The Williams Reunion Jazz Band was born on New England college campuses in the 1950’s when Dixieland was alive and well and “runnin’ wild”.  They had a busy weekend, starting Friday…a fundraiser for the DBMS with a raw Oyster bar, heavy hors d’oeuvres and cash bar.  The Williams Reunion Jazz Band returns every year Memorial Day weekend for the Duxbury Bay Maritime School’s Annual Opening of The Bay,

On Saturday, they were scheduled for a one-hour deck concert at DBMS – open to all, but it was cancelled because of cold, raw weather.  Saturday night they gave a  free concert at the South Shore Conservatory Ellison Center for the Arts in Duxbury.

Sunday the Williams Reunion Jazz Band started the day with a Jazz Service at First Parish Church, followed by a noon brunch at the fabulous Windsor House Inn, 390 Washington St. in Duxbury, MA.

The core three here today were Williams College Boys: Bob Kingsbury ’58 on clarinet; Fred Clifford ’58 on Tuba; and John Halsey ’59 on Piano (keyboard) with John Bucher cornet.( Amherst ’52.)  Drummer Tom Hayne ’59 wasn’t here today because he had to leave early.

The band was joined by two permanent guests and members of the Wolverine Jazz Band, the inimitables Jimmy Mazzy Banjo/Vocals, and Tom Boates, trombone.

 

 

They began with Jimmy singing Tishomingo Blues, a famous tune by Spencer Williams first published in 1917.  We knew this was going to be a great afternoon!   There were families with young children who were really enjoying this Jazz – let’s hope they pass it on!

 

 

 

 

 

Deed I Do, Beale St. Blues Tom Boates singing the vocal.  Bye Bye Blues.

Bucher played sweet muted cornet on Buddy Bolden Blues.

 

 

 

 

 

Tuba intro on chorus of I Can’t Give You Anything But Love.  Fred was playing a King tuba he found on Ebay (with the expert help of Eli Newberger).

 

 

Jimmy Mazzy had to leave early for another engagement. He was replaced by Mark Endresen, guitar.

 

Mark is a ‘regular’ here at the Windsor House.   He often joins the Jimmy Mazzy Trio once a month here for a Sunday Brunch.

My Baby’s Loving Arms.  Best Things in Life Are Free, which had been requested some time ago, but they had saved it for Mark to perform.

 

 

 

Tuba took the intro to a stunning Black & Blue.  Running Wild had wild trombone and guitar and the band trading 4’s with the keyboard.   Everybody Loves My Baby.

 

 

Tom Boates’ trombone was featured with John backing on cornet with Tin Roof Blues.  This was one of my favorites!

In the absence of a drummer, keyboardist John Halsey took the stage for Avalon.  This was frustrating for Halsey, who had been playing on fine Steinway pianos all weekend, but he came through with flying fingers!

 

 

Kingsbury played a fine low register clarinet on I’m Confessing That I Love You.

 

 

 

 

There was an especially fine musical exchange with cornet and tuba  trading 4’s on Sweet Georgia Brown.  We were right – it was a great afternoon with The Williams Reunion Jazz Band playing exceptional Traditional Jazz!

Opening of the Bay every spring is a critical financial fund-raiser for the Duxbury Bay Maritime School because it’s a struggling non-profit and needs the extra money.  The school serves 1800 students from age 3 to 83 through educational and recreational programs that stimulate individual growth and an enduring love and appreciation of the sea.

The Williams Reunion Jazz Band will return next labor day for the 18th Opening of the Bay in Duxbury, Massachusetts with more fine Traditional Jazz.  Come join us!

Marce