NE Trad Jazz May 2015

Posted on May 12, 2015 by admin

This has been a busy Spring! I’ll be 80 years young next month; there’s no way I can keep up with all the wonderful Jazz we’ve had in this area since the last newsletter April 15th. But I do try.

Neville Dickie

Highlight of this month (so far) was the annual visit of Neville Dickie on May 12th at the Bella Costa Restaurant in Framingham, MA.

This year Neville was joined by Stan McDonald soprano sax, Jeff Hughes trumpet, and Steve Taddeo drums.

Neville Dickie Quartet,

The Quartet rotated with a duet of Neville and Steve, with the irrepressible Dickie pushing Taddeo to the max!

Steve slam-baning drums while Neville plays piano and laughs

Neville challenges Steve to keep up with him – he did!

They ended the evening as always with four-handed piano when Neville is joined by our own stride master, Ross Petot. They obviously enjoy this duet!

Neville pauses as Ross goes into full stride.

Neville Dickie will return next year, for his 15th Annual sojourn to New England. He always begins here with Stan McDonald, before performing all over the country. Then he’ll return to Surrey, England.

April 16th Wolverine Jazz Band at Primavera Ristorante, 20 Pleasant St. Millis MA

Wolverine Jazz Band

Dave Didriksen drums, Dan Gabel trombone,Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Jeff Hughes trumpet, Rick MacWilliams tuba, John Clark leader/clarinet/bari sax, Herb Gardner keyboard.
With their intricate New Orleans Polyphony and glorious horn solos, the Wolves are one of the most popular Dixieland Jazz Bands in this area and at Festivals. They are now celebrating their 20th Anniversary, and played many tunes from their upcoming CD, their 13th, that should be issued sometime next month. Don’t miss them!!
Dan Gabel subbed for regular trombonist Tom Boates. Tom is the Music Department Chair at Guilford CT High School, and accompanied the Guilford High School Chorus at Disney World. (He’s forgiven for not being here!)

Tuesday, MAY 19, 7-9:30pm, The Wolves will be at the Sheraton/Needham. $10 cover – They will hopefully have their new CD ready to go for that day! They aren’t taking reservations, so just show up anyway! Sheraton Needham, 100 Cabot St, Needham, MA 02494 Phone:(781) 444-1110 .

April 24th High Society Jazz Band at Primavera Ristorante

High Society Jazz Orchestra with Elise Roth

Elise Roth

Personnel:

Dan Gabel: trombone, Elise Roth: vocals

Clarinets/Saxes: Tyler Burchfield, John Clark,
Richard Garcia

Trumpets: Pat Stout and Jeff Hughes

Piano: Ross Petot

Guitar/Banjo: Bill Doyle

Tuba: Rick MacWilliams

Drums: Steve Taddeo

Jazz, Big Band, and swing are American musical art forms that are being perpetuated by a young musician, and we are extremely grateful!! Dan Gabel brought his High Society Jazz Orchestra to Primavera Ristorante on April 24th, with Vocalist Elise Roth lending her expert talents on vocal numbers of the era, bringing back rarely heard verses and a classic vintage singing style. Dan Gabel and John Clark are experts at adapting original arrangements that were created in the early 20’s and 30’s. They played Ellington’s The Mooche, made famous at the Cotton Club, Irving Berlin’s Alexander’s Ragtime Band, Pat Stout trumpet was heard on St. Louis Shuffle by Fats Waller. Bill Doyle, manager and guitar, was featured on Glad Rag Doll by Milton Ager. Reeds played a stomping arrangement of Putting on the Ritz; Hughes trumpet was featured on Stardust that just went right through you! It was a fantastic evening of Jazz, Big Band, and Swing – and we’re looking forward to hearing much more from this band. Check them out at www.facebook.com/highsocietyorchestra.

April 30th Eli and The Hot Six celebrated International Jazz Day at Primavera Ristorante. Click on photos to enlarge.

Eli and The Hot Six

Bob Winter keyboard, Jim Mazzy banjo/vocals, Eli Newberger tuba, Jeff Guthery drums, Herb Gardner trombone, Bo Winiker trumpet/flugelhorn, Ted Casher clarinet and tenor sax

April 30th was International Jazz Day, spectacularly celebrated by Eli and The Hot Six at Primavera Ristorante. They began with The World Is Waiting for the Sunrise, featuring tunes form many countries. Eartha Kitt’s C’est çi Bon, Irish Black Bottom, (which is really authentic American Jazz), Hindustan, Ted Casher sang Bei Mir Bis Du Schoen in Yiddish, playing authentic Klezmer clarinet.

Bo holds handkerchief, and smiles like Louis

Bo sings Louis’s Wonderful World

Bo put heart and soul into Louis’s Wonderful World.

Jeff Guthery recalled the 20’s and 30’s drumming, tapping on graduated temple blocks befitting that early jazz. You’ve never heard Oh By Jingo played like Bob Winter, with blazing runs up and down the keyboard! Thanks to Kathy Wittman, we have a video of it back at the Sherborn Inn. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvWIIwCU-jg

Eli and The Hot Six will be joined by renowned pianist Butch Thompson at Sculler’s Jazz Club on May 21st for their CD release of Eli & The Hot Six LIVE, Contemporary Classic Jazz.

May 3rd Wolverine Jazz Band started a new monthly series at Ken’s Steak House, Rt. 9 Framingham, MA. We had Tom Boates back from Disney World! Please read the fine REVIEW by Myron Idelson! It was a great success!

Wolverine Jazz Band at Ken’s Steak House, on a Sunday afternoon

Tom Boates trombone (he’s back!) Dave Didriksen drums, Jeff Hughes trumpet, Rick MacWilliams tuba, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Ross Petot piano, John Clark clarinet/bari sax.

May 7th Blue Horizon Jazz Band played the first Thursday of the month at Primavera Ristorante

Blue Horizon Jazz Band

Steve Taddeo drums, John Kefalas trombone, Gerry Gagnon tuba, Jeff Hughes trumpet, Dave MacMillan guitar, Stan McDonald soprano leader/sax/vocals.
This is fine Traditional Jazz! Jeff’s trumpet took the melodic lead, with Stan flitting around the melody with embellishments, and John’s trombone filling in the “holes” with extensive use of the slide. The solos were filled with exemplary improvisations, Gerry Gagnon is one of the finest tuba players in this area; he coordinated with Steve on his 1938 Slingerland Drums, tapping on a tiny Grecko cymbal attached to the bass drum, keeping perfect time. It was great to have Dave MacMillan back on rhythm guitar after a long recovery from an accident. Welcome back, Dave!!

May 9th Seacoast Stompers Quartet at ACT III in Littleton, MA
ACT IV in Lowell ran into another bureaucratic headache and could not open.
Thank you Gwenn and Josely for your immeasurable patience!! Seacoast Stompers had to trim down to a Quartet to play in ACT III in Littleton.

Frank Stadler piano, Jeff Hughes trumpet, Jim Mazzy banjo/vocals, Al Bernard tuba.

Seacoast Stompers Quartet

Jeff Hughes has many faces, Bix Beiderbecke, Bunny Berigan, Joe ‘King’ Oliver, Buddy Bolden, with his lyrical style and melody-based improvisations. He and Jimmy Mazzy are brothers at heart, having played together since the 1980’s, especially with Ray Smith’s Paramount Jazz Band. Frank Stadler’s piano set them free to exchange riffs, play intricate melodies and counterpoint, and Albie Bernard provided the perfect bass lines. It was a memorable afternoon!!
Act III is a small venue, but has a bar and serves a fine assortment of Mediterranean cuisine. When Act IV in Lowell is finally allowed to open, the full 7-piece band will play on the 2nd Saturday of the month from 2-5pm. We hope!

In the meantime, we are all extremely grateful to these wonderful musicians for making this a great life for ALL ages!!

Marce

Blue Horizon Jazz Band at Primavera, April 2, 2015

Posted on April 9, 2015 by admin

John Kafalas, Steve Taddeo, Mike Peipman, George Gagnon, Jack Soref, Stan McDonald

Stan McDonald kicked off this evening with a low-register clarinet intro to Meet Me Tonight in Dreamland, introducing the music that embodies a joyful, timeless spirit, with marvelous improvised solos and intricate polyphonic jazz.

Jack Soref took the intro to Sugar on acoustic guitar backed by the rhythm section, followed by Kafalas’s fine trombone solo, with sax and trumpet together playing counterpoint. Jack is the latest member of the band and we welcome him and his Gypsy Jazz guitar. He has a unique talent.

Mike’s trumpet took the lead on Ole Miss with embellishments by Stan’s soprano sax, counter point support from trombone, backed by rhythm section. They are all improvising, yet each horn leaves space for the others; marks of professional musicians. Gerry’s tuba took the first solo into Jelly Roll Morton’s Tijuana, with drum/guitar back up, and the band following with fine solos and polyphonic jazz.

Gerry Gagnon, tuba and trombone player

Mike’s trumpet and Stan’s sax took the intro to Irving Berlin’s When I Leave the World Behind. Stan sang it with Gerry Gagnon softly backing him on tuba.

Gerry can be quite relaxed, or highly flamboyant on that monstrous instrument! He is a fine trombone player, but his tuba is so explicit, it just flows.

We had the pleasure of special guests here tonight, Henry & Jane Fischer from Orleans in Cape Cod.

McDonald standing between Jane and Henry

Henry and Jane Fischer of Cape Cod with Stan McDonald

Jane and Henry feature early jazz and pop music on Dixieland Jazz, etc. every 1st, 3rd and 5th Sunday of the month from 9am to noon on www.womr.org, Their emphasis is on melody and traditional harmonies, whether played by original artists such as Louis Armstrong and Django Reinhardt or The New Black Eagle Jazz Band or Vince Giordano. They play older popular hits, boogie-woogie, ragtime and swing; music from the heart and soul of New Orleans to the inventive West Coast masters Gerry Mulligan and Paul Desmond.

They enjoyed meeting and having conversations with the musicians. Join Henry and Jane on www.womr.org for a fun filled three hours’ Jazz Brunch on Sunday mornings — you’ll have a hard time sitting still.

The Blue Horizon continued with Memphis Blues, Steve using wire brushes on top hat and choke cymbal. Great front line, backed by guitar, with drum and tuba playing closely in sync.

Stan playing soprano sax next toopen case with BHJB flyer on it

Stan McDonald, leader of the Blue Horizon Jazz Band

Stan took first chorus on soprano sax for Rose of The Rio Grand, with tuba playing every 4/4 beat. Extraordinary!

Jack Soref thrilled the crowd with his mastery on Old Fashioned Love, followed by fantastic trumpet and trombone solos with Gagnon’s tuba carrying dialogue/counterpoint, and Steve tapping upside down on bass drum.
Steve started Lotus Blossom with a four bar rhythm intro, followed by intricate ensemble by the band, and Stan taking the vocal. He closed it with a sultry cadenza on soprano sax.

John Kafalas swings on trombone

Lover Come Back to Me emphasized Kefala’s supple fingers on trombone. He was backed by Taddeo using splash cymbal for emphasis.

Gypsy Jazz guitarist Jack Soref plays all genres of Jazz

Jack was featured on I Can’t Give You Anything But Love displaying his fantastic energy, chromatic ornamentation. Finally, in a Trio with only drum and tuba, he let loose in a lush arrangement of Django Rhinehart’s Minor Swing. (Jack lived in Paris for half a year and had the honor of jamming with the old masters like Boulou Ferré and Romanian violin maestro Florin Niculescu.)

Mike grimacing as he pushes out notes on trumpet

Mike Peipman, from Australia

Mike Peipman was featured on Dardanella, playing hot trumpet with passionate intensity. We are so lucky to have him here! (Thank you, Australia!) He’s been recruited by many local bands.

Stan McDonald took the first 32 bars with guitar back-up on Bechet’s Si Tu Vois Ma Mere with the band playing mellifluously behind him.

Steve Taddo beaming, on his antique Swingland drum set

Steve Taddeo on his antique 1939 Slingerland drum set

Taddeo’s drum beats kicked off Swing That Music, pushing the band into their free-wheeling jazz, flourishing and intensifying into a hot barn burner!

Steve exuded energy all evening, while not setting the dynamic level too loud. He was great!

That should have concluded the evening, but there was still time left.

They finished softly with What Is This Thing Called Love, dazzling trombone solo, lyrical and seemingly effortless, like the Teagarden gate, with drum cross sticking. It was a serene ending to another evening of jazz at Primavera Ristorante.

The Blue Horizon Jazz Band will be here with more energetic, timeless Traditional Jazz on May 7th. Hope to see you here??? Bring some friends!

Blue Horizon Jazz Band at Primavera Ritorante March 5, 2015

Posted on March 5, 2015 by admin

Blue Horizon Jazz Band with Jack Soref and Mike Peipman

Blue Horizon Jazz Band with Jack Soref, Mike Peipman, and Dave Didriksen

Stan McDonald soprano sax/vocals, Mike Peipman trumpet, Gerry Gagnon trombone, Jack Soref guitar, Stu Gunn string bass, Dave Didriksen drums.

Stan McDonald was listed as one of the top five soprano saxophone players in the world in a 1985 Mississippi Rag poll. He has played with the likes of Ralph Sutton, Tommy Benford, Buzzy Drootin, Ross Petot, Sammy Price, Benny Waters, Doc Cheatham, Dick Wetmore, Marty Grosz and Scott Hamilton.

Stan McDonald, soprano sax

Stan was interviewed by Dave Radlauer on Jazz Rhythm, where the Bechet-style soprano saxophone master recalled his half-century musical career. The set of 3 one-hour programs are available here http://nejazz.com/oldsite/McDonCD.htm

McDonald always picks the cream of the crop musicians from this area for his Blue Horizon Jazz Band; tonight was no exception.

Mike Peipman raises the roof with West End Blues

Mike Peipman’s fiery trumpet can be delicate and powerful. Mike generally plays modern, contemporary jazz, but displayed his aptitude for classic jazz with an impeccable rendition of Louis Armstrong’s West End Blues. Spectacular!

Combining the careers of lead trumpet player and Jazz soloist, he has toured with numerous groups such as the Artie Shaw Orchestra and the Woody Herman Orchestra.

Gerry Gagnon trombone, Stu Gunn string bass

Gerry Gagnon, veteran BHJB member, anchored the band tonight with his fabulous ‘Jack Teagarden’ trombone. Gerry normally plays with the Boilermaker Jazz Band, all over the U.S. Canada and Europe.

Stu Gunn has a masters degree from the Boston Conservatory. He covers the total range of music from classical to theater to jazz on both tuba and string bass. We remember him with Bob Connor’s Yankee Rhythm Kings. Now he’s with the Boston Symphony and Cape Cod Symphony Orchestras. His solid bass line keeps him on-call with many Trad Jazz bands.

Dave Didriksen

Dave Didriksen filled in for Steve Taddeo with some solid drumming that kept the band on time; essential in Traditional Jazz.

He was followed by the band playing organ-type chorus on Baby, Ain’t I Good To You. Nice!

Dave is drummer for the Wolverine Jazz Band and drummer and Manager for Swing Times Five.
He also owns Willow Books in Acton MA.

Full view of Mollie with scarf down to her knees and big fur hat almost covering her face

Mollie Malone

Chanteuse Mollie Malone was in the audience and stepped up for a fine vocal on Django’s Nuage, in French, backed by Stu Gunn, steadfast on string bass and Stan’s soprano sax

Jack Soref plays high quality Jazz, Gypsy Swing. He introduced many of the tunes on guitar. His interpretation of Django Reinhardt’s romantic Russian tune, Ochi chyornye (Dark Eyes) even surprised the members of the band, and had everyone on the edge of their seats. Jack plays regularly with the Gypsy Swing Band Ameranouche.

We missed Ross Petot’s piano, keeping it all together. But Ross teaches on Thursday evenings, so many bands have had to improvise.

The Blue Horizon Jazz Band will be at Primavera Ristorante on the first Thursday of every month; next will be April 2nd, 7pm.
Our grateful THANKS to Ellen McDonald, who has patiently kept these Traditional Jazz Bands playing LIVE JAZZ for over 20 years!

We hope to see you here next month?

Blue Horizon Jazz Band at Primavera Ristorante, January 15, 2015

Posted on January 20, 2015 by admin

Band at far end of room, tables and fans in foreground

Jazz Room, Primavera Ristorante

A new era began as the Blue Horizon Jazz Band launched Thursday Jazz at the Primavera Ristorante in Millis, Massachusetts. Primavera is an excellent new venue for Traditional and Dixieland Jazz. It is a quality restaurant with a lovely atmosphere. It offers great service at an affordable price and makes you feel like you are dining in Italy.

The band plays in a separate function room with good sound and balance, but it doesn’t have a piano – yet. Stan McDonald had to rearrange some personnel. Dave MacMillan substituted for pianist Ross Petot, with banjo, vocals, and smiles.

Stan McDonald soprano sax, Jeff Stout trumpet, John Kafalas trombone, Dave MacMillan banjo/vocals, Gerry Gagnon tuba, George Darrah drums

George Darrah filled in for Steve Taddeo. He is a bright young drummer from Beverly. At age 16, he was rehearsing with the Dave Whitney Big Band. He’s become a fine musician and will be one of the keepers of the Classic Jazz flame.

Along with Gerry’s tuba, George provided sure-footed rhythm with his creative drumming.

Dave MacMillan kicked off the evening with banjo intro and vocals on I Can’t Believe That You’re In Love With Me.

Trombonist John Kafalas interjected the blues feeling in Wabash Blues. He has a Bach 42 trombone with a large bell that is generally used in a symphony, but works very well in this room.

Gerry Gagnon is a virtuoso bassist on tuba, and showed it on his solo on Rose of The Rio Grande.

Stan said he believes All By Myself is one of the greatest melodies of all time, an “organic whole”.

Old Fashioned Love featured Stan on soprano sax. They alternated with a Latin beat on St. Louis Blues, fortified by Jeff Stout’s powerful trumpet.

Trumpet and saxophone took a stirring, synchronized intro into When I Leave The World Behind, backed only by tuba. The ensemble worked together, playing for each other as well as the listening audience, on Sugar, Swing That Music, .

Some Of These Days was a barn-buster that had fans tapping their toes. Stout’s trumpet took a slow intro into Sunny Side of The Street with just the rhythm section behind him. Nice.

Since these musicians have never played together as a band, Back Home Again in Indiana was preceded by a big discussion. The result was inspired solos and ensemble, ending with Dave MacMillan, with a big smile, embellishing the vocals.

Jeff took the lead on Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gives To Me with Stan playing counterpoint.

Black and Blue was fresh and different, played with alternating tempos.

Darrah took a drum-pummeling four-bar break on the closure, After You’ve Gone.

Primavera will be a perfect venue for Traditional and Dixieland Jazz, with warm staff, hospitality and fine food. (Chicken Limoncello was delicious!) We look forward to returning next week for Eli and His Hot Six (formerly Eli’s All Stars) with pianist Bob Winter of the Boston Pops on keyboard. POSTER Join us!

Primavera Ristorante, 20 Pleasant St. Millis MA 02054 (Just off Rt. 109) 508-376-2026
http://www.primav.com/

Blue Horizon Jazz Band at the Sherborn Inn, November 18, 2014

Posted on November 24, 2014 by admin

Stan McDonald’s Blue Horizon Jazz Band

The Blue Horizon Jazz Band took a romp through the music from the 20’s to the 50’s, playing happy, foot stomping Traditional Jazz. Jeff Stout was relaxed (he must have had a good day teaching at Berklee.) McDonald plays Traditional Jazz for the sheer spirit of it; he lives for this music. They were feeling each other out, trumpet playing lead, soprano sax counterpoint. Gerry Gagnon’s trombone complementing the front line. They were dynamic!

It all came together, starting with I Got Rhythm. They got rhythm! Save It Pretty Mama Stan vocal, and soprano sax with piano comping. Stu Gunn’s string bass is solid as a metronome. He stays sharp playing classical bass with the Cape Cod Symphony,

They haven’t played the catchy tune by Sidney Bechet, Lastik, in a long time. Great tune; trumpet and sax taking lead, muted trombone playing counterpoint. Gerry Gagnon pulls a multitude of sounds out of that trombone with different mutes.

Stan McDonald on clarinet

Jelly Roll Morton’s My Gal Sal has had many versions over the years. Piano intro with Stan on clarinet, they made it a fine instrumental, a bit slower than usual.

Bechet’s Tijuana, a Latin tune named after a bar in Kansas City; then to Irving Berlin with All By Myself. Roamin’ , Ross played a western loping on the piano.

Steve Taddeo lets go

Steve Taddeo maintained the feel of Trad Jazz with clean controlled drumming, He let loose on his drum solo on Running Wild.

Ross set a soft tempo for Sugar, trombone providing balance for sax and trumpet. Jeff’s silky trumpet solo was backed by subtle rhythm section. Beautiful.

Ross on piano with Blue Horizon blue flag with large sun in middle behind him

Ross Petot listens carefully and keeps it all together.

Lyrics can be an integral part of melody. Stan contemplated, When I Leave The World Behind.

Stan McDonald puts heart and soul into his vocals

New Orleans, Jeff Stout on powerful trumpet. They changed the mood with Sidney Bechet’s Marchand de Poisson, warm melodic lines. Wild Cat Blues marvelous, intricate ensemble.

Gerry Gagnon reaches up and makes beautiful music on Sidney Bechet’s Spreading Joy. Astounding!

Gerry standing, trombone point in the air, Stout and Taddeo in awe

Gerry Gagnon

Si Tu Vois Ma Mere, another Bechet tune. Matt Chavin of ’20’s Jazz’, says “Stan McDonald is probably the closest living representative of the style of Sidney Bechet today.”

Jeff Stout and Stan McDonald complement each other

I Remember When sax and trumpet in sync, with piano playing riffs. Stan took the ending with a consummate high note!

With time growing short, the ensemble closed with a resounding lively finale of When I Grow Too Old To Dream.

The Blue Horizon Jazz Band will return with another romp through the music from the 20’s to the 50’s on December 16th. We don’t know yet what the new ownership in January will mean. But….

Dan Gabel’s High Society Jazz Band will be here December 2nd, and we’ll close the year on Tuesday December 23rd with a FREE-FOR-ALL JAZZboree with many familiar fine musicians! No admission fee, and cake for all!! Join us???

Blue Horizon Jazz Band’s first 2014 Fall Session at the Sherborn Inn

Posted on September 16, 2014 by admin

All the Blue Horizon Jazz Band ‘regulars’ were back!!

This was a special evening with no summer substitutes; all the Blue Horizon ‘regulars’ were back with their powerful brass front line.

trumpet and soprano sax on either side of string bass

Jeff Stout and leader Stan McDonald make a powerful team. Stu Gunn’s steady bass gives them freedom to fly!

They began with All By Myself, Stan taking the first of many vocals. Jeff’s trumpet was crystal clear on Roaming, Ross’s piano picking up riffs. Their repertoire consisted of tunes from the 20’s to the 40’s, strongly based on melody. They have a genuine passion and feel for this music: Tishumingo, Bechet’s Lastic, Roses of Picardie, Gershwin’s Strike Up The Band. Rosetta was hard-charging and wild! Honky Tonk Town had Stu weaving from side to side with the beat.

The front line is bolstered by the deep rich tone of Gerry Gagnon’s trombone.

Stan played a forceful soprano sax solo on Save It Pretty Mama. He played low register clarinet on a rhythmic Wild Man Blues, with every instrument taking spontaneous, off the cuff solos on its many breaks.

I Would Do Most Anything For You, Taddeo maintained a resourceful Traditional Jazz beat on his Swingerland drums all evening with the use of brushes,wood block, bell, choke cymbal and pinging the hi hat stand.

Ross Petot was featured with the rhythm section on You Can’t Take That Away From Me, keeping the music fresh by using his magical left hand as a walking bass line instead of his famous stride piano. Marvelous!

Ross Petot strayed from his famous stride piano to keep the music fresh.

Trumpet and sax were perfectly synchronized on When I Leave The World Behind, undergirded by Steve’s drums and Stu’s pulsating string bass.

The band has had fine substitutes like Paul Monat cornet and John Kafalas trombone over the summer (Gerry moved to impressive tuba). But it was refreshing to have the whole band back for the Fall Season. They sent us home with a gentle, sweet, Rose of San Antone.

The Blue Horizon Jazz Band is in its 19th year at the Sherborn Inn. They’ll all be back, along with our New England Fall Foliage on October 21st. Take a nice ride and join us!

Blue Horizon Jazz Band at the Sherborn Inn August 19, 2014

Posted on August 22, 2014 by admin

John Kafalas trombone, Paul Monat cornet, Stan McDonald clarinet and soprano sax, Ross Petot piano, Gerry Gagnon tuba, Steve Taddeo drums

Stan McDonald’s Blue Horizon Jazz Band presented another fine evening of Traditional Jazz at the Sherborn Inn on August 19^th, with some changes in personnel. Gerry Gagnon moved to tuba, John Kafalas filled in for him on trombone. Paul Monat was back. He’ll be playing all around New England until September.

They kicked it off with congenial ensemble on All By Myself and Sugar, Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gives To Me. Gagnon plays a swinging tuba, 1955 Conn 20J recording bell-front, with a deep sonorous sound boosting the rhythm section. Monat said “It felt like playing on a magic carpet”. Gerry was tubist with the Boilermaker Jazz Band of Pittsburgh until 1994, when he moved to New England and joined The Blue Horizon Jazz Band. Seven or eight years later, Stan moved the band to string bass, and Gerry changed to trombone. Stan took the vocal on Darktown Strutters Ball, backed by this rock solid rhythm section with Ross Petot on piano, and Steve Taddeo drums. The evening was dedicated to John and Elizabeth, who chose to celebrate their 67^th wedding anniversary at the Sherborn Inn with the Blue Horizon Jazz Band. Congratulations!!

Stan played elegant clarinet solo on Bechet’s lovely Blues in the Air. Clarinet and cornet collaborated on Memphis Blues, rich voices interweaving in New Orleans polyphony.

The front line played a captivating Tijuana with John Kafalas on fierce trombone. Listeners couldn’t sit still, dancing in their seats.

Stans’ soprano sax took the intro to a spirited Save It Pretty Mama. Paul Monat surprised us, putting heart and soul in the vocal. Not bad!

There was solid melody and harmony on Roses of Picardi, with McDonald back on soprano sax. His Blue Horizon Jazz Band has complete command of the Trad Jazz language! Stan asked that the next tune be played slow as possible. Taddeo set the beat, very, very, slow on Lotus Blossom; different, and very effective.

Paul’s cornet went wild on a tune recorded many times by Wilbur and Sidney DeParis, Yama Yama Man

Ross Petot introduced the closing tune with a four bar vamp on Dardanella; fine ensemble, closing with Stan’s soprano sax.

Traditional Jazz enjoyed a revival here in the mid-1970’s, but there are very few bands in New England still playing authentic Traditional Jazz; Stan McDonald only hires musicians that are comfortable with the genre. They’ll be back, as always, on the 3^rd Tuesday of the month at the Sherborn Inn, September 16th. See you there?

Blue Horizon Jazz Band with Paul Monat at the Sherborn Inn July 22

Posted on July 15, 2014 by admin

Blue Horizon Jazz Band with Paul Monat and Al Ehrenfried

The Blue Horizon Jazz Band presented a romping New Orleans take on Sidney Bechet’s jazz and blues, with the five-piece group working together in a true spirit of cooperation. We were surprised to find cornetist Paul Monat substituting for trumpeter Jeff Stout, who has had a death in the family. Al Ehrenfried, string bass, came out of retirement for this evening.

It was a five-piece band, with Stan McDonald and Paul Monat cornet, holding the front line with the superb backing of the rhythm section, pianist Ross Petot, Al Ehrenfried bass, and Steve Taddeo drums.

They kicked it off with the New Orleans sound with Meet Me Tonight in Dreamland, and continued with Ross Petot’s robust piano intro to What Is This Thing Called Love.

Ain’t Gonna Give Nobody None of My Jelly Roll, Bechet’s I Remember When, Everybody Loves My Baby. The two were in sync, twining around each other. Stan started Lastic on clarinet, with Paul playing a long, sustained, note. The two make some powerful music together, drums and string bass maintaining the Traditional Jazz Beat.

When You and I Were Young Maggie. Bechet’s Blues In The Air, nice blues lead by Stan McDonald.

Ross was featured on Lucky Day, backed by string bass and drums.

Ross Petot Featured

It was Steve Taddeo’s birthday. Monida surprised him with a cake while the band played the Birthday Song.

Happy Birthday, Steve!

Stan and Paul in unison on Bechet’s Marchand de Poisson. Bechet’s Fantasy, Paul slipped in some of his mentor, Wild Bill Davison.

When I Leave The World Behind, had Stan on vocal, great soprano sax; continuing on Lonesome Road. Getting into overtime now with Bechet’s Dans Les Rues D’Antibes, with Al playing a superb bass solo, backed by Steve’s adept drumming.

It was an unforgettable evening. The Blue Horizon Jazz Band will return as usual on the 3^rd Tuesday of month, August 19^th with more surprises.

Paul Monat will be in New England until September, when he returns to Florida. Stay tuned.

Blue Horizon Jazz Band at the Sherborn Inn, March 18, 2014

Posted on March 18, 2014 by admin

Stan McDonald’s Blue Horizon Jazz Band

Stan McDonald soprano sax/clarinet, Jeff Stout trumpet, Gerry Gagnon trombone, Ross Petot piano, Stu Gunn string bass, Steve Taddeo drum

This has been a bad winter for Stan McDonald’s Blue Horizon Jazz Band. Fierce winter storms have forced the cancellation of the Band’s dates in both January and February, so we all had our fingers crossed for March. It was cold, but no precipitation, so he was able to perform the New Orleans Rites and Riffs of Spring, with plenty of Sidney Bechet and many beautiful New Orleans tunes. His Knowledge of Traditional Jazz is remarkable.

Stan dedicated this evening to Lynn Sickles, a fan who passed away January 18^th. Our hearts go out to hubby Bob, who was here this evening; they were married 46 years. Family, friends and music help lighten the loss. Lynn’s favorite song was All of Me, and the band started with a glorious version of it, Jeff Stout taking the lead on trumpet with McDonald offering complicated counterpoint on soprano sax. Steve Taddeo holding choke cymbal on hi hat. Stu Gunn holding a steady beat on string bass, and we love the mellow sound of Gerry Gagnon’s tail-gate trombone.

Blue Horizon Jazz Band always has musicians with expertise who play in countless other bands in the area. They love what they’re doing, and play with passion and intensity, with no arrangements. When You and I Were Young Maggie, Earl Hines’ You Can Depend on Me, Strike up the Band, Marie Elena, my favorite Tijuana and more.

Gerry Gagnon, Steve Taddeo, Jeff Stout

Jeff Stout, Stu Gunn, Stan McDonald

Four or Five Times, originally done by the The Bechet-Spanier Big Four, was one of the more closely arranged tunes. They also did All By Muself. 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.

Stan plays Honky Tonk Town, Ross Petot on piano

Ross Petot was featured on What Is This Thing Called Love, playing his inimitable stride. Lovely!

Sidney Bechet (May 14, 1897 – May 14, 1959) was an American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, and composer. He was one of the first important soloists in jazz, and was perhaps the first notable jazz saxophonist with forceful delivery, well-constructed improvisations, and a distinctive, wide vibrato. Stan McDonald has been one of his staunchest afficionados, so several of his tunes were included: Blues in the Air, Lastik, Lotus Blossom, Rose de Picardie, Marchand de Poisson.

They ran out of time before completing all the songs on McDonald’s list, so they closed with When I Leave The World Behind.

Spring has finally arrived – it’s been a long winter! Hopefully no more snow storms! The next performance of The Blue Horizon Jazz Band will be April 15th, and thereafter on the 3^rd Tuesday of every month at the Sherborn Inn, 33 N. Main Street, (intersection of Rts. 16 & 27) Sherborn, MA. $10 Please call for reservations at 508-655-9521 or info@sherborninn.com. See you there?

Marce

Blue Horizon Jazz Band’s Indian Summer at the Sherborn Inn, October 15, 2013

Posted on October 24, 2013 by admin

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 on piano, Peter Gerler behind him on guitar

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!

Gagnon, head back, mouth wide open, drummer Didriksen in back, smiling.

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

New England Traditional Jazz Plus

Swing, Traditional Jazz, Dixieland Jazz, Big Bands

Tag Archives: Blue Horizon Jazz Band

NE Trad Jazz May 2015

Blue Horizon Jazz Band at Primavera, April 2, 2015

Blue Horizon Jazz Band at Primavera Ritorante March 5, 2015

Blue Horizon Jazz Band at Primavera Ristorante, January 15, 2015

Blue Horizon Jazz Band at the Sherborn Inn, November 18, 2014

Blue Horizon Jazz Band’s first 2014 Fall Session at the Sherborn Inn

Blue Horizon Jazz Band at the Sherborn Inn August 19, 2014

Blue Horizon Jazz Band with Paul Monat at the Sherborn Inn July 22

Blue Horizon Jazz Band at the Sherborn Inn, March 18, 2014

Blue Horizon Jazz Band’s Indian Summer at the Sherborn Inn, October 15, 2013