Swing Times Five is a mellow quintet led by Jeff Hughes (trumpet, flugel horn), who specialize in the works of the great American songwriters of the 20th Century.  This evening's repertoire included songs by Duke Ellington and his musical soulmate, Billy Strayhorn.  They featured many seldom heard Duke tunes, and a few of his most  popular. 

Duke Ellington was the most important composer in the history of jazz as well as being a bandleader who held his large group together continuously for almost 50 years.  He shaped his writing specifically to showcase the talents of his band members.

Jeff Hughes also showcases his band members - this combo comprises Ross Petot (piano), Dan Weiner (guitar), Dave Didriksen (drums), and tonight -- Jesse Williams (string bass) and Jeff Hughes (trumpet/flugel horn). They started with When Lights Are Low, a nice easy swing , Jeff on muted trumpet backed by Jesse's solid string bass, took solos all around,  then each trading 4's with Dave Didriksen on drums.  Duke's Drop Me Off In Harlem set the mood.   Everything sparked!

Charismatic Debby Larkin is a charming, natural entertainer.  Ella Fitzgerald and guitarist Jo Pass were her influences. 

She loves doing Duke Songs, and confirmed it with In a Mellow Tone, Take Love Easy

Hubby Jeff Stout teaches Jazz History at Berklee.  He was here tonight; and they gave their eloquent interpretation of a couple of Duke love songs that have the same changes, starting with Until I met You, and finishing with Till You.   Excellent!

And for a special fan - All Of Me, Deb sang the tune that all the bands and vocalists at the Sherborn Inn perform especially for Lynn, sitting in her usual chair by the piano.

Jeff Hughes drifts from flugel horn to trumpet and back on the 1940's seldom heard Warm Valley, sustained by piano pyrotechnician Ross Petot.   Beautiful!   Russ's classical piano set off In a Sentimental Mood especially for Pam Johnson, sitting in the audience.  He was featured in all his technical virtuosity on Rogers & Heart's Everything I've Got Belongs to You. 

Jesse's driving chords propelled the band on Billy Strayhorn's very popular Raincheck and  Go Away Blues, and especially his Pops Foster slapping bass on a rousing Cottontail. 
 

Dan Weiner plays as swinging a guitar as you're likely to hear in these parts. 

Sizzling HOT, they set the walls of the Inn vibrating with A-Train, a swing era standard of 1941.  Deb led the Finale with another tune from that same year, I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good).

We got it good, and it ain't bad here at the Sherborn Inn, with many bands specializing in the works of the great American songwriters of the 20th Century.  Check our calendar.