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