Hot Steamed Jazz Festival, 2011
at the Railroad Museum in Essex, Connecticut
by Holly and Marce
Ben Mauger's Vintage Jazz Band |
The Essex Steam Train and
Museum of Valley Railroad in Essex, Connecticut welcomed
Hot Steam Jazz and
Trad Jazz enthusiasts for its 19th year with the hiss of steam and
the clang of the locomotive bell to hear some of the sweetest Traditional
Jazz one could ever hope to hear.
The music was presented
simultaneously under two tents on Friday night, all day Saturday,
and Sunday afternoon. There was some rain Friday, but brilliant
sunshine for the rest of the weekend drew a capacity crowd. There
were many New England Bands and other favorites. Jeff Hughes was
back with the Festival All Stars.
The
Sugarfoot Jazz Band,
Art Hovey's Youth Band, opened the festival an hour before any of
the other bands - sort of a "Welcome to the Hot Steamed Jazz Festival".
Connecticut's popular
Galvanized Jazz Band
brought Jane Campedelli up from Jacksonville, Florida. Also from
Florida, Bob Price's cyclonic banjo joined the Galvanized,
Heartbeat Jazz Band
and
Riverboat Ramblers.
Riverboat is always a blast - you never know what John Banker is
going to come up with. Jeff Hughes, always the gentleman, brought his
Jazz Jesters Novelty Orchestra
with vocalist Ginny Briggs. Jeff is also the "Bix" in the
Wolverine Jazz Band,
and
he organized the
Saturday Jazz Jam.
Ben Mauger's Vintage Jazz Band
came from Pennsylvania (and recorded all their performances). Festival favorites,
Jon Seiger and his
All Stars from New York and
Bob Seeley from Michigan
were back.
Firecracker Jazz Band
performed on Friday night and
Funky Butt Jazz Band,
on Sunday.
This was Dan Levinson's 16th year with the Festival, this time
with Fete Manouche on Saturday
and Apex Project on Sunday.
Reverend Josh Cromwell came out of retirement at Cape Cod for the
Sunday Service with an important
message for living peacefully in this insane world.
Omnipresent Jeff Hughes led his All-Stars in a surprising
Finale.
Karen Senn and Shirley Bombaci,
along with the HSJF Board, did fine work directing the festival,
with the help of many dedicated volunteers. This is always a
gamble. Providing first-class musicians with transportation,
lodging and food is expensive, and depends on patrons/fans
for support. They were able to maintain the
Traditional/Dixieland theme with some of our fine New England
bands, and some imports. The musicians were treated very well. HSJF
will once again be able to make a nice donation to The Hole in
the Wall Gang Camp.
Shirley and Karen have already booked many of the bands for next
year's 20th Anniversary Hot Steamed Jazz Festival. Come
back for more exceptional Traditional Jazz and Dixieland treats
on June 22-24, 2012! Remember, jazz festival tickets make
great holiday gifts...simply call
1.800.348.0003 to order tickets for 2012.
Very important - please help us keep the
Traditional/Dixieland flavor of this festival by becoming
Patrons of this fine jazz. It can't happen without YOU!
The Hot Steamed Jazz Festival is a non-profit, all volunteer
organization founded in 1992 with a mission to bring the best of
Traditional Jazz to Connecticut. Proceeds from this festival
were donated to Paul Newman's Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, www.holeinthewallgang.org
founded in 1988.
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Paul Newman's Hole in the Wall Gang Camp www.holeinthewallgang.org
is located in Connecticut on a 330-acre camp plus 44-acre pond
ingeniously designed and equipped like a wild west hideout,
where children who need special support services do not have to
sit on the sidelines. It's goal is to offer a good old fashioned
camp experience in a safe environment for children who couldn't
camp anywhere else because they suffer from cancer and life
threatening illnesses and conditions. They expect more than
150,000 this year, with new fall and spring programs. They are
also planning on moving the program out to other cities.------------------
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| By Marce, Updated
August 16, 2011 |
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