Next Time: Saturday, October 6, 11am-3pm, TowerLight, 3601 Wooddale Ave. St. Louis Park
Sam (trumpet and trombone), Steve (piano and soprano), and Raphael (bass) set up while having a conversation about the possibility of a dedicated group of Workshoppers playing in the Freedom Jazz Festival next year. Then we got started on some tunes, starting with Sam's Add-A-Tune, Billie's Bounce (II-44). Your scribe, having been taken over by an Ellingtonian spirit, had a few of the Duke's old songs in mind; first up, Black and Tan Fantasy (II-50). We worked on it for a while, just trying to make sure of the best way to proceed through the chart, and whether to solo on a major blues or a minor blues. Raphael was happy to move on to Early Autumn (II-114). Sam took us through an easy-swingy version of Softly As In A Morning Sunrise (II-355). Wanting to play a little more upbeat soprano, yours truly called Tangerine (II-386). Raphael worked us out on Yardbird Suite (II-433). By this time, Annie (vocals) and Carl (trombone) had settled in, so Carl got the last instrumental choice, surprising us with Watermelon Man (III-429). It remains this writer's contention that old men and funk do not mix.
Annie began the vocal segment at 1:00 with a reprise of Early Autumn (II-114), and followed it with Give Me The Simple Life (handout). Sam, trying to match Carl's cheek, opted for Sister Sadie (III-355); this writer's opinion on the matter (see above) was only reinforced. Back to vocals, fortunately, Annie chose September Song (II-344), followed by How Little We Know (handout). The Ellingtonian spirit once again seizing the piano player, he called Creole Love Call (III-88) for the instrumental. Another pair for the vocalist, this time Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans (II-108), and Without A Song (II-428). Somewhere in here we had gathered a handful of listeners, who settled into the chairs in the TowerLight theater where we play and were a most appreciative group. Raphael decided to pick up the pace a bit, and came up with a lively rendition of Get Me To The Church On Time (II-146). We finished with three featuring Annie: Exactly Like You (III-116), Fine and Mellow (II-122), and Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars, otherwise known as Corcovado (I-335).
Participant Picks
Black and Tan Fantasy
Duke Ellington
Theolonius Monk
Creole Love Call
Duke Ellington
Get Me To The Church On Time
Shelley Manne/ Andre Previn
Oscar Peterson Trio
Exactly Like You
Aretha Franlkin
Diana Krall
Nina Simone
How Little We Know
Nat King Cole
Hoagy Carmichael and Lauren Bacall
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