Jack Soref Trio at Primavera Ristorante August 23, 2018

Posted on August 24, 2018 by admin

Jack Soref Trio

Jack Soref guitar, Jim Guttman bass, Jameson Stewart guitar,

The last decade has seen a flowering of Django Reinhardt’s legacy, with bands and festivals popping up internationally. The Jack Soref Trio is an exciting gypsy jazz ensemble. Reaching both forward and back in time, it pays homage to the music of Django Reinhardt, while simultaneously enriching the tradition with its own compositions, arrangements and swinging improvisations.

Jack Soref

Jack is one of the pillars upon which Boston’s considerable gypsy jazz scene rests. A Wisconsinite, graduated from Berklee, started hanging with European itinerants, moved to France in order to live and play with them. (He still wears their weird pointed shoes.) He has performed with such gypsy jazz luminaries as Adrien Moignard, Gonzalo Bergara, violinist Tim Kliphius and the great German Sinto musician Titi Bamberger.

Jameson Stewart

Jameson Stewart is originally from California, but has been performing on the East Coast in many different musical styles, on many different instruments, for the last 8 years. When Jameson’s not on the road, he can be found playing Django style guitar with Jack on Tuesdays at The Burren in Somerville. Just about every other night of the week, he can be found playing Upright bass, bass guitar, Tenor Banjo, mandolin, or guitar, somewhere in New England.

Jim Guttman

Bassist Jim Guttmann has played everything from klezmer to classical — and most styles in between. He’s been with the Klezmer Conservatory Band (KCB) for 38 years. The KCB was almost single-handedly responsible for launching the modern klezmer music revival. Guttmann has remained with the group ever since, appearing on all ten of their recordings; touring Europe, Australia, and America; and performing and recording with Joel Grey and Itzhak Perlman.

The Band kicked off the first set with “Rosetta”-

Rosetta

They also played tunes by modern Django Style guitarists like “When I was a Boy” written by Spanish guitarist Biel Ballester, or “For Sephora” a composed by Sinti (the gypsy tribe Django comes from), virtuoso Stochelo Rosenberg

Each set included many of Jack Soref’s original compositions like the moody, “Rain on the Terrace” about the Memorial Union Terrace in Madison Wisconsin.

Swing numbers like “It Might be True”, and it’s sister tune “Some Things Are”
His high energy waltzes “Valse Jacek” “Valse Kilsyth” or the uptempo, minor key, romp “Stompin at Atwood’s”

Guitarist Jameson Stewart was featured playing the lead on the band’s arrangements of
“It Had to be You” by Jones, & Kahn and Django Reinhardt’s “Artillerie Lourde”

When he plays at the Primavera, Jack always likes to dedicate a tune associated with Sidney Bechet, to Stan and Ellen McDonald. Tonight, it was “Georgia Cabin”

The band also played some sweet, classic tunes like “Me, Myself, and I” by Gordon, Roberts, and Kaufman (on which Jack sang in front of an audience for the first time)
“I’ve Got a Feeling I’m Falling” by T. ‘Fats’ Waller and “Hummin’ to Myself” by Fain, Magidson, and Siegel.

Jack is here at Primavera on the 1^st Thursday of every month with The Blue Horizon Jazz Band. Join us September 6th?

Videos and pictures by Marce

Blue Horizon Jazz Band at Primavera September 1, 2016

Posted on September 4, 2016 by admin

Stan McDonald’s Blue Horizon Jazz Band

Stan McDonald soprano sax, Phil Person trumpet, Gerry Gagnon trombone, Jack Soref guitar, Stu Gunn double bass, Rich Malcolm drums

The Blue Horizon Jazz Band played uplifting and foot-tapping Traditional Jazz Thursday night at Primavera Ristaurant, with Stan and Phil taking turns on the melody or improvising around it, Gerry’s smooth (or growling) trombone, Jack’s marvelous gypsy guitar, Stu’s artful string bass supporting Rich’s one-beat drum-rolls behind the fine solos.

They played many of our favorite tunes:
Set 1
I Can’t Believe That You’re In Love With Me
Georgia On My Mind
Blue Turning Gray Over You
My Gal Sal
Tijuana

Set 2
Some Sweet Day
Bechet’s Fantasy
Spreading Joy
Lotus Blossom
Out of Nowhere
All By Myself in the Morning

Set 3
Nuages
Dear Old Southland
When I Leave The World Behind
I Remember When
After You’ve Gone
Le Marchand de Poisson

Stan McDonald

Phil Person	Gerry Gagnon
Stu Gunn	Rich Malcolm
Jack Soref	Stan McDonald and Phil Person

The Blue Horizon Jazz Band will return on the next first Thursday of the month, October 6^th.

Thank you Stan and Ellen McDonald for keeping this art form alive!

Jack Soref Trio at Primavera Ristorante, February 25, 2016

Posted on February 25, 2016 by admin

by Peter Gerler

Jack Soref Trio, Jack, Greg Toro, Jameson Stuart

Millis, MA, 2/25/16. This lovely town is a schlep from where I live in Newton. On a cold February night, it took a solid hour to get to Primavera restaurant, where the young gypsy jazz guitarist Jack Soref brought his trio to play for an appreciative audience of perhaps 18 people. But let it be said: Jack’s not in it for recognition. He’s in it for the tradition.

“Gypsy jazz” appeared in the world largely through the genius of the French guitarist Jean “Django” Reinhardt, whose iconic sound parallels that of Louis Armstrong in American jazz. (Django wept when he first heard Armstrong. “He was like a large animal, mute and dazed in the blaze of the sun,” a colleague recalled.)

Interestingly, the word “tradition” usually evokes older, simpler styles—folk and roots music, country melodies, even the old brass band marches. In the case of gypsy jazz, the prognosis is denser. To play it right, you have to practically begin as a virtuoso.

The best players are of European manouche extraction. They grew up with it, around the caravans. There was dancing, which fueled the rhythm. Whereas American folk-music guitarists might first learn a simple G chord, youthful gypsy players sought to articulate Django’’s lightning-fast, intricate melodies with full, complete tone. Sort of like being born as Jascha Heifetz. Or as Sisyphus.

Jack Soref on custom made Grande Bouche guitar

Jack, a Wisconsinite, dove right in. Graduated from Berklee, started hanging with European itinerants, moved to France in order to live and play with them. (He still wears their weird pointed shoes.)

It’s a reversal: when American jazz came around with its je-ne-sais-quoi swing, the world turned toward New Orleans and Chicago. Django and his cohort even pulled inspiration from the seminal American guitarist Eddie Lang. Today, American “gypsy” players model themselves after the Parisians.

also made by luthier Dan Hunt of Worcester

Jameson Stuart on custom made Petite Bouche guitar

Greg Toro on double bass

Soref’s trio is well on their way up the mountain. Their set swelled with standards from both sides of the pond—Dream of You, Sweet Georgia Brown, Menilmontant, Coquette--played with musicality and adventure.

On Valse Jacek, listeners were practically delivered to European soil. On All Of Me, (“Take my lips, I want to lose them”), Jack’s guitar whined, “Take me already!” The rhythm guitarist Jameson Stewart and the bassist Greg Toro held down a strong foundation.

All of Me

On Nuages, the veteran swing vocalist Mollie Malone sat in, singing in rippling French with ache, regret, and hope.

The last decade has seen a flowering of Django’s legacy, with bands and festivals popping up internationally. (It comes alongside the current resurgence of swing dance among Millennials.) In any case, the music has its addicts, young and old, whose life goal is to reincarnate as Django. They talk incessantly of altered chords and alternate fingers, and of their guitars, many of which they custom-order hand-made. But it’s not so much the technique: they have heard the downstage, ringing pompe of Django Reinhardt.

###

Photos and Videos by Marce

Blue Horizon Jazz Band opens Primavera’s 2016 Thursday Jazz

Posted on January 8, 2016 by admin

Blue Horizon Jazz Band at Primavera Ristorante, January 7, 2016

Stan McDonald leader/soprano sax, Phil Person trumpet, John Kefalas trombone, Jack Soref guitar, and Gerry Gagnon tuba.

Stan sitting back, relaxed, playing soprano sax

Stan McDonald anxious to play!

Stan McDonald was raring to go after a two-month hiatus from Jazz, and immediately led the band into a dynamic Rosetta. What Is This Thing Called Love, It Had To Be You. He sang My Gal Sal with passion.

A vital sparkplug, Gerry Gagnon’s booming tuba keeps the band in time, reinforced by Jack Soref’s guitar.

Wild Man Blues was a hot tune! Trumpet leading, sax taking the breaks, guitarist Jack Soref in a dazzling gypsy-flavored solo with tuba backup. Phil Person’s muted trumpet played from the heart, followed by Stan’s formidable sax. Embellishing the tune was Gerry’s roaring tuba solo.

Gerry Gagnon on monster tuba

Gerry Gagnon doesn’t get the recognition he deserves. With constant motion, he keeps the band in time, and softly backs solos.

They followed with a soft, sublime melody, Roaming, nice soprano sax.

John Kafalas

John Kafalas’ mellow trombone tugs at your heart strings, playing warm melodic lines.

An unusual guitar/tuba intro to Running Wild really energized the audience, followed by an equally captivating Tijuana. Moving to inspiring ensemble, Stan was pleased with Soref’s guitar on Blues My Naughty Sweety Gives To Me.

Stan turns towards Soref, playing soprano sax

Stan McDonald joins Jack Soref on Sweet Sue

Jack plays the same gently arched Selmer guitar as Django Rheinhardt.

Jack was featured with a roaring takeoff solo on Sweet Sue backed by tuba.

He will present a Gypsy Jazz Trio for the first time at Primavera on February 25 and March 17. For anyone who hasn’t heard this yet, it will be an initiation to Django Rheinhardt!

Phil Person, marvelous musician

Phil Person’s trumpet, so beautiful and moving, resonated on Rose Of The Rio Grande, inducing tuba and guitar into a fiery rhythms.

Irving Berlin’s Blues In The Night – a twelve bar blues, announced the approaching end of the evening. The Band closed with Bechet’s Marchand de Poisson, beginning and ending with a feisty Habanera.

The Blue Horizon Jazz Band will return to Primavera on February 4th with another presentation of early 20’s and 30’s Hot Jazz. Hope to see you here!

(My apologies for the poor quality of the photos.
My main Nikon camera has been sent back to the
company for three weeks for repairs. Marce)

Tunes played tonight:
Rosetta
What Is This Thing Called Love
It Had To Be You
My Gal Sal
Tijuana
Wild Man Blues
Roamin’
Running Wild
Blues My Naughty Sweety Gives To Me
My Gal Rocks Me (With one Steady Roll)
Sweet Sue
Rose of The Rio Grande
Black and Blue
When I Leave The World Behind
Blues In The Night
Marchand de Poisson

Blue Horizon Jazz Band with Phil Person at Primavera August 6, 2015

Posted on August 7, 2015 by admin

Blue Horizon Jazz Band: Dave Didriksen, Stu Gunn, Gerry Gagnon, Phil Person, Jack Soref, Leader Stan McDonald

The Blue Horizon Jazz Band had a perfect mix of musicians this Thursday at Primavera with Phil Person leading on trumpet and Jack Soref on guitar. Phil brought along his sense of humor, tossing quips as they played, and everyone had fun. The whole band played a memorable, hard-driving performance!

The combined talents of the front line sharing ideas enlivened the evening.

trombone, trmpet, clarinet, string bass in back

Front Line

Phil Person

Phil Person is leader of the Phil Person Sextet, Quintet, and Quartet, and teaches all levels of Ear Training at Berklee. In the summertime, he teaches classes of teens. He kept this evening light with his good humor, adding jokes for the musicians. They obviously enjoyed playing together, and it reflected on the audience.

They kicked it in with ensemble playing I Can’t Believe That You’re in Love With Me. What Is This Thing Called Love?

Gerry Gagnon is a intense on that trombone.

All by Myself in The Evening – guitar played front line solo, Stan singing, tune has a nice bounce, with Gerry playing killer muted trombone!

Jack Soref on domed guitar

Soref’s guitar played rhythm and also became part of the front line. Jack soloed on It Had To Be You, playing gypsy flavored ‘jazz manouche’ with swing articulation.

Note the Selmer guitar favored by Django Reinhardt. The top of the guitar is gently arched or domed—a feature achieved by bending a flat piece of wood rather than by the violin-style carving used in archtop guitars.

Jack brings an added flair to the band.

Found A New Baby – Stan plays the verse on soprano sax, I Would Do Anything For You, Baby Ain’t I Good To You – great trumpet, clarinet comping, fine string bass behind them.

Dave with big smile on gold colored Ludwig drums

Dave Didriksen

Rose of the Rio Grande started with energized ensemble with Dave’s great timekeeping skills behind them. Dave Didriksen plays great Traditional Jazz, playing hi hat softly behind solos, brushes on snare drum. He lets the soloists shine. He let loose on one of the tunes showing he can romp with the best of them!

They played My Gal Sal in in marvelous fluid rhythm. They recalled that on the Jacky Gleason show, Gleason would be found wiping down the bar, singing the end of “My Gal, Sal” in his wonderful howl.

Stu concentrating on bass, hands just a blurr

Stu Gunn

Stu’s magical string bass took the intro to W. C. Handy’s Ole Miss. Stu plays many styles of string bass, listening carefully, playing just the right cords.

Phil took the lead on trumpet with beautifully placed phrases, with Stan comping on soprano sax. Marvelous! Stan sang the vocal. Jack played a dazzling Django guitar solo.

Stan McDonald

Sidney Bechet’s Le Marchand de Poisson started with a 4-bar rhythm Habanera intro, Dave’s foot heavy on bass drum. Phil wasn’t familiar with it so Stan took the lead and played a fabulous first chorus on sop sax. Phil picked it up quickly. They played a fantastic Habanera ending with horns stinger taking it out.

Stan’s sax took a wild intro into Wild Man Blues, with two bar breaks on solos, Phil playing wa wa trumpet. Soref’s guitar began a wild finale, China Boy.

Fine musicians shared flow of ideas, playing in sync. It was a fine evening.

These fine musicians combined talents to play New Orleans old time jazz with new time energy and the fans took part with foot-tapping and head-nodding. The Jazz was fabulous, and we all had a good time!

Swing Senders Dream Team at Bemis Hall June 10, 2015

Posted on June 21, 2015 by admin

Steve Taddeo’s Swing Senders Dream Team

Paul Monat cornet, John Clark tenor sax/clarinet, Craig Ball clarinet, Gerry Gagnon tuba, Bill Doyle guitar, Ross Petot piano, Justin Meyer string bass, Steve Taddeo Drums, Caroline Griep vocals, and special guest Jack Soref, guitar.

Harold McAleer videos,
Marce photos

Steve Taddeo presented his Swing Senders at Bemis Hall on June 10th, with an amalgamation of New England’s finest musicians, and special guest, Jack Soref on guitar. With a great four-piece front line and two guitars, we were guaranteed an evening of outstanding Swing!

They began with Steve’s explosive drum intro into Savoy. Paul Monat said It was like being in a Gene Krupa concert!

Caroline Griep does it all with style.

Caroline Griep puts heart and soul into I Can’t Give You Anything but Love, with the Quintet of John Clark on tenor sax, Craig Ball clarinet, Soref playing Django style guitar, Justin Meyer string bass, Steve drums.

Paul Monat Wishing Upon a Star

Paul Monat was featured on When You Wish Upon a Star, citing his idol, Wild Bill Davison. The high ceiling of this large hall provided a beautiful echo enhancing Paul’s excellent cornet.

Caroline was back for Slow Boat to China. Her voice is rich, with a great range and many layers.

Justin was featured on Just You, Just Me, bowing the base in rich harmony, bolstered by intricate improvised solos.

On one tune, Taddeo joined him with their own version of “Big Noise From Winnetca”

Justin playing string bass while Steve taps on strings with drum sticks

Justin and Steve mimic Ray Bauduc and Bob Haggart

Harold filmed an impressive video of the Swing Sender’s Theme Song, Dinah.

There was an innovative interchange between the two guitars on Everybody Loves My Baby, backed by two clarinets. They all love making music!

Jack Soref, Bill Doyle

Dave Didriksen sits in.

Steve asked Dave Didriksen to sit in on Flat Foot Floogie. Dave is a fine drummer, and manager of the group Swing Times Five with Debby Larkin.

Dave took over the drums. He said it was worth it to give Steve Taddeo a rare chance to sing. Who knew Steve could sing?

Caroline returned with a soaring vocal on Jeeper Creepers.

The band broke into quartets; the first featuring Jack Soref on a tune we had been anticipating, Django’s Minor Swing, with Bill Doyle adding rhythm guitar, Justin on string bass, and Steve drums. Judge for yourself:

John Clark on tenor sax

Can’t We Be Friends was led by John Clark with a brilliant interchange between tenor sax and string bass.

Ross Petot makes sure there are no blank spaces.

Moonlight in Vermont captivated the audience with only Ross Petot backing Caroline Griep – just the two of them, letting the song shine through. Beautiful!

Djangology gave Soref another chance to feature his expertise on Django Rheinhardt. For half of 2011, Jack studied the music of Django Reinhardt at its source by moving to Paris, France. We hope to hear more from him in the future.

Finale, with a drum intro into Stomping at the Savoy. Wonderful solos… concluding with Steve Taddeo’s extended solo on his Antique 1939 Slingerland Drums, in high energetic and buoyant style, crossing cymbals, using press rolls and cymbal techniques. The room exploded!
.

This really was a Dream Team! The musicians and audience were high from this fantastic Swing music and didn’t want it to stop. John Clark continued with I Got Rhythm, fine trombone by Gerry Gagnon and classic interchange between Craig Ball clarinet and Jack Soref. They hadn’t discussed how to end this, so Taddeo made it a wrap!

Steve Taddeo always come through with the finest musicians and amazing Swing. Save the date: Wednesday, August 12th. Steve is bringing back the marvelous Midiri Brothers to Bemis Hall. Details to follow.

Marce

Jack Soref, Gypsy Jazz

Posted on June 11, 2015 by admin

Video by Harold McAleer

Jack Soref plays Django’s Minor Swing with Steve Taddeo’s Swing Senders at Bemis Hall in Lincoln, MA on June 10, 2015. (more coming) http://www.jacksoref.com/

Jack Soref, Guitar, Born and raised in Madison WI, Jack has performed all over the USA as well as internationally on stages in France, and Scotland, and at festivals such as Django in June, The Brooklyn Djangology Festival, The Midwest Gypsy Swing Fest, and Riverside Farm Market and Café Gypsy Jazz Fest. He has performed in concert with such Gypsy Jazz luminaries as Violinist Tim Kliphius, and Guitarists Adrien Moignard, Gonzalo Bergara, Aurélien Bouly and Titi Bamberger. Additionally, Jack has been a guitar instructor at Django in June’s week long Gypsy Jazz music Camp in 2009, 2010, 2012, and soon to be again in 2013.

For half of 2011, Jack studied the music of Django Reinhardt at its source by moving to Paris, France. While there he jammed with the old masters like Boulou Ferré and Romanian violin maestro Florin Niculescu as well as the young virtuoso’s currently storming the Paris scene. He’s back in the U.S. and can be found playing all over the Greater Boston area.

Blue Horizon Jazz Band at Primavera, April 2, 2015

Posted on April 9, 2015 by admin

John Kafalas, Steve Taddeo, Mike Peipman, George Gagnon, Jack Soref, Stan McDonald

Stan McDonald kicked off this evening with a low-register clarinet intro to Meet Me Tonight in Dreamland, introducing the music that embodies a joyful, timeless spirit, with marvelous improvised solos and intricate polyphonic jazz.

Jack Soref took the intro to Sugar on acoustic guitar backed by the rhythm section, followed by Kafalas’s fine trombone solo, with sax and trumpet together playing counterpoint. Jack is the latest member of the band and we welcome him and his Gypsy Jazz guitar. He has a unique talent.

Mike’s trumpet took the lead on Ole Miss with embellishments by Stan’s soprano sax, counter point support from trombone, backed by rhythm section. They are all improvising, yet each horn leaves space for the others; marks of professional musicians. Gerry’s tuba took the first solo into Jelly Roll Morton’s Tijuana, with drum/guitar back up, and the band following with fine solos and polyphonic jazz.

Gerry Gagnon, tuba and trombone player

Mike’s trumpet and Stan’s sax took the intro to Irving Berlin’s When I Leave the World Behind. Stan sang it with Gerry Gagnon softly backing him on tuba.

Gerry can be quite relaxed, or highly flamboyant on that monstrous instrument! He is a fine trombone player, but his tuba is so explicit, it just flows.

We had the pleasure of special guests here tonight, Henry & Jane Fischer from Orleans in Cape Cod.

McDonald standing between Jane and Henry

Henry and Jane Fischer of Cape Cod with Stan McDonald

Jane and Henry feature early jazz and pop music on Dixieland Jazz, etc. every 1st, 3rd and 5th Sunday of the month from 9am to noon on www.womr.org, Their emphasis is on melody and traditional harmonies, whether played by original artists such as Louis Armstrong and Django Reinhardt or The New Black Eagle Jazz Band or Vince Giordano. They play older popular hits, boogie-woogie, ragtime and swing; music from the heart and soul of New Orleans to the inventive West Coast masters Gerry Mulligan and Paul Desmond.

They enjoyed meeting and having conversations with the musicians. Join Henry and Jane on www.womr.org for a fun filled three hours’ Jazz Brunch on Sunday mornings — you’ll have a hard time sitting still.

The Blue Horizon continued with Memphis Blues, Steve using wire brushes on top hat and choke cymbal. Great front line, backed by guitar, with drum and tuba playing closely in sync.

Stan playing soprano sax next toopen case with BHJB flyer on it

Stan McDonald, leader of the Blue Horizon Jazz Band

Stan took first chorus on soprano sax for Rose of The Rio Grand, with tuba playing every 4/4 beat. Extraordinary!

Jack Soref thrilled the crowd with his mastery on Old Fashioned Love, followed by fantastic trumpet and trombone solos with Gagnon’s tuba carrying dialogue/counterpoint, and Steve tapping upside down on bass drum.
Steve started Lotus Blossom with a four bar rhythm intro, followed by intricate ensemble by the band, and Stan taking the vocal. He closed it with a sultry cadenza on soprano sax.

John Kafalas swings on trombone

Lover Come Back to Me emphasized Kefala’s supple fingers on trombone. He was backed by Taddeo using splash cymbal for emphasis.

Gypsy Jazz guitarist Jack Soref plays all genres of Jazz

Jack was featured on I Can’t Give You Anything But Love displaying his fantastic energy, chromatic ornamentation. Finally, in a Trio with only drum and tuba, he let loose in a lush arrangement of Django Rhinehart’s Minor Swing. (Jack lived in Paris for half a year and had the honor of jamming with the old masters like Boulou Ferré and Romanian violin maestro Florin Niculescu.)

Mike grimacing as he pushes out notes on trumpet

Mike Peipman, from Australia

Mike Peipman was featured on Dardanella, playing hot trumpet with passionate intensity. We are so lucky to have him here! (Thank you, Australia!) He’s been recruited by many local bands.

Stan McDonald took the first 32 bars with guitar back-up on Bechet’s Si Tu Vois Ma Mere with the band playing mellifluously behind him.

Steve Taddo beaming, on his antique Swingland drum set

Steve Taddeo on his antique 1939 Slingerland drum set

Taddeo’s drum beats kicked off Swing That Music, pushing the band into their free-wheeling jazz, flourishing and intensifying into a hot barn burner!

Steve exuded energy all evening, while not setting the dynamic level too loud. He was great!

That should have concluded the evening, but there was still time left.

They finished softly with What Is This Thing Called Love, dazzling trombone solo, lyrical and seemingly effortless, like the Teagarden gate, with drum cross sticking. It was a serene ending to another evening of jazz at Primavera Ristorante.

The Blue Horizon Jazz Band will be here with more energetic, timeless Traditional Jazz on May 7th. Hope to see you here??? Bring some friends!

Blue Horizon Jazz Band at Primavera Ritorante March 5, 2015

Posted on March 5, 2015 by admin

Blue Horizon Jazz Band with Jack Soref and Mike Peipman

Blue Horizon Jazz Band with Jack Soref, Mike Peipman, and Dave Didriksen

Stan McDonald soprano sax/vocals, Mike Peipman trumpet, Gerry Gagnon trombone, Jack Soref guitar, Stu Gunn string bass, Dave Didriksen drums.

Stan McDonald was listed as one of the top five soprano saxophone players in the world in a 1985 Mississippi Rag poll. He has played with the likes of Ralph Sutton, Tommy Benford, Buzzy Drootin, Ross Petot, Sammy Price, Benny Waters, Doc Cheatham, Dick Wetmore, Marty Grosz and Scott Hamilton.

Stan McDonald, soprano sax

Stan was interviewed by Dave Radlauer on Jazz Rhythm, where the Bechet-style soprano saxophone master recalled his half-century musical career. The set of 3 one-hour programs are available here http://nejazz.com/oldsite/McDonCD.htm

McDonald always picks the cream of the crop musicians from this area for his Blue Horizon Jazz Band; tonight was no exception.

Mike Peipman raises the roof with West End Blues

Mike Peipman’s fiery trumpet can be delicate and powerful. Mike generally plays modern, contemporary jazz, but displayed his aptitude for classic jazz with an impeccable rendition of Louis Armstrong’s West End Blues. Spectacular!

Combining the careers of lead trumpet player and Jazz soloist, he has toured with numerous groups such as the Artie Shaw Orchestra and the Woody Herman Orchestra.

Gerry Gagnon trombone, Stu Gunn string bass

Gerry Gagnon, veteran BHJB member, anchored the band tonight with his fabulous ‘Jack Teagarden’ trombone. Gerry normally plays with the Boilermaker Jazz Band, all over the U.S. Canada and Europe.

Stu Gunn has a masters degree from the Boston Conservatory. He covers the total range of music from classical to theater to jazz on both tuba and string bass. We remember him with Bob Connor’s Yankee Rhythm Kings. Now he’s with the Boston Symphony and Cape Cod Symphony Orchestras. His solid bass line keeps him on-call with many Trad Jazz bands.

Dave Didriksen

Dave Didriksen filled in for Steve Taddeo with some solid drumming that kept the band on time; essential in Traditional Jazz.

He was followed by the band playing organ-type chorus on Baby, Ain’t I Good To You. Nice!

Dave is drummer for the Wolverine Jazz Band and drummer and Manager for Swing Times Five.
He also owns Willow Books in Acton MA.

Full view of Mollie with scarf down to her knees and big fur hat almost covering her face

Mollie Malone

Chanteuse Mollie Malone was in the audience and stepped up for a fine vocal on Django’s Nuage, in French, backed by Stu Gunn, steadfast on string bass and Stan’s soprano sax

Jack Soref plays high quality Jazz, Gypsy Swing. He introduced many of the tunes on guitar. His interpretation of Django Reinhardt’s romantic Russian tune, Ochi chyornye (Dark Eyes) even surprised the members of the band, and had everyone on the edge of their seats. Jack plays regularly with the Gypsy Swing Band Ameranouche.

We missed Ross Petot’s piano, keeping it all together. But Ross teaches on Thursday evenings, so many bands have had to improvise.

The Blue Horizon Jazz Band will be at Primavera Ristorante on the first Thursday of every month; next will be April 2nd, 7pm.
Our grateful THANKS to Ellen McDonald, who has patiently kept these Traditional Jazz Bands playing LIVE JAZZ for over 20 years!

We hope to see you here next month?

Jack Soref Trio at 50+ Expo, Royal Plaza Trade Center, Marlborough, MA – October 21, 2012

Posted on October 21, 2012 by admin

Rob Flax, Jack Soref, Greg Toro

The Jack Soref Trio is an exciting gypsy jazz ensemble. Reaching both forward and back in time, it pays homage to the music of Django Reinhardt, while simultaneously enriching the tradition with its own compositions, arrangements and swinging improvisations. Continue reading →

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