Tony Pringle was in England.  Billy Novick (reeds) led the band, with charter members Stan Vincent (trombone) Bob Pilsbury (piano) and Peter Bullis (banjo/manager.) Dave Whitney filled in for Tony on trumpet, backed by Bill Reynolds (drums), and the newest member of the band, Jesse Williams (string bass.)  Jesse was born just about the time the band was formed, and has been with them for two years. 

They began with the chorus of Gatemouth with Billy and Dave immediately in sync - connecting; Stan Vincent's style of early New Orleans tailgate trombone - we knew this was going to be good!   Jesse Williams, floored us with his slap bass, smacking the strings with his fingers.  There was complete church-like silence during his string bass solos - backed only by Bill's soft rim tapping.  Jesse is obviously enjoying himself, constantly smiling, humming along as he plays. 

Peter Bullis focused on maintaining the traditional jazz beat on banjo -  still wearing his red sox, 40 years later. 

Novick loves playing the blues, and Pilsbury obliged with his distinctive vocal, and powerfull bass lines and volume changes on piano on Cole Porter's It's All Right With Me.   Dave Whitney  was featured on trumpet on Claude Hopkins's I Would Do Most Anything For You, that brought Bob right up off of his piano seat.

Front line only on New Orleans spiritual, Just a Little While to Stay Here, with fine backing by Bill Reynolds second-lining on drums.  An exceptional Trad/Dixieland drummer, like Jo Jones using the snare drum, rim, woodblock, bell and barely perceptible top hat,  you could actually hear the melody when he solo'd on Between the Devil And The Deep Blue Sea,   Marvelous.  

 The Circle of Friends Coffee House is an excellent venue - seats about 300.  Friendly, congenial hosts.  Fine  German-made Schimmel Grand Piano, and sound system with engineers who actually know how to arrange sound for a Traditional Jazz Band!  They are rare.  And the Coffee House's Circle of Friends even serve good coffee and home-made snacks!!

As Billy said "It's a treat to play in such a venue, incredible for music.  You don't find many like this!" 

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