Saturday, December 24, 2011

Happy Holidays!

There are many holidays that coincide at this time of year. May whichever holiday you celebrate be a happy time filled with family, friends, celebration and renewal! From all of the participants of the Jazz Workshop in Minneapolis!

Sunday, December 18, 2011

December 17, 2011

Thus comes to a close another year of challenge and glory for the "Jazz Workshop" at McRae Park.


Next meeting will be January 7, 2012 at 10:00 am.


Tunes played: Sister Sadie, Robin's Nest, Desafinado, Satin Doll, Jeannine, Bolivar Blues, Speak Low, Walkin' Shoes, Let's Get Lost, Dewey Square, Bluesette, Day By Day, Tune Up, There Will Never Be Another You, Hello Young Lovers, Hard Hearted Hannah, Don't Worry About Me, Never Let Me Go, I Remember April, Black Orpheus, Early Autumn, At Long Last, Lover Man, But Beautiful, Dolphin Dance, Merry Christmas Baby, Seven Come Eleven, Old Feeling, When Sunny Gets Blue, My Favorite Things and Every Time We Say Goodbye.

Attendees: Greg (guitar), Todd (trumpet), Gene (drums), Sam (bass), Steve (alto), Bill (ukulele), Keith (tenor), Jeff (piano), Bob (guitar), Serdar (guitar, really hollow body), Jack (trumpet,drums), Ahmed (trumpet) and Vocalists Victoria, Annie and Dick.

Sunday, December 11, 2011

December 10, 2011

The usual suspects and some returnees from times past gathered to make beautiful and a few strugling (it is a "work" shop you know) sounds today.

Tunes Played: Donna Lee, Au Privave, Apple Honey, Green Dolphin Street, Black Orpheus, Dream A Little Dream Of Me, Dear Old Stockholm, Satin Doll, When Sunny Gets Blue, Straight No Chaser, Sweet Little Jesus Boy, Bluesette, Never Let Me Go, Blue Monk, Here's That Rainy Day, I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm, I Want A Sunday Kind Of Love, No More Blues, I Remember You, Don't Go To Strangers, Time After Time, Cold Duck Time, and, Small World.

The Suspects and players, and singers: Gene (drums), Greg (guitar), Craig (guitar), Jeff (bass), Jeff (piano), Bob (guitar), Steve (alto), Keith (tenor), Jack (trumpet), Sam (trumpet) and Vocalists Annie, Victoria and Shiela.

Saturday, December 3, 2011

December 3, 2011

The Santa Brunch came off a Whooping Good success.

Lots of players: Peter (bari and flute), Steve (alto), Bronko (alto), Keith (tenor), Wes (tenor and vocals), Greg (guitar), Sam (bass), Ryan (drums) and Dick (vocals).

And lots of Christmas Tunes: Sleigh Ride, Christmas Song, Eb Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, All I Want For Christmas, Silver Bells, Bb Frosty The Snowman, Feliz Navidad, Christmas Waltz, What Are You Doing New Years Eve, Here Comes Santa Clause, Blue Christmas, Jingle Bells, Christmas Time Is Here, Santa Clause Is Coming To Town, Winter Wonderland

Thursday, December 1, 2011

November 26, 2011

NOTE: Saturday December 3rd, Santa Brunch 10:00 am - 12.

Tunes Played: Sleigh Ride, Feliz Navidad, Christmas Time Is Here, Christmas Song, Christmas Waltz, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Winter Wonderland, Have Yourself a Merry Christmas, A Virgin Unspotted, Up On The Housetop, All I Want For Christmas, Jingle Bells, White Christmas, I Wish You A Merry Christmas, What Are You Doing New Years Rve, Blue Christmas, Frosty The Snowman.

Attendees: Russ (trombone), Craig (guitar), Greg (guitar), Gene (drums), Keith (tenor), Wes (tenor), Sam (bass), Peter (bari). And Vocalists Annie and Dick.

Monday, November 21, 2011

November 19, 2011

Several tunes, medium participation.

NOTE: Saturday December 3rd, Santa Breakfast 10:00 am - 12.

Billie's Bounce, Dewey Square, Milestones, Misty, Easy Living, You Don't Know What Love Is, Once I Loved, Paper Moon, Freckle Face, Dear Old Stockholm, Yardbird Suite, Yesterdays, Ceora, Green Dolphin Street, Just Squeeze Me, The Breeze And I, But Beautiful, Hard Hearted Hannah, Killer Joe, Don,t Blame Me, They Say It,s Wonderful.

Vocalists: Dick and Annie.

Instrumentalists: Craig (guitar), Gene (drums), Todd (trumpet), Greg (guitar), Russ (trombone), Keith (tenor), Jim (clainet), Wes (tenor, clarinet), and Sam (bass).

Monday, November 14, 2011

Sunday, November 13, 2011

November 12th

A pleasant late autumn day for those who gathered for their weekly jazz fix.

The tunes included: Have You Met Miss Jones, The Breeze and I, West Coast Blues, Ornithology, Indian Summer, Now's the Time, C'est Si Bon, Bluesette, Body and Soul, Stars Fell on Alabama, Why Do I Love You, What Now My Love, The Nearness of You, Hard Hearted Hanna, I Cover the Waterfront, Dreamsville, Stormy Monday (blues in B-flat), Black Orpheus, East of the Sun, In a Mellow Tone, Solitude, Darn That Dream, Quiza's Quiza's Quiza's, Ceora, Something Wonderful, Moonglow, We'll Be Together Again, and Change Partners.

The participants wandering in and out through the course of the session included: Annie, Matt and Dick (vocals), Gene (drums), Bob, Greg and Craig (guitars), Todd (trumpet), Keith and Wes (tenor sax), Steve (alto sax), Russ (trombone), and Peter (bari sax).

According to Annie, the park building will be open on the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend, so you can include a jazzy diversion in your plans after the turkey and shopping!

Sunday, November 6, 2011

November 5th - Updated!





Here's some pictures from last Saturday. I had to leave early so didn't get any of the vocalists. :

Saturday, November 5, 2011

November 5, 2011

Tunes played today included:

In A Mellow Tone, Giant Steps, Speak No Evil, Let's Get Lost, Sugar, Strollin', Freckle Face, Mack the Knife, I'm Old Fashioned, I'm Sitting On Top Of The World, Darn That Dream, They Say It's Wonderful, Dream, Meditation, All The Things You Are, September Song, My Follish Hart, Day By Day, Hard Hearted Hanna, How High The Moon, The Night We Called It A Day, All Of Me, All Of You, Something Wonderful, It's Been a Long, Long Time, Spring Is Here, Lullaby of Birdland, Bye Bye Blackbird, Skylark and I Remember You.

Singers:
Annie, Vicky, Dick and Shelia
Instrumentalist:
Todd, trumpet/ Steve, alto sax/Greg, guitar/ Sadar, guitar/ Sam, bass

Saturday, October 29, 2011

October 29, 2011

It was a beautiful fall day and we played a ton of tunes.

You Don't Know What Love Is, Harrison Crabfeathers, Indian Summer, Blue Room, Stella By Starlight, Sister Sadie, How Insensitive, Pent Up House, How High The Moon, My Little Suede Shoes, Blue Bossa, A Foggy Day In London Town, All Blues, Why Do I Love You, Nostalgia In Time Square, Something Wonderful, The Summer Knows, The Touch of Your Lips, Stardust, I'm Just a Lucky So And So, Darn That Dream, There Will Never Be Another You, Spring Is Here, Along Came Betty, They Say Its Wonderful, Just Friends, I Don't Know Why, Lullaby of Birdland, Take The A Train.

Musicans included: Russ/Trumbone, Sam/Trumpet, Todd/Trumpet, Steve/A. Sax, Bob/Guitar, John/Guitar, Gene/Drums, Greg/Guitar, Craig/Guitar, Jeff/Bass, Peter/B. Sax, Wes/T. Sax.

Vocalist: Annie, Dick, Vicky and Shelia

Monday, October 24, 2011

October 22, 2011

Thank you Jim Defeo, Resident Artist, for the poster on the wall at McRae Park advertising The Jazz Workshop.

Tunes played today: Honeysuckle Rose, Somebody Loves Me, I Can't Get Started, Delores, Dolphin Dance, Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum, Love Me Or Leave Me, The Saga Of Harrison Crabfeathers, Satin Doll, Dinah, Dindi, Silver's Seranade, Seven Come Eleven, Cousin Mary, Jordu, I'm Old Fashioned, Why Do I Love You, Meditation, St. Thomas, Close Your Eyes, Lucky Southern, The Midnight Sun, Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans, Perdido.

Attendees: Todd (trumpet), Steve (alto), Sam (bass), Bill (ukulele), Russ (trombone), Josh (guitar), Gene (drums), Wes (tenor), Carl (trombone) and Vocalists Victoria, Annie, and Dick.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

October 15, 2011

Another Saturday, another musical fun day.

Tunes: Out of Nowhere, Body and Soul, All of Me, Darn That Dream, Sugar, Beautiful Love, Nica’s Dream, How High the Moon, How Insensitive, Have You Meet Miss Jones, Lets Get Lost, What is this Thing Called Love, Why Do I Love You, That Old Feeling Again, Do You Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans, Eb Blues, When I Fall In Love, Why Aren’t You My Love (written by Dick Jacques) Whispers Not, You’ve Changed, I’ll Remember April, Lover Man, If you Never Come to Me, Bb Blues, This Masquerade, Just In Time

Attendees: Greg: (Guitar), Steve: (A. Sax), Joel; (Guitar), Ross: (Trombone), Jeff: (Bass), Gene: (Drums), Josh II: (Guitar), Serdar: (Guitar), Jim: (Piano, Clarinet), Wes: (T. Sax), Jeff: (Piano) and vocalists Dick, Victoria, Annie and Shelia.

Monday, October 10, 2011

October 8, 2011



The few tunes we rambled thru this week included: June In January, Straight No Chaser, Bluesette, Fee Fi Fo Fum, Somebody Loves Me, Stella By Starlight, Dewy Square, Take Five, Yesterdays, All The Things You Are, Besame Mucho, Speak No Evil, When Sunny Gets Blue, Why Do I Love You, You Don't Know What Love Is, Doxy, Let's Get Lost, Our Love Is Here To Stay, 'Tis Autumn, Softly As In A Morning Sunrise, Every Time We say Goodbye, What Is This Thing Called Love, The More I See You, That Old Feeling, Honeysuckle Rose, Body And Soul, My Man, Like Someone In Love, Birth Of The Blues, Little Boat, Nature Boy.



Attendees: Keith (tenor), Steve (alto), Bill (ukulele), Wes (tenor), Sam (bass), Todd (trumpet), Gene (drums), Jim (piano), Craig (guitar), Josh W (guitar), Serdar (guitar), Josh B (guitar), and vocalists Victoria, Annie and Dick.

Saturday, October 1, 2011

October 1, 2011

Today we played: I Should Care, This Can't Be Love, Autumn Leaves, September Song, Well You Needn't, Lallaby of Birdland, Bag's Groove, I Thought About You and a composition writing by our very on Dick Jacques, What More Can I Say.

We had Gene on drums, Jeff and Tony on bass, Steve on alto sax, Sam on trumpet, Bill on ukulele, Craig on guitar, Jim on piano, Greg on guitar. Singers included Victoria, Annie and Dick.

See you next week for more good jazz music, please joining us, everybody is invited.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

September 24, 2011



RUMOR MILL: Adding some music theory in an occasional morning session is being considered.

Tunes Played: You Don't Know What Love Is, It's Only a Paper Moon, Honeysuckle Rose, Oh Lady Be Good, Dolphin Dance, Sweet Sue, September Song, S' Posin', Green Dolphin Street, Bag's Groove, Cantelope Island, Wave, I Hear A Rhapsody, On The street Where You Live, Invitation, How High The Moon, Nearness Of You, Don't Go To Strangeers, Darn That Dream, Recado, But Beautiful, It Had To Be You, Save Your Love For Me, What Is This Thing Called Love, No Moon At All, At Last.

Attendees: Todd (trumpet), Steve (alto), Bill (ukulele), Jeff (bass), Jim (piano), Noah (guitar), Joel (guitar), Gene (drums), Josh W (guitar), Greg (guitar), Peter (bari), Sam (trumpet) and vocalists Annie, Victoria, Matt and Dick.










Friday, September 23, 2011

Late Update for 9/10/11

So this is a bit of a retro post regarding the first Saturday Workshop of the season.

Tunes covered included Django, You don't know what love is, Stella by starlight, In your own sweet way, Footprints, Speak no evil, Body and soul, Freddy freeloader, Autumn leaves, Four, Days of wine and roses, Blue train, What a difference a day made, Impressions, How high the moon, In the wee small hours of the morning, No moon at all, and Save your love for me.

The jammers included Gene (drums), both Joshes (guitar), Serdar (guitar), Bill (ukulele), Todd (trumpet), Jeff (bass), and vocalists: Annie, Victoria, and Matt.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

September 17, 2011

Summer down, Fall up

Tunes Played: Blue Train, Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum, Funny Valentine, Wave, Body and Soul, Peace, Tune Up, Chelsea Bridge, Cherokee, Moanin', Little Boat, Some Day My Prince Will Come, It Had to Be You, Meditation, Just Friends, Imagination, How High The Moon, Softly As I Leave You, Invitation, I'll Remember April, Maybe September, Dream, Just In Time, All The Things You Are, Sophisticated Lady, What Is This Thing Called love, Midnight Sun, St Thomas.

Attendees: Josh B (guitar), Steve (alto), Josh W (guitar), Gene (drums), Jeff (bass), Sam (bass, trumpet), Wes (tenor), Jim (clarinet, vocals), and Vocalists Annie, Victoria and Dick.

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Last Summer Session

The final summer session for the Jazz Workshop in the Park was somewhat subdued, mostly because the PA system wasn't working and the instrumentalists had to keep it soft in order to hear the vocalists. Those softly playing instrumentalists included Gene (drums) and Josh (guitar) with a nicely balanced saxophone section - Steve (alto), Keith (tenor) and Peter (bari). The vocalists belting out the tunes without any electronic enhancement included Annie, Victoria and Dick.

The songs covered by the workshop this week included Willow Weep for Me, So Lar, My Funny Valentine, I Thought About You, Can't Help Loving That Man, Tenor Madness, In Walked Bud, When Sunny Gets Blue, Who Can I Turn To (in two different styles), Honeysuckle Rose, Bye Bye Blackbird, Day By Day, The Preacher, I Could Write a Book, Blame It on My Youth, and Corcovado.

No session this week! The first non-summer session will move back to the regular Saturday noon meet time on September 10th.

And if, for some silly reason, you won't be getting your jazz fix at the Workshop on September 10th, you might want to see if you can get it over at the Selby Ave Jazz Fest in St. Paul (www.selbyavejazzfest.com)

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

August 22, 2011

One more Summer session comming, next Monday Aug 29th 5:00 pm to 8:00. Then to Winter hours, Saturday September 10th 10:00 am to 4:00.

Tunes played this week: Stardust, Elora, Gentle Rain, I've Never Been In Love Before, Good Morning Heartache, Blame It On My Youth, Straight No Chaser, I Hear A Rhapsody, Candy, Triste, Embraceable You, Early Autumn, St Louis Blues, No Moon At All, Angel Eyes, Just In Time.

Attendees: Todd (trumpet), Josh (guitar), Steve (alto), Keith (tenor), Sam (bass), Gene (drums), and Vocalists Annie and Victoria.


Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Aug 15 2011

Been a little miscellaneous these past days (weeks). Had a good time showing off at the Freedom Jazz Festival Aug 13th.

NOTE: Back to winter hours Sept 10th, Sat 10:00 am to 4:00. Aug 29th will be last Monday Eve session.

Tunes played this week: You Don't Know What Love Is, Everytime We Say Goodbye, Soon It's Gonna Rain, Bye Bye Blackbird, I Thought About You, Angel Eyes, Nardis, Lets Get Lost, All The Things You Are, Mr Magic, Good Morning Heartache, Dearly Beloved, Dear Old Stockholm, You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To, Blame It On My Youth, My Funny Valentine, Time After Time, and Let's Fall In Love.

Attendees: Steve (alto), Todd (trumpet), Gene (drums), Russ (piano), Sam (wind Synth), Josh W (guitar) and vocalists Annie and Victoria.


Thursday, August 4, 2011

1 August 2011

Call it Monday in the park.

Timing, preping and generly getting ready for The Freedom Jazz Festival August 13th.

Tunes Played: Reflections In Blue, Summertime, What Ever Lola Wants, Bernies Tune, Close Your Eyes, Chain Of Fools, Minor Swing, Ornithology, and There Will Never Be Another You.

Attendees: Gene (drums), Jeremy (drums), Martin (conga), Josh (guitar), Keith (tenor), Steve (alto), Todd (trumpet), Sam (trumpet), Rob (drums), Jeff (bass), and vocalists: Annie, Victoria, and Matt.

Monday, July 18, 2011

Workshop got mugged

This week's (July 18) jazz workshop has been mugged by the muggy weather. (There's no AC in the McRae facility so they're closed.)

See ya'll next week (July 25).

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

July 11, 2011

The variety on a theme this week included:

1. An abreviated session devoted mostly to preparations for our Gig at the Parkway Theater supporting the Lee/Lindstrom Home Commemoration July 16th.

Attendees: Vocalists Annie, Victoria, Matt and Dick. Gene (drums), Sam (bass), a good guitarist whose name escapes me .. sorry, Wes (tenor), Steve (alto), Keith (tenor), Peter (Bari and flute), Martin (congas).

Tunes Played: Bernies Tune, Nature Boy, Minor Swing, A Train, Corcovado, and Gee Baby Ain't I Good To You.

2. Most folks went "across the street" to perform the Parkway Theater gig.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Special NOTE

The July 11 Workshop will happen at 5:00 pm as usual. Later we will move to the Parkway Theater, 4820 Chicago Ave S, and perform for the Lee/Lindstrom home Commemeration fund raiser.

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

June 27, 2011

A gorgeous summer evening with some fabulous music.

Attendees included: Gene and Jeremy (drums), Josh, Josh, Jake, Bob and Serdr (guitar), Wes and Keith (tenor), Todd (trumpet), Peter (bari), Annie, Vici and Dick (vocals).

We covered: I Can't Get Started, I'm Old Fashioned, Well You Needn't, My Funny Valentine, Close Your Eyes, Bernie's Tune, Make Someone Happy, Dream, At Last, I Don't Know Why, I Should Care, Seven Steps to Heaven, Freddie Freeloader, and Black Orpheus.

No session next week on account of the July 4th holiday.

Our next session, on July 11th, may turn into a gig. We're waiting for further details, and will post them as soon as they are available.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

June 20, 2011

NOTE: Summer hours seem to be 5 pm - 8 (7:45)

Summer sessions seem to be smaller, but new folks continue to show up, welcome Bob with the bass trumpet. Thanks Craig for putting us on Craigs List.

Attendees: Peter (bari), Nick (guitar), Jako (guitar), Sam (bass), Gene (drums), Bob (bass trumpet), Wes (tenor), Keith (tenor), Steve (alto), and vocalists: Annie, Dick, Matt, and Victoria.

Tunes played: Included Minor Swing, Wave, Here's That Rainy Day, I'm Beginning To See The Light, Quiet Nights, Bernie's Tune, Chain Of Fools, Nature Boy, Route 66, The Nearness Of You, and Dindi.

Sunday, June 12, 2011

June 6, 2011

First session on new Summer Hours. Mondays 6 pm to 8 45.

Attendees: Steve (alto), Todd (trumpet), Eric (bass) and Sam (trumpet) and Vocalists: Annie and Victoria.

Tunes Played: Included I concentrate On You, Ask Me Now, I'm Glad There Is You, Jeannine, Chain Of Fools, Killer Joe.

Sunday, June 5, 2011

June 4, 2011

It was a fine day for games and entertainment at the Park outside.


Part of the entertainment was music provided by the "McRae Park Jazz Workshop" group.


Performers: Gene (drums), Serdar (guitar), Bob (guitar), Josh (guitar), Victoria (vocals), Matt (vocals), Annie (vocals), Cheryl (vocals), Steve (alto), Todd (trumpet), Wes (tenor, clarinet), Peter (bari), and Sam (trumpet).


Tunes Played: Just Friends, If I Only Had A Brain, East of the Sun, Reflections In Blue, Up Jumped Spring, Summertime, Minor Swing, St James Infirmary, Bernies Tune, Lady Be Good, What A Difference A Day Made, Well You Needn't, Rubber Ducky, and Chain Of Fools.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

May 28, 2011

NOTE: Summer Hours begin Monday June 6th at 6:15 P.M.

Attendees: Steve (alto sax), Ross (piano), Gene (drums), Todd (trumpet), Bill (ukelele),
Josh (guitar), Sam (bass & trumpet), Joel (guitar), Bob (guitar), Eric (bass), Wes (tenor sax),
and Vocalists Annie, Victoria, Matt, Cheryl.

Tunes Played: Just Friends,The Blue Room, Minor Swing, Reflections in Blue, Bernie's Tune,
Little Boat, Watermelon Man, Softly As In a Morning Sunrise, St. James Infirmary, Bye Bye Blackbird, Girl From Impanema, So What, All Blues, Up Jumped Spring, The Very Thought of You, Don't Go To Strangers, Lady Be Good, Chain of Fools, Late Late Show, Nature Boy,
Moon Glow, Rubber Ducky, Summertime, Dream.

Next Gig: McRae Park outside June 4th, 1 pm.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

May 21,2011

NOTE: Winter has been extended one week. We have been given one more session of winter hours (10 am - 3:45 pm) Sat May 28th. Summer hours, Monday 6 pm - 8:45 begin June 13th.

Attendees: Serdar (guitar), Jake (guitar), Todd (trumpet), Keith (tenor), Steve (alto), Gene (drums), Sam (bass/trumpet), Craig (guitar), Bob (guitar), Eric (bass), and Vocalists Victoria, Annie, Matt, and Cheryl.

Tunes played: I Found a New Baby, Bernie's Tune, Poor Butterfly, Joy Spring, Well You Needn't, Minor Swing, Don't Get Around Much Anymore, How Insensitive, Song For My Father, Night In Tunisia, Blue Monk, Moon Glow, Dream, After You've Gone, Watermelon Man, Cheek to Cheek, Lady Be Good, What a Difference a Day Made, Always On My Mind, Black Coffee, From Russia With Love, Embraceable You, As Long As I Live, Up Jumprd Spring, Late,Late Show, Softly As In a Morning Sunrise, If I Only Had a Brain, East Of the Sun, and St James Infirmary.

The Freedom Jazz Festival Aug 13th is closer to reality. I now have the registration forms to be returned by June 1.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

May 14th, 2011

At one of our last pre-summer gigs we had a great turnout, including a new bassist (towards the end). Much thanks to Gene (drums), Peter (bari), Steve (a sax), Bill (uke), Serdar (guitar), Josh (guitar), Todd (trumpet), Keith (t sax), Wes (t sax), Sam (bass), Craig (guitar), Annie (vocals), Martin, Tori, Vici (vocals), Cheryl (vocals) and Eric (bass).

We played Dancing on the Ceiling, Darn that Dream, I'll Remember April, Bernie's Tune, Bright Size Life, Mo Better Blues, Minor Swing, Reflections in Blue, Four, Besame Mucho, Dear Old Stockholm, Autumn Leaves, Summertime, What is this Thing Called Love?, Up Jumped Spring, Groovin' High, Chain of Fools, East of the Sun, Black Orpheus, Blue Room, You Took Advantage of Me, Nature Boy, Blues in F, Down Home Blues, I Thought About You, Call Me, and St. James Infirmary.

Monday, May 9, 2011

May 7th 2011

The Workshop is a good thing. That is so because the musicians who attend make it so. Keep up the good work guys and gals.

Tunes played: My Little Boat, Minor Swing, Bernies Tune, Blue Bossa, Just Friends, My one And Only Love, Nica's Dream, Jitterbug Waltz, Cheek to Cheek, I'll Remember April, Summer Time, La vie en Rose, Chain of Fools, Blue Monk, Wave, Mood Indigo, Wives and Lovers, What Ever Lola Wants, Always On My Mind, The Very Thought of You, Route 66.

Attendees: Steve (alto), Keith (tenor), Todd (trumpet), Sam (bass), Gene (drums), Sardar (guitar), Craig (guitar), Joel (guitar), Peter (bari), Toria (voclas), Matt (vocals), Annie (vocals) and Cheryl (vocals).

NOTE: May 21st will be the last Saturday session until Fall (Labor Day). The workshop will be held Monday evening 6 - 8:45 starting June 13th. There may be a shorter session June 6th.

The Workshop will play outside for Kids Day in the Park June 4th about noon.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

April 29, 2011

Well it was a rainy day here in the Twin Cities, but that didn't stop us jazz fans from getting together and playing a little music. In attendance were Steve (a. sax), Todd (trumpet), Keith (t. sax), Peter (bari sax), Gene (drums), Fred (guitar), Tom (bass), Serdar (guitar), Bill (uke), Josh (guitar), Craig (guitar), Budd (vocals/trumpet/guitar), Vicky (vocals), Matt (vocals), Anne (vocals) and a few others. Special thanks to our bass and percussionist who were new (at least, new to me!).

It looks like we'll be moving to Monday nights this summer starting after memorial day (i.e., starting June 4th). That first session will be rather short as the park needs to close early. However, after June 4th we'll have our regular 2-3 hour sessions.

To suit the occasion we started off playing "Here's That Rainy Day." We also played Four on Six, Freddie Freeloader, Straight No Chaser, When Sonny Gets Blue, Minor Swing, Four Brothers, Ornithology, Well You Needn't, St. Thomas, Wave, I Thought About You, Caravan, Blue Moon, Beginning to See the Light, That Old Feeling, Autumn Leaves, What is this Thing Called Love, The Very Thought of You, Cantaloupe Island, Sermonette, Wives & Lovers, Garden in the Rain, My Funny Valentine, Call Me.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

April 23, 2011

As we leave the spring holidays behind the workshop has started to turn its focus to our upcoming performance at the Freedom Jazz Festival here in Minneapolis on August 13th. We'll also be preparing for our next Spring performance at McRae Park this June.

Despite the impending holiday we had a great turnout at the workshop, including Todd (guitar), Josh (guitar), Sam (bass/wind synth), Craig (guitar), Gene (drums), Sardar (guitar), Steve (alto), Peter (bari), Wes (tenor), Jeff (bass), Annie (vocals), Jon (vocals/guitar), and Toria (vocals).

Some of the tunes we played included Filthy McNasty, Minor Swing, Orinthology, Four Brothers, In Walked Bud, Out of Nowhere, Tenor Madness, Stardust, Wave, East of the Sun, Stolen Moments, I Have Dreamed, Day by Day, Billie's Bounce, Bye Bye Blackbird, The Nearness of You, Close Your Eyes Nostalgia in Times Square, West Coast Blues, I Wished on the Moon, My Romance, Watermelon Man, Eb Blues, Good Morning Heartache, All of Me, and Afro Blues.

Monday, April 18, 2011

April 16, 2011

The Bunny Breakfast went well. The kids enjoyed the Workshop performance while eating pancakes and waiting to go outside for the Easter Egg Hunt. Several Workshoppers stayed around for a follow on session. NOTE: Now that the Freedom Jazz Festival is scheduled for Aug 13th we can get on with our preparations for that event.

Friday, April 15, 2011

April 9, 2011

Had a great turnout at this pre "Bunny Breakfast" session.  Annie and Matt showed up to rock the mic, Richard visited, and a slew of other instrumentalists joined in. These included Todd (trump), Steve (a sax), Ira (a sax), Keith (t sax), Bill (uke), Josh (guitar), Sam (bass), Gene (drums), Sadar (guitar) Terry (trump), and Wes (t sax).

We played Blue Monk, Chitlins Con Carne, Jordu, Nica's Dream, Fly Me to the Moon, Honeysuckle Rose, Besame Mucho, Blue in Green, Blue Bossa, All of Me, I Could Write a Book, Well You Needn't, Softly as a Morning Sunrise, Minor Swing, Easter Parade, I Love You, I'll Remember April, Unchain My Heart, Bye Bye Blackbird, Rubber Ducky, The Frim Fram Sauce, Imagination, Now is the Time, Route 66 and The Nearness of You.

Thursday, April 7, 2011

April 2, 2011

We might have been fooled yesterday, but we are back at having a good time today. Sorry for the lost tune list, several of the 'usual suspects' came plus some new faces. Some Craigslist scanners. Thanks Craig for keeping the word out there. Attendees: Josh (guitar), Bill (ukulele), Sardar (guitar), Craig (guitar), Dan (trumpet), Ira (alto), Steve (alto), Keith (bari), Tod (trumpet), Paul (piano), Grant (drums), Scott (guitar) and Sam (bass). Vocalists this week were Annie and Matt. NOTE: We will play the park's Bunny Breakfast April 16th 10 am to 12.

Sunday, March 27, 2011

March 26th 1st 6 hr Session

People came and people went, but we did the 1st 'Start at 10 am' session.

Tunes Played: All Blues, Minor Swing, Bye Bye Blackbird, Limehouse Blues, Don't Blame Me, Blue Bossa, Dear Old Stockholm, Well You Needn't, Out of Nowhere, Night In Tunisia, How Insensitive, Now's The Time, Flint Stones, Invitation, So What, Waltz For Debby, St Thomas.

Attendees: Gene (drums), Todd (trumpet), Josh (guitar), Scott (guitar), Keith (Tenor), Wes (tenor, clarinet), Will (piano), Bill (ukulele), Serdar (guitar), Sam (wind synth, bass).

Sunday, March 20, 2011

March 19th The Beat Goes On, and on ...

SPECIAL NOTE: Starting Sat 3-26-11 The Instrumental group will begin at 10:00 am. Otherwise the Workshop hours will be the same.



Tunes played: Yardbird Suite, Minor Swing, Nardis, I Remember You, Ornithology, A Hundred Years From Today, Route 66, I Thought About You, Body And Soul, All The Things You Are, What'll I Do, I Should Care, Fly Me To The Moon, The Very Thought of You, Quzas, Quizas, Quizas, Straight No Chaser, East of The Sun, Dreamville, Heart and Soul, Satin Doll, St Thomas.



Attendees: Steve (Alto), Keith (Bari), Gene (Drums), Jeff (Bass), Craig(Guitar), Tim (Guitar), Bill (Ukulele), Serdar (Guitar), Wes (Tenor, Clarinet), Todd (Trumpet), Sam (Trumpet).

And vocalists Matt, Vicky, and Cheryl.

Saturday, March 12, 2011

March 12th - Last Bossa in the Snow?

Well, it's supposed to warm up this week, so today might just have been our last workshop before the snow flees from the twin cities till next winter. Keep those fingers crossed for Spring!

But whether or not (or weather or not?) the snow stays, one thing is for sure, all 15+ people at the workshop had a great time. We played through the following tunes: Blue Bossa, Autumn Leaves, Take Five, Stompin' at the Savoy, The Blue Room, Don't Get Around Much Anymore, Nostalgia in Times Square, Night in Tunisia, Our Love is Here to Stay, I'll Remember April, Dreamsville, Let's Fall in Love, East of the Sun, My Favorite Things, All Blues, Can't Help Loving That Man, I Concentrate on You, When I Fall in Love, Nature Boy, My Romance, and Embraceable You.

Feb 26th - End of Black History Month

Feb 26th was a great workshop, with some wonderful tunes being picked. In particular, I got to single out Anne's version of Coltrane's Naima - how beautiful was that!

Our set list included: Fly Me to the Moon, Georgia on My Mind, Speak Low, There Will Never Be Another You, Naima, As Long as He Needs Me, Bewitched, Wave, Impressions, Fine & Mellow, We Three, C'est Si Bon, All of You, Every Time We Say Goodbye, The Man I Love, Rubber Ducky, Cheek to Cheek, Dream a Little Dream, Since I Met You.

Friday, February 25, 2011

Bluesy and Hip on Feb 19th

Last Saturday was a blast as we played through quite a number of great tunes. We were graced with the presence of a new singer, as well as some great auxiliary percussion.

We played the following tunes: Blue Monk, Blue Room, Route 66, All of Me, Minor Swing, Lullaby at Birdland, Come Sunday, We'll Be Together Again, How High the Moon, St. Thomas, For Sentimental Reasons, Let's Get Lost, Once Upon a Summertime, Bye Bye Blackbird, Once I Loved, Dinah, All of Me, I'm Beginning to See the Light, Come Fly with Me, Stardust, Don't Go to Strangers, and This Song is You.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Feb 12th

I wasn't able to be there last Saturday, but from the list of tunes I'm willing to bet it was a great time!

The jam played the following tunes:  Pent Up House, I Remember Clifford, Road Song, Round MIdnight, I Remember You, Lazy River, I Wished on the Moon, Once Upon a Summertime, When You're Smiling, The Midnight Sun, Here's That Rainy Day, My Blue Heaven, Let's Fall in Love, What is this Thing Called Love, Paper Moon, Lullaby of Birdland, Sunny, Embraceable You, Gimme a Pigfoot.

Feb 5th - What a Difference Saturday Makes

Feb 5th saw some great jazz being made at McRae park, with lots of brass and horns and even an accordion jamming out to the following tunes: What a Difference a Day Made, Song for My Father, Poor Butterfly, In the Still of the Night, Blue Monk, Sentimental Journey, Orinthology, Close Your Eyes, Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart, All of Me, You'd Be So Nice, The Nearness of You, Minor Swing, I Should Care, Speak Softly.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Cafe Jazz on 1/29

A loud and raucous afternoon of jazz playing commenced on 1/29. Although I couldn't be present, I was told the atmosphere resembled a delightful Parisian cafe, full of lively conversation and great music. There were 12 people in attendance.

We played: How High the Moon, Black Orpheus, Night & Day, Blue Bossa, From Russia with Love, Had to Be You, Cousin Mary, More, Minor Swing, Ceore, It's a Sin to Tell a Lie, Well You Needn't, Someone to Watch Over Me, You'd Be So Nice to Come Home Too,  A Hundred Years from Today, and Mr. P.C.

Hope to see you all this Saturday!

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Large Turnout for 1/22

This week we had quite a few folks turn up for the workshop - and it was great to have them! Especially nice was the large horn section! Additionally, Gene, a long-time participant, was back in good health banging away at the drums.

We played: Black Orpheus, Now is the Time, Corcovado, I'm Glad There is You, East of the Sun, Take the A-Train, I'm Beginning to See the Light, Dear Old Stockholm, St. Thomas, a blues in Eb, Change Partners, Don't Explain, Rubber Duckie, I Remember Clifford, All Blues, Sunny, Singin' in the Rain, Always on My Mind, and I'm in the Mood for Love.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

"Tuning Up" on the 16th of January

We had a great turn out last Saturday at the Jazz Workshop, including a visitor on guitar and many of the regulars. No drums - we hear our regular drummer is recovering well - but we managed to keep the beat most of the time.

The set list included: Tune Up, Gypsy in My Soul, St. Thomas, Stella by Starlight, Blue Room, East of the Sun, The Girl from Impanema, Jeannine, People Will Say We're in Love, What Is This Thing Called Love?, Beyond the Sea, Green Dolphin Street, Hallelujah (I Love You So), Close Your Eyes, A Taste of Honey, Maiden Voyage, I'm Glad There is You, I Remember You, Smile, Song for My Father, One Note Samba, Speak Softly Love, and All the Things You Are.

Saturday, January 8, 2011

First session of the New Year

We had a good turnout today, even saw a new face. Sam (trumpet), Craig, (guitar), Max(bass), Adam (Guitar), Bill (Uke), Wes (sax), Annie, Matt, and Viki singing. We didn't have our usual drummer attending since we heard he was ill. Our best wishes to him on a speedy recovery.

Songs covered today. Lullaby of the Leaves, Take the "A" Train, Afro Blue, Bye Bye Blackbird, Solitude, Frim Fram Sauce, Little Boat, You Were Always on My Mind (Annie can now add this to her list of songs), I got it Bad, It's Only a Paper Moon, Move, It's Alright with Me, Dream, Blue Spanish Eyes, A Night in Tunisia, Till there Was You, Nature Boy, When you wish upon a star, Sugar, More than you Know, and finishing off with Close Your Eyes.

Hope to see everyone again next weekend!

Friday, January 7, 2011

Happy New Year!

It's 2011 and a new year for the Jazz Workshop. The Workshop will resume its usual schedule beginning Saturday January 8 from noon to 1:00 (instrumentals) and from 1:00-3:45 (full band with vocalists).

Hope to see you there!