Wolverine Jazz Band at the Sherborn Inn, September 9, 2014

Posted on September 9, 2014 by admin

Wolverine Jazz Band will be celebrating 19 years together in December

Jeff Hughes trumpet, John Clark reeds, Tom Boates trombone, Jim Mazzy banjo/vocals, Ross Petot piano, Rick MacWilliams tuba, Dave Didriksen drums

All stellar Jazzmen who invoke the spirit of New Orleans Jazz, The Wolverines returned to their monthly gig at the Sherborn Inn. We are fortunate that they rehearse their CDs with us! Bored with playing their nearly 20 years of material, they searched for new things. (Jimmy has a million of ’em.)

They began this first Jazz evening of September at the Inn with a salute to Fall, Jimmy singing a sweet Shine on Harvest Moon.

They shuffled around the early part of the 20th century with Walter Donaldson’s Love Me or Leave Me, King Oliver Creole Jazz Band’s Mable’s Dream, it’s on their new CD.

They have many King Oliver tunes in their book. King Oliver had one of the best and most important bands in early Jazz, but he didn’t have many vocals. Jimmy came up with I’m Lonesome Sweetheart.

Tom Boates, one of the top trombonist in New England

Tom Boates was featured on New Orleans Stomp; Kid Ory would have approved!

Dave Didriksen’s drumming pushed the front line into lovely polyphonic sound, with Rick adding a fine tuba solo.

Dave Didriksen

Rick MacWilliams

Ross Petot, stride pianist

Ross was featured on I Hate Myself for Being So Mean To You! with a raucous interchange between trombone and clarinet.

I’m in Seventh Heaven will also be on the CD. (Where did they find all of these that we never heard of before???)

John Clark has become proficient at baritone sax.

A new tune for them was one J. C. Johnson wrote for the Paul Whiteman Band, played by Bix Beiderbecke, When. Jimmy vocal, with fabulous baritone sax by Clark.

A tune written by a trombone player, Santo Pecora, She’s Crying For Me, John on bari sax, had Tom on nice muted trombone, backed by drum & tuba.

Jimmy with left fingers wrapped around neck of the banjo. He learned from listening to radio and couldn't tell how they were holding it.

Jimmy has a unique hold on the neck of the banjo that no one can replicate.

Another Classic tune on their new CD, Jimmy sings the verse on a sweet September in the Rain.

Roll on Mississippi, Clark running the gamut up and down the scale on clarinet, Jimmy played his usual fantastic single string banjo.

Jabbo Smith’s Michigander Blues was dedicated to both Sue Lewis & Bob Sickle’s birthdays (actually last Tuesday.) Happy Birthdays, Kids!

There’ll Come a Day, San Antonia Shout, King Oliver’s 1930 Olga. John Clark took a rare vocal on Oceana Roll. He sounds fine! Who Wouldn’t Love You, a fast tune Jimmy did with the Paramount Jazz Band.

Couple in their 90's swinging on the dance floor

John & Gisela Bruneccini danced the night away celebrating their 66th Anniversary.

John & Gisela Bruneccini danced away celebrating their 66th Anniversary.

Jeff has a varried collection of antique trumpets and cornets.

Django’s Nuage is on the new CD. Jeff was amazing on his 1953 Selmer “Balanced Action” finely ornamented trumpet.

The finale, a good ol’ good one, Panama; Boates squeezed in a snippet of ‘It’s a Small World.” on trombone. (He had to be quick!)

This was a marvelous evening spent with our favorite musicians. This was not a rehearsal, it was more of a demonstration – the CD is ready and will be available in November. The Wolverine Jazz Band will bring their magical Traditional/Dixieland Jazz back to the Sherborn Inn on Tuesday, October 7th. Don’t miss it!

Wolverine Jazz Band at the Sherborn Inn, April 29, 2014

Posted on May 9, 2014 by admin

Wolverine Jazz Band

Jeff Hughes cornet, John Clark clarinet/bari sax, Tom Boates trombone, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Ross Petot piano, Rick MacWilliams tuba, Dave Didriksen drums

The Wolverines are busy – new CD out anytime soon, and preparing for their trips to Festivals and their regular summer venues. They’ve been invited to the Hot Steamed Jazz Festival in Essex, CT, America’s Dixieland Jazz Festival in Olympia, WA, Arizona Classic Jazz Fest.

They will be busy locally this summer: June 1, Melrose (noon-4); July 9 – Willows at Westboro; July 29 – Southgate at Shrewsbury; July 30 – Sherborn Center; August 20 – Norwood; August 21 – Natick Senior Center

All stellar Jazzmen who invoke the spirit of New Orleans Jazz, we are fortunate that they rehearse with us at the Sherborn Inn! They began with a new song that will be on the CD coming out the end of this month – Dear Old Girl – for the sentimental Irish.

Jeff Hughes

Savoy Blues, Jeff raucous on 1954 Long Model, “K-Modified” Selmer cornet, and being Bix Beiderbecke on There’ll Come a Time. He’s an expert on many famous cornetist and trumpeters, and is known for always wearing a hat.

Jimmy Mazzy

We have many Jimmy Mazzy vocals, Al Jolson’s California Hear I Come, T’Ain’t So, Jelly Roll Morton’s Sweet Substitute, with Jeff comping, more below.

Dave Didriksen

This was the 115th anniversary of Duke Ellington’s birthday, so naturally there were some Duke’s: Sweet Mama (they haven’t played before).

1929 Cotton Club, Duke’s, Digga Digga Do let Dave Didriksen go on drums.

Jimmy volcal on Al Jolson’s California Here I Come, backed by bari sax, drum rim-tapping behind him. Pre-Cotton Club Creole Love Call – Jimmy whistling the Adelaide Hall riff. A tune Paramount Jazz Band did, and always messed up the beginning: Who Wouldn’t Love You? The Wolverines don’t mess up.

Ory’s Creole Trombone

Tom was featured on Ory’s Creole Trombone. Magnificent!

Rick MacWilliams hidden behind tuba

King Oliver recorded Olga in 1930 on Victor, Rick recreating the tuba solo, great New Orleans polyphony by front line. This is a song that nobody ever plays.

Panama is one of our favorite Ragtime Marches, Jimmy Scatting, John Clark on that monster baritone saxophone.

Ross was featured with the Trio on a more modern tune, In a MellowTone, stride piano giving it a Ragtime feel, joined by Jeff on cornet at close.

A no-holds-barred rendition of Sunset Café Stomp had all the feet tapping. The first tune John Clark ever heard that captivated him and moved him toward Traditional Jazz was Mugsy Spanier^‘s I’m Sorry I Made You Cry. Mood Indigo, Clark on low register clarinet, Jim vocal, soft muted trombone and cornet. They hit all our favorites! They closed with a Spanish beat on Oriental Man.

Look above for all the places this marvelous Traditional Jazz Band will be playing this year. Also check our calendars, and get on John Clark’s email list: jazzbnd@aol.com He sends out email updates once a month to everyone on his list.

Wolverine Jazz Band at the Sherborn Inn March 11, 2014

Posted on March 11, 2014 by admin

Wolverine Jazz Band

Jeff Hughes trumpet, John Clark leader/clarinet/bari sax/vocal, Tom Boates trombone/vocal, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Ross Petot piano, Rick MacWilliams tuba, Dave Didriksen drums

The Wolverines are busy preparing for their trips to Festivals and their regular summer venues. They’ve been invited to the Hot Steamed in Essex, CT, America’s Dixieland Jazz Festival in Olympia, WA, Arizona Classic Jazz Fest. They rehearse with us at the Sherborn Inn – how fortunate is that??

However, St. Patrick’s Day was approaching, so instead of their theme song, they kicked it off with an popular tune – Wearing of the Green, a song about the Irish rebellion of 1798.

We had special guests up from Connecticut – their first time here – Jean Hadley, Joan Boutelle , and friend/driver Angie. Thanks for coming folks!!

Inspired by one another, the Wolverines play incredible Dixieland, Satanic Blues, John Clark already on baritone sax, Tom Boates growling trombone. Smokin’!

They tried out new tunes, preparing for their next CD, creating arrangements as they played them. “Some mighty fine guesses going on here.” Chimes Blues will be on their new album, Ross Petot playing chimes on piano.

Jeff Hughes watches Ross Petot play fantastic piano

Jeff Hughes watches Ross Petot play amazing stride piano

We’re always ready for a Jimmy Mazzy vocal, and there were many: T’aint So. (Yes, ‘tis!) Come Rain or Come Shine. Lonny Johnson’s Tomorrow Night, a 1920’s tune that changed over the years from the 40’s to 50’s Rock & Roll; even Elvis recorded it. Jimmy’s special ballad, After You’ve Gone with Jeff soft trumpet behind him; Rick MacWilliams majestic tuba solo. Sound of the Wanderer, a 1920’s tune that featured Helen Hughes, incredible interplay between trumpet and trombone.

Sunset Cafe Stomp was a Charleston. It was named after the Sunset Cafe, also known as The Grand Terrace Cafe, a jazz club in Chicago in the 20’s to 40’s.
Recorded by Louis Armstrong:
“Gentlemen, ladies too
Push ’em round n round
They loose their head
They’ll drop dead …. doing the Sunset Stomp.”

Tom Boates and Jim Mazzy

Eubie Blakes Memories of You sweet Clark clarinet feature, Tom on muted trombone.

Tom Boates set sparks flying on Snake Rag!

Zero by Santo Pecora, New Orleans trombonist was HOT!

John Clark finds his voice

From their latest CD, a fun tune, Egyptian Ella, with John Clark vocal.

Jeff Hughes, trumpet

This band never disappoints! They showed what a good band can do. There were many more great tunes.

They closed with a big hit at all the festivals, Dinah, Jeff Hughes’ sharp trumpet intro with banjo riffs, gave Dave Didriksen a chance to let go on drums; it was so hot it triggered the famous Jimmy Mazzy shout!

Hot Band!

They’re more than ready for the upcoming festivals. We don’t mind sharing them. You can even Hire them. They’ll be back here again on April 29^th and June 14^th (for those of you keeping track.) Folks come from all over; Marilyn will probably be driving from down Maine.

Hope to see you here! Sherborn Inn, 33 N. Main Street, (inters. of Rts. 16 & 27) Sherborn, MA Reservations: (508) 655-9521 or info@sherborninn.com. Please make a reservation – the Wolverines tend to fill up the room.

Marce

Hot Steamed Jazz Festival 2012 Wolverine Jazz Band

Posted on June 24, 2012 by admin

Wolverine Jazz Band – 3 sets – 7 pieces – Dr. John Clark, master of the reeds, leader and so much more with musicians who have graced us for most of the 20 years, with beautiful trad jazz. Of late he has taken tunes written in the 80’s and remodeled them into the trad jazz format.
A wonderful experience to hear these fantastic new arrangements and how well they work. On board was the incomparable Jimmy Mazzy, the person and musician that most trad lovers just can’t get enough of hearing, plus Jeff Hughes-cornet, Tom Boates-trombone, Ross Petot-piano, Rick MacWilliams-tuba and Dave Didriksen-drums. Lauren Humpage

* * *

The Wolverines have been playing together since 1995 and have become one of the top New England Bands, with invitations to Festivals all over the country, playing their hot, blistering jazz!

We first heard Clark, one of the youngest band leaders of this genre, when he stepped in for Steve Wright and Gary Rodberg in Ray Smith’s Paramount Jazz band. He has since reached the pinacle of reed-playing, with clarinet, alto, bari and bass sax. Jeff Hughes’s music comes straight from the heart, whether on Bix, Berigan, even Harry James. Boates trombone is second to none. This front line plays some of the finest Trad/Dixieland Jazz in the country.

This day was no different. They started with South Rampart St. Parade that left the crowd flabbergasted.

When My Dreamboat Comes Homefeatured Jimmy on vocal, with John Clark on bari sax, and Ross’s fabulous stride piano.

From Duke Ellington’s Cotton Club, The Mooche, fantastic with muted cornet and trombone trading fours. From their new CD, Street Beat, a sweet ballad, How Can I Be Blue?

Larry Conley’s composition made famous by Jelly Roll Morton, their favorite Tijuana, gave Rick MacWilliams a fine tuba solo. W.C. Handy’s Memphis Blues, was accentuated by Jimmy’s infamous scatting.

The dynamic duo, Dave Didriksen drums and Rick MacWilliams tuba drive the band with a steady beat.

Some swing, especially for the dancers – Jive At Five, trombone and cornet playing arresting sounds on open bell.

Ross was featured on his own arrangement of Caravan (clarinet interweaving in Arabic style) the front line comping.

Ross Petot is one of our secret treasures. He is a composer, arranger, teacher; a great pianist, specializing in stride piano.

A family man, his stride piano is heard all over New England.

No need to describe Jimmy – he’s known all over the world. In his own unique style, Jimmy rekindled memories of Old Cape Cod.

They closed with the title tune from one of their best selling CDs, On The Mall.

It’s been a privilege watching this band grow, and now sharing it with the rest of the world.

www.wolverinejazzband.com

Wolverine Jazz Band Sizzles at the Sherborn Inn!

Posted on February 28, 2012 by admin

by Betty Weaver

file photo

The Wolverine Jazz Band played to a capacity crowd at the Sherborn Inn on Tuesday, February 28th, playing upbeat jazz the whole night, from beginning to end.

They started with a lively My Blue Heaven, and did it perfectly. Everything sparked, and it took off from there

Trombonist Tom Boates was in a playful mood all night long, with his raucus, growling trombone. The highlight was his scatting with Jimmy Mazzy. Didriksen was beside himself, smiling all the while, playing a solid beat.

John Clark announced Dave’s engagement to his lady friend Cathy. The band had planned a slow song, then an upbeat tune for the Finale, but reversed it to a sizzlingSwing That Music, then Trombonist Boates took over the drums for an emotional and warm Memories, so Dave and Cathy could dance.

It was a sparkling evening, from beginning to end.

Congratulations, Dave and Cathy! Live a long and happy life!

Wolverine Jazz Quartet at Sherborn Inn Mardi Gras Luncheon, February 21, 2012

Posted on February 21, 2012 by admin

The Sherborn Inn had a double-header Mardi Gras celebration, beginning with the Wolverine Jazz Quartet, with Dave Whitney trumpet, Rick MacWilliams tuba, Jimmy Mazzy banjo, and John Clark clarinet/bass clarinet.

The 3-course luncheon was a choice of special Mardi Gras Shrimp Jambalaya or Bourbon Chicken. The band renamed Sunset Cafe Stomp with The Sherborn Inn Stomp.

In keeping with the New Orleans’ theme, a group of Red Hatters from Walpole (sans chapeau) livened up the afternoon with colorful costumes, complete with tiara and boa.

Donna Monteiro, Lee Normandin, Donna Kearney, Olga Cox, and Michelle Merriam enjoyed the Dave’s trumpet on Louis Armstrong’s Someday You’ll Be Sorry and Mable’s Dream.

When I Grow Too Old To Dream, Jimmy vocal; While We Danced At The Mardi Gras, he slipped in a touch of Ciri Biri Bin on his banjo. New Orleans was a natural, with Whitney ending in an impressive trumpet coda.

Instead of dipping into his vast collection of 20-s and 30’s songs, Jimmy chose Blues Before Sunrise for one vocal, done by B.B. King and Eric Clapton, and Dean Martin’s All I Do Is Dream of You.

Jimmy is self-taught, his playing is exceptionally unique. Every banjo player who tries to imitate him ends up saying “How does he do that???”

But he’s never boring, always adding something new, as in single-string picking of lower chords on his banjo solo of Louisian-I-A.

Adding another instrument to his arsenal, Clark brought in a bass clarinet to supplement his usual clarinet. (Only two instruments, no baritone sax.) None necessary – Clark’s expertise on reeds and Whitney’s trumpet carried the afternoon!

Louis Armstrong Hot 5’s Struttin’ With Some Barbecue was incredible on bass clarinet!

Rick MacWilliams’ tuba took the intro to the Burns and Allen theme song, Love Nest.
That’s a Plenty was WILD, with Jimmy scatting through his chorus.

They closed the afternoon at 2pm with Stuff Smith’s You Showed Me The Way.

The second half of the Sherborn Inn’s Mardi Gras was at 7pm. with Stan McDonald’s Blue Horizon Jazz Band, with Berklee Professor Jeff Stout on cornet.

The full Wolverine Jazz Band will be back at the Sherborn Inn on February 28th, 7 to 9:30pm.

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