May 1, 2021

NO WORKSHOP 5/8/21 due to chilly weather

We're back! Sort of. The bad news is that at our Grand Reopening, there was no electricity. The good news is that this has been rectified by the Park People. The bad news is that it is only supposed to get up to 60F this weekend--not warm enough for us older folks to sit outside awaiting our turn to play. 

The Workshop had its first fully vaccinated session on Saturday, May 1, 2021, behind the rec center at McRae Park, where we had played (indoors) for a number of years. It was a gorgeous 80 degree afternoon. Present were Sam (trombone and trumpet), your scribe (alto), Raphael (bass), Serdar (guitar), Glen (guitar), Jack K. (trumpet), John (trombone), and Carl (trombone). Without electricity, though, Raphael couldn't play in any useful way. The guitarists strummed and struggled to be heard, but helped keep us on track.

We started going around the group with Sam's pick, Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise (II-355). Serdar had us in a different place and time with Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans (II-108). Yours truly opted for a mid-tempo version of My Romance (I-289). Glen took the next call with Just Friends (IV-237).  John went all Parker on us by choosing Anthropology (I-29). Jack K. brought us back to Ellington with Satin Doll (I-349). Blue Monk (I-52) was Carl's opening call. 

Serdar had left by this point, and people were moving around to avoid the strong sun, so the circle got a bit reconfigured. Sam figured it was warm enough to bring out St. Thomas (II-339). As long as we were feeling a bit Latin, Wave (I-431) was John's call. Jack and Glen together had us play Jersey Bounce (II-223) before departing, as did Carl. With only three people remaining, your scribe called Somebody Loves Me (I-469). John opted for Groovin' High (I-166). Sam closed things out with Out Of Nowhere (I-318). 

Stay tuned for when--and where--our next Workshop session will be. 

--SJH

LET'S PLAY!

Let the Workshop commence!

When: Saturday, May 1, 11am-3pm

Where: Outside, behind McRae Rec Center, 906 E. 47th Street, MPLS (weather permitting)

Bring your own chair.

Even if nobody else shows, Sam and your scribe are dedicated to playing some duets.

Changes in COVID-19 restrictions, not to mention the weather, make it possible for us to gather outside, unmasked (if you are fully vaccinated).  We old-timers are dosed up and ready for action. If you aren't yet vaccinated, there is plenty of space outside, and we'll arrange ourselves accordingly. There is a power outlet, but we might need some extensions or power strips.

For newcomers, this Workshop is an opportunity to work on improvisation and varying styles of jazz. Here's how our Workshop runs. We play from the Real Books, generally vols. 1, 2, and 3, sometimes 4. (If you want to play something not in the Real Books, bring the sheet music for C, Eb and Bb instruments.) We go around the circle taking turns calling the tune. The person who calls the tune calls style and tempo, and gets the first solo. We play it down, then we solo in turn around the circle (you may pass if you wish). The second half is typically dedicated to vocalists (with instrumentals in between), should any be present.

REALLY looking forward to seeing all of you again!

--SJH

March 13, 2021

Don't know if anyone even remembers this website now, after a year in hiatus for the Workshop. Let's hope someone tunes in from time to time.

Your scribe has received his first coronavirus (still sounds like something you could get from a beer handed to you by Tony Romo) vaccine. Second dose on Good Friday, in three weeks. Here's hoping we can consider reopening the Workshop in another month or so. Where that will be is an interesting question.

The jazz world is saddened again this week by the death from leukemia of Yolande Bruce, singer and actress. Your scribe has not seen her perform in person for many years now, but he remembers it was a lot of fun. Here's hoping you and Debbie can show the angelic choir how it's done.

--SJH

December 26, 2020

Writing today on the Feast of Stephen, the first martyr (as Good King Wenceslas reminds us, "He was stoned, dude"), and thus a day dear to your scribe. It's Boxing Day in what remains of the British Empire. For many, it's simply the day after Christmas, and here's hoping it finds you all well.

It's been far too long since there has been an installment of the Workshop Blog, and it would be surprising if anyone checks it now. It would be surprising if anyone checked it while we were up and running. Still, yours truly misses our Saturday play-along, in terms of both the music and camaraderie. With the coming vaccines, there is light at the end of the tunnel, and not just the light shining on a sign that says, "You've reached the end of the tunnel. Please proceed quietly back the way you came." So maybe in six months we can be back to our gatherings.

It's been a year since the passing of Irv Williams, and now, almost exactly a year later, the Twin Cities jazz world mourns the loss of the great Debbie Duncan. A tough way to end a tough 2020. Musicians, however, are a resilient batch, and this writer is looking forward to a burst of beautiful sound come the anniversary of our first lockdowns.

Merry Christmas, and may your New Year be an excellent one.

--SJH

April 25, 2020 (Hiatus Fun)

Due to COVID-19, we remain on hiatus until...well, who knows right now.

In the meantime, your scribe has put out a call to keep connected during our time of sheltering-in-place. 

I've asked everyone to share with others their Top Ten Lists: top songs to improvise on; top single recordings; top albums; top tunes from the big band era, top vocal performances; top musicals or music-related movies--things like that.

To date, no one has contributed. Now, I know why I haven't contributed: I have been very busy trying to convert my college courses to online courses in a hurry. It finally occurred to me that other people might also be very busy trying to suddenly work online. So,  I'll take the lead here and put up a few top ten lists. Actually, it turns out to be very hard to make my lists exactly ten, so I'm abandoning the particular number and just asking for people's favorites, the ones they love to return to.

As for this writer, I play both alto and soprano saxophones, and the tunes I like to play on them are not identical. So, to get things started here are my favorites for alto, for soprano, and for either one.

Steve H's favorite songs for improvisation

Alto

Afternoon in Paris (John Lewis)

All the Things You Are (Jerome Kern)

Angel Eyes (Matt Denis)

Autumn in New York (Vernon Duke)

Body and Soul (Johnny Green)

Cherokee (Ray Noble)

I’m Old Fashioned (Jerome Kern)

If You Could See Me Now (Tadd Dameron)

Lady Bird (Tadd Dameron)

My Funny Valentine (Richard Rodgers)

The Nearness of You (Hoagy Carmichael)

On the Street Where You Live (Frederick Loewe)

Polka Dots and Moonbeams (Jimmy van Heusen)

Whisper Not (Benny Golson)

Favorites for soprano

Alice in Wonderland (Sammy Fain)

Indiana (James Hanley)

It’s De-Lovely (Cole Porter)

On A Slow Boat to China (Frank Loesser)

Pennies from Heaven (Arthur Johnston)

Tangerine (Victor Schertzinger)

Favorites that cross over to either horn well

Bluesette (Toots Thielemans)

Georgia on My Mind (Hoagy Carmichael)

Here’s That Rainy Day (Jimmy van Heusen)

Perdido (Duke Ellington/Juan Tizol)

Secret Love (Sammy Fain)

Skylark (Hoagy Carmishael)

Softly As In Morning Sunrise (Sigmund Romberg)

Up Jumped Spring (Freddie Hubbard)

The Way You Look Tonight (Jerome Kern)

I hope to hear from other past and present members of the Workshop with their favorite jazz songs in whatever category they wish. Let's give each other some new things to listen to and play while we wait this thing out. 

--SJH

March 7, 2020

Due to ongoing health concerns re: COVID-19, we will not be holding the Workshop for a few weeks. Stay tuned for a notice of when we will resume.

Not an overload of people this week, but we put together enough to make it all quite fun: Steve H (soprano, piano), John (trombone, piano), Raphael (bass), and Serdar (guitar), with the piano players back on their first instruments for their own picks.

We began with the choice of the guy who got there first, your scribe, who chose Easy To Love (I-128). John ventured the next choice, an easy-going version of How High The Moon (I-180). Raphael took the next one, Up Jumped Spring (I-425). Yours truly went to the calming Polka Dots And Moonbeams (II-318). John found the venerable Moonglow (II-275). Raphael decided to stick to the classics with It's Only A Paper Moon (II-209). Your scribe chose to stick with the preceding page, calling It's All Right With Me (II-208). Serdar was setting up his gear when John asked for Manteca ((II-259). Raphael took matters in hand with Bohemia After Dark (II-63). Serdar finally got in the conversation, opting for Coming Home Baby (II-89).

Back to the top, yours truly pulled out Thou Swell (I-407). John stayed in the vicinity, choosing There Will Never Be Another You (I-407). Raphael found a lesser-known Porter tune, So In Love (III-362). Serdar pulled out the great Nancy With The Laughing Face (III-298). Your scribe opted for a bit of Frank action, Come Fly With Me (III-80). Raphael really reached back for Steppin' Out With My Baby (III-381). We finished up one a Serdar pick, St. Thomas (II-339).

--SJH

February 29, 2020

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

Special request out of respect for the residents of TowerLight.
TowerLight is a residence for the elderly and, in some cases, the ill. Given that this is not only the cold and flu season, but also a time of special watchfulness for COVID-19 (coronavirus), your scribe has two requests: 1) If you have a respiratory ailment, please stay home and take care of it. 2) If you play a horn, please do not drain your spit onto the floors and rugs of TowerLight. Bring something to drain them on, like a small towel. (We should do that anyhow, but it is especially important now.)

Special Leap Day Edition

Actually, not that special. Here's the quick version again.

The People

Raphael (bass)

Sam (trumpet and valve trombone)

Jack K (trumpet)

Arthur (drums)

Steve H (piano and alto)

Serdar (guitar)

Matt (vocals)

The Songs

Blue Bird (III-53) Sam

The Breeze and I (I-59) Jack K

Thou Swell (I-491) Steve H

Journey To Recife (I-228) Raphael

Softly As In A Morning Sunrise (II-352) Arthur

My Little Suede Shoes (II-282) Sam

Everything Happens To Me (III-114) Jack K

Perdido (II-311) Steve H

Morning Dance (II-278) Raphael

Billie's Bounce (II-44) Serdar

Sugar (I-387) Arthur

Angel Eyes (I-28) Matt

Polka Dots And Moonbeams (II-xxx) Matt

There's A Small Hotel (II-391) Sam

Little Sunflower (II-244) Raphael

The Frim Fram Sauce (II-163) Matt

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

Gee, Baby, Ain't I Good To You (I-153) Matt