Blue Horizon Jazz Band, with Dave Didriksen drums
Stan McDonald clarinet/soprano sax, Jeff Stout trumpet, Gerry Gagnon trombone, Ross Petot piano, Peter Gerler guitar, Al Ehrenfried string bass, Dave Didriksen drums.
Blue Horizon Jazz Band, now celebrating 18 years at the Sherborn Inn, performed another evening of fine Traditional Jazz, with a superb front line backed by the splendid rhythm section.
Stan started on clarinet for Meet Me Tonight in Dreamland, moving to soprano sax, complemented by the powerful trumpet of Jeff Stout and tailgate trombone of Gerry Gagnon. Gee Baby Ain’t I Good To You, Rose of the Rio Grand. Four or Five Times is always played in a slow beat.
All By Myself – Berklee Professor Jeff Stout was introduced to ‘new’ old tunes played by the Bechet-Spanier Big Four. The Big Four consisted of soprano sax and trumpet with only guitar and bass – but the Blue Horizon also has invaluable trombone, piano and drum.
Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gives To Me, Stan conjuring the echo of Sidney Bechet on soprano sax, with trumpet and trombone following in rhythmic harmony.
Stan McDonald sings Lotus Blossom
Lotus Blossom, Stan singing one of his favorites.
Ross’s lovely piano solo was backed by Dave’s soft brushes on snare drum. Stan closed it with crisp high note on soprano sax.
Ross Petot, pianist extraordinaire
PIanist extraordinaire, Ross Petot’s artistry as a stride pianist is renowned; he played improvised New Orleans stride on W. C. Handy’s Ole Miss, backed by Peter Gerler’s guitar.
Kansas City Man Blues was a sublime piece of ensemble playing. Bechet recorded it with Bob Wilbur in 1947.
 Gerry Gagnon, Dave Didriksen, Jeff Stout |
 Al Ehrenfried |
Marie Elena was played in Habanera style, front line inspired by the burning tempo. Didriksen listened carefully, anticipating where they were heading, with Al Ehrenfried’s pulsing string bass beside him. Exciting!
Gerry Gagnon belts it out!
Lonesome Road, Stan began on vocal, then gave Gerry Gagnon a chance to belt it out. Astounding! He could reach the back of a theater without a mic!
Stan doesn’t stray far from Bechet, returning with Marchand de Poisson.
They Closed with rapturous Indian Summer, this month’s theme. This timeless song was written by Victor Herbert in 1919 but not made famous until 1940 by Sidney Bechet. In 1978, Stan recorded his own compelling version (available on Blue Horizon Records). http://bluehorizonjazzband.com/
Marce