February 24, 2024

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

Another busy Saturday at the Workshop. Joining us were Tom (drums), Jan (trumpet), Steve C. (piano), Vern (accordion), Steve H. (soprano), Sam (trumpet, trombone), Raphael (bass), John (trombone), Matt (vocals), and Lee (bass). 

The whole shindig got of to a bouncy start with Steve C.'s choice, All Of Me (I-22). Raphael found an intriguing number in 3/4, It's A Big Wide Wonderful World (III-207). Tom got the next call, My Little Suede Shoes (II-282). Matt tok his first vocal of the day, a bossa version of Berlin's Change Partners (handout). Serdar turned to some Rhythm changes with Oleo (I-309). Jan opted for a peppy version of Doxy (II-111). 

Matt took a second vocal turn, this time on I'm Beginning To See The Light (I-200). John thought it was a good idea to dip into the Parker bank, with Anthropology (I-29). Vern brought us back to some Latin with Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars (I-338). Matt called On The Street Where You Live (III-310), and agreed to give it a bit of a swingy bounce.

Sam finally got a shot, and went to Monk's Straight, No Chaser (I-380). Your scribe chose old favorite On A Slow Boat To China (III-309). Some people were packing up, but there were enough left for yours truly to fill in on the piano for Raphael's pick, Let's Face The Music And Dance (III-xxx). As your scribe was headed out the door, a handful were still working on Serdar's choice, Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans?

Hope to see you next time!

February 17, 2024

Next Time: Sat., Feb. 24, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park)

As happened last time, some newcomers stopped in to join the fun--or rather, in one instance, someone who used to come to this same workshop when it was in its infancy. Joining regulars Steve C (piano), John (trombone), Tom (drums), Jan (trumpet), Jack (trumpet), Raphael (bass), Steve H (soprano), Serdar (guitar), and Matt (vocals), were Linda (vocals) and Lee (bass). 

Yours truly had the privilege of getting the ball rolling with John Lewis' Milano (I-272) at an easy swing. Jack picked things up slightly with Have You Met Miss Jones (I-172). Steve C. changed the mood a bit, opting for Mingus' Nostalgia In Times Square (I-xxx).

Matt kicked off the vocal rounds with a handout of How About You. Raphael filled in the space with the peculiar and tricky five-bar phrases of Gloria's Step (I-159). Linda took the mic and belted out a beautiful version of Autumn Leaves (I-39). Tom took the next one, calling Chega de Saudade (No More Blues) (I-74). Matt returned to take on East Of The Sun (III-xxx). Serdar, after weeks of waiting, finally got a chance, choosing On The Sunny Side Of The Street (III-xxx). Jan returned to a favorite, Watch What Happens (II-xxx).

Once again, your scribe had to bail out before the crew landed, but he heard that one or two other tunes were enjoyed before all was said and done.

Hope to see you next time!

--SJH

February 10, 2024

Next Time: Skip ahead to Feb. 17!

Things got very energetic at the Workshop this time out, as we had both listening guests and new participants. Joining regulars and semi-regulars Tom (drums),  Steve C (piano), Jan (trumpet), Sam (trumpet, trombone), Steve H (alto), John (trombone), Vern (accordion), Raphael (bass), Serdar (guitar), and Matt (vocals), were newcomers JD (bass), and Liz (vocals). 

Things got kicked off by Sam's pick of Billie's Bounce (II-44). Tom got the next call, My Little Suede Shoes (II-282). John opted for the semi-spiritual Moanin' (II-270). Jan went back to the bossa on Watch What Happens (II-413). Yours truly changed the tempo, going to an medium-up version of Easy To Love (I-128).

Things started to get particularly interesting when the vocals began. Matt started things off with Fly Me To The Moon (II-xxx). Liz, no stranger to the stage, took her first shot with our gang on Satin Doll (I-349). Vern took the in-between number, calling September Song (II-344), to which Matt added a vocal. Liz got another opportunity, calling Route 66, but in F rather than whatever is in the Real Book. Steve C. went right to another blues, Two Degrees East, Three Degrees West, in honor of our late friend, Carl Sandberg. Matt took us on an Ellington ride with his choice of I'm Beginning To See The Light (I-200). Liz got another call, this time All Of Me, but in C (rather than the Real Book version).

Your scribe had to leave in the middle of this last tune, though things were still cooking. 

--SJH

February 3, 2024

Next Time: Sat., 2/10, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park)

Another happenin' gathering this past date, with a steady crowd emerging: Jan (trumpet), Tom (drums), Steve C (piano), Steve H (soprano), Jack (trumpet), Raphael (bass), John (trombone), Sam (trumpet, trombone), Matt (vocals), and Serdar (guitar). 

Here's what we played: Jan called Girl Talk (II-151). John called The Gift! (Recado Bossa Nova) (II-154). Sam called Gone With The Wind (III-132). Matt called Gee, Baby, Ain't I Good To You (I-153). Jack called Stella By Starlight (I-382), and did a vocal. Matt called Unforgettable (III-xxx). Yours truly called It's De-Lovely (III-213). Steve C called Beautiful Love ((I-40). Matt called A Hundred Years From Today (handout). Raphael called Ornithology (I-317). Tom called One Note Samba (I-384). 

Your scribe had to leave before the session ended.

Hope to see you next time!

--SJH