Sarah Gardner Sass & Bones at Primavera Ristorante August 24, 2017

6 pc Jazz Band - no trombone or guitar

Sarah Gardner’s Sass & Bones

Sarah Gardner leader/vocals, Jeff Hughes cornet, John Clark clarinet and alto sax, Herb “Pops” Gardner keyboard, Albie Bernard tuba, Bill Reynolds drums

Sarah is a gentle sparkplug that touches the heart and spirit, a wonderful,  lyrical vocalist.  For years she has been teaching children with her songs, and created many CDs.  This was her first foray into leading a band; she chose our top musicians to support  her.   It was such a blast for all involved, they can’t wait to do it again!

It began with an instrumental, Royal Garden Blues, to warm up the guys.  Not that they needed it – there is a camaraderie that exists between these musicians.  Their love and expertise for this music fell right into place and it all came together.

Bill Reynolds on drums and singing into mic

Bill Reynolds Sings

 

 

Sarah sang many songs, but left ample spaces for ensembles and solos, even sharing vocals.  Who knew drummer Billl Reynolds could sing?  He was in fine voice for All of Me and Embraceable You.  He’s a creative drummer – using his hands on Please Don’t Talk About Me When I’m Gone.

 

 

 

Herb at keyboard smiling and singing

Herb Gardner

 

 

“Pops” Herb Gardner sang songs that he composed: Summer People about crowds going to the beaches, and Gun Shots and Sirens  about a man who moved from a busy city to the quiet country, and missed those.  (His sleep was disturbed by crickets.)

 

 

 

Sarah composed tunes for her CD Jazz for Lil Jumpers  that  John and Jeff had never heard – they played by reading her charts.  Bill’s drums were featured on Its Raining Cats & Dogs! 

clarinet and cornet bent forward reading charts

John and Jeff playing tunes they never heard before.

 

Al Bernard on very old helicon

Al Bernard on very old Helicon

 

 

 

Al was on a Helicon that was over 100 years old and solo’d on My Mother’s Son in Law and Keep Your Hands Off It (Sarah composition.)

 

 

 

 

 

Jeff presenting cornet for photo

Jeff Hughes on Vintage French Besson cornet

 

 

 

Jeff Hughes was on an amazing 150-year-old Besson cornet!

 

 

 

 

John on alto sax

John Clark

 

 

 

 

Multi-instumentalist, John Clark, stayed with clarinet and alto sax.

 

 

 

Jerry Wadsworth, a faithful follower, drove for two hours from vacationing in Chatham on the Cape to Primavera in Millis to hear Sarah and her new band.

They closed with Goodbye, Sing This Song, also on her Jazz for ‘lil Jumpers” CD.  She wrote that one too.  That perfectly describes Sarah; uplifting and warm, lilting energy filled with sparkling songs.   They will be back!!

TUNES
Royal Garden Blues
Everybody Loves My Baby
I Had The Craziest Dream
All of Me – Bill R
After You Get What You Want, You Don’t Want It
Come Rain or Come Shine
Summer People – Pops
I’m Flying High
Sentimental Gentleman from Georgia
Jazz For Little Jumpers
Happy Feet
My Mother’s Son in Law
Gun Shots and Sirens – Pops
Cheek to Cheek
It’s Raining Cats and Dogs
Me Myself and I
Embraceable You – Bill R
Keep Your Hands Off It
Please Don’t Talk About Me When I’m Gone
Comes Love
Step Down For Kids
Goodbye, Sing This Song