April 20, 2024

Next Time: Sat., 4/27, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park)

Who was there this past week? Jan (trumpet), Jack (trumpet), Sam (trombone), Steve H (piano, soprano), Paul (bass), Vern (accordion), Liz (vocals), JD (bass), and Matt (vocals). Tom was also there, generously donating his time, talent, and treasure to get a set of drums assembled for Workshop use. At the moment, they are in one of the closets in the basement theater where we play.

Your scribe took the first song choice accidentally by noodling around on Early Autumn (II-xxx) until it was decided that would be our starting point. Paul wanted to work on something everyone really needs to know, turning to How High The Moon (I-180). Jan was feeling all Porterish, and went with You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To (II-xxx). Matt got to exercise his powers of choice and voice, singing L-O-V-E (III-252). Sam was ready with his call, All Of You (I-21). Liz opted to sing Beyond The Sea (II-40). Jack turned back time with Yesterdays (I-450). Liz grabbed another chance at the mic on Route 66 (I-xxx). Matt slowed things down on his choice of Angel Eyes (I-27). Paul got us all working on Wayne Shorter's El Gaucho (I-xxx). Matt got another swing with I Won't Dance (III-174). 

A number of people, including the rhythm section, had to head out, so the meeting dissolved at that point. 

Hope to see you next time!

--SJH

April 13, 2024

Next Time: Sat., 4/20, 11am-2pm. TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park)

Who was there? A reasonable cross-section of our Workshop mailing list: Steve C (piano), Sam (trombone), Jan (trumpet), Jack (trumpet), Steve H (soprano), Matt (vocals), Liz (vocals), and J.D. (bass).

We finally got rolling without a bass player, but Jan put in a call to one. Sam, as usual, called the first tune, Black Orpheus (I-49). Jack found an obscure one, Are You Real (IV-25). Matt took a vocal turn on Always (I-24). Yours truly had the privilege of the next choice, and went to Nevertheless (III-300). Steve C. pulled out a good one, Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams (III-455). Matt tried out a classic which he had never sung before, When Sunny Gets Blue (I-440). Jan opted for one he's been working on, Watch What Happens (II-413). 

Back to Sam, we got his weekly surprise in Nostalgia In Times Square (I-336). Steve C. got a second opportunity, going with Don't Get Around Much Anymore (I-122). Matt was in charge of the final two tunes: East Of The Sun (III-104) and Moonlight In Vermont (III-283). By this point we had lost our bass player, who had only been able to be with us for an hour, and several others had to leave as well.

Hope to see you soon!

--SJH

April 6, 2024

 Next Time: Sat., 4/13, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park)

A good-sized group gathered to hone their jazz improvization skills this past weekend. Present were Sam (trombone), Jan (trumpet), Steve C (piano), Steve H (soprano), Raphael (bass), Matt (vocals), Gary (just visiting), Victoria (vocals) and, after a lengthy hiatus, Steve M (alto). 

Sam kicked off the fun with his pick of Perdido (II-311). Matt got the vocals rolling with Moonglow (II-275). Victoria took a vocal turn as well, opting for When You're Smiling (III-437). Steve C called Benny Carter's When Lights Are Low (II-421). Matt took another turn with his choice of Quizas, Quizas, Quizas (III-329). Victoria's next option was the classic All Of Me (I-20). Raphael took a gamble with the Billy Strayhorn number, Upper Manhattan Medical Group (I-426). Another vocal opportunity for the singers, Matt chose You Brought A New Kind Of Love To Me (I-458), while Victoria went with St. Louis Blues (II-366). Jan surprised us all with Alright, OK, You Win (I-27). Steve M finally got a say, turning to Get Out Of Town (II-148). Matt's last pick was Moonlight Becomes You (III-281). 

Many people had to pull up stakes at 1:30, leaving no rhythm section, so the group said goodbye for another week.

Hope to see you next time!

--SJH