It was a beautiful New England fall afternoon when, from Maine to Connecticut, Traditional Jazz musicians congregated at the Precinct Bar, Somerville Massachusetts.  Vocalist Jane Campedelli has dreamed of  reuniting her jazz ‘family’ of musicians and friends for the past few years, and she finally succeeded on Sunday afternoon, October 12^th.  The owner, Robert Elliott, was exceptionally acommodating to the mostly gray-haired crowd. Young and old, her friends were very happy to be back together again.

Jane and Robin Verdier, whom she met in 1972, go back to the days of the East Bay City Jazz Band, when she sat in on one of their gigs.  Gene Blood, Bill Whitcraft and Jane then joined Doc Ryan's Steamboat Stompers.  Other members were Jim Lester, John Chivers, Bruce Burrell, Chuck Stewart. After the band’s demise, drummer John Sheehan put together the Heritage Jazz Band with Scott Philbrick, Noel Kaletsky, Jimmy Mazzy, Bill Whitcraft, Bill Batten, Norm Locke and Jane.  Since then, some have left us, leaving behind many fond memories.

The Reunion band consisted of Robin Verdier, stride pianist, arranger, & leader of the Monte Carlo Jazz Band; Gene Blood, drummer for the Jazz Band Ball, Steamboat Stompers, and more; Al Bernard of Gloucester, tubist for just about every Trad Band in New England that needs one; Bruce Burrell clarinet and tenor sax of Satin Swing; Jimmy Mazzy, banjo (the one and only!) Scott Philbrick, cornet for TGCTJF Festival Band, the Heritage Jazz Band; Noel Kaletsky, clarinet and alto sax with the Bearcats Jazz Band, Bill's Seafood All Stars, Galvanized Jazz Band (for 26 years), Heritage Jazz Band, and of course, Jane Campedelli, who sang with many of these bands in her own rousing vocal style.

Next iteration, Paul and Phil Monat of the Riverside Jazz Band stepped on stage, Paul on tuba, though his usual instrument is cornet; Phil on drums, with Freddy Vigorito of the Galvanized Jazz Band on cornet, backing Jane on Sophie Tucker’s One Of These Days.

A gentleman stepped out of the audience, a familiar face, absent for the last ten years. Foster Yeadon, the man who built the Sticky Wicket with his own hands, and responsible for making it a famous East Coast Traditional Jazz Venue for close to 20 years.  He came to say hello.  What a pleasant surprise for all of us!!  He’s been hiding out (recuperating?) in New Hampshire.  (Also present were Joan & Steve Brown, former waitress and bartender at the Wicket, adding to this great reunion.)  Foster proceeded to shake hands with many friends while the band continued with Coney Island Washboard, with Jane and Jimmy scatting to one of Foster’s favorite songs. 

You Gotta See Your Mama Every Night, or You Can't See Mama at All, China Boy,  the trombone improvising countermelody, the cornets, sax, banjo and clarinet blending, feeling each others’ chords, drum setting the tone and the tempo with a dynamic percussive beat,  Robin’s Joplin-style piano, Albie’s steady tuba, this was Traditional Jazz at its best.  But there were many other great New England musicians eagerly waiting their turn. 

Scotty moved to guitar, giving Jimmy’s fingers a break. He was the only banjo; there were more in the audience, but who would want to follow him?  Gid Loring of Gid's Giddy Band took the cornet.

Last set, the stage really was getting crowded.  Fred and Scotty returned,  two cornets backing Jane on After You’ve Gone.  Paul Monat joined them sitting in front, because there just wasn’t any room on stage, Mechler beside him – now we had 3 cornets and a trumpet.  Robin was still on piano (actually a Yamaha keyboard, he was the only pianist and played the whole evening).   Jimmy back on banjo; it’s an obsession, he can only stay away from if for so long.  Bruce was on tenor sax, Noel clarinet, Lentino trombone for Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gives To Me.  Janie pleading with Won’t You Roll The Patrol Closer To The Curb, My Granny Can't Step That High, and Nobody's Sweetheart Now.  Albie on tuba traded fours with all that brass.  Exciting insanity! 

Yeah.  We were in New Orleans in the early 70’s when our kind of music was playing in almost every corner and restaurant. And at the Sticky Wicket every week for 19 years.  Memories.  Thanks, Jane, for bringing it all back – it was great fun.  Let’s do it again next year!