Bo Winiker trumpet/flugelhorn, Rebecca Sullivan vocals, Ted  Casher  cllarinet/tenor sax, Herb Gardner trombone, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Bob Winter keyboard, Eli Newberger leader/tuba, Jeff Guthery drums.

by Marce

Eli & The Hot Six is a powerhouse group of accomplished musicians playing music to warm the heart and melt the snows!  They are spontaneous, inspiring one another, weaving around each other, with gentle sparkplug Bob Winter of the Boston Pops on keyboard, Jim Mazzy banjo and Jeff Guthery’s masterful drumming.

This was a celebration of the release of their first CD.  It is extraordinary in that it contained sketches of each musician by Carolyn Newberger.  Fans bought them quickly to obtain autographs of the musicians, at a special discounted price of $10.
Purchase here. 
Oh, and the Contemporary Classic Jazz was incredible!

Muscat Ramble kicked off this evening, with Jeff Guthery playing a solo on graduated temple blocks.

 

Rebecca Sullivan warmed the crowd with Gershwin’s Summertime, an upbeat I’ve Got Rhythm.  Embraceable You, a tune from the new CD, I Can’t Give You Anything But Love. 
She drove from New York to get here, and returned afterwards to get to work in the morning at the NY Metropolitan Opera Guild!

 

Duke Ellington’s Do Nothing ‘Till You Hear From Me, played very slowly,  Bo leading with Ted’s clarinet and Herb’s trombone in the background.

 

 

The growl of the rip-roaring tuba-tiger on Tiger Rag. Eli’s dedication and devotion to this music are apparent on his face!

 

 

 

 

He jumps up and leads the front line parading through the enthusiastic audience; they love this music and enjoyed becoming part of it.

Carolyn Newberger is usually sitting quietly, drawing sketches of the musicians. They are works of art, and available with the CD.  Tonight she let loose and joined the band on washboard for an energetic Miami Beach Rhumba – fun tune, and they all had fun playing it.

 

Jimmy agonizes with the blues, almost reading the words of a man who searched for his loved one and found her body at St. James Infirmary.  The instrumental solos build powerfully, with Jimmy ending in heartbreaking a capella, sadly, mournfully.

 

 

 

Perdido:  Eli says it all in his Notes on the CD: Eli & The Hot Six LIVE, Contemporary Classic JAZZ.
“Ted   Casher’ eloquent solo tenor sax builds a rhythmic foundation for this splendid song written by Juan Tizol, a trombonist in the Ellington band.   Rebecca jumps in almost as an instrumental voice, extending chorus after chorus of melodic variations,  counter rhythms, and little  conversations with  clarinet, trumpet, and trombone.  One can hear why Bob and the horn players, steeped in this music and, indeed, knowing the passing harmonies and final ensemble riffs like the backs of their hands, love her  so much. “

They closed with Bye Bye Blackbird, first recorded by Gene Austin in 1926.  It’s not bye-bye for this band, just the beginning.  They will return often, we hope, before their official CD release at Sculler’s Jazz Club on May 21^st.  Hope to see you there??

Scullers Jazz Club at the Doubletree Suites by Hilton Boston-Cambridge,
400 Soldiers Field Road,  Boston, MA 02134
May 21st – Show: $30, Show & Dinner: $70, Show Time: 8pm  617-562-4111