Seacoast Stompers
at the Acton Jazz Cafe, April 7, 2012
by Marce
videos by Harold McAleer
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The Seacoast Stompers began this Saturday with a fantastic, driving swing beat with At The Jazz Band Ball - and set the tone for an afternoon of great Jazz and Swing.
Craig Ball, Scott Philbrick, and Frank
Stadler took turns picking out the tunes, so nobody knew for sure what they were
going to play next. The musicians were having fun with it, playing as much
for themselves as the fans out front, and the fans were feeding off the energy
radiating from the band. You could feel it in the air!
Pianist/leader Frank Stadler has a knack for bringing together the
right musicians:
Scott Philbrick on cornet, Lee Prager trombone,
Craig Ball clarinet and soprano sax, Jimmy Mazzy banjo, Frank Stadler piano, Bob
McHenry acoustic string bass and Bobby Reardon drums.
They even threw in some soul-wrenching blues with Apex Blues, Jimmy
adding his unique banjo and scatting, clarinet drawing out the notes, the trumpet and trombone
chorus in vibrato - fabulous!
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This band radiates energy, ask 93-year-old Frank, who officially
collects admissions at the door. |
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The Amoskeag Strummers from New Hampshire were well represented, everyone in high spirits.
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Carrie Mazzy's rendition of I Don't Know Enough About You,
tender lyrics presented with heartfelt feeling. |
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We never get enough of Jimmy's vocals, there isn't
another one like him in the whole world! Jimmy scatting on It Don’t Mean a Thing if it Ain’t
Got That Thing, with Craig on soprano sax.
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Special treat this afternoon was vocalist Maureen Benson, who normally sings with the band, Jazzport, in Danvers.
Effervescent delivery on this Fats Waller classic
Ain't Misbehaving
Craig's soprano sax was perfect for Easter Parade, the holiday
was the next day.
I Can't Give You Anything But Love was WILD -
with Scotty quoting many other tunes. |
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Craig picked
another Blues – Blues in B Flat, Lee started it with a low, growling
trombone.
Marvelous harmonic ensemble by the virtuoso musicians on the
front line. Dancers loved it! |
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Drummer Bobby Reardon keeps a constant beat,
working with the band, never speeding up; had an especially great duet with clarinetist Craig Ball on
You Can Depend On Me.
His forceful Gene Krupa solo, using the splash cymbal on It Don't
Mean a Thing if it Ain't Got That Swing,
demonstrated his admiration for the drummer.
Check out his auto registration.
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They closed with a special request for Limehouse Blues, beginning with
the whole band in tight
ensemble, fine intonation by soprano sax, cornet, and trombone. *
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Gwenn Vivian should get a special Jazz Award - for presenting JAZZ at the Acton Jazz
Cafe six days a week, sometimes three bands in one day (like
today.) That's a lot of work! She is truly dedicated. Thank
you, Gwenn, and the members of your crew who take such good care of us.
Gwenn Vivian |
Greg - waiter |
Lee -
bartender |
The Seacoast Stompers will return to the Acton Jazz Cafe on May 5th - see you
there.
To see more Recent and Past Performances click here.
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| By Marce,
Updated April 10, 2012
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