April 13, 2024

Next Time: Sat., 4/20, 11am-2pm. TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park)

Who was there? A reasonable cross-section of our Workshop mailing list: Steve C (piano), Sam (trombone), Jan (trumpet), Jack (trumpet), Steve H (soprano), Matt (vocals), Liz (vocals), and J.D. (bass).

We finally got rolling without a bass player, but Jan put in a call to one. Sam, as usual, called the first tune, Black Orpheus (I-49). Jack found an obscure one, Are You Real (IV-25). Matt took a vocal turn on Always (I-24). Yours truly had the privilege of the next choice, and went to Nevertheless (III-300). Steve C. pulled out a good one, Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams (III-455). Matt tried out a classic which he had never sung before, When Sunny Gets Blue (I-440). Jan opted for one he's been working on, Watch What Happens (II-413). 

Back to Sam, we got his weekly surprise in Nostalgia In Times Square (I-336). Steve C. got a second opportunity, going with Don't Get Around Much Anymore (I-122). Matt was in charge of the final two tunes: East Of The Sun (III-104) and Moonlight In Vermont (III-283). By this point we had lost our bass player, who had only been able to be with us for an hour, and several others had to leave as well.

Hope to see you soon!

--SJH

April 6, 2024

 Next Time: Sat., 4/13, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park)

A good-sized group gathered to hone their jazz improvization skills this past weekend. Present were Sam (trombone), Jan (trumpet), Steve C (piano), Steve H (soprano), Raphael (bass), Matt (vocals), Gary (just visiting), Victoria (vocals) and, after a lengthy hiatus, Steve M (alto). 

Sam kicked off the fun with his pick of Perdido (II-311). Matt got the vocals rolling with Moonglow (II-275). Victoria took a vocal turn as well, opting for When You're Smiling (III-437). Steve C called Benny Carter's When Lights Are Low (II-421). Matt took another turn with his choice of Quizas, Quizas, Quizas (III-329). Victoria's next option was the classic All Of Me (I-20). Raphael took a gamble with the Billy Strayhorn number, Upper Manhattan Medical Group (I-426). Another vocal opportunity for the singers, Matt chose You Brought A New Kind Of Love To Me (I-458), while Victoria went with St. Louis Blues (II-366). Jan surprised us all with Alright, OK, You Win (I-27). Steve M finally got a say, turning to Get Out Of Town (II-148). Matt's last pick was Moonlight Becomes You (III-281). 

Many people had to pull up stakes at 1:30, leaving no rhythm section, so the group said goodbye for another week.

Hope to see you next time!

--SJH

March 23, 2024

NO WORKSHOP Saturday March 30

NEXT TIME: Sat. 4/6, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park)

Personnel making an appearance

Sam (trombone), Steve C. (piano), Steve H. (alto), Raphael (bass), Jack (trumpet), John (trombone), Vern (accordion), Serdar (guitar), and Matt (vocals).

Songs attempted

Sam: Bye Bye Blackbird (II-73)

Jack: Lady Bird (I-235)

Steve H: Perdido (II-311)

Matt: Cheek to Cheek (handout)

Serdar: Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans? (II-108)

Matt: Rubber Duckie (handout)

Steve C: Bye Bye Baby (III-68)

Matt: Fly Me To The Moon (II-135)

Raphael: I Could Have Danced All Night (III-156)

John: Wave (I-4xx)

Sam: Move (II-280)

Serdar: All The Things You Are (I-22)

March 16, 2024

Present: Jan (trumpet), Steve H (piano), Matt (vocals), Sam (trumpet, trombone), Jack (trumpet, Serdar (guitar)

In the notable absence of a bass player, we forged ahead with piano and guitar keeping rhythm. 

Tunes Called: 

Sam: Have You Met Miss Jones (I-172)

Matt: Nancy With The Laughing Face (III-298)

Jan: Watch What Happens (II-xxx)

Jack: It Could Happen To You (II-xxx)

Matt: The Lady Is A Tramp (III-277)

Serdar: Angel Eyes (I-28)

Jan: C'est Si Bon (I-xxx)

Matt: I'll Be Around (III-xxx)

Sam: Gone With The Wind (III-132)

Jack: My Ideal (III-292)

Matt: The Frim Fram Sauce (II-143)

Jan: Red Top (III-xxx)

Serdar: St. James Infirmary (II-xxx)

Your scribe had to pull himself away from the fun at this point. 

Hope to see you soon!

--SJH

March 9,. 2024

A happenin' group, including two newcomers, graced the Workshop this time. Present were Jan (trumpet), Matt (vocals), Gary (mandolin), Paul (bass), Victoria (vocals), Lee (bass), Jack (trumpet), Mark (piano), John (trombone), Serdar (piano), and Steve H (piano, soprano).

Your scribe was on the keys for only a couple of tunes before finding out there was another (real) paino player in attendance, and was happy to turn it over in favor of playing sax. We began with Jan's choice, You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To (II-436), followed by Matt's first pick of the day, Sentimental Journey (II-343). Mark took over the piano, and we turned to John's option, September Song (II-344). Victoria got her first chance at the mic, calling I Can't Give You Anything But Love (III-xxx). Serdar got the next pick, going to Autumn Leaves (I-39). Matt's next song was L-O-V-E (III-xxx). Mark took a straight up solo, and followed it with an accompanied vocal on All Of Me (I-20). Paul got a opportunity, opting for The Girl From Ipanema (I-xxx). Victoria took another, turning to Take The A-Train (I-398). Jack got his chance with I Thought About You (II-180).

Your scribe had to pick up stakes at this juncture, but things were still in full swing at the time.

Hope to see you next time.

--SJH

March 2, 2024

Next Time: Sat. 3/9, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park)

Another strong showing at the Workshop for our last hoedown: Jack ()trumpet), newcomer Paul (bass), Sam (trumpet, trombone), Jan (trumpet), John (trombone, piano) Steve H (piano, soprano), Raphael (bass), newcomer Gary (mandolin).

Jan got the first call of the day, so we started with Watch What Happens (II-413). John went early trad, with Struttin' With Some Barbecue (II-372). Sam remained in the same lane with The Birth of the Blues (II-49). Jack opted for both a vocal and a trumpet solo on My Ideal (III-292). Paul thought we needed a bit of Latin, turning to Black Orpheus (I-49). Raphael reminded us of how Annie used to sing Let There Be Love (III-236). Yours truly moved the tempo back up a little, calling It's De-Lovely (III-213). Serdar finally got a chance, choosing ds (I-309). Your scribe had to pack up (as did a number of others, but a scrappy quartet was still working on John's call, Wave (I-431). How they fared after that is known only to them.

Hope to see you next time!

--SJH

February 24, 2024

Next Time: Sat. 3/2, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park)

Another busy Saturday at the Workshop. Joining us were Tom (drums), Jan (trumpet), Steve C. (piano), Vern (accordion), Steve H. (soprano), Sam (trumpet, trombone), Raphael (bass), John (trombone), Matt (vocals), and Lee (bass). 

The whole shindig got of to a bouncy start with Steve C.'s choice, All Of Me (I-22). Raphael found an intriguing number in 3/4, It's A Big Wide Wonderful World (III-207). Tom got the next call, My Little Suede Shoes (II-282). Matt tok his first vocal of the day, a bossa version of Berlin's Change Partners (handout). Serdar turned to some Rhythm changes with Oleo (I-309). Jan opted for a peppy version of Doxy (II-111). 

Matt took a second vocal turn, this time on I'm Beginning To See The Light (I-200). John thought it was a good idea to dip into the Parker bank, with Anthropology (I-29). Vern brought us back to some Latin with Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars (I-338). Matt called On The Street Where You Live (III-310), and agreed to give it a bit of a swingy bounce.

Sam finally got a shot, and went to Monk's Straight, No Chaser (I-380). Your scribe chose old favorite On A Slow Boat To China (III-309). Some people were packing up, but there were enough left for yours truly to fill in on the piano for Raphael's pick, Let's Face The Music And Dance (III-xxx). As your scribe was headed out the door, a handful were still working on Serdar's choice, Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans?

Hope to see you next time!