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SEACOAST STOMPERS
at the Acton Jazz Cafe
November 5, 2011
by Harold McAleer
The Seacoast Stompers
tried something new this month at the Acton Jazz Cafe. Leader
Frank Stadler handed the responsibility over to Craig Ball, clarinet,
with Scott Philbrick-cornet, Lee Prager-trombone, Jimmy Mazzy-banjo and vocals, Bob McHenry-acoustic bass, Bobby
Reardon-drums, and Frank Stadler-piano. Same
remarkable group, but with a different leader. Craig promised "Mayhem and
Melody". Came close.
Craig is usually leading the
White Heat Swing Orchestra, so we knew something would be different.
More melodies, Jimmy Mazzy ballads. It's great to have
Jimmy back after being on the road. As always, they started with At The Jazz Band Ball.
The Stompers reprise this Dixieland classic at the Acton Jazz Cafe.
That's a plenty
Japanese Sandman - they haven't
played that for ages, and it was swinging! Scott sneaked in a
bit of The Gypsy. Craig announced they were getting into some
Rap tunes. As everyone groaned, the band broke out with Wrap
Your Troubles in Dreams. That's as close as they get to Rap
music.
I Can't Get Started
Sweet work on this classic. They danced in the aisles to this pretty ballad by the Seacoast
Stompers at the Acton Jazz Cafe. That's Eva Belazs, pianist
for the New New Orleans Jazz Band, coming in to sit near the
piano.
Band members usually get to choose some songs - Jimmy's choice of tunes was
Nat King Cole's Funny (Not Much).
Lady Be Good, I Can't Believe That I'm In Love
With You. Craig racing to the end of the registers of his
instrument on The World is Waiting for the
Sunrise. Jimmy vocal on Dinah,
with great polyphonic ensemble and propulsive rhythm by
the band.
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It Had To Be You
They danced in the aisles to this pretty ballad,
a nice vocal by Jimmy.
Smooth bass work by Bob McHenry, and
Craig and Scott trading fours all contributed to this gem. After being married over 25 years, Jimmy's idea
of Three Little Words are "Paint the house!"
Deep, burnished, trombone work on Long John's Blues - we don't hear
Lee Prager often enough, he really makes a difference in this band. All of Me was turned into a
Dixieland beat, followed by Big Man From The South. This is only a sampling of the many tunes they played this evening.
By Mir Bis du Schoen - my feelings exactly about this fine band. They sent us home with a sizzling
Swing That Music. They'll be back on December 3rd,
same
time, same station, same fantastic group of musicians. Hope to
see you there!
Marce |
