January 27, 2024

Next Time: Sat., 2/3, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park)

It was another happenin' time at the Jazz Workshop as a sizeable cast of characters dropped in: Jan (trumpet), Tom (drums), Steve H (soprano), Steve C (piano), Raphael (bass), Jack (trumpet), John (trombone), Serdar (guitar), and Matt (vocals). 

We began the day with a call from Jan, who was the first to arrive, but also had to leave quite early: The Gift! (or, Recado Bossa Nova) (II-150). John got the next turn, going with It's Only A Paper Moon (II-209). Matt was ready to sing, and so we grooved on Route 66 (II-xxx). Jack changed the mood with an easygoing version of There Will Never Be Another You (I-xxx). Yours truly wanted to swing a little harder with a medium version of Witchcraft (III-452). Matt got another choice, this time handing out music for the tango Whatever Lola Wants. Steve C. also brought out a handout, this time of Star Eyes. Raphael picked up the pace a bit with Daahoud (I-xxx). Matt got another go at things with Angel Eyes (I-20).

Your scribe had to leave a little earlier than usual, but has it on good authority that the group disbanded before Tom or Serdar even got a chance to choose a tune. Apparently, they finished with a version of St. Thomas. 

See you next time!

--SJH

January 20, 2024

Doing a little catch-up here!

Who was there? Steve C (piano), Raphael (bass), Jan (trumpet), John (trombone), Jack (trumpet), Steve H (alto), Matt (vocals), and Sam (trumpet, trombone)

What was played, and who called it? Steve C: Lucky Southern (I-2xx); Raphael: Lover (II-256); Jan: Come Rain or Come Shine (II-88) as a medium swing; Matt: Bella Notte (handout) i.e., the spaghetti song from Lady and the Tramp; John: Come Fly With Me (III-80); Sam: Little Boat (I-245); Matt: In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning (I-210); Steve H: Somebody Loves Me (I-369); Jack: Angel Eyes (I-20); Matt: Polka Dots and Moonbeams (Handout: different key from Real Book).  

--SJH

January 13, 2024

Next Time: Sat., 1/20, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park)

Another fun time was had by the attendees at the Jazz Workshop in the Park (in the basement in the senior citizens building). Playing were Jan (trumpet), John (trombone), Jack (trumpet, recorder), Steve C (piano), Raphael (bass), Steve H (alto), Serdar (guitar), and Matt (vocals). 

Yours truly took the initiative to get things going, and opted for Nevertheless (III-300) for the opener. Jack was next in line, and chose Nancy With The Laughing Face (III-298). (Your scribe has often wondered what Nancy thought of that title.) Serdar got himself settled in time to call All Of Me (I-20). Steve C. had a handout from Book V, 'Tis Autumn. Raphael went to a second Kalmar and Ruby tune, Three Little Words (III-406). Jan got seasonal, turning to Baby, It's Cold Outside (II-28). John was feeling the need for a bit of Charlie Parker, for some reason, and pulled up the fun Billie's Bounce (II-xx). 

The cycle began again, and yours truly went to the John Lewis tune, Afternoon In Paris (I-12). Jack sang and played on his choice, I'm Old Fashioned (III-182). Serdar recognized our lack of a Latin tune, and called for How Insensitive (I-xxx). Matt, arriving when he could, asked our indulgence on Fly Me To The Moon (II-xxx). Your scribe had to go as the remaining group was getting started on Beyond the Sea for another vocal by Matt. A little bird tells me that the follow-up tune, L-O-V-E, did not go so well, but things wrapped up with St. Thomas. 

Hope to see you next time!

--SJH

January 6, 2024

Next Time: Sat., 1/13, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park)

The Workshop got the New Year off right with a solid group of players: Jan (trumpet), John (trombone), Jack (trumpet), Steve C (piano), Steve H (alto), Raphael (bass), Sam (trumpet, trombone), and Serdar (guitar).

Jan was the first to arrive, so he got the New Year's first pick, Fly Me To The Moon (II-xxx). John took the next call with Doxy (II-111). Sam downshifted a tad with an easygoing version of Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise (II-355). Jack dropped the tempo further, opting for Candy (I-xxx). Yours Truly wanted to turn the heat up a bit while paying tribute to years past, and chose I've Found A New Baby (II-481). Serdar called All The Things You Are (I-22), with Intro also as an Outro. Steve C stayed in the same book, finding Out Of Nowhere (I-318). Raphael surprised us by not calling for anything surprising, going with There Is No Greater Love (I-406). 

Back to the beginning of the loop, Jan kicked off round two with Girl Talk (II-151). John's second choice took us in the other direction: Ornithology (I-xxx). Sam took us back to slower with Angel Eyes (I-28), though it shifted back and forth between ballad and double-time feel. 

At this point your scribe had to pull up stakes, but the group was still going strong.

Hope to see you next time!

--SJH

December 30, 2023

Next Time: Sat., 1/6, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park)

You'll find us in the basement theater. It is advertised in the building as the Jazz Jam. Bring your own music stand.

The number of players has picked up, and everyone seems to be enjoying it! This week we had Steve H (piano, soprano), Raphael (bass), W Rayford (drums), Jan (trumpet), John (trombone, piano), Jack (trumpet), Serdar (guitar), and Sam (trumpet, trombone) celebrating his 95th birthday.

We began with a call by yours truly, My Romance (I-265). Raphael turned the page to the little-known (by us, anyhow) Memories Of Tomorrow (I-267). Jan had the next choice, going with One Note Samba (I-314). W Rayford opted for the generally mysterious sounding Stolen Moments (I-384), but at a medium swing. John's turn brought us Dizzy Gillespie's Manteca (II-259). Sam was ready with his call, Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise (II-359). Jack chose Miles Davis' Solar (I-363). Serdar wrapped up the first go-around with Alice In Wonderland (I-17). 

Your scribe had to leave quite early, during Alice, but has every reason to believe that the playing continued in his absence.

Hope to see you next time!

--SJH