Riverboat Stompers at Bellingham’s Concert on the Grass
Steve Straus, leader/clarinet/soprano sax/vocals, Neil Flewelling cornet, Frank Batchelor trombone, Phil Hower keyboard, Steve Caddick banjo/vocals, Pierre Lemieux tuba, Richard Malcolm drums
Videos by Marce
The Riverboat Stompers are a seven-piece ensemble specializing in Traditional and Dixieland Jazz of the 20’s to 40’s. It’s obvious that this is the music they cherish and have played for many years. They have been playing all over New England this summer – one of their best years ever. It was a pleasure to catch them in my home town, Bellingham MA. This was their first time here at the Bellingham Summer Concerts in the park – but they will be back!
They are masters of Dixieland Jazz, playing well-known standards with feeling and passion. The three members of the front line play tight ensemble, complementing each other. They keep this Jazz HOT!
Dave Flewelling, Steve Straus, Frank Batchelor
Steve sings You Took Advantage of Me:
Part of the ‘Dance Floor’ that surrounds the building.
Part of the “dance floor”.
Concerts on the Grass are a family occasion and also have horseback rides over by the Veterans’ Memorial
https://www.nejazz.com/Wordpress/2015/03/pierre-lemieux-tuba/
Pierre Lemieux
Pierre Lemieux does a fine tuba solo. He keeps busy playing with many bands.
The band continued with Sweet Georgia Brown,
That’s a Plenty was plenty HOT!
Rich Malcolm plays great Trad. He also teaches at Berklee.
Phil Hower
The drummer is the heartbeat of Traditional Jazz. Rich is an excellent Trad drummer (hard to find!) and keeps the musicians in perfect time. He took the intro to SAN, starting with an Indian beat, hitting the toms, and continued backing Straus’s marvelous soprano sax – this tune was a gem!
Pianist Phil Hower listens carefully; responds with delicate and resourceful phrases.
Frank Batchelor
Frank Batchelor was featured on Basin St. Blues with a lyrical sliding melody linked to the original tailgate style of New Orleans. Awesome!.
Royal Garden Blues
Neil Flewelling, cornet
We were introduced to a tune: You Meet the Nicest People; this is the first time we’ve heard this tune. Fine cornet by Neil.
Neil Flewelling has admirable technique with solos that move lightly from phrase to phrase. We do meet the nicest people listening to Traditional and Dixieland Jazz!!
They added some fine blues, Jazz Me Blues. Buddy Bolden’s Blues was played slowly, melancholy and bluesy. Straus changed the mood singing a happy Floatin’ Down to Cottontown. “Hear the folks all singin’, banjos ringin’ ’till the break of day.”
Steve Caddick teaches banjo all over the world by Skype.
Steve Caddick (Banjo Hall of Fame inductee) on banjo and vocals, was a welcome addition to the band. Besides playing strong background rhythm, Steve Caddick had many vocals, There’ll Be Some Changes Made, Exactly Like You, Somebody Stole My Gal, Hard Hearted Hannah, It’s a Sin to Tell a Lie, My Honey’s Lovin’ Arms, Ain’t She Sweet, and the closing tune on banjo and vocals, drum finale.
Avalon
These Concerts on the Grass are broadcast on Bellingham/Mendon video station http://abmi8.org. You might be able to get them on line.
The Riverboat Stompers were heading for Cohasset the next day, with Jimmy Mazzy on banjo. Check our calendar on www.nejazz.com and search for Riverboat Stompers to find when this marvelous Dixieland Jazz Band will be in your neighborhood. www.riverboatstompers.com.