The
Bearcats Jazz Band played to an appreciative audience at a new venue, the Beach House, 141 Merwin Ave, Milford,
Connecticut on November 21st with Joe Hanlon leader/cornet,
Russ Whitman Clarinet/Saxophone, Charlie Freeman piano,
Gim Burton Banjo/Vocals,
Art Hovey Bass/Tuba,
Eric Starr Drums,
Tom Artin Trombone* (replacing Herb Gardner).
www.TheBearcatsJazzBand.Com.
A packed house!
Wow! Once again, Joe Hanlon's Bearcats did not
disappoint us. The guys go from Dixieland and Blues right into cool 30's & 40's Swing.
I have
often wondered why many music lovers are so passionate about one type of
music vs. another.
In my case, I grew up in a small town in Vermont during the Depression.
For entertainment, most households had a Philco radio and a piano. A
ten cent Saturday afternoon movie was nearly out of the question.
On any given day when one visited a neighbor, someone was banging on a
piano. It sounded like New York's Tin Pan Alley in Vermont.
In our house, mom played classical music.
On occasion we would hear her let go with something far removed from her
normal style. As we grew, we would request she play some of "that
funny stuff." Little did I know it was Ragtime and the song was Scott
Joplin's "Maple Leaf Rag."
So, now you know why I have my own passion for music of that era. Of
course, I fell in love with the music that followed.....Swing! Thank
you Benny Goodman and the rest of you guys.
This brings me back to the Bearcats and their gig Saturday night November 21
at the Beach House in Milford. They opened with W. C. Handy's 1916
"Beale Street Blues".
Joe announced that the Bearcats had played the Blazer Pub in Purdys, N.Y. for 30 years and at the Silvermine Tavern in Norwalk for 11
years. Longevity!!
What really got people's attention was the 1921 "Sheik of Araby,"
Charlie Freeman's fingers were flying over the keys as were Gim Burton's
over his banjo strings. Russ Whitman must have been breathless when he
finished. Good job!!
The band brought to life a great song of the 40's by Benny Goodman..."Oh
Baby!"
Gim did his usual crowd-pleaser medley
followed by "Muskrat Ramble".
I loved what they did with "Poor Butterfly." Folks, just
a little history lesson: some people do not know that in 1916 Raymond
Hubbell wrote this, after being inspired by Puccini's opera..."Madame
Butterfly".
Tom Artin was so cool on trombone, while drummer, base and piano stayed in their own quiet zone. Very nice
indeed!
Who doesn't like Lil Armstrong's 1928 "Struttin with some Barbeque"? Break time.
Joe returned asking for requests. Music lovers came
forward with a slew of requests. I mean really great ones! Don & Joan
suggested "CC Rider". This is a great number but not often played.
From here, Cole Porter fans heard a great tribute to Porter's 1920
"Anything
Goes".
Of course, a frequently requested song and one I adore...."Do you know
what it means to miss New Orleans'? The evening was coming to a close,
but the crowd
was not leaving. When
the band played the 1920 hit "Varsity Rag." even the manager, Jeff, was
dancing.
Tom brought us back to earth (or perhaps the moon & stars) with a
touching version of "Star Dust".
"Happy Feet" and "Hindustan" ended the evening, with Gim really putting
his heart and soul into this one. Many feet were happy
tonight.
The Beach House has an ambience and upscale menu that should not be missed. I
hope we will often see the return of the Bearcats. We must
keep our musicians working and our music alive and well. Keep swingng!!!!
