Seacoast Stompers do it again -
at the Acton Jazz Cafe
September 12, 2009
| They did it again!
The Seacoast Stompers were reminiscing with memorable Traditional Jazz Chestnuts this rainy Saturday
afternoon at the Acton Jazz Cafe; this
time with an unusual substitute. We were on a journey back in time to
early New Orleans with Tin Roof Blues, Blues, Running Wild, Blues My Naughty Sweety
Gives To Me, Sleepy Time Down
South. McHenry
had us in tears bowing on Tishumingo. They even honored a request
for the Saints - but abbreviated it. You can't see or
hear these musicians on radio or TV - but you can catch them live
once in a while, at a very few venues. Frank Stadler
piano and leader, Craig
Ball clarinet, Scott Philbrick cornet, the inimitable Jimmy Mazzy
banjo/vocals, Bob McHenry acoustic string bass. Steve
Taddeo was drumming elsewhere with the Dick Donovan Big Band, so he
called in substitute drummer Bobby Reardon.
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Bobby Reardon is an artist in more ways than one. He set up his authentic 1927 Leedy
Trap drums especially to play Traditional Jazz, with four Chinese Temple Blocks,
(look like red gourds), a set of tuned cowbells, woodblock (mindful of
Ray Smith and Ray Beauduc), Radio King snare drum and small floor tom
(on a cradle stand,) a choke cymbal, ratchet (that he didn't use
much) a triangle, small ride
cymbal and crash cymbal - tuned to be quiet!
 Lastly he
had a very old
25-inch bass drum, with an image of a very black witch. (Don't know where she came from,
or why she's there!)
He doesn't have a stool to sit on, but puts a pillow on the bass drum's battered case - as they did in the 1930's.
This drummer takes his job seriously. We were in for a treat. |
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McHenry introduced
Sweet
Georgia Brown on string bass; Reardon took a drum solo
using every piece of equipment at his disposal. People suddenly sat up and took notice.
Chinatown, Up a Lazy River, I Can't Believe That You're in
Love With Me, I Want a Little Girl to
Call My Own. Listeners were ecstatic. This is a
Mature audience (old) we grew up listening to this music on radio.
This was our era. We made new friends, and we've witnessed
many extended relationships, listening to Traditional/Dixieland
Jazz. Dick and Jean Butterworth were married in 1950 - how
many years is that?
|
 |
Marjorie & Bob
McHenry
were celebrating their 50th anniversary, whenever he
took a break from the string bass! |
| Bob and Lynn
Sickle have been married 42 years. They
started out listening to Reggie Phillips at the old Howard Johnson
in Concord (now Paparazzi.) |
 |
| The first Saturday
of the month at the Acton Jazz Cafe is also very special for Jimmy
Mazzy fans - Frank and the band give him plenty of space. In
his own distinctive style, he pleads, cajoles, scats, screams, sweet
talks as only he can, for most of the evening. You can never get
enough of Jimmy's unique
vocals. Carrie Mazzy was up for the vocal on
Beale St. Poppa. Jim and Carrie will be celebrating their
25th anniversary shortly. PARTY TIME!
Good food, good friends, good music - What
better way to spend a
Saturday afternoon??? This is living! The Seacoast
Stompers will
return to the Acton Jazz Cafe on October 3rd, 2-5pm with the Battle
of the Brass, Dave Whitney and Scott Philbrick on trumpet.
We're not going to miss that one! They'll do it again. |
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By Marce,
Updated September 27 2009
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