November 25, 2023

Next Time: Sat., 12/2, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale, St. Louis Park)

A pretty good showing this week: Sam (trumpet, trombone), Steve C. (piano), Raphael (bass), Jack (trumpet), Ari (trumpet), Al (tenor), Steve H (soprano), and Serdar (guitar).

Your scribe was a tad late, but the word is that the first two tunes were from Sam, who called Blue Monk (I-xx), followed by Steve C.'s choice of Groovin' High (II-xxx). Raphael was up next, deciding on Whisper Not (II-4xx). Ari opted for a bouncy version of Autumn Leaves (I-39). Jack chose to sing on I Thought About You (II-180). Al challenged us with Coltrane's Moment's Notice (I-280). Your scribe pulled out a handout of a mash-up of Santa Claus Is Coming To Town and Blue Monk. Serdar made his first call All Blues (I-18). Steve C got another chance, going to Lady Bird (I-235). When yours truly was departing, the gang were working on Raphael's choice of Bolivia (III-58).

Hope to see you next time!

--SJH

November 18, 2023

Next Time: Sat., 11/25, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park)

We're in the basement theater. As of last time, the signs encouraging masks had been removed, so things are looking up.

This week's gang included Steve C (piano), Steve H (soprano), Jack (trumpet), Raphael (bass), Sam (trumpet and trombone), and Serdar (guitar). 

Your scribe kicked things off with a medium version of Honeysuckle Rose (II-167). Jack directed us to a mixed ballad and double-time feel on When Sunny Gets Blue (I-440). Steve C took the typical ballad, We'll Be Together Again (I-xxx), at a medium swing pace. Raphael changed things up entirely with El Gaucho (I-131). Sam couldn't find the tune he wanted, but instead opted for Killer Joe (II-229), which worked out quite well, thank you.

Round 2 began with Jack's call for a mid-tempo lope through There Will Never Be Another You (I-407). Yours truly pulled out a handout of Irving Berlin's Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep, shifting from ballad to light swing and back again. Serdar finally got a pick, going with On the Sunny Side of the Street (II-xxx). Your scribe shifted over to piano, and Raphael called the Coltrane bit, Lazy Bird (I-241). As Jack and said scribe were pulling up stakes, Sam was trying to organize the remaining trio on the jazz waltz Three Flowers (I-412). 

Hope to see you next time.

Happy Thanksgiving!

--SJH

November 11, 2023

Next Time: Sat., 11/18, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park)

In case anyone is worried, there has been no requirement for masks recently.

Things were a little slow at the Workshop again. Sam (trumpet, trombone) and Steve H (piano) were debating whether to play, when Jack (trumpet) arrived. We got in one tune before--surprise!--Serdar (guitar) came in and was ready to try to play, splinted arm and all. A couple of us had to leave by 1:00, so it was a shorter time span, but we did manage to play the following:

Manteca (II-xxx)  Sam

Too Young (II-403)  Steve

Doxy (II-111)  Sam

Speak Low (II-xxx)  Jack

Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise (II-355)  Serdar

A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square  (III-302)  Steve

In A Little Spanish Town  (III-197)  Sam

Sure hope to see more of you next time!

--SJH

November 4, 2023

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

Well, sadly, not enough people showed up this past weekend--or at least, not the right combination of people (bass, trumpet)--to make a Workshop happen. But we will take another shot at it this Saturday! REALLY hope to see you there...

--SJH

October 28, 2023

Next Time: Sat., 11/04, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park)

A small but perfectly workable group gathered for this particular hoedown: Sam (trumpet, trombone), Steve C. (piano), Raphael (bass), and Steve H. (alto).

Sam, as usual, called the first number, and it really is a number: BR-2, in a revised handout from last time. We got off to a swinging, bluesy start. Your scribe, opting for Halloween-themed tunes, went to This Masquerade (II-496), more as a Latin than as its original rock feel. Steve C. did not feel the need to revise anything, calling for Yardbird Suite (II-433). Raphael decided on Daahoud (I-96), though we had to downshift twice before we found the groove. 

Back to Sam again, who thought a Halloween theme should include a moon-based song, chose How High The Moon (I-180). Yours truly thought we needed to keep an eye out for Killer Joe (II-229). Steve C. took us to another, more easy-going Latin groove with Lucky Southern (I-255). Raphael went to classic Cole Porter, I Love You (I-190). 

Time for a third round, and Sam called for more sky-based imagery in Nuages (I-307). Yours truly was not letting go of Halloween yet, turning to Witchcraft (III-452). Steve C. thought Lullaby of the Leaves (III-260) captured that autumn feeling. Raphael brought it home with his choice of A Night in Tunisia (I-302).

Here's hoping you will join us next time!

--SJH