September 23, 2023

Next Time: Sat., 9/30, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park)

Come when you can. Leave when you must.

Another workable crowd assembled for this week's meeting: Sam (trumpet, trombone), Steve H (alto), Raphael (bass), Steve C (piano), Bill (vocals), and Serdar (guitar).

We began, as usual, with Sam's choice, this time Honeysuckle Rose (II-167). Yours truly pushed the tempo just a little bit with It Could Happen To You (II-204). Steve C found another mid-tempo tune that doesn't get out enough, Earl Hines' Rosetta (II-332). Raphael found yet another relatively unfamiliar tune, this time Russian Lullaby (II-3xx). Back around to Sam, we took on a ballad-y version of It Might As Well Be Spring (II-205). 

Bill was finally set up, and got in a couple: Blue Moon, which we played from iReal Pro and memory; and Just In Time (II-222). Your scribe pulled an original out of the bag, Smokey Blues. Serdar got his first call, going to On The Sunny Side Of The Street (II or III); Bill was able to join in the fun. Bill took another, opting for September Song (handout). Steve C needed to head out early, so his last choice of the day was Fly Me To The Moon (II-135)--which, of course, Bill was happy to join. Raphael made us do a bit of work on a tune, Little Sunflower (II-244) with very few chord changes, which stretches one's creativity. Bill called one more, Pennies From Heaven (II-309) before most of us had to head out. Sam and Serdar accompanied our packing up with St. James Infirmary and St. Thomas.

Hope to see you next time!

--SJH

September 16, 2023

 Next Time: Sat., 9/23, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park)

We had a limited but workable gathering: Steve C (piano), Steve H (percussion), John C (trombone), Jack (trumpet), and Raphael (bass).

Your scribe got things running with Lullaby Of The Leaves (III-260). Nancy With The Laughing Face (III-298) was Jack's first pick. Steve C upped the tempo to a medium swing with Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams (III-455). Raphael took us to the unfamiliar by opting for Time Was (III-409). John C brought us back to our usual stomping grounds, and lullabies, calling Lullaby Of Birdland (I-256). Yours truly got the second go-around going with a not-too-slow rendering of Lover Man (II-255). Jack chose an old standby, Time After Time (III-408). Steve C's next one was another mid-tempo gem, Autumn Leaves. Raphael tried to boost the energy another notch, calling Mountain Greenery (III-285). John found a classic bit of jazz history, Moten Swing (II-279). Almost out of time, your scribe went to another old one, Nevertheless (III-300). We finished our time together with Jack's choice, Smile (IV-401).

--SJH

September 9, 2023

Next Time: Sat., 9/16, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park)

Your scribe did not think this past session was going to take off at all at first, but after a short while, we had assembled a reasonable contingent of players: Sam (trumpet, trombone), Bill (vocals), Steve H (piano), John (bass), and Serdar (guitar). 

Sam, as usual, got the ball rolling with his pick, this time Dindi (II-105). Bill had been wanting to rehearse At Last for a gig, and we finally had enough music and chutzpah to pull it off; sounded pretty good. John opted for the classic All The Things You Are (I-18). Serdar took the next call for us to play On The Sunny Side Of The Street (II-xxx). Yours truly chose Milt Jackson's eponymous Bags' Groove (II-30).

Bill took the next one, going with I Remember You (II-179). Around to Sam again, we were treated to Perdido (II-311). Bill's vocal choice next was Dream A Little Dream Of Me (handout). Serdar took us to a medium swing version of the ever-popular Autumn Leaves (I-39); Bill joined in with a vocal. Sam got another call, this time Four (I-149). We finished up with Bill's closer, The Girl From Ipanema (I-158).

Hope to see you this coming weekend!

--SJH

September 2, 2023

Next Time: Sat., 9/9, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale, St. Louis Park)

Last week, masks were no longer required in the building. But keep your eyes open for notices.

An odd assortment of players stopped in for our festivities: Sam (trumpet/trombone), Raphael (bass), John (bass), Steve H (piano, soprano), and Bill (vocals). 

Your scribe spent most of his time at the workshop this time filling in at the keyboard, but was glad to be able to help, to some lesser degree. Raphael and yours truly were just a duo to get things underway, with Raphael's call, Dewey Square. The rest showed up before our next tune, also Raphaels choice, Elora, and Sam was able to join in on that. A resident who stopped in to listen asked for Waltz for Debby, which we managed to get through reasonably well. John got on board with Song for My Father. Bill got to pick the next two: All of Me, and Autumn Leaves. Sam got in the act by requesting All of You. John thought something Latin would go down well, and went with How Insensitive. Bill got another vocal chance, going to Ain't Misbehavin'. Yours truly finally took a swing with a medium swing version of Here's That Rainy Day. Bill got in his final option, Dream A Little Dream of Me. We rounded off the afternoon with John calling Mr. P.C.

Here's hoping to see you soon!

--SJH