This music is different from the usual Traditional/Dixieland fare at the Sherborn Inn, in that it plays authentic social dance music from1919 to 1935.  Robin Verdier creates innovative arrangements, with intricate ensembles and propulsive rhythms that challenge the musicians.  As a result, this Ensemble is both a concert band and an excellent dance band - that is if you're familiar with the One step, Two step, Foxtrot, Charleston, Tango - music you might have heard at the Savoy Ballroom in the 1930's.  There were many happy feet floating across the hardwood dance floor.

The musicians are  Bob MacInnis cornet, Craig Ball clarinet, John Clark clarinet, tenor and bari sax, Al Bernard tuba, Steve Taddeo drums, Robin Verdier piano, leader; all rise to the challenge. 

Bob MacInnis had just returned from Florida, demonstrating his distinctive style and pure tone on Now That I've Found You and Dream Child. We're happy to have him back - for a while.  Bob leads the New Liberty Jazz Band all summer in parades on their 1941 fire truck.

Moroccan Blues, in a tango beat, included a virtuostic clarinet duet (picture dueling Artie Shaw and Benny Goodman.)  Both Craig and John are powerful clarinetists and both are band leaders, Craig Ball leads the White Heat Swing Orchestra and John Clark heads the Wolverine Jazz Band.

All the tunes were impressive. (see list below).  They stopped on a dime on the upbeat Irving Berlin's Puttin' On The Ritz; that featured some fantastic ensemble work and was searing HOT, as was the peppy 1925 period pop,  Everybody's Doing The Charleston.

Steve Taddeo subbed on drums for Bill Reynolds at the last minute.  He was featured on Nullabor (Nullarbor?), an exciting and rarely-heard piece written by Australian Dave Dallwitz and built around what could be aboriginal war drums.  (Robin had recorded it in the nineties with Ed Reynolds's Back Bay Ramblers.)

Steve's drumming was amazing on Elite Syncopations.  Generally a Gene Krupa-type drummer, he has been trying new styles - even playing authentic Traditional Jazz with the New Black Eagle Jazz Band.  This was much appreciated by the crowd, especially Art Burns's widow, Sally, who liked hearing the bass tom.  (Art refused to carry his around when he was playing, choosing to stay with the snare drum and cymbals.)  Steve leads The Swing Senders who will be appearing at Bemis Hall in Lincoln on May 19th.

They concluded with Running Wild and Daybreak.  Both listeners and dancers left the Sherborn Inn completely satiated!