December 23, 2023

Next Time: Sat. 12/30, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park)

The Players: Sam (trumpet, trombone), Steve H (soprano), Steve C (piano), W Rayford (drums), Vern (accordion), Serdar (guitar), Jan (trumpet), John (trombone), Randy (trombone).

The Tunes: Sam, Walkin' Shoes (II-490); Steve H, I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm (III-188); Serdar, How Insensitive (I-181); Steve C, Pennies From Heaven (II-309); Vern, Perdido (II-311); Jan, Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars (I-335); W Rayford, Stormy Weather (III-382); John, There Will Never Be Another You (I-407); Sam, Bluesette (I-407); Steve H, Santa Monk (Handout).

Your scribe had to leave at this point, so other songs were played that are unrecorded here. Ah, well. If you want a fuller account, stop by the Workshop this week. Then have a Happy New Year!

--SJH

December 16, 2023

Next Time: Sat. 12/23, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park)

It was a busy week at the Workshop, but it is also a busy week for your scribe, so let me be brief.

Personnel:

Stuart (trumpet), Steve H. (alto), Jack (trumpet), Randy (trombone), Steve C. (piano), Raphael (bass), Sam (trumpet, trombone), Serdar (guitar)

Tunes played:

Sam--Work Song (II-429)

Steve H--Silver Bells (handout)

Jack--My Ideal (III-292)

Serdar--There Will Never Be Another You (I-407)

Steve C--Blue Bossa (I-50)

Raphael--Just In Time (II-222)

Sam--Jeannine (II-212)

Steve H--Nevertheless (III-300)

Stuart--C-Jam Blues (II-74)

Jack--Body and Soul (I-57)

See you next time?

--SJH

December 9, 2023

Next Time: Sat. 12/16, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park)

Several newcomers joined a batch of regulars for this episode of the Jazz Workshop: Jan (trumpet), Randy (trombone), and W. Rayford (drums), joined Sam (trumpet, trombone), John (trombone, piano), Raphael (bass), Vern (accordion), Steve H. (piano, soprano), and Serdar (guitar) for a rollicking time.

Your scribe got things rolling with a handout version of Silver Bells in 4, rather than the usual 3. Raphael called an old one, Jersey Bounce (III-223). Vern thought Cherokee (I-77) would sound good on his squeezebox, and he wasn't wrong. Speaking of squeezing. Rayford opted for Just Squeeze Me (III-226). Randy shook things up with Watermelon Man (III-429). Sam chose the blues with Parker's Lazy Bird (III-53). John kept us working hard by going to Brazil (III-60). Serdar wanted to get more comfortable with Rollins' Oleo I-309). Yours truly got another shot in, with a Sing, Sing, Sing-based version of God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen (handout). 

Given the number of solos there were to be played, that's as far as we got by 1:30, when several musicians had to leave. But a solid rhythm section remained as your scribe headed out, so he assumes that two or three more tunes were wrestled with before the afternoon wrapped up.

Hope to see you next time!

--SJH

December 2, 2023

Next Time: Sat., 12/9, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park)

Your scribe was unable to make it to the session this past weekend, but has at least some notes of what took place.

Present were Sam (trumpet, trombone), Jack (trumpet), John (trombone), Raphael (bass), Vern (accordion), Serdar (guitar), and Steve C. (piano).

Tunes played: Sam, Dindi (II); Jack, I Remember You (II); John, Oye Como Va (II); Serdar, On the Sunny Side of the Street (II); Steve C., A Weaver of Dreams (II); Raphael, Heat Wave (III); Vern, Skylark (III); Sam, Parisian Thoroughfare (II). 

At this point the notetaker had to leave, so that's all we have to report.

Hope to see you soon!

--SJH