Next Time: UNKNOWN
NO outdoor Workshop this week. It has grown too cool.
We continue to look for an indoor venue. Who knows--maybe we can find a permanent home. Any ideas? We'd like to hear from you.
Your scribe will get the Workshop postings updated soon.
--SJH
NEXT TIME: Sat., 10/9, 11am-2pm, behind McRae Rec Center (906 E. 47th St., MPLS) Weather Permitting.
Your scribe is so far behind now on posting the proceedings of the workshop for the last few weeks that it makes him a little sad. Still, the Workshop should be a go. The weather looks cloudy, but unrainy and warm.
--SJH
NEXT TIME: Sat. 10/2, 11am-2pm WEATHER PERMITTING behind McRae Rec Center (906 E. 47th St., MPLS)
The weather may or may not cooperate. The temperatures are looking good this weekend, but clouds and rain stand a good chance of wiping us out. Stay tuned. I will announce it here on Saturday morning.
--SJH
THIS WEEK ONLY: CHANGE OF VENUE
3357 Yosemite Ave. S., St. Louis Park (not far from TowerLight)
Steve Clayton has generously offered his home as the site of the Workshop for this week. (We are investigating other sites as well.) Weather not a factor. Questions: contact Steve C at (952) 288-7029.
Next Time: Saturday, 9/25, 11am-2pm, behind McRae Rec Center (906 E. 47th St., MPLS), weather permitting.
WORKSHOP OFF TODAY, 9/25
In this case, the temperature will be the key factor. The forecast is for temps in the upper sixties. Our cutoff temp is 65F. If it looks like it will make it there, your scribe will be present.
Still behind on getting out the blog reports. Sorry.
--SJH
Next Time: Sat., 9/18, 11am-2pm, behind McRae Rec Center (906 E. 47th St., MPLS) weather permitting.
Sorry for being behind schedule. I'll be posting about this session soon.
Next Time: Sat. 9/11, 11am-3pm, behind McRae Rec Center (906 E. 47th St., MPLS), weather permitting.
It's been a busy week.
Last time, your scribe and Serdar (guitar) were the only attendees. We played for 90 minutes. We played a bunch of tunes. Nothing better than a guitar/sax duo.
Here's hoping more people show this week.
--SJH
Next Time: Sat. 8/28, CANCELLED (weather forecast)
Next time: Sat. 9/4
Sam's Add-A-Tune:
Sorry for not having more blog posts recently. But here is this past week's report.
The Players
Sam (trombone, trumpet, bass), Serdar (guitar), Bill (vocals), Wes (tenor), Steve H. (soprano), Ari (trumpet, flugelhorn).
The Played
Now's The Time (II-293)
Pennies From Heaven (II-3xx)
Doxy (II-111)
Too Young (II-403)
Dindi (II-105)
Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans (II-108)
The Girl From Ipanema (I-1xx)
Django (I-114)
Groovin' High (I-161)
The Lady Is A Tramp (III-xxx)
Shine (III-347)
St. Thomas (II-xxx)
Minor Swing
Summertime
My Romance (I-289)
Four (I-xxx)
Black Orpheus (I-xx)
Blue Bossa (I-50)
Blue Monk (I-xx)
--SJH
Cancelled for 8/7 due to inclement weather.
Next Time: Sat., 8/14, 11am-3pm, behind McRae Rec Center (906 E. 47th St., MPLS) weather permitting
Sam's Add-A-Tune:
This week we played on a lovely Saturday afternoon, accompanied by the faintest scent of Canadian forest fires. Here's hoping there is rain in the near future.
Personnel present: Sam (trumpet, trombone, bass), Steve H. (soprano), John(trombone), Serdar (guitar), Jim (rhythm and vocals), Ben (guitar and vocals).
Tunes tooted:
A Night in Tunisia ((I-302) Sam
All The Things You Are (I-22) Serdar
Wave (I-431) Jim
Afternoon In Paris (I-12) John
Don't Get Around Much Anymore (I-xxx) Steve H.
All Of Me (I-20) Ben
Jordu (I-227) Sam
How Insensitive (I-181) Serdar
Robbin's Nest (II-330) Jim
Moose The Mooche (II-276) John
More Than You Know (II-277) Steve H.
--SJH
Next Time: Sat., 7/31, 11am-3pm, behind McRae Rec Center (906 E. 47th, MPLS), weather (and smoke) permitting.
Sam's Add-A-Tune: A Night In Tunisia (I-302)
Personnel: Sam (trumpet, trombone), Raphael (bass), John (trombone), Steve H. (alto), Jim (clarinet and rhythm)
Tunes covered this week:
Nuages, I-307 (Sam's Add-A-Tune)
The Most Beautiful Girl In The World, I-283 (Raphael)
Groovin' High, I-166 (John)
Robbin's Nest, II-330 (Steve H.)
Honeysuckle Rose, II-167 (Sam)
I'm Beginning To See The Light, I-200 (Jim)
Joyce's Samba, II-216 (Raphael)
Afternoon In Paris, I-12 (John)
Bark For Barksdale, III-37 (Steve H.)
Aquellos Ojo Verdes (Green Eyes), III-25 (Sam)
Moose The Mooche, II-276 (Jim)
I Have Dreamed, II-176 (John)
I Hear A Rhapsody, II-177 (Steve H.)
Next Time: Sat. 7/24, 11am-3pm, McRae Rec Center (906 E. 47th St., MPLS) around back, weather permitting.
Sam's Add-A-Tune: Nuages (I-307)
Present: Sam (trumpet and trombone), John (trombone), Steve H. (soprano), Wes (tenor), Serdar (guitar), Jim D. (rhythm and vocal)
Tunes:
Swiggles (Handout) Sam
Au Privave (I-37) Wes
Four (I-149) John
Satin Doll (I-349) Steve H.
Footprints (I-144) Sam
Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans (II-108) Serdar
Donna Lee (I-123) Wes
Wave (I-431) John
Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me (II-107) Steve H.
Killer Joe (II-229) Sam
Alice In Worderland (I-17) Serdar
Along Came Betty (III-22) Wes
--SJH
Next Time: Sat., July 10, 11am-3pm, behind McRae Rec Center (906 E. 47th St, MPLS) weather permitting
Sam's Add-A-Tune: Swiggles (chart provided)
Personnel: Sam (trumpet and trombone), Raphael (bass), Steve H. (alto), John (trombone), Wes (tenor), Carl (trombone), Jim D (clarinet, rhythm).
Songs:
Four (I-149) Sam
In A Mellow Tone (I-206) (Carl)
I'll Remember April (I-197) Raphael
Lady Bird (I-235) Steve H.
Groovin' High (I-166) John
The Girl From IpanemaT(I-158) Sam
Along Came Betty (III-22) Wes
So What (I-364) Carl
Out Of Nowhere (I-318) Raphael
Yardbird Suite (II-433) Jim D.
Mood Indigo (I-279) Steve H.
Blue Bossa (I-50) John
Au Privave (I-37) Sam
--SJH
Next Time: Sat., July 3, 11am-3pm, behind McRae Rec Center (906 E. 47th St., MPLS), weather permitting. (Bring your own chair.)
Sam's Add-A-Tune: Four (I-149)
Your scribe returned from vacation to a mostly lovely, though drizzle-shortened, afternoon at the Jazz Workshop. Present were Sam (trumpet and trombone), Raphael (bass), Serdar (guitar), Steve H (soprano), and other Steve H (trumpet and flugelhorn)--though, since this latter Steve H attended the Workshop years before, and was in fact one of the people who first informed the former Steve H about the Workshop, one might suppose that the sax-playing Steve H is actually the "other" Steve H. Anyhow, welcome back, Steve H.
Sam got things going with Love Me Or Leave Me (III-255). Raphael discovered It Only Happens When I Dance With You (III-206). Yours truly was feeling a bit Ellingtonian, and opted for Creole Love Call (III-88). Sam had us take a swing at Sister Sadie (III-355), with only modest success. Steve H. the trumpeter went more Strayhorn than Ellington with A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing (II-134). Raphael put his finger down on Eclypso (II-115), which was more fun than expected. Your scribe turned next to the more up-tempo Indiana (II-201). Sam must have picked a tune which is not in the record. Steve H. the trumpeter then pulled out yet another Ellington bit, C-Jam Blues (II-74), at a brisk tempo. Serdar got the last one in, Billie's Bounce (II-44), before rain halted the proceedings.
--SJH
Sorry, your scribe is a bit behind on the reporting. We'll be brief.
Present were Sam (trumpet and trombone), Steve H. (alto, rhythm), Serdar (guitar), and Cyril (vocals). We were delighted by the presence of Serdar's friend and former Minneapolitan Cyril, and hope he visits again.
Songs performed: Sam, Line for Lyons (III-240); Serdar, Alice in Wonderland (I-17); Cyril, Fly Me To The Moon (II-135); Steve H., It Could Happen To You (II-204); Sam, Cantelope Island (II-76); Serdar, Besame Mucho (III-42); Cyril, Autumn Leaves (I-39); Steve H., Have You Met Miss Jones (I-172); Sam, St. Thomas (II-339); Serdar, Oleo (I-309); Cyril, Day-O/Jamaican Farewell (he just started singing, and we had to figure out how to play along, and it worked great); Sam, My Little Suede Shoes (II-282).
--SJH
Next Time: Sat., 6/5/21, 11am-3pm, behind McRae Rec. Center (906 E. 47th St., MPLS), weather permitting.
Present at this week's shindig were Sam (trumpet, trombone), John (trombone), Raphael (bass), Carl (trombone), and Steve H (soprano).
Sam kicked things off with this weeks Add-A-Tune, I'll Take Romance (III-180), a real addition for most of us as we had never played it before. John took the next call with Groovin' High (I-166). Raphael picked a tricky one given our instrumentation, Bill Evans' Very Early (I-428); somehow, we made it. Carl decided for the more traditional jazz standard, In A Mellow Tone (I-206). Your scribe stayed in the Ellington groove with Take the A Train (I-398).
Back to the beginning of the circle, Sam opted for something Latin, Once I Loved (I-311). John followed up with another Latin-y tune, Wave (I-431). Raphael chose one with a Latin name, Tangerine (II-386), but we took it as the usual swing. Carl having departed, yours truly chose Pennies from Heaven (II-389).
Sam called for a not-too-fast version of Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise (II-355). Raphael got the next one (John having moved into the shade), calling Wendy (II-xxx). John got the last chance tune, Betty's favorite, Stardust (II-367)
--SJH
Next Time: Sat. 5/29, 11am-3pm, behind McRae Rec Center (906 E. 47th St., MPLS), weather permitting
Present for the Workshop
Sam (trumpet, trombone), Wes (tenor), Steve C (piano), Serdar (guitar), Raphael (bass), Steve H. (alto)
Tunes Played
Gone with the Wind
I'm Old Fashioned
Say It Can't Be So
Oleo
Little Boat
A Fine Romance
Straight No Chaser
Beautiful Love
Time Remembered
All the Things You Are
Jordu
Anthropology
Lady Bird
Blue Bossa
Besame Mucho
St. Thomas
--SJH
NEXT TIME: Sat. 5/22, 11am-3pm, outside behind McRae Rec. Center (906 E. 47th St., MPLS), weather permitting.
People Present
Sam (trumpet, trombone), Steve H (soprano), Raphael (bass), Todd (trumpet), Carl (trombone), Serdar (guitar)
Songs Selected
Sam Brazil III-60
Serdar Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans II-108
Raphael Cheesecake II-82
Carl Two Degrees East, Three Degrees West II-408
Steve H Tangerine II-386
Todd There Will Never Be Another You I-407
Sam Dear Old Stockholm I-
Serdar Tenor Madness II-390
Raphael Jeannine II-
Steve H Perdido II-311
Sam Speak Low II-364
Serdar St. Thomas II-339
--SJH
Next Time: Sat. May 15, 11am-3pm, behind McRae Recreation Center, 906 E. 47th St., MPLS, weather permitting
It was a little cool to host a Workshop on May 8, but this coming weekend looks more promising.
If anyone did show up this past week, please contact me directly, or by leaving a reply to this blog post.
--SJH
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 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
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
