Jeff and Joel’s House Party 2015 – Saturday Evening

Completed videos have been sent to musicians for approval and will appear here as they are received.  Some of these pictures will disappear. Enjoy for now.

——–>     Friday    Saturday Afternoon     Sunday

After a delicious Dinner Buffet the first Saturday Evening band was led by Gordon Au, with Jim Fryer, Jim Lawlor, Dan Levinson on clarinet, Genevieve Rose on string bass, and Jeff Barnhart on piano.  They began with a HOT Buddy’s Habits.

7 pc trad jazz band

Band One led by Gordon Au, Saturday Evening at Jeff & Joel’s House Party, 2015

Same crew, Dan Levinson in charge, a 1922 tune played by the New Orleans Rhythm Kings, Nobody’s Sweetheart Now.  This is a Banjorama tune – Joel couldn’t help but come up to sing the melody.

Donn Trenner on keyboard

 

Don Trenner traded places with Jeff, but before he could start, Dan Levinson pointed his clarinet at Donn and singlehandedly played Thanks For The Memories, in commemoration of all the years Donn played with Bob Hope.

 

 

Honeysuckle Rose – Fryer gets to sing

Scott and Noel played together in John Sheehan's

Scott and Noel played together for years  in John Sheehan’s Heritage Jazz Band.

 

 

 

Change of crew – Noel Kalesky, Kevin Dorn, Scott Philbrick, Brian Nalepka and Jeff, The Things We Did Last Summer. Masterful duet between Scott and Noel.  They’ve been friends for a long time.

 

Donn Trenner back, with Noel Kaletsky and Scott Philbrick with a rousing  Lady be Good,

Dan Levinson on his fabulous tenor sax, Gordon Au, Tom Boates, Donn Trenner, Brian Nalepks, and Molly Ryan were up with Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams

explained above

Molly Ryan captures the crowd with Wrap Your Trouble in Dreams

Gordon continued with Molly singing Ain’t She Sweet, with Dan, Gen, Brian, and Donn.  Gen on string bass marvelously trading 4’s with Donn Trenner.

Pianists kept switching with Jeff replacing Donn for Molly’s sweet Sugar.

 Molly and Jeff were left alone for  Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered.

Fryer on euphonium

Jim Fryer dedicates Easy Living to Connecticut

 

 

Jim Fryer has a Connecticut background, living in Wallingford for 12 years.  He came up with Gen, Kevin, and Donn for  Billie Holidays’ Easy Living.  Jim dedicated it to the State of Connecticut.

 

 

 

 

Mood Indigo – Tom Boates and Jim Fryer

Scott and Noel, a tune they often played in Maine with Muriel Havenstein, Jeff and Brian joining them, for Swing That Music – Barnhart going WILD on keyboard!!

see above

They do Swing That Music!!

Brian Nalepka plays bass and sings

Brian Nalepka is also an excellent vocalist.

 

 

 

Brian’s turn to lead, with his vocal, on Linger Awhile, with Tom Boates added on trombone.

 

 

 

 

Gotta give the boss his due – Joel on vocal with Scott, Noel, Tom, Jeff, Jim Lawlor – with a Father’s Mustache Honky Tonk Town..

Boss gets his chance to shine.

Boss gets his chance to shine.

Gordon Au on trumpet, Scott, Molly and Tom Boates on guitar, for 3-guitar session on I’ve Got The World On a String.

Donn returned at piano for Exactly Like You with Fryer, Gordon, Dan, Molly on guitar, and Lawlor drums.  Dorothy Fields did this with Jimmy McHugh in 1935, Lawlor vocal. Gordon played powerful trumpet, Gen couldn’t help bouncing with the rhythm.  She and Dan had marvelous exchange on clarinet and string bass.

Lawlor plays drums and sings Exactly Like You

Lawlor sings too!

Molly

Molly

 

 

Kevin, Gordon, Fryer, Dan, Gen, Donn with Molly vocal on Meet Me Tonight Dreamland – 1909. The song came from Coney Island which was then only attended by the wealthy, hence “Dreamland”.  It had very many lights.  One night they caught fire and the place burned down.

 

 

 

Everyone left except Molly, Gen, and Donn for You Took Advantage of Me.

You Took Advantage of Me with Donn Trenner backing Molly

You Took Advantage of Me with Donn Trenner backing Molly

Molly took a break.  Leaving the Trio, with Gen shining on string bass, Kevin drums, and Donn piano on Sunny Side of The Street.

Bogalusa Strut, with Gordon, Scotty, Noel, Dan on tenor sax, Boates, Fryer on euphonium, Barnhart and Lawler, with Joel sitting in, Nalepka tuba – euphonium and tuba duet!  Superb drumming by Lawlor!  The whole band joined in singing New Orleans.

Barnhart standing with arms folded looking at brass musicians.

Barnhart stunned by all that brass!

Clarinet duet, Dan and Noel, with Lawlor, Scott on guitar, Joel, Brian on string bass, Jeff on Avalon

described above

Amazing clarinet duet on Avalon with Dan Levinson and Noel Kaletsky

Noel, Jeff, and Jim Lawlor continued with a wild fast tempo tune done by Wild Bill misguidedly named Sleep.

Time for Jeff’s Banjorama, with Joel, Kevin, Brian on tuba, Jeff, When Day is Done, Sweet Adeline, and many, many more, with all the fans and volunteers singing along.  Your Fathers Mustache banjo players came from North Carolina and Christ Fennimore (left) came from Pittsburgh Pennsylvania to join Joel.  Fans and Volunteers joined heartily in the sing-along.

band members laughing as Joel leads fans in song

Everyone gets in on the act for the Banjorama

Donn Trenner back for Molly Ryan vocal on Jeepers Creepers, with Gen, Kevin, Gordon, Tom Boates, Scott on guitar. Dan on tenor sax. Fantastic.

Molly, Jeff, Gen, Tom, Kevin, Scotty still on guitar, I Ain’t Got Nobody. Growling trombone, Hot Stuff.  Molly doing vocal duet with Jeff piano.
NobodyTime for a slow waltz.  This was not on the list. Molly vocal, Dan, Gen, Jeff, Kevin, Hushaby Mountain.  Nice piano and Molly vocal, Gen bowing the bass, Dan on tenor sax.  Ended the way it started, with piano and vocal.

Lawlor back, Noel on clarinet, Nalepka tuba, Scott on cornet, Gordon trumpet, Jim Fryer, Jeff.  I Ain’t Got Nobody.

Gordon and Scott battling on I Ain't Got Nobody

Gordon and Scott battling on I Ain’t Got Nobody

Scotty cornet and Noel clarinet absolutely fantastic, Gordon and Fryer, trumpet and trombone trading, 4’s  for Lu Waters’ Come Back Sweet Poppa. 

The Au Brothers were raised on Lu Waters by their uncle, Howard Miatta, who plays with the High Sierra Jazz Band. Our guys continued with a stormy version of Struttin’ With Some Barbecue. 

There was time for one more ‘classy’ tune with a small ensemble, before the final fiasco. Donn Trenner called for Duke’s  A Train, Donn in constant, fluid, rhythmic motion.  Absolutely beautiful! This man loves to play piano.

A train

Gordon ended it as he had begun, leading the Finale, a rip roaring Panama!

Everyone up for Panama

Everyone up for Panama

Breathless.  That’s how we were left this Saturday Evening of Jeff and Joel’s House Party!   Yet there was more coming on Sunday……

Jeff Barnhart and his Hot Rhythm for Essex Winter Series

Jeff Barnhart, Gordon Au, Dan Levinson, Vince Giordano

Jeff Barnhart and his Hot Rhythm

By: Jean Hadley
Photos by Ed Ohr
Videos by CineDevine

The music of THOMAS “FATS” WALLER
John Winthrop Middle School – Deep River, Connecticut,   March 2, 2014

Jeff Barnhart and His Hot Rhythm celebrate the music of Fats Waller at the The Stu Ingersoll Jazz Concert hosted by the Essex Winter Series.  Artistic director – Mihae Lee, Jazz artistic advisor – Jeff Barnhart.

Trumpet: Gordon Au (http://www.gordonaumusic.com/)
Reeds — Dan Levinson (http://www.danlevinson.com)
Piano: Jeff Barnhart (http://www.jeffbarnhart.com/)
Banjo: Bob Barta (http://sunnylandjazz.com/?page_id=6)
Bass — Vince Giordano (http://vincegiordano.com)
Drums: Kevin Dorn (http://www.kevindorn.com/)

Although the weather report was predicting threatening weather, people came out in droves to hear Jeff and his ensemble of fine musicians.  From the beginning to the end, it was an afternoon of delightful entertainment.

Jeff at piano

Jeff Barnhart                      all photos by Ed Ohr

 

 

Jeff, a piano virtuoso, opened (solo) playing Waller’s most well known HONEYSUCKLE ROSE/1929. From then on, it was non-stop.

 

Following this solo, the band members assembled and set the pace for an unforgettable performance. Each musician, highly skilled in his music artistry,  are men who have a plethora of credits and a dossier that has no end.

Some people think OKOM (our kind of music) is passé  or some say outmoded….not so!  Before us, on stage, one could see two very young musicians (30 years old) who have already made a huge name for themselves and an impact on the younger generation of musicians and fans.

Gordon on trumpet, Kevin on drums

Gordon Au and Kevin Dorn

To hear young Gordon Au (trumpet) you might think he has been playing for a very long time. He may be young but his music talent, repertoire and credentials are outstanding.  Next, Kevin Dorn (drums) another young and talented musician on the scene, has been delighting audiences for several years here in Connecticut, New York City and Europe.

 

The band came to full circle with three greats, in the music industry, Vince Giordano, Dan Levinson and Bob Barta all well known in the USA and abroad. These three wonderful musicians need no introduction.

Dan on clarinet

Dan Levinson

BoB Barta banjo, Vince Giordano string bass

Bob Barta and Vince Giordano

Now begins the music, for which the members of the audience were patiently waiting.

After Jeff finished his fantastic rendition of HONEYSUCKLE ROSE (and brought down the house) Jeff proceeded to spend time entertaining us with wonderful stories about Fats and his brilliance on the piano and his composing ability and, all this in his too short life of 39 years. However, what he left behind has and will last forever.

Jeff talks about Fats Waller – At Twilight

Jeff Barnhart – Handfull of Keys

You’re Feets Too Big

I am writing this, without giving you details of everything that occurred on stage, but rather to encourage you to make every effort to hear this band when they do a repeat of this concert. You will be surprised how many Fats Waller numbers you will recall, and hear some you never knew he wrote.

Here are several numbers that were played and introduced to many of us for the first time…..HOLD MY HAND, AT TWILIGHT, HANDFUL OF KEYS, THE MINOR DRAG, MOPPIN & BOPPIN AND RUMPSTEAK SERENADE and, some well- known to the audience, I’M CRAZY ‘BOUT MY BABY, THE JOINT is JUMPIN’, WHAT DID I DO TO BE SO BLACK AND BLUE, AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’.

Thank you Jeff, Vince, Dan, Bob, Gordon and Kevin.

Jan Hadley
Videos by CineDevine
Photos by Ed Ohr

More Videos:
I’m Crazy ‘Bout my Baby
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iL6_rPspfM

Hold My Hand
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgDcKBuuh3M

Handful of Keys
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iq9Lz7S1TRE

Keepin Out of Mischief Now
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RA8nWAO9EZY

You Must Be Losing Your Mind
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=592mL8HEHTA

Minor Dag
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOEVhOVN4h4

The 12th Street Rag:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBoG1Gsigjs

I’ve Got a Feeling I’m Falling:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pnDOF3NhMQ

When The Saints Go Marching In
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZVdRAKjMTs

Keeping Out of Mischief Now
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RA8nWAO9EZY

Moppin’ and Boppin’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbN1bmceqKU#t=146

You Must Be Losing Your Mind
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=592mL8HEHTA#t=11

Rumpsteak Serenade
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQ_g7jm0Y0g

 

Jeff and Joel’s House Party, October 11-13, 2013

14 musicians lined up on long staircase

Official Staircase picture, by Eric Devine

Bottom up – Bob Barta, Bill Reynolds, Jeff Barnhart, Daniel Barda, Alain Marquet, Noel Kaletsky, Ian Frankel, Emily Asher, Freddy Vigorito, Tom Palinko, Gordon Au, Lou Bocciarelli, Joel Schiavone, Albie Bernard

By Sue Finn
Pictures by Sue Finn and Marce

Daniel on trombone, Alain on clarinet

Daniel Barda and Alain Marquet

It was wonderful to have Daniel and Alain there all the way from France to perform for us.  How they did it through the jet lag is beyond me.  I was particularly impressed with Daniel’s ‘Ory’s Creole Trombone’.  I was sitting close enough to hear him say that he had no warning that he was going to be asked to play that – amazing!  And hearing Alain & Noel together was magical – especially ‘China Town’.

I thought the addition of the Friday night concert was a cool way to give us all a chance to hear D & A in depth.  Nice touch having Bill play washboard on ‘Washboard Wiggle’ – wonder if it made them feel at home!

Daniel, Alain, Bill Reynolds on washboard

Paris Washboard, with Bill Reynolds on washboard

Saturday afternoon started the weekend ‘proper’ with the full contingent of super-talented musicians, in various permutations for all of the two days. There were many different styles.

Emily Asher and Daniel Barda

Emily Asher and Daniel Barda

 

 

Some highlights:  ‘Mood Indigo’ with two trombones,

 

 

 

Fred Vigorito cornet and Gordon Au trumpet

Fred Vigorito and Gordon Au

 

 

 

‘Cakewalking Babies’ with trumpet and cornet,

 

 

 

‘Bogalusa Strut’ and, of course,  ‘Joel’s Banjo Frenzy’ sing along with Noel being a good sport and playing a banjo again – although he always says he won’t!

 Joel with banjo leading sing-along, Palinko drums, Barnhart piano, Barta banjo

Joel’s banjo sing-along

Noel plays untuned banjo

Noel Kaletsky on banjo

The finale for this set was ‘South Rampart Street Parade’ with 11 of the 14 musicians joining in.

Finale Saturday 4pm

Finale Saturday 4pm

The ‘history lesson’ on Saturday evening was very informative and something new (I think – I wasn’t at the 3rd House Party so Jeff may have done it there).  In my opinion this set included some of the best music of the weekend, including the aforementioned ‘Ory’s Creole Trombone’.  I was surprised at the bebop number – definitely learned something there.  I always thought bebop was like swing and the dance similar to jitterbug.  Needless to say this trad jazz fan didn’t like it but it didn’t sound as if Jeff expected anybody to!  My favorites from this set were:  ‘At a Georgia Camp Meeting’, ‘At the Jazz Band Ball’, ‘Stevedore Stomp’ & ‘Big Bear Stomp’.

 

most all musicians

Saturday night Finale

Sunday brought more wonderful music – where do they get their energy?? – and included some novelty numbers – ‘Down in Jungle Town’, ‘A Chicken Ain’t Nothing But a Bird’ and the (unplanned) ‘Rooster Song’ solo by Jeff.  Also another sing along.  In this set I especially liked ‘Limehouse Blues’,

Gordon Au singing, Noel playing clarinet

Gordon sings

 

 

‘Happy Feet’ with Gordon singing, Jeff & Ian’s piano duet and the grand finale of the weekend with ALL the musicians playing ‘High Society’.

 

 

table filled with food and people helping themselvees

Volunteers served delicious meals

 

 

 

Can’t end this without a mention of the volunteers – they are amazing, working quietly, mostly behind the scenes and making sure it all runs smoothly and everyone has a truly memorable weekend.

 

 

Now we all have to be very patient and wait until October, 2014 for the next one!  We are SO lucky to be able to hear such talented musicians play amazing music just for us…………

Sue Finn

 Questionnaire

>From Marce:    List of 16 hours of Tunes!
Eric’s videos are in the works, there will be more on this later.   If you were a witness to this marvelous weekend, please share your comments with us.  Send to marce@nejazz.com.

I’ll See You In My Dreams

Comments:
Eric Devine:
“It’s hard to put into words the feeling I have when I’m at Jeff and Joel’s House party.  I find myself literally surrounded by incredibly talented musicians and enthusiastic fans who all like what I like.  It feels like a big Trad Jazz family reunion in some ways. This house party (number 4) may have been the best yet.  It’s hard to say this because each party has been exciting, fun and unique, but the addition of a Friday night show with Alain Marquet, Daniel Barda, Jeff Barnhart and Bill Reynolds was really spectacular.  On Saturday night Jeff narrated a 50-year history of jazz that was interesting and funny.  There were so many great moments from this party, from the comedic interchange among musicians to the really hot tunes to the conversations with musicians and other fans.  I am grateful that Jeff, Joel and all of the house party volunteers find a way to make this party happen and I look forward to the next one.”

Marilyn Snow:
What  a great weekend–jazz heaven. Loved the music (such great talent) and the surroundings, food, and company, all just wonderful. What a marvelous concept.

 Fred Vigorito, cornetist:
Thank you Joel Schiavone and Jeff Barnhart for a fabulous, fun filled weekend of hot Jazz! Thank you Glen and Carol Ott for the delicious food!  Over 200 Jazz fans enjoyed the sounds of 14 talented musicians giving it their all.  Thank you, volunteers. It couldn’t happen without you!  This was so much fun!  Playing with Daniel and Alain of Paris Washboard! Sharing the trumpet slot with Gordon Au.  Working with trombonist Emily Asher, drummers Bill Reynolds and Tom Palinko, bass man Lou Bocciarelli, clarinetist Noel Kaletsky, banjoists Bob Barta and Joel, tuba man Albie Barnard, pianists Jeff Barnhart and Ian Frenkel.  You should have seen and heard Jeff and Ian’s duet, with one piano!  Sad to see it all come to an end, but the good news is that it will happen again next year, Oct 11 and 12, 2014.  This will sell out for sure, so buy your tickets soon! Go to: www.jeffandjoelshouseparty.com