Jazz at Sunset is the premier outdoor Summer Concert series sponsored by The American Big Band Preservation Society and SAC Park.
“Hundreds of people enjoyed a remarkable performance by The Four Freshmen last night at SAC Park, backed up by Dan Gabel and the Abletones – and in memory of and dedication to Charlie Messier! Enjoy these delightful photos by Candace Imming!” https://www.flickr.com/photos/swimcsi/sets/72157644991636217/
Dan Gabel and the Abletones with the Four Freshmen at SAC Park
(I’m betting Charlie Messier and his friend Leo Curran were sitting near the Stan Kenton Band up there, and enjoying this too. Marce)
Dan Gabel’s High Society Orchestra, by C. S. Imming
CJALL – Classic Jazz at Lincoln Library – recently hosted Dan Gabel’s High Society Orchestra at Bemis Hall in Lincoln MA. http://www.cjall.org/ Dan Gabel’s High Society Orchestra plays music of the early 1900’s and has over 400 arrangements in their book.
Harold McAleer was MC, and always ready with his video camera. Whispering and The Charleston by Harold MacAleer
Musicians are:
Mike Caudill tenor sax/clnt, John Clark bari/alto sax/clnt, Lou Stamos alto sax/clnt Adam Mejaour and Jeff Hughes trumpets, Dan Gabel trombone, Ross Petot piano,
Rhythm: Bill Doyle guitar/banjo, Rick MacWilliams tuba, Steve Taddeo drums
Dan Gabel’s High Society Orchestra by C. S. Imming
Candi’s Video of The Stampede (1926) and Mama Inez (1929)
It was a pleasurable evening of Fantastic Swing and Jazz with many tunes from the early 20’s and 30’s:
Whispering (theme song) The Charleston Alexander’s Ragtime Band (Dan singing with megaphone) Wa Wa Wa, from 1926 King’ Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band, Clark on bari sax Sophisticated Lady, Duke Ellington 1934 featured Mike Caudill on tenor sax Because My Baby Don’t Mean Maybe Now, Walter Donaldson, they used Bix’s chase chorus Boy In The Boat, arranged by by John Clark. Definitely not nautical. Three Little Words, Henry Bussy collection now in Dan’s possession at Big Band Preservations Society The Stampede, early 1926 transcribed by John Clark, Hot One! featuring clarinet trio Cuban Rhumba, made famous by Pérez Prado in the 1950’s Mama Inez
Happy Feet let all musicians cut loose with solos St. Louis Shuffle I Don’t Know Why I Love You Like I Do The Brainstorm, original arrangement, featured Adam Mejaour trumpet Stardust featured Jeff Hughes trumpet Cinderella Girl, dedicated to Bud & Wes Trow of Tuxedo Classic Jazz Band
(Bud was Dan’s Mentor and gave him the band’s arrangements) Encore: Sugar Foot Stomp, Adam Caudill clarinet solo
You can hear them on Tuesday, June 1st at the Sherborn Inn, 33 North Main St. Sherborn MA or check out Dan Gabel Music for their schedule.
The Dan Gabel’s High Society Jazz Orchestra was sponsored by The Friends of the Lincoln Library, who have video and tape presentations at the Lincoln Library on the 2nd Wednesday of every month, and a Jazz Jam on the 3rd Saturday of the month at the Library at 3 Bedford Rd. Lincoln MA. http://www.cjall.org/
Video excerpts from the First Friday dance held April 4, 2014 at SAC Park in Shrewsbury, MA. Dan Gabel and the Abletones with vocalist Elise Roth.
by C. S. Imming.
“First Friday Swing” – Dancing to Dan Gabel and the Abletones, authentic 18-piece Big Band, SAC Park, 438 Lake St., Shrewsbury MA. Plenty of free parking. Conveniently located between route 9 and route 20. 7:00 dance lesson, 8:00-10:30pm listen and dance to New England’s favorite big band attraction!
$15 per person/$10 students. Singles and couples welcome
Large wooden dance floor, full cash bar, table seating, handicap accessible.
More info: www.theabletones.com Or from Dan Gabel: 774-280-1502
See you at the Imperial Ballroom in Mendon on April 25, and back at SAC again on May 2, 2014.
Dan Gabel and the Abeltones with vocalist Elise Roth, by C. S. Imming
Video excerpts from the First Friday dance held December 6, 2013 at SAC Park in Shrewsbury, MA. The band played Christmas songs, as well as familiar tunes from their play list. Even though it was a dark, rainy, cold night on the outside, inside it was hot and jumping.
By C. S. Imming
(please excuse some operator clumsiness due to no tripod)
NOTE: Marce is no longer driving at night on unfamiliar roads or in the rain. Many thanks to C. S. Imming for pictures and videos of the Abeltones at the Scandinavian Athletics Club in Shrewbury, on December 6th, First Friday of the month.
If you’d like to help, we welcome any comments and pictures of Traditional, Dixieland, and Big Band in the New England Area. Marce
Compaq Big Band at Swing at Sunset, Friday, July 12, 2013
Director: Al Saloky, Vocalist: Rebecca Holtz, Sound Engineer: Jeff Hagan, Piano: Dennis Cecere, Bass: Gil Bristol, Drums: Rick Hansen, Guitar: Dave King From left to right: Saxes: Chris Hildebrand (1st tenor) John Finocchiaro (2nd alto) Scott Tringali (1st alto) Paul Peeirolo (2nd tenor) Ryan Brooks (bari); Trombones: Paul Cole (2nd) Scott Taylor (1st) Jeff Schiebe (3rd)
Leslie Havens (bass trombone); Trumpets: Bruce McLeod, Jeff Sawyer, Scott Beckman, Michael Peipman, Peter Sokolowski
The sky was threatening, causing some concern when The Compaq Big Band, directed by Al Saloky, played outside at the Vets Inc. in Shrewsbury. The band persevered, presenting a refreshing variety of Big Band styles, starting with Mercy, Mercy, Mercy, the title song of a 1966 album of Cannonball Adderley. Al introduced perky Rebecca Holtz, smiling, singing, and dancing all over the stage, I’ve Got a Lot of Living To Do.
Al announced they would do something different, then get into some some swing. There was space on both sides of the stage for dancing, but there’s no dancing to Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Big Band! Rebecca is comfortable singing in a variety of moods. She started with the Diane Reeves version of Big Phat Band’s Too Close For Comfort.
Rhapsody in Blue – Al called it the “The coolest American piece ever written”, with dynamic trumpet by Mike Peipman, and lead trombone, Scott Taylor.
Ryan Brooks and Leslie Havens
Ryan Brooks Baritone sax did the intro on Straighten Up and Fly Right, from Rebecca’s 2nd Album. They moved to Diane Schuur’s Traveling Light.
Deedle’s Blues, done by Diane Schuur and Count Basie Band, is definitely not a Blues!
Peter Sokolowski on flugel horn
Intricate trombone intro to Tom Kubis’ arrangement of a song that should really be our National Anthem, America The Beautiful.
Peter Sokolowski took out his flugelhorn for Straight, No Chaser.
Chris Hildebrand (1st tenor)
Rebecca returned for Almost Like Being I Love and an old standard, Cheek to Cheek with fantastic tenor sax, Chris Hildebrand.
One of her favorite albums is the Count Basie Orchestra led by Frank Foster, I Caught a Touch of Your Love.
Rick Hansen, drums
Al stepped aside for the Buddy Rich arrangement of Love for Sale, letting drummer Rick Hansen loose; nice solo trumpet by Bruce McLeod.
Rebecca is a treasure, she speaks in tunes: I’ve Just Found Out About Love and I Like It. Why Don’t You Do Right.
The clouds moved on and the rain held off! They wrapped it up with another Diane Shuur – Count Basie Band, You Can Have It with Rebecca scatting, trading 4s with Scott’s tenor sax. “You can have it if you really want it, you can have the music all night long. Tell the drummer that you like his playing, tell the singer if you like the song.” Great! Let’s do it!
The audience called for more, but it was time to close. We left anticipating the Hal McIntyre Orchestra next week at Swing at Sunset.
2006 Tour of Great Britain shirt
(Note – The Compaq Big Band’s shirt shows off their 2006 tour of Great Britain.)
Many thanks to Dan Gabel and The American Big Band Preservation Society, WICN, and Vets Inc. for presenting a great series this summer. Hope to see you again next year!!
The Vets – actually Veterans Inc. http://www.veteransinc.org/ provides homes and services for our veterans and their families. “They were there when we needed them. We must be there now that they need us.” Some actually reside here at 59 South St. in Shrewsbury, others at 69 Grove St. Worcester, MA.
