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Stan & Ellen McDonald introduced Classic Jazz to the Sherborn Inn over 18 years ago. Thankfully, it continues every Tuesday, showcasing fine Traditional & Dixieland Jazz and Swing. The Blue Horizon Jazz Band plays regularly on the 3rd Tuesday of every month. Members are Stan McDonald leader/soprano sax & clarinet, Jeff Stout trumpet, Gerry Gagnon trombone, Ross Petot piano, Peter Gerler guitar, Al Ehrenfried acoustic string bass, and Dave Bragdon drums. Peter Gerler was in New Orleans enjoying the French Quarter Jazz Festival, so there was no guitar or banjo this evening. McDonald was really in high spirits, started straightaway on clarinet with a bouncy Meet Me Tonight in Dreamland, and then on soprano sax with What Is This Thing Called Love, supported by the multitalented musicians. Instead of playing successive solos, the front line alternated each solo with tight, intricate ensemble - all spontaneous. He always has had the best musicians in the Blue Horizon Jazz Band. Jelly Roll’s Roaming is an old war horse. Yama Yama Man included an exciting duet with Gerry on trombone and Stan on soprano sax. Jeff Stout played powerful trumpet on Good Ol' New York with Stan on vocals. Save It Pretty Mama. Yes, We Have No Bananas was backed by Gerry's fine, muted trombone.
Old Folks at Home was changed to the name we are all familiar with, Swanee River, a great New Orleans tune, with Stan stomping off the beat with his foot. Piano led into a tune they have never played before, There'll Be Some Changes Made, an upbeat tune with the band playing skillful propulsive rhythms. Sidney DeParis recorded the next one sometime in 1945-46 with pianist James P. Johnson.
He was featured on both soprano sax and clarinet on Sidney Bechet’s Bechet’s Fantasy backed by the combustible rhythm combination of Al Ehrenfried, Dave Bragdon and Ross Petot.
Bechet recorded this in New York in 1946 with Art Hodes piano, Al Nicholas clarinet, Pops Foster bass and Danny Alvin drums. Stan sounds just like Bechet.
Spreading Joy is what this band does! Finale was Wild Man Blues with the band in polyphonic ensemble, Al's fine string bass solo, closing with clarinet and trombone in a dynamic finish! There is great LIVE New Orleans Tradtional/Dixieland Jazz, Swing every Tuesday at the Sherborn Inn. Stan McDonald's Blue Horizon Jazz Band continues to share it's passion with us, in its 18th year, on May 21st. See you there!
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