February 8, 2020

Next Time:

Sam's Add-A-Tune:

We found some new talent in old faces: Steve H (soprano, piano, percussion), Raphael (bass), John (trombone, piano), Elena (vocals), Bill (vocals), and Ari (trumpet, flugelhorn).

We got underway with your scribe following a suggestion of John, who was noodling on the piano, Ain't Misbehavin' (III-13) He stayed on piano for a few tunes, then switched with the scribe every so often on the keys. John called the next one, All Of Me (I-20), which our vocalists also joined in on. Raphael opted for the ballad Lament (I-239). Elena found one from her repertoire that we could do, Taking A Chance On Love (IV-415). Bill chose All The Way (III-17). We made some adjustments to try to get our playing to match up with the charts they were used to playing.

Back to yours truly, who called Come Fly With Me (III-80). Ari took his first and went with The Days Of Wine And Roses (IV-99). Vocal Time was upon us, so we turned to Elena, who sang Misty (I-277). Bill followed with another classic (and timely) ballad, My Funny Valentine (I-287). John chose Nica's Dream (I-299) for the instrumental, though he had to skip out before it ended. Elena turned to Fly Me To The Moon (II-135). At that point, your other piano player had to leave, so the group adjourned until next time.

--SJH

February 1, 2020

Next Time: Sat., 2/8, 11am-3pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale, St. Louis Park)

Some new faces this week, along with the regulars: Sam (trumpet, trombone), Steve C (piano), Raphael (bass), Steve H (alto, percussion)), Jack K (trumpet, drums), Steve M (alto), Bill R. (vocals), and Elena G. (vocals).

As usual, Sam's Add-A-Tune got things rolling, this time Dolphin Dance (I-58). Elena took her first turn with It's Only A Paper Moon ( II-208). Bill followed with All of Me (I-20). Jack opted for Time After Time (III-408). Steve M went with a slightly up version of the ballad, Darn That Dream (I-99). Steve C. kept things easygoing with a slower version of Beautiful Love (I-40) Raphael changed the speed with Scrapple From The Apple (I-351). Yours truly went with a vocalist's suggestion, I've Got The World On A String (III-188).

I'm guessing Sam called something at this point, but I failed to write it down. But vocalist Elena took a turn on Stormy Weather (III-382). Bill moved in the Frank zone on Come Rain Or Come Shine (II-XXX). Your scribe had to pull up stakes as Carl got a turn with Blues By Five (II-59). But the ever-faithful Raphael took notes. Elena took on the slow but swingy Sentimental Journey (II-343). Steve M chose I Thought About You (II-180). Steve C followed with more Frank style, Fly Me To The Moon (II-135). Raphael was feeling groovy on This I Dig Of You (II-396). Sam got a last turn on Move (II-280). Elena, as she promised, called My Funny Valentine (I-287). The afternoon ended on Bill last call, The Girl From Ipanema (I-158).

--SJH

January 25, 2020

Next Time: Sat., 2/1, 11am-3pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale, St. Louis Park)

Sam's Add-A-Tune: Dolphin Dance (I-119)

A reasonably busy day at the Workshop. Present were Sam (trumpet, trombone), Raphael (bass), Steve C (piano), Jack K (trumpet), Steve H (alto), Wes (tenor), Matt (vocals), and Carl (trombone).

The session began with Sam's Add-A-Tune, Bossa Antigua (III-58).  Jack K. called an easy-feel version of There Will Never Be Another You (I-407). Steve C. found the unfamiliar old tune, Indian Summer (III-213). Raphael turned to a tune we had tried a few weeks ago, Let's Face The Music And Dance (III-238). Your scribe was eager to run with It's De-Lovely (III-2xx). Matt took his first vocal turn on In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning (I-210).

Sam got the second round going with his usual closer, St. Thomas (II-339). Jack settled into a great old ballad, Polka Dots And Moonbeams (II-318). Your truly had to leave, but Raphael recorded the proceedings. Carl opted for If I Were A Bell (II-144). Wes called For Sentimental Reasons (I-147). Matt took another vocal on Fly Me To The Moon (II-135).  Carl got another, going with old favorite Two Degrees East, Three Degrees West ((II-408). Things wrapped up on a last vocal call, Beyond The Sea (II-40).

--SJH

January 11, 2020

Sat, 1/18 CANCELLED. Weather looks pretty ugly. See you next time (we hope).

Next Time: Sat., 1/25, 11am-3pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale, St. Louis Park)

Sam's Add-A-Tune: Bossa Antigua (III-58)

Residents who wanted to watch the Vikings-49ers playoff game had dibs on the theater, so our time together was cut short. In the meantime, though, we had an solid group with a full rhythm section: Sam (trombone, trumpet), John (trombone), Jack K (drums, trumpet), Steve C (piano), Raphael (bass), Steve H (soprano, rhythm), and Carl (trombone).

After scrambling around for the drums and overcoming other setup concerns, we got underway around 11:30 with Sam's Add-A-Tune, Blues For Wood (II-60). John saved us all the trouble of turning the page by choosing Blues In The Closet (II-61). Jack kept us on the blues track with Birk's Works (II-48). Steve C finally moved us off the blues, and back before the modern era, opting for Struttin' With Some Barbecue. Raphael found a ballad none of us were familiar with, the lovely A Portrait Of Jenny (II-319). Your scribe picked up the tempo a bit, calling It Could Happen To You (II-204).

Sam started round two with a change of pace, Cantetolpe Island (II-76). Again, John protected our arms from overexertion by picking the next page tune, Caravan (II-77). Jack finally got us out of Vol. II with the choice of When Sunny Gets Blue (I-440). Carl turned to old favorite Jelly Roll (I-276). Steve C picked something fun, but yours truly was manning the brushes at the time and forgot to write it down. We closed out the afternoon with Raphael's choice of Little Boat (I-245).

--SJH

January 4, 2020

Next Time: Sat., 1/11, 11am-3pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale, St. Louis Park)

Sam's Add-A-Tune: Blues for Wood (II-60)

Quite a crew showed up for our first Workshop of the new decade. Present were Sam (trumpet, trombone), John (trombone), Steve H (piano, soprano), Waymond (drums), Jack K (trumpet), Steve D (cornet), Raphael (bass), Wes (tenor), Ari (trumpet), and Carl (trombone).

Things got underway with Sam's Add-A Tune, Freddie Freeloader (I-151). John went a little more up with Groovin' High (I-xxx). Jack K had purchased Vol IV, so we spent some time with Sunny (IV-xxx). Your scribe watched a lot of Irving Berlin-based Fred and Ginger movies on New Year's Eve, and opted for Let's Face The Music And Dance (III-238). Raphael found a lesser known tune, I Wish I Were In Love Again (III-171). Wes brought us to the more familiar Along Came Betty (III-22). Waymond was of a mind to revisit some Charlie Parker with a rousing version of Anthropology (I-29). Ari settled for his second choice, Afro Blue (I-11).

Second time around, Sam began with what turned into a very long version of The Gift (Recado Bossa Nova) (III-150). Your scribe had to pull out, but Raphael kept track of the remaining tunes. Carl called Blue Monk (I-52). Raphael stayed in blue mode with It's Blue World (II-207). Wes went with another blues, Red Top (III-332). Waymond called the bluesy Sugar (I-387). Sam finished the afternoon with St. Thomas (II-334).

--SJH

December 28, 2019

Next Time: Sat., 1/4, 11am-3pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale, St. Louis Park)

Sam's Add-A-Tune: Freddie Freeloader (I-151)

Sorry we had to cancel at the last minute, and we sincerely hope that no one struggled to get there only to find no one to play with. But our first Workshop of the new year should be a go.

--SJH

December 21, 2019

Next Time: Sat., 12/28. CANCELLED due to ice

Sam's Add-A-Tune: Bitches Brew (III-49)

Your scribe does not feel like writing much this week, because it's been very hectic, and now he is sitting in front of a fire with his feet up. So here are the bare bones.

Present:
John (trombone), Steve H (piano, soprano), Sam (trumpet, trombone), Raphael (bass), and Carl (trombone).

Played:
Blue Seven (Sam's Add-A-Tune)
Blue Bossa (John)
I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm (Steve H)
Unforgettable (Raphael)
Dear Old Stockholm (Sam)
Wave (John)
Santa Monk Is Coming To Town (Steve H)
Copenhagen (Raphael)
West Coast Blues (Sam)
In A Sentimental Mood (Carl)
In A Mellow Tone (Steve H)
Lover Come Back (Raphael)
Stablemates (Sam)
Two Degrees East, Three Degrees West (Carl)
Are You Havin' Any Fun (Steve H)

Merry Christmas from the Workshop!

--SJH