Videos added:
8/19/12 Chinatown, My Chinatown
9/5 Red Hot Mama

Ben Mauger’s Vintage Jazz Band – 3 sets – 7 pieces –  Primarily from PA and their 3rd return to THSJF, this swing Chicago style jazz band is always a joy to watch and hear, reminding many of their younger days when jazz and pop was synonymous one with the other. The surprise this year was Ray Skalski, fine arts painter from Buffalo on trombone. Superb musicians all!      Lauren Humpage

*                     *                    *

This Vintage Jazz Band plays happy, foot stomping, Hot Traditional and Dixieland Jazz from the 20’s to the revivals of the 60’s. This year they were joined by Ray Skalski trombone, from New York, and Rick Lewis drums from Fort. Myers Florida.

Ben Mauger, cornet/leader

Ben brought along some new material, completely different from what they played last year.

They started with a high-spirited Found a New Baby, before he introduced the members of the band.

He said they were happy to be at this great event, especially because it’s for a good cause.  “And you have fun when you enjoy what you’re playing.”

He also has a new 10 piece “Roaring 20’s Hot Jazz Band”.
http://www.benmaugersvintagejazzband.com/

Piano took the intro to Leo Wood’s 1918 Somebody Stole My Gal– everyone gets a solo, then they perform fabulous intricate ensemble, polyphonic jazz.

Doug LaSala, clarinet

Ray Skalski, trombone

Doug LaSalle clarinet was featured on Sweet Georgia Brown. Fantastic!

Milton Ager’s Big Boy, 1924, excellent interchange between cornet and trombone.   Ray Skalski was featured on the classicSheik of Araby, with Ben on vocal, changing the words to “I’m the Sheik of Araby, your OIL belongs to me!”.   Ron featured in 1946 Louis Alter’s Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans, capturing the polyphony and spirit of Preservation Hall.

Ray thanked the audience for being here.  He said it was an honor to play for such a great cause.  He donated his larger-than-life acrylic and oil painting of Bix Beiderbecke to be auctioned, proceeds going to the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp.

Chinatown, My Chinatown

Rick Lewis, drums

Bruce Campbell, string bass

They continued with Duke Ellington’s Stevedore Stomp, and then their version of Royal Garden Blues.

Chuck Oettel, guitar

Bob Kreitz,piano

This band is always at the top of our list at the Hot Steamed Jazz Fest!  If you’d like to hear them for yourself, The Vintage Jazz Band has just recorded a new CD titled “Swing That Music”.  Click here for details and sound clips.