Eli’s All Stars at the Sherborn Inn, October 2, 2014 – Final for 2014

Posted on October 19, 2014 by admin

Eli’s All Stars

by Marce

Bo Winiker trumpet, Ted Casher reeds, Herb Gardner trombone/vocal, Bob Winter piano, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Eli Newberger tuba, Carolyn Newberger washboard, Jeff Guthery drums,

This band touches my heart and spirit. I arrived tired and stressed, but as soon as the music began it all faded away! They kicked it off with Kid Ory’s Muscrat Ramble that had the walls vibrating, then moved to Gershwin’s The Man I Love with a duet of Bo Winiker’s pure crystal-clear trumpet and Bob Winter’s burning piano.

Ted evoked Eastern European expertise with Russian/Jewish music, Bei Mir Bist Du Schön (Secunda 1938) with a long joyful Klezmer verse on clarinet, and Jimmy singing the chorus.

Jimmy Mazzy feels the pain in the words when he sings.

Jimmy was featured, almost tearfully, on Irving Berlin’s How About Me? “It’s over, all over”. But not our music!

Caroline Newberger joined them on washboard for a tune they’ve never played here before, Washington and Lee Swing. It was sensational! Bob Winter joined Carolyn in a duet, with the front line playing stop time in the background – perfect!

Caroline on washboard, with tuba and drum in background

Carolyn Newberger featured on Washington and Lee Swing

Chinatown is always attention-grabbing, especially with Jimmy’s scatting. Winter’s piano solo Till We Meet Again was #1 song in 1915-16. A love ballad, he started semi-classical then moved into swing, riveting concerto, finishing in sweet ¾ time.

The meister’s piano has amazing depths and textures.

It’s hard to follow that!

Bo Winiker managed it well with Louis Armstrong’s late 20’s Cornet Chop Suey, arranged by Herb Gardner.

Frank John, Eli’s new mentoree.

At intermission, Frank John, a new student that Eli is now mentoring, picked up Eli’s tuba and began to play around with the keys.

Frank is a promising first year student of Mike Roylance’s at New England Conservatory. He hit a fortissimo pedal G that Eli has never played. That’s one note below the bottom of the piano keyboard! We’ll be hearing more from him!

Herb Gardner is a man of many talents!

Herb sang and played the Cole Porter tune about the way young boys cavorted in the 1920’s, Let’s Misbehave. How did he know?

Ted Casher is his own man – plays his version of Body & Soul, with hints of Coleman Hawkins. It get’s to me every time!

My attempt at video – unfortunately the camera was wrong side up; fix resulted in black edges.

We had to leave early – preparing for Jeff & Joel’s House Party in Connecticut the next day. It was very difficult pulling away. We hung in for Bo’s essence of Louis in his spectacular Potato Head Blues, and Bob Winter’s unique interpretation of Oh By Jingo. I was really sorry to miss the rest.

This was the band’s last performance here at the Sherborn Inn for this year, as the Thursday night Jazz has been discontinued due to too many holiday parties.

Hopefully we’ll all be back next year! I really need that invigorating Jazz Fix!

Eli Newberger

Jeff Guthery

Eli’s All-Stars at the Sherborn Inn, 4 September 2014

Posted on September 4, 2014 by admin

Eli’s All-Stars

Phil Person trumpet, Ted Casher clarinet, tenor and soprano sax, Herb Gardner trombone, vocal, Bob Winter piano, Jim Mazzy banjo/vocals, Eli Newberger tuba, Jeff Guthery drums,

Fresh from two sold-out performances with the Barrington Stage Company in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, the All-Stars were raring to go. Trumpeter Phil Person completed an exciting front line, subbing for Bo Winiker.

front line, soprano sax, trumpet, trombone, sitting on high stools

Ted Casher, Phil Person, Herb Gardner

They started hot and heavy with Tijuana, a hot Latin tune. It set the tone for the rest of the evening with these world-class musicians. Herb Gardner’s trombone took the intro on Spencer Williams’ 1926 Basin St. Blues, Jim singing, followed by banjo and tuba.

Ted took center stage with a fiery Lady Be Good on tenor sax. The band followed with a brassy Twelfth St. Rag that resonated off the ceiling!

Ted in front of band blasting on tenor sax.

Ted suggests that the ladies be good.

This Jazz is pure pleasure! Always creative, Eli presented brand new material. They tried out differing duets on a Stan Rubin tune, Miss Ida Blue, first clarinet with piano, then banjo and trombone, backed by a soft ensemble. They tried three different endings until they found the one they liked.

Ted’s Harlem Nocturne on tenor sax was absolutely tantalizing; we never get enough of that wrenching tenor sax! Also can’t get enough of Jimmy Mazzy’s unique style of singing, Someone to Watch Over Me, S’Wonderful. He did a mournful, heartbreaking version of Al Jolson’s Swanee; the depth of his loneliness resounding in his voice. They don’t need any more vocalists!

Bob winter was featured in another piano solo with The Man I Love; fingers delicately floating over the piano, creating a masterpiece.

Bob Winter, pianist for the Boston Pops

Herb Gardner returned on trombone and singing Nice Work If You Can Get It.

Herb Gardner

Nice work! Herb keeps busy leading Stan Rubin’s Band at Swing 46 in Manhattan every Wednesday, backing the American powerhouse vocal trio, Red Molly, or playing piano for the New Black Eagle Jazz Band.

Phil Person was an apt substitute for Bo Winiker. Phil is an Assistant Professor at Berklee, and has performed with Al Grey, Buddy Defranco, Tony Bennett, Keely Smith, Jack Jones, Scott Hamilton, Dick Johnson, Phil Wilson, Kay Starr, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, Margaret Whiting, the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra (directed by Buddy Morrow), Alan Dawson, Ricky Ford, Howard Johnson, and Ray Santisi, among others.

Phil Person was featured on Wait ‘til You Hear From Me, playing fluid, sweet trumpet. Remarkable talent!

Bob Winter played a cool piano intro to South, with Ted on pure soprano sax, Jeff tapping temple blocks.

Jeff tapping on temple blocks, Ted on Sop Sax

Jeff keeps Traditional Jazz Beat on graduated temple blocks

Jimmy on banjo, Eli on reverberating turbo-charged tuba. The two create synergetic magic.

It was one of the highlights of the evening!

Jimmy was featured on a tune that nobody else but Eli seemed to know, Tomorrow Night.

It’s obvious Bob enjoys playing with the All-Stars, and listening to Jimmy and Eli.

Ted Casher sang his signature song with gusto, supported by Phil’s trumpet, I’ll Be Glad When You’re Dead You Rascal You. (He dedicated it to Arthur S. DeMoulas.) The tempo picked up with outstanding trumpet, piano, tuba – all building up to a WILD conclusion! What a way to close an afternoon of amazing Jazz here at the Sherborn Inn.

Where was Carolyn Newberger? Carolyn was sitting at the band table, sketching away as usual – she’ll have some great ones of the band.

One of her watercolors was recently accepted into the 14th Biennial North American Open Show of the New England Watercolor Society. The exhibition will be from October 15 to November 8 at the Plymouth MA Center for the Arts, 11 North St. Reception is October 18 from 2-4pm.

On September 13th Eli’s All-Stars kicked off Highland Jazz’s 32nd Concert Series in Newton, MA. They’ll be back again at the Sherborn Inn on Thursday, October 2nd. Don’t miss this one! November and December Thursdays have been cancelled because of too many Holiday Functions.

See you October 2nd??

Marce

Eli’s All-Stars at the Sherborn Inn, August 7, 2014

Posted on August 7, 2014 by admin

Bo Winiker trumpet, Ted Casher clarinet, tenor and soprano sax, Herb Gardner trombone, Bob Winter piano, Jim Mazzy banjo/vocals, Eli Newberger tuba, Jeff Guthery drums, Carolyn Newberger washboard

This was a superb evening, with the All-Stars’ driving classic jazz, enjoying each other’s company. They were playing for each other, as much as the people, but the audience couldn’t help participating. The band played a treasure trove of Louis Armstrong hits. Instead of featuring a single vocalist, leader Eli Newberger took advantage of the many fine voices in the band, especially Jimmy Mazzy. (We never tire of hearing Jimmy!)

Ted started with an aggressive clarinet on Muscat Ramble, written by Kid Ory and first recorded by Louis Armstrong and his Hot Five in 1926. Eli’s All Stars played it with explosive polyphonic ensemble!

Herb sings Old Rocking Chair.

Herb Gardner took the first vocal on Irving Berlin’s Old Rocking Chair. He was spellbinding! Rocking chair will never get him.

Bo Winiker’s trumpet spearheaded this tribute to Louis Armstrong. His passion is obvious on Louis’s Hello Dolly.

The one and only in the world.

The one and only Jimmy Mazzy sang many tunes, starting with a powerful vocal on an Armstrong rarity, Irish Black Bottom.

Only three of them were familiar with it, this was the first of several tunes that many of the band had never played before. There was some good natured bantering by the guys in the front line on how they would approach it. But great musicians can make it happen. The buoyant rhythm section was sparked by Guthery’s drums. Jeff has added something new to his Trad Jazz drum set – a set of four ancient temple blocks, putting them to good use.

snare drum, one tom, ride cymbal,cow bell, four ancient temple blocks

Jeff Guthery and his unique Traditional Jazz drums

Potato Head Blues was requested by a friend in the audience. There was a jovial discussion by the men in the front line on how to approach this. Bo gave it the Armstrong touch, concluding with a triumphant ride-out final chorus.

Jimmy dreamy ballad, Kiss to Build a Dream On, was backed by harmonically sophisticated ensemble.

Mosaic has just released the entire Louis collection that also contains tunes from Louis’s Hot 5 and Hot 7. One of the tunes, Cornet Chop Suey, influenced a 14-year old Eli Newberger to play this kind of music. Resourceful Herb Gardner created this arrangement, and played Trummy’s bright, energetic sound on trombone with the band’s tempestuous performance.

Change of pace – Jimmy started St James Infirmary in a melancholy tone (it’s someone lamenting the death of their loved one) when the band picked up the tempo. On impulse, Eli jumped up and joined Winter for four-handed piano. (Eli was the original piano player for the Black Eagle Jazz Band.)

Four-handed piano

Another tune most had never played before, Ol Miss, Ted lead on soprano sax, with Jimmy scatting. The energy level was so high the audience began clapping in time.

C’est Si Bon, an unqualified gem, they were really enjoying this. Bob’s piano sounded like a rippling waterfall. The front line took turns on various duets, trumpet and trombone, clarinet and drum, tuba and banjo. Nice!

Jim began another soft melodic vocal on Basin St. Blues. Bob changed the tempo into ¾ time on piano, before the band kicked it up into double time.

Eli called up Carolyn Newberger with an instrument usually associated with woman’s work, the washboard. But this woman is an accomplished, prize winning artist; she was busy sketching pictures of the band until now. At one time she was a First Grade teacher who put hubby Eli through Medical School.

The tune was Don’t Forget to Mess Around When You’re Doing the Charleston. (Mess Around was the name of a dance in the 20’s.)

Carolyn’s enthusiasm stirred Bob Winter into a piano/washboard duet. Nowhere else are you going to hear anything like this!!

Bo put heart and soul into his vocal into Louis’s Wonderful World, closing on trumpet with an exuberant high note.

The whole evening was such a pleasure no one wanted it to end, but we were already on overtime. They closed with a philosophical contemplation, with only Bob on piano and Jimmy banjo and vocal, You’ll Never Walk Alone.

They’ll be back again with another evening of Traditional jazz on the first Thursday of next month, September 4^th, just after Labor Day. Join us for some revitalizing Classic Jazz!

Eli’s All Stars with vocalist Gabrielle Goodman at the Sherborn Inn, July 3, 2014

Posted on July 7, 2014 by admin

Eli’s All-Stars at the Sherborn Inn

Bob Winter piano, Eli Newberger tuba, Jeff Guthery drums, Ted Casher clarinet/tenor and soprano sax, Bo Winiker trumpet/flugelhorn, Herb Gardner trombone/piano,

Threatening storms, Hurricane Arthur coming up the coast, the upcoming holiday, nothing deterred revelers at the Sherborn Inn who came to hear Eli’s All-Stars. It was also Bo Winiker’s birthday, and the whole Winiker Family was here, including Mom.

The band celebrated Louis Armstrong with Strutting With Some Barbecue, and then a blues, Basin St. Blues, Bo leading on trumpet with band playing counterpoint.

Eli joins Bob at piano

Eli joined Bob at the piano, and the beat quickly turned to Jump ‘n Jive; then back into a slow beat, Jeff soft drum roll, front line closing with a slow, joint wa, wa, wa. Marvelous!

Ted Casher’s tribute to Louis was a raucous vocal on his 1930s novelty tune, I’ll Be Glad When You’re Dead, You Rascal You.

Eli introduced vocalist Gabrielle Goodman, a jazz, R&B, classical and gospel vocalist, and Professor of Voice, with a four octave voice range, who teaches at Berklee. “Happy 4th of July, even if is the day before” she said, and began with Bring It on Home to Me a song by American singer-songwriter Sam Cooke, released in 1962. The song has become a pop standard, covered by numerous artists of different genres, but none could compare to this lady. She had us captivated from the first note!

Route 66 – Gabrielle had us clapping in time before she even uttered a note. She ruled! Scatting like Sarah Vaughn, she lead the band with her numerous changes in tempo. She asked “Who is deeply in love?” and Carolyn Newberger’s hand shot up. Gabby responded with a silky, smooth, My Funny Valentine, with Ted’s emotional tenor saxophone, and Bo Winiker on smoky flugelhorn. Heartrending!

She took us on a trip on a familiar special train that goes from lower Manhattan to Harlem, with a passionate, hard-charging romp on The A Train. The crowd was enthralled and responded with heavy applause.

Eli announced the next song was written by a trombone player (heavy groan here). But the trombone player was Edward “Kid” Ory and this was his Muskat Ramble.

Herb Gardner took over for his fine rendition, then Eli let loose with a turbo charged tuba, with backup from pulsating piano and drums.

While the band took a break, Herb Gardner took over the piano with a novelty tune about New Hampshire’s “Summer People” – “They’re only here until Labor Day, then Back in October for the foliage.”

Back Home Again in Indiana featured Bo on full, rich, open flugelhorn.

Louis Armstrong used to begin his All Stars with another tune that Bo has been working on. Herb did the arrangement; Bo featured on trumpet with a freewheeling rendition of Cornet Chop Suey. Fabulous!

Gabby returned with Taking a Chance on Love, a song she recorded on her second CD. She sang this as a ballad in honor of the 4th of July. It was one swinging ballad!

She asked if she could change the schedule of tunes, in order to sing Misty, just her and Bob on piano. Lovely! They have often worked together; he’s a great friend and pianist for the Boston Pops. Gabrielle has an impressive background; her expertise spans the entire jazz era up to modern jazz.

Bob Winter was featured on piano with Someone To Watch Over Me, Bo adding soft, mellow flugelhorn.

Gabrielle sings an awesome America The Beautiful

To celebrate our country’s birthday, Gabby contributed a profound, soulful America the Beautiful. It left the audience in awe!

Eli requested a ‘change of pace’, introducing Carolyn Newberger on washboard. Carolyn played washboard years ago in a café they started when they were Directors at the International Residence Hall at Yale. The washboard had been stored in the attic for 50 years, until Eli found it.

Now Carolyn is merrily playing washboard with many of Eli’s bands; usually Coney Island Washboard Roundelay; but not this time. This time she delighted the audience with spoons on washboard on James P. Johnson’s The Charleston.

Carolyn sketching musicians

When she’s not playing washboard with the band, she’s pencil-sketching the musicians. She is an accomplished painter and has had three showings this month, one at Framingham’s Danforth Gallery where she received an award. Tonight she did a couple of sketches of Gabrielle, and one of Bo.

Eli’s All-Stars surprised us by closing with When The Saints Go Marching In, and they marched, up and down the aisles – even Jeff with his snare drum, ‘The Saints’ went marching in.

Bo leads parade up the aisles

Bill Winiker takes photo of parade

Glorious way to end this celebration of our Country and Bo Winiker’s birthday!

The All Stars will be back here at the Sherborn Inn on the 1st Thursday of every month, next is August 7th. They will be at Barrington Stage Company, Mr. Finn’s Cabaret, Blatt Performing Arts Center, 36 Linden St., Pittsfield, MA on August 24 and 25. They will also kick-off the 32nd Highland Jazz Series in Newton, MA on September 13th.

Gabrielle continues teaching at Berklee. We hope she’ll be back!

Eli’s All-Stars at the Sherborn Inn May 1, 2014

Posted on May 25, 2014 by admin

Bob Winter, Jimmy Mazzy, Eli Newberger, Jeff Guthery, Ted Casher, Bo Winiker, Herb Gardner

Eli’s All Stars are not only professional musicians, but friends sharing their favorite tunes, with intricate melodies and counterpoint that resonate with the audience. This is Hot Jazz!

Tonight they were also celebrating three special occasions; Ted and Val marking their 4^th wedding anniversary, and Val, who has worked since she was 16 years old, rejoicing in her retirement – today – with a big cake that she shared with everyone.

The third was that vocalist Rebecca Sullivan was graduating this month with her Masters Degree from the New England Conservatory of Music. Rebecca was already a jazz vocalist, songwriter and educator when she returned to NEC a year ago in September, when Eli Newberger was appointed as her mentor.

Jimmy Mazzy kicked this evening off with a vocal on You’re Nobody’s Sweetheart Now. Rebecca stepped in with Duke’s Squeeze Me, Who Could Ask For Anything More, scatting with Eli’s tuba. Her delicate and warm version of Laura was absolutely marvelous, with Ted on tenor sax and Bo on flugelhorn, Herb’s mellow trombone.

Rebecca Sullivan

Carolyn Newberger came in on washboard, taking us to the Bayou Club on Bourbon Street, with When You Wore a Tulip, with the band backing her in stop-time. Everything sparked! When Carolyn isn’t playing washboard, she’s drawing fine sketches of the musicians; some were featured recently at Galatea Fine Art in Boston.

Eli’s All Stars with Carolyn Newberger on washboard

Ted Casher and a robust “Charlie on the MTA”

To remind Rebecca of what she’ll be leaving behind, Ted sang his own version of Charlie on the MTA.

The band took a break while Herb moved to piano for a unique song he wrote, Yonz Gonz Galookis. It caught DJ Jazzbo Collins’ interest some time ago; so that he wrote Herb a letter about the inimitable tune and signed it “Uncle Bozo”.

vocalist Sarah Gardner

Special guest, vocalist Sarah Gardner, Herb’s daughter, took this opportunity to sing her lively version of Mama Don’t Allow No Music Played Around Here. The Gardners are a musical family. Herb often joins his other daughter Abbie with Red Molly, an Americana/Roots FemaleTrio.

The band returned with a romping South Rampart St. Parade, Jeff’s drumsticks striking the wood block and snare drum.

Ted Casher, Bo Winiker, Herb Gardner

Rebecca returned with an all Gershwin concert. I’ve Got a Crush On You. Beautiful! S’Wonderful, Who’s Got The Last Laugh Now, at times backed by Ted’s clarinet or sultry tenor sax, or Herb’s powerful trombone, Bo’s fiery trumpet.

S’Wonderful

The All-Stars then stepped back into the 1920’s with Herb’s exquisite arrangement of Cornet Chop Suey, a joyous romp based on the original Hot Five, with fiery trumpet, Lil Armstrong’s passionate piano.

The one and only Jimmy Mazzy

Time for Ragtime. Jimmy lead on banjo and vocals for Alexander’s Ragtime Band, fantastic front line, Jimmy scatting, drum rim-tapping with both sticks.

Eli Newberger Jeff Guthery ended evening with fabulous interchange between tuba and drum.

Another Jimmy vocal and banjo intro with The Saints. All went silent for Bob’s powerful piano solo, then back to Jimmy vocal. This wasn’t normal fare, extraordinary ending with tuba and drums.

This old music has so much vitality and energy, you can’t help but enjoy it. They’ll be back July 3rd – come see and hear for yourself.

Congratulations to Ted and Val; now she’s finally free to join Ted as he plays all over New England. Rebecca Sullivan will be heading for New York and then Europe in the near future. She will be missed. We wish her all the best!!

Eli’s All-Stars at the Sherborn Inn, April 3, 2014

Posted on April 15, 2014 by admin

7 traditional jazz guys posing in front of piano with big grins

Eli’s All Stars at the Sherborn Inn, April 3, 2014 – Kick-off for regular 1st Thursday of the month

Eli has gathered seasoned professionals who have made jazz music their life’s work for over 50 years – it’s their first love. They came from everywhere, Herb Gardner from the New Jersey Jazz Society gig the day before, Jimmy Mazzy from a week in Florida with the Williams Reunion Jazz Band, Ted Casher from the Crosby Whistle Stop in Charlestown. Bob Winter – who knows? Bo Winniker is younger, but he was raised listening to his parent’s Winniker Orchestra. With friendly competition and improvisational skills they sound more dynamic with each new appearance at the Sherborn Inn
They connected with each other, and they connected with the audience, right from the start – with Ted on clarinet for 1917 Rose Room, and a fiery At The Jazz Band Ball, first played by the Original Dixieland Jass Band in 1917.

Rebecca in simple white dress with black belt

Rebecca Sullivan, vocalist with Eli’s All Stars

Rebecca Sullivan is already a jazz vocalist, songwriter and educator. She’ll receive her degree this year from the New England Conservatory of Music, and head for Scotland in August. You can hear Billie Holiday inflections in a lovely Stardust, but her voice is attractive wholly on its own. She continued with Bo Winniker’s trumpet and Ted Casher’s tenor sax at breakneck speed on ‘Deed I Do.

Cheek to Cheek:

Summertime provided marvelous solos:

Somewhere Over The Rainbow with fresh and different solos by piano, trumpet and muted trombone.

Eli Newberger on circa 1909 Holton Del Negro CC tuba

Eli embraces his circa 1909 Holton Del Negro tuba as he offers just the right chords behind soloists.

It’s a gorgeous instrument, with an expressive quality unlike other tubas – and no one better to express it!

Squeeze Me

Jeff Guthery on New Orleans Traditional Jazz Drumset

Jeff Guthery provides the propulsion so these All-Stars have the freedom to follow their fancies. New Orleans bands of 20s couldn’t record bass and drums, so they played on wood block and bell. Jeff’s drum set is very simple, just a snare drum, floor tom, wood block, cow bell, 6” cymbal. Not even a high-hat. He added a suspended ride cymbal, just arrived. Fresh out of the box, he brought the 20” Turk Ride Cymbal in for its first trial.

He took an eight-bar intro to I Got Rhythm, Ted following on tenor, Bo’s amazing trumpet solo with band in stop-time, Rebecca vocal, followed by the whole ensemble making rhythm swing. The listeners were sitting on the end of their seats. This enthusiastic audience does listen!

The inimitable Jimmy Mazzy

At the request of the front line, Jimmy gave a demo of when D flat comes in on Fidgety Feet. Jimmy instinctively played the whole thing. They said: “ We’ll keep going ‘till we get it right”. Sure sounded right to us! Jimmy and Eli had a duet on a song that has many names – we’ll stick to Chicago Breakdown, with Jim scatting. They make a great team

Jimmy sings Till Then

Eli says, “Here is a tender interpretation by Jimmy Mazzy, the banjo virtuoso and singer, of a popular song written by Eddie Seiler, Sol Marcus, and Guy Wood to express a World War II soldiers plea to his sweetheart to await his coming home. Its sweetness and uncertainty — and Jimmy’s profound sense of the poetic and musical meaning — is complemented by Bo Winiker’s gorgeous flugelhorn solo and Bob Winter’s sensitive exploration of the melodic line.”

Ted Casher was featured on Body & Soul, using tenor sax subtones like Coleman Hawkins’ masterpiece that makes women swoon. Sensational!

Bob Winter creates a concerto out of Oh By Jingo!

Eli asked Bob for a fast tune. Oh By Jingo became a hit in the post-World War I era, 1919. With prodigious technique, he made this novelty tune sound like a concerto!

Eventually these marvelous videos may end up as a DVD. We hope.

Time for one more tune, an old New Orleans favorite sung by Jimmy, who feels the pain in every word. No pain in the music, it was so hot and heavy, Eli jumped up to join Bob at the piano for a rocketing chorus of St. James Infirmary Blues. Amazing ending.

Bob sitting playing high notes, Eli standing playing low nores

Eli joins Bob Winter on swinging hot St. James Infirmary Blues

We are so fortunate to have these professional musicians playing here for us at the Sherborn Inn. Anyone passing through wonders how come they haven’t heard this before? Because it’s not played on radio or television; you can only hear this fantastic aggregation of musicians right here at the Sherborn Inn. Join us On May 1^st and the 1st Thursday of every month for more Great Jazz!

By Marce
Videos by Kathy Wittman, BallSquare films,
Sound by Frank Cunningham

Eli’s All-Stars at the Sherborn Inn, February 4, 2014

Posted on February 4, 2014 by admin

Eli’s All Stars photo by Kathy Wittman

Eli’s All Stars with Bob Winter, the pianist with the Boston Pops; giant of the Boston jazz scene, Bo Winniker trumpet, Herb Gardner trombone, Ted Casher clarinet/tenor sax, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Eli Newberger leader/tuba, Jeff Guthery drums and Rebecca Sullivan vocals. Over the past year the band has incrementally morphed from a trio to an octet and sounds more dynamic with each new appearance at the Sherborn Inn. (stay tuned – for more photos and videos)

The original Traditional Jazz bands of Joe “King” Oliver, Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong and W.C. Handy included banjo and tuba in their rhythm sections. Eli Newberger follows their style of Traditional Jazz, playing tuba while leading a band of outstanding musicians.

The music room at the Sherborn Inn was filled with a crowd from Greater Boston, who appreciate Traditional Jazz and Swing. There were many musicians in the audience; even Bill Winiker was here to back his brother Bo.

The All-Stars kicked it off with Ted Casher’s 16-bar clarinet improvisation on Lady Be Good. Winter led vocalist Rebecca Sullivan with a piano intro on I’m In The Mood For Love. Rebecca did many fine vocals, manipulating the phrasing and tempo. On ‘Deed I do, Rebecca performed wonderful scatting conversations with clarinet, trumpet and trombone. My One And Only Love, sung with soul, was performed as a duet with the piano. Lovely.

Ted Back’s Rebecca with soft tenor sax

Ted was featured with Klezmer clarinet intro, singing in growling voice on multiple verses of Bei Mir Bis du Schoen, a tune that caught people by surprise. He settled into the Ted we know while singing the chorus. Jeff kept time tapping the rims of his simple Traditional Jazz drum set where he has recently removed the hi-hat, excess cymbals, and tom toms to achieve a more authentic Trad Jazz sound. Excellent.

Eli turned the page to Ellington, with Bob Winter featured on Sophisticated Lady. Bob plays from the heart; constructing deeply moving music. He has extensive performing experience in clubs, television, radio, and theaters, including performances with Henry Mancini, Teddy Wilson, Buddy DeFranco, Mel Torme, Luciano Pavarotti, Eddie Daniels, Stan Getz, Cleo Laine/John Dankworth, and Airto Moreira.

Rebecca returned with Jazzy scatting on S’posing – including a great section of tuba trading 4s with drums, followed by one of Jimmy’s meticulous banjo solos. The More I See You had Rebecca start with melody backed by Ted’s soft tenor. Ted Casher (our own Coleman Hawkins), plays sweet tenor sax. They moved upbeat, with Rebecca singing and scatting along with Winter’s piano.

Chinatown featured Jimmy on banjo and vocal, with Ted on soprano sax solidly amplifying the front line. Jeff let loose on drums, turning it into a swinging tune; Eli had everyone clapping the beat. Delightful performance!

When the band took a break. Herb Gardner sat at the piano and delighted the audience with his skill on the keys while Bob Winter looked on with a gleaming smile. Resilient spirit, Herb was supposed to be in New Jersey the night before, playing for the New Jersey Jazz Society. Our sympathy goes out to them – their concert had to be cancelled because of heavy snow – as were airplane flights, so WE were fortunate to have Herb Gardner here! Sorry, NJJS.

Herb Gardner at the piano, talking on mic, with Bob Winter smiling in the background.

Herb Gardner during the break

Herb played and sang his own version of “The Ground Hog Song”. “I want to hibernate with you until it’s Ground Hog Day”. That’s all we’ll say about that. A solid entertainer, he is a fine piano player and vocalist, as well as famous for his trombone work, and his daughter, vocalist Abbie Gardner.

Bob and Eli on baby grand

The emotional register switched to sunny and warm with Ted featured on a special rendition of Night Train with gut-wrenching tenor sax playing. Fabulous! Jimmy took this vocal scatting, while Bo Winiker played smokey flugel horn. Eli joined Bob for that last, eight-to-the-bar, rocketing chorus of “Night Train.” It doesn’t get any better than this!

Rebecca returned with a swinging, rousing vocal Them There Eyes, with Eli in background. Eli plays tuba behind everyone – but it’s so smooth, you don’t even realize he’s there – the music is subtly enhanced, intensified.

Something new – they played Brubeck’s Take Five; first time they’ve ever played it, and it was the first time Eli played a jazz tune with a 5/4 time signature.

one snare drum, one tom used as bass, one six-inch cymbal

Jeff Guthery on authentic Traditional Jazz Drum

Jeff handled it brilliantly. He was an international businessman – now he’s finally following his dream as a student at Berklee, and playing drums regularly with the All-Stars.

Eli gave Jimmy a choice of songs – that’s always dangerous, as he has a repertoire that goes back to the late 1890′s. He only revisited the early 1930’s for this one – I’ll Never Be The Same; a performance of just Jimmy backed by soft tuba.

Pianist Teddy Wilson used this tune to bring vocalist Billie Holiday and tenor saxophonist Lester Young together at a 1937 session. They would have loved Jimmy and Ely’s version!

Jim singing and playing banjo, Eli looking on, smiling

Friends and compadres, Jimmy Mazzy and Eli Newberger

What a Difference a Day Makes, Rebecca returned for another nice ballad. She got things moving with up-tempo scatting on Oh, Oh, Oh, What a Little Moonlight Can D, with clarinet, trumpet and trombone bouncing off each other. Bo’s left leg kept jumping up and down with the beat – it was such a barn burner!

Closing time approached, and they closed this marvelous evening with another Dixieland War Horse, South Rampart St. Parade. They did justice to its infinite references to many songs, with Jeff going wild on drums!

Usually it ends in a trumpet flourish, but veteran Herb Gardner took it on trombone, leaving all of us asking for more, more!

There will be more. This was an evening filled with great Jazz played by the best. For those of you who missed it, there will be many more.

Eli’s All-Stars will begin a regular gig the 1^st Thursday of every month 7-9:30pm with this same group at the Sherborn Inn. Come join us for some outstanding Traditional Jazz and Swing!

Videos by Kathy Wittman, BallSquare films, sound by Frank Cunningham

Eli Newberger’s All-Star Septet, featuring Bob Winter and Randy Reinhart

Posted on January 14, 2014 by admin

Eli’s All Star Septet at the Sherborn Inn, January 14, 2014 Randy Reinhart trumpet, Ted Casher Reeds, Herb Gardner trombone, Bob Winter piano, Jimmy Mazzy banjo, Jeff Guthery drums, Eli Newberger tuba, Rebecca Sullivan vocals, Caroline Newberger washboard.

This was delectable hot jazz by musicians playing from the heart, enjoying the challenge of improvising, never quite knowing what was coming next, deeply listening to each other and responding in lively, pulsating jazz.

The All Stars opened with At the Jazz Band Ball, a jazz instrumental first recorded by the ODJB (Original Dixieland Jass Band) in 1917. Eli introduced Randy Reinhart , a celebrated virtuoso on cornet, trumpet and slide trombone, just back from playing in Japan. Randy played lyrical cornet on You Can’t Take That Away From Me, setting the tone for this splendid evening.

Randy Reinhart

Rebecca Sullivan’s phrasing adds to the sweetness of the songs. Blue Skies, Lullaby of Birdland, Them There Eyes sung in her own unique expressive nuances. She has an extraordinary broad range, and uses it to the fullest. Jimmy took the final vocal, with Ted on tenor sax, cornet interweaving with trombone. Fabulous!

Rebecca Sullivan

Rebecca was backed by all the instrumentalists in a poignant Georgia, with tuba solo that shows why Eli was voted best Traditional Jazz Tuba Player in polls by the Mississippi Rag and Jazzology Magazine.

Bob Winter loves playing piano!

Bob Winter has played with the Boston Pops and supported vocalists for over 30 years. He obviously enjoys making fine music and sharing it with us. His stunning harmonies and sudden key changes on Over the Rainbow took our breath away. Some of the band literally gasped. He was featured with a passionate and riveting Satin Doll and backed Rebecca’s capricious Dancing Cheek to Cheek with smooth walking bass notes.

Jimmy Mazzy plays and sings “Tomorrow Night”

Jimmy dug into his storehouse of great early 1900’s tunes and came up with Tomorrow Night. Just Jimmy and banjo; soul warming, he really gets his head around the lyrics:

Ted Casher, powerhouse tenor sax

Ted Casher is a precious gem. He’s a powerhouse on tenor sax, and was featured on a Lady Be Good that raised goose bumps. Let’s hope we get a video of this one! Eventually there will be a DVD,

Dynamic Front Line

What a Difference a Day Makes – the front line was a combustible combination, brilliant polyphonic improvisation with extraordinary give and take. They toned down for the piano solo backed only by Jeff’s fine brushing on the snare drum.

At times Randy’s cornet executed clever embelishments all around Eli’s tuba. Randy was relaxed and enjoying himself. So was the audience, intently listening to this fabulous music.

Only ten minutes left, Randy approached the close with an unforgettable Someday You’ll Be Sorry, a tip of the hat to his idol, Louis Armstrong.

Introducing Special guest, Carolyn Newberger, adding spice to the All Stars with her washboard on Jelly Roll Morton’s Ain’t Gonna Give Nobody None of My Jelly Roll.

Jimmy, Eli, Jeff, and Carolyn and washboard

Carolyn Newberger adds zest to the All Stars with washboard

They closed with a quick Tiger Rag, originally played by the ODJB in 1917. Eli’s All Stars played it with equal fiery enthusiasm, with a roaring tuba tiger, great solos – drummer let loose, nice muted trombone by Herb Gardner. Another barn burner! We’re looking forward to more lively New Orleans Jazz in the next version of Eli’s All Stars with Bob Winter, piano (Boston Pops) and Rebecca Sullivan, vocalist (New England Conservatory), and Bo Winiker, trumpet, with Ted Casher, clarinet and tenor sax, Herb Gardner, trombone, Jeff Guthery, drums, Jimmy Mazzy, drums, Eli Newberger, tuba, and guest washboard wizard, Carolyn Newberger at the Sherborn Inn, 33 N. Main Street, (inters. of Rts. 16 & 27) Sherborn, MA Reservations: 508-655-9521 or info@sherborninn.com. Hope to see you there!!

Videos by Kathy Wittman, recorded by WGBH’s Frank Cunningham

Tunes:

1. At the Jazz Band Ball
2. You Can’t Take That Away from Me
3. Blue Skies
4. Georgia on My Mind
5. Satin Doll
6. Stardust
7. Cheek to Cheek
8. Tomorrow (Jimmy’s banjo and vocal)
9. Ain’t Gonna Give Nobody None of My Jelly Roll
10. Them There Eyes
11. Our Love is Here to Stay
12. Lady be Good
13. Over the Rainbow (piano solo)
14. Lullaby of Birdland
15. What a Difference a Day Makes
16. Some Day You’ll Be Sorry (cornet feature)
17. Tiger Rag

Rebecca Sullivan, Bob Winter, and Eli’s All-Stars – Part II

Posted on December 3, 2013 by admin

Rebecca in Red Sweater over pink and white dress

Rebecca Sullivan

On December 3, 2013, the marvelous Rebecca Sullivan, a graduate student from Chicago in Contemporary Improvisation (Voice) at New England Conservatory of Music, joined her Conservatory Board mentor, Eli Newberger, tuba, and a group of stellar Boston-area players at a live performance at the Sherborn Inn in Sherborn, MA.
The musicians, from left to right:
Bob Winter (pianist with the Boston Pops)
Jimmy Mazzy, banjo
Eli Newberger, tuba
Rebecca Sullivan, vocals
Jeff Guthery, drums (Berklee College of Music)
Ted Casher, clarinet and tenor sax
Bo Winiker, trumpet
Herb Gardner, trombone.

This is the first release from that session.
Video by Kathy Wittman, recorded by WGBH’s Frank Cunningham

Two additional dates for recording have been set at the Sherborn Inn: January 14, and February 4, 2014, from 7:30 to 9:30. Reserve early! (see below)

Note how these fabulous musicians listen to and engage with one another! At the end of Bob’s 3 solo piano choruses, in which he descends backward in jazz history from single-note bebop-inflected cool to a lovely tip of the hat to Erroll Garner and back to Fats Waller, where the song began.

At the end of the chorus, he turns a phrase that Rebecca picks up for 4 measures of the next and throws to Bo, who turns it around and throws it back to begin a stunning exchange of 4-measure intervals before Rebecca takes it out over the entire ensemble.
Two additional dates for recording have been set: January 14, and February 4, 2014.
Audio by Frank Cunningham
recording.wgbh.org/Staff.cfm
Video by Kathy Wittman
http://www.ballsquarefilms.comhttp://…
http://www.rebeccasullivanjazz.com
http://www.elinewberger.com

Eli’s All Stars with Bob Winter piano at the Sherborn Inn, December 3, 2013

Posted on December 3, 2013 by admin

Eli Newberger leader/tuba, Bob Winter piano, Rebecca Sullivan vocals, Bo Winiker trumpet/flugelhorn, Herb Gardner trombone, Ted Casher reeds, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Jeff Guthery drums, Carolyn Newberger washboard.

Everyone was at the top of their form at the Sherborn Inn on Tuesday, December 3rd at the Sherborn Inn, the Last Tuesday Jazz for this year.

Bob Winter approached the piano and started playing Undecided. After 32 plus years of playing piano for the Boston Pops, and backing all its vocalists, he’s very comfortable at the piano. (It was in perfect pitch because Jimmy Mazzy gave it an emergency tune up.)

Bob Winter duo with Bo Winniker Photo by Kathy Wittman, ball square FILMS

Bo Winiker on flugelhorn

Bo Winker joined Winter on silky-smooth flugelhorn for a duo performance, as the remainder of the band slipped in.

Winiker made a magnificent contribution all evening on trumpet and flugelhorn, and backing vocalist Rebecca Sullivan.

Rebecca Sullivan in red amd white dress and red sweater with one button tied at the center.

Rebecca is in the graduate program at the New England Conservatory of Music, and an asset to the Boston music scene. She was adventurous and deeply expressive. Stardust, Perdido, Honeysuckle Rose, My Old Flame,The Man I Love, and Memories of You, are full of passion, zest, virtuosity, lovely expressive nuances, and fabulous interactions between Rebecca and instrumentalists.

I Can’t Give You Anything But Love

Ted Casher clarinet, Bo Winiker trumpet, Herb Gardner trombone

Ted Casher, Bo Winiker, Herb Gardner

Rebecca’s voice and Bob’s piano are captured beautifully on Someone to Watch Over Me. Winter’s solo variations on Over the Rainbow and Charleston Rag were astounding, provoking gasps of delight from both musicians and audience. He gave Eli’s tuba a workout on Tico Tico!

Eli Newberger attacks the tuba!

Jeff Guthery

After returning from Asia and Europe, Jeff Guthery is finally fulfilling his dream of attending Berklee College of Music. He knows when to stay out of the way, or kick it up on all genre of music. In Traditional Jazz he mainly uses brushes on snare drum and cymbals, tapping on the woodblock on Fidgety Feet,

Bo was featured on trumpet on a magnificent Moonlight in Vermont. The ubiquitous Ted Casher played with energy and syncopation on clarinet, tenor and soprano sax.

Jimmy Mazzy is famous for his self-taught single-string picking on banjo. I Can’t Give You Anything But Love, Winter followed, emulating on single notes, then continued with electrifying piano.

Herb Gardner, monster trombone and piano player from New York, recently moved to Massachusetts. Welcome, Herb! Herb and Jimmy’s Trombone Charlie (Herbie) was delightful.

Carolyn with eyes closed playing washboard with spoons

Carolyn enjoys playing washboard!
Photo by Kathy Wittman

Carolyn Newberger was featured on Coney Island Washboard, with Jimmy speaking the words. Marvelous ensemble backing Ted’s powerful soprano sax in stop time.

Rebecca closed with a sultry My Old Flame, backed by gut-wrenching tenor sax. The evening was intensely pleasurable and full of spine-tingling moments, filmed for video by Kathy Wittman of Ball Square Films, and recorded by WGBH’s Frank Cunningham. The upcoming videos will be great! Stay tuned.

There will be another special evening at the Sherborn Inn January 14th, 2014, when Eli’s All Stars return with cornet player Randy Reinhart. For those who don’t know him, here he is with most of this band at a Gershwin night at the Tavern Club in Boston two Valentine’s Days ago:

Strike Up the Band
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NsUbQFSlio

They Can’t Take That Away from Me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZpJ6VKXLk0

See you there??

Marce

New England Traditional Jazz Plus

Swing, Traditional Jazz, Dixieland Jazz, Big Bands

Tag Archives: Eli’s All Stars

Eli’s All Stars at the Sherborn Inn, October 2, 2014 – Final for 2014

Eli’s All-Stars at the Sherborn Inn, 4 September 2014

Eli’s All-Stars at the Sherborn Inn, August 7, 2014

Eli’s All Stars with vocalist Gabrielle Goodman at the Sherborn Inn, July 3, 2014

Eli’s All-Stars at the Sherborn Inn May 1, 2014

Eli’s All-Stars at the Sherborn Inn, April 3, 2014

Eli’s All-Stars at the Sherborn Inn, February 4, 2014

Eli Newberger’s All-Star Septet, featuring Bob Winter and Randy Reinhart

Rebecca Sullivan, Bob Winter, and Eli’s All-Stars – Part II

Eli’s All Stars with Bob Winter piano at the Sherborn Inn, December 3, 2013