by Marce
videos by Harold McAleer
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!
This band radiates energy, ask 93-year-old Frank, who officially collects admissions at the door.
The Amoskeag Strummers from New Hampshire were well represented, everyone in high spirits.
Carrie Mazzy’s rendition of I Don’t Know Enough About You, tender lyrics presented with heartfelt feeling.
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.
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 forEaster Parade, the holiday was the next day.
I Can’t Give You Anything But Love was WILD – with Scotty quoting many other tunes.
Talk about resonating energy, Maureen Swing Dancing with Charlie to Sweet Georgia Brown.
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!
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.
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.