Seacoast Stompers
at the Sherborn Inn, February 8, 2011

Photos by Paul DeMille



Horns listen to leader Frank Stadler

I love jazz!! You never know what it will do next - neither do the players - and that's what makes it Jazz.

Seacoast Stompers made one of their rare appearances at the Sherborn Inn on February 8th, with just a couple of substitutes who changed the whole sound of the band; didn't affect the quality - just the sound.  Because the musicians are incredibly skilled, and know their music, they can make stuff up on the spur of the moment.

Paul Monat replaced Scott Philbrick in the front line, but he let his usual Wild Bill take a breather and revived Bix Beiderbecke instead, giving the whole evening a new interpretation.

Justin Meyer was remarkable, filling in for veteran Bob McHenry on bass. He listened carefully  to what his peers were doing and skillfully provided momentum for the ensembles, and also cleverly backed many of the solos. 

Craig Ball on clarinet, Lee Prager trombone, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Frank Stadler piano are  regulars with the Seacoast Stompers.  With their years of experience, they know the tunes inside out, and proved it.

Band Leader Frank Stadler threw out a tune, and someone in the front line ran with it.  Without Scotty to tell them who was playing next, Craig, Lee or Paul would grab it, and with a little bit of whispering to the rest of the band, lead the way.  They were having a ball surprising each other, swinging and coming up with many spontaneous head arrangements!

Drummer Mike Coleman, of Waltham's Soft Touch Dance Band, was called in at the last minute by Steve Taddeo. (Steve also drives heavy-duty equipment and had an emergency call to move massive snow banks in Waltham.) 

Mike has never played with the band, and not knowing what they were going to do next, he  maintained a strong, solid beat all evening. 

And it worked.

 

They started out with their standard At The Jazz Band Ball, then piano intro to Mama's Gone, Good Bye (Jimmy's vocal translated to Papa's Gone).  Paul and Lee, holding the power instruments, took off with this one, but Craig's clarinet took over backing up Jimmy's solo. 

Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans, brushes on the drum, clarinet taking lead.  From Monday On, nice Jim vocal.  Holding his own, Craig hit the upper register clarinet on Lazy River, blowing everybody away.  A dramatic Bix cornet solo had Jimmy hollering "Testify, Testify!" 

Banjo and Cornet had a marvelous duet on Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gives To Me.  The band's ensemble was nice and tight, and Justin added a rousing string bass solo.  Justin continued fine string bass, backing Jimmy's plaintive vocal on Old Folks.  Jimmy's infamous 'field holler' emerged in There'll Be Some Changes Made.  When Jimmy gets excited and absorbed by a tune, his lyrics turn into a kind of scream..   Love it!!  You can go home knowing it's been a great night!

Calming things down, Paul's cornet elicited more Bix in a tender version of Eubie Blakes' Memories of You.  Sensitive, poignant.

The brass exited and left Craig's clarinet featured on a hot Rose Room.  He suggested  the tempo for Justin, who immediately picked up on it, and with the rhythm section prodding him, Craig soared up into the stratosphere!  Cornet and trombone eventually joined the mêlée, and it turned into a real barn burner.  Calming things down, Carrie Mazzy came up and sang especially for Jimmy, You Made Me Love You, followed by Smile.

The last set started with Sweet Georgia Brown, a perennial favorite at a medium swing tempo, and Justin amazed all by expertly bowing the bass during his solo. 

After Ain't Gonna Give Nobody None of my Jelly Roll and Keeping Out of Mischief Now, they moved to an old favorite that they haven't done lately, Since My Best Gal Turned Me Down, with alternately speeding up and slowing down in one chorus, as in the original Bix arrangement. Paul, standing in front of the drums, was stomping the beat on one foot to help the new drummer with the odd timing.  Welcome to the band, Mike!

They closed with Jimmy's banjo intro into Dallas Blues, and distinctive solo voice - pure Jimmy.  The band slipped in behind him, closing another evening of fine, spontaneous jazz and swing.  I love this jazz!

"If it sounds good, it is good" - Duke Ellington

Marce
 

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By Marce, Updated Feb. 27, 2011