation devoted to preserving aviation living history with events to encourage learning by participation. It is also a treasure trove of memorabilia - WWII tanks and planes, including a Red Baron Biplane reproduction, a German gunner, a jet fighter, and air transports. Vintage sprint and Indy race cars along with stage coaches are displayed on the lofts surrounding the main floor. Antique cars and trucks including Al Capone's 1940 Cadillac are housed in an adjoining barn, all nestled in a gorgeous estate surrounded by beautiful gardens.
Over a hundred fans, including some of the Sticky Wicket 'Regulars' from 1971, seated in the lower lever of the hanger eagerly greeted The Black Eagles. (A great turn out, considering both the Red Sox and Patriots were playing.) Bogalusa Strut kicked off the afternoon. With Pameijer on drums, we were immediately brought back in time to the Sticky Wicket, with that pair of pants' legs hanging down from the low ceiling. What great memories! (Except that Tony had to settle for Sam Adams beer.) Careless Love, Jesse's smearing gliss on the bass strings. Said I Wasn't Gonna Tell Nobody. Sensation Rag, originally called Joplin's Rag, written by Joseph Lamb followed.
The Black Eagles have had many substitutes over the years, and some of the most frequent ones were here: Dave Whitney, Paul Monat, Bob Sundstrom, John Turner, Justin Meyer. With Pam and Hugette now living in the Florida Keys, Bill Reynolds has become their regular drummer. Tony asked him to come up for the 1930's Saratoga Shout, Jelly Bean Blues, Weary Blues (or as it is known in New Orleans, Shake It and Break It), Reynolds performing his special extended drum roll, and the Eagles went WILD! The Black Eagle Substitutes, led by Billy Novick, took the stage and joined Bill Reynolds and Billy on Honky Tonk Town, two choruses by Waldo, playing multiple strains and varied bass lines. Fabulous! They made Billy Novick feel 'superfluous'.
Terry Waldo was featured on vocals with I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter, Novick's clarinet hitting the stratosphere in the ensemble, reaching high above all that brass. Jesse Williams replaced Turner on string bass. Paul Monat took the intro invoking Wild Bill on I'm Confessing, then they let the "little guy" sing. Piano and string bass each took vigorous, brisk solos, then trumpet and cornet went wild, sounding like Louis and Wild Bill. Billy announced they would "Out-Eagle the Eagles - with Panama," making it up as they went along, in stop rhythm with the front line blasting away, then Jesse's relentless pulse driving the band. The audience was ecstatic! There were many Sticky Wicket 'regulars', even though it's been some 21 years since it closed.
The Black Eagles returned to the stage, Pam on drums, joined by Justin Meyer on string bass, with Give Me Your Telephone Number. Pilsbury was featured on vocal with Blue Turning Gray Over You. Jesse returned. Novick was featured, backed on by the rhythm section, on a memorable Body and Soul, fabulous duet with the string bass and alto sax flying! Memories - Jimmy Enright's favorite, took me back a few years. There was some concern about choosing a closing song, because the Subs band stole Panama. Saints?? No, you have to pay $100 to make them play that at Preservation Hall!! But this was a fun afternoon. Terry Waldo, Jesse Williams, Bob Sundstrom, Peter Bullis, Pam Pameijer, Stan Vincent, Dave Whitney, Tony Pringle, Paul Monat, and Billy Novick all playing When The Saints Go Marching In. They played two choruses, then went into solos, Bob Sundstrom was stunning! Brahm's Lullaby was the closer. The band that started in 1971 moves into its 41st year. But some people never change......
The New Black Eagle Jazz Band's new 'home' is the Sherborn Inn on the 2nd Thursday of the month. Check out their schedule at www.blackeagles.com Terry Waldo can be heard almost any night somewhere in NY; his Gotham City Band plays Sundays at the Fat Cat Billiards, 75 Christopher at 7th Ave. NY 212-675-6056. His THIS IS RAGTIME (newly reissued with a new introduction by Wynton Marsalis) is the definitive book on the subject and his 26-part series with the same title for National Public Radio fueled the 1970's ragtime revival. http://www.terrywaldo.com/Calendar.php The Collings Foundation's Wings of Freedom planes tour all over the country. Stay Briefed with the Collings Foundation - Sign up for their Newsletter! http://www.collingsfoundation.org/menu.htm
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