July 23, 2022

Next Time: Sat., 7/30, 11am-2pm, McRae Rec Center (906 E. 47th St., MPLS), weather permitting.

 Outside front or back, depending. Bring your own chair and stand.

Your scribe waited in the parking lot with a storm brewing. When Sam showed up, he said, "It's not raining yet!" But we opted not to get out the equipment, and it started raining soon after. Ah, well...next week.

--SJH

July 16, 2022

Next Time: Sat., 7/23, 11am-2pm, McRae Rec Center (906 E. 47th St., MPLS), weather permitting.

Might be at the front entrance, might be at the back entrance, so check both. Bring your own chair and stand.

Only three people stopped by on a gorgeous Saturday afternoon to play: Sam (bass), Carl (trombone), and Steve H. (soprano). We had fun. 

Your scribe started things off with a lively and fun version of Cole Porter's I Love Paris (I-189). Carl went to the mysterious with the bossa Black Orpheus (I-49). We went Parker (but not too Parker) with Sam's pick, Au Privave (I-37). Back to yours truly, it was time for a bit of Ellington, I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart ((I-188). Carl went classic, choosing Autumn Leaves (I-39). Sam went unexpected, opting for the challenge of Take Five (I-397). 

Full circle again (it being a tiny circle), your scribe called Gershwin into the mix in Somebody Loves Me (I-369). Someone very not-Gershwin was evoked with Carl's choice of Blue Monk (I-52). Sam surprised us again by going totally traditional, Blue Room (I-53). Your scribe went with an easy flowing version of Isn't It Romantic (I-219). Carl was feeling it as well, turning to Dearly Beloved (I-103). Sam stayed in that vein, opting for All The Things You Are (I-22). Bass and soprano finished the day back with whom we started with a duet on a somewhat up-tempo version of Easy To Love (I-128).

So much fun, and we never left Vol. I of the Real Book. 

Hope to see you next time!

--SJH

July 9, 2022

Next Time: Sat., 7/16, 11am-2pm, behind McRae Rec. Center (906 E. 47th St., MPLS), weather permitting.

Bring your own stand and chair!

Football camp was concluding behind McRae this past week. After some delay, the Park People suggested that we set up at the front doorway, which turned out to be much better shaded than the back, and has a working outlet! By the time noon rolled around, we had Steve (soprano), Carl (trombone), Wes (tenor), and Sam (trombone, trumpet). We were then happily surprised by newcomer Chris on guitar, so we had the enough rhythm for a successful gathering.

Sam got us going with Work Song (III-429). Wes kept us swinging with Doxy (II-111). Carl returned us to the blues with Tenor Madness (II-390). Your scribe opted for a not-too-slow These Foolish Things (II-392). Killer Joe (II-229) was Sam's next choice. Chris picked a not-too-fast Now's The Time (II-293). Wes passed to Carl, who went with In A Mellow Tone (I-206). Back to Wes, we played an old favorite, Groovin' High (I-66). Yours truly found a favorite of his own, Have You Met Miss Jones (I-xxx). We wrapped things up back with Sam and Take The A Train (I-398). 

Hope to see you this weekend! If it looks like there is an event out back, check the front door...

--SJH

June 25, 2022

NEXT TIME: Sat. 7/9, 11am-2pm, behind McRae Rec Center (906 E. 47th St., MPLS) weather permitting. Bring your own chair and stand!

NO WORKSHOP THIS SATURDAY, JULY 2!

Independence Day weekend, and attendance is hard to come by. Also, I know we will be missing our two main rhythm players. So. 

This week we had a small but enthusiastic gathering: Steve (soprano), Raphael (bass), Ari (trumpet).

We began with your scribe's choice, Honeysuckle Rose (II-167). Raphael went tricky right away with Charlie Parker's Dewey Square (II-101). Ari decided on something more jazz standard-y, All The Things You Are (I-22). Back to yours truly, we played an easygoing C'est Si Bon (I-65). Raphael went the Latin route by taking on So Nice (Summer Samba) (I-362). Ari tried to get us in a funky mood with Cantelope Island (II-76), though we were only moderately funky. Your scribe opted for a bit of Ellington with Perdido (II-311). Raphael took us down a difficult but fun path by choosing Four Brothers (II-138). We finished off with Ari's pick, Au Privave (I-37).

Hope to see you next time!

--SJH