March 23, 2019

Next Time: Sat., 3/30, 11am-3pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale, St. Louis Park)

FJF prep: You bet

Still bare bones, but hopefully soon back to normal.

Attendees at one point or another
Sam (trumpet, trombone), Roger (tenor), Jeff (piano), Raphael (bass), Steve H (alto), Wes (tenor), Ari (trumpet), Craig (guitar)

Tunes Attempted
III-429 Watermelon Man (Sam)
I-77 Cherokee (Steve)
I-20 All Of Me (Jeff)
III-26 A Pretty Girl Is Like A Melody (Raphael)
I-302 A Night In Tunisia (Roger)
I-378 Speak No Evil (Ari)
II-282 My Little Suede Shoes (Sam)
IV-150 Goin' Out Of My Head (Craig)
Handout Pent Up House (Steve H)
I-122 Don't Get Around Much Anymore (Ari)
I-431 Wave (Raphael)
I-166 Groovin' High (Wes)
I-256 Lullaby Of Birdland (Roger)

--SJH

March 16, 2019

Next Time: Sat. 3/23, 1am-3pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale, St. Louis Park)

FJF prep: We hope so.

In a bit of a hurry; your scribe needs to post two weeks worth of material and the notice for the next time, so bare bones reporting.

Present and one point or another
Steve C (piano), Steve H (alto), Roger (tenor), Jack K (trumpet), Raphael (bass), Ari (trumpet), Carl (trombone)

Tunes played
I-219 Isn't It Romantic (Jack)
I-187 I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good (Steve H)
I-227 Jordu (Steve C)
I-413 Time Remembered (Raphael)
I-317 Ornithology (Roger)
I-32   April in Paris (Ari)
II-422 Whisper Not (Steve C)
II-324 Pent Up House [FJF arrangement] (Steve H)
II-34  Perdido (Raphael)
I-391 Take The A Train (Roger)
I-340 Reflections (Ari)
II-324 Pent Up House [again] (Steve)
I-364 So What? (Carl)
II-436 You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To (Steve C)
II-344 September Song (Raphael)
II-172 I Believe In You (Ari)
II-167 Honeysuckle Rose (Steve H)

--SJH

March 9, 2019

Next Time: Sat. 3/16, 11am-3pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale, St. Louis Park)

Not a huge group showed (the weather forecast being so foreboding--not to mention incorrect), but all ready for action: Raphael (bass), Sam (trumpet and trombone), Jack K (trumpet), Roger (tenor and piano), Ari (trumpet), and Steve H (alto and piano).

Sam got things rolling with Four Brothers (II-138), which went surprisingly smoothly. Jack K opted for Footprints (I-144), which actually gave us more trouble, but we started to get the hang of it. Yours truly called the ballad For All We Know (I-145), but not too slow. Raphael reached into his bag of surprises for A Taste Of Honey (III-386), with its occasionally unusual phrasing. Roger found one very suitable for his sound, Seven Steps to Heaven (I-356), which proved difficult to get started, but eventually we found a groove.

On the second round, Sam gave us Dear Old Stockholm (I-102), another tricky tune to take at speed, but we held our own. Jack turned to a fun tune, Teach Me Tonight (III-387). Ari opted for something simpler, Freddie Freeloader (I-151). Before heading out early, your scribe asked for Don't Get Around Much Anymore (I-122). Raphael decided on the lesser-known Rodgers and Hart tune, Mimi (III-278). Before it was even his turn, Roger was suggesting Parker's Au Privave (I-34), and got his wish.

For the final spin, Sam turned to Mr. Magic (II-268). Ari got the nod to pick Straight No Chaser (I-386). The fun closed out with Roger's choice of Blue Bossa (I-50).

--SJH

March 2, 3019

Next Time: Saturday, March 9, 11am-3pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale, St. Louis Park)

FJF prep: Four Brothers (II-138)

Another voiceless session as only the instrumentalists made an appearance. Raphael (bass) was our notetaker, and he was joined by Jack (trumpet), John (trombone), Roger (tenor), Jeff (piano), Carl (trombone), Ari (trumpet) and the indomitable Sam (trumpet, trombone).

Things got underway with Jack putting in the request for The Nearness Of You (II-285). Jeff got the next call, A Fine Romance (I-190). Raphael was next up, and chose Black Nile (I-48). John wasn't sure what to choose, calling Yes And No (I-452). Roger put a twist into the fabric by calling Giant Steps (I-157) as a samba. Sam went to this week's Add-A-Tune and possible FJF number, Sonny Rollins' Pent Up House (I-324). 

The second round began with Jack's call, Tune Up (I-418). Somehow, Sam got another swing right away, requesting Summer Samba (I-362). Ari was in the rotation now, and stayed with that summer feel with Wave (I-431). Carl, also now on hand, went to old standby In A Mellow Tone (I-206). Jeff up next turned to the classic ballad, Body and Soul (I-57). Raphael opted for a little Parker and Au Privave (I-37). 

Apparently missing some people by this point, the rotation returned to Sam, who finally broke the spell of Volume I by calling Killer Joe (II-229). Ari went with something less familiar, Barbara (II-36). Carl brought things home with 2 Degrees East, 3 Degrees West (II-408).

--SJH

February 23, 2019

Next Time: Sat. Mar. 2, 11am-3pm, TowerLight 3601 Wooddale, St. Louis Park

fjf prep: Pent Up House (I-324)

Some new faces among the old: Roger (tenor and some drums) and John (trombone),  joined Sam (trumpet, trombone), Raphael (bass), Jack (trumpet, drums), Steve H (alto), Jeff (piano), and Serdar (guitar) for an all-instrumental session.

We began with Sam's Add-A-Tune, Minor Swing (IV-284). Jack took the next call with Have You Met Miss Jones (I-172). While your scribe was off locating the drums, Jeff ordered up an easy-going version of How High The Moon (I-180). Yours truly changed the feel with John Lewis' Afternoon In Paris (I-12). Raphael really changed the feel with Dolphin Dance (I-119). Roger, perhaps merely wanting to speed up Jeff's order, asked for Ornithology (I-317), which we tried first a bit slower, then more to speed. John took his first shot with Nica's Dream (I-299). Late arriving Serdar polished off the first round, and got us out of Book I, with Billie's Bounce (II-44).

Sam got round two off to a weird start with Cantelope Island (II-76). Your scribe opted for the much more laid back Line For Lyons (III-240). Raphael came charging back with Pat Marino's Interchange (III-202). Serdar called the much more straightforward Four (I-149). Sam surprised with West Coast Blues (I-436). Yours truly slowed things down with the Ellington ballad Warm Valley (II-412). We wrapped things up with a rollicking St. Thomas (II-339).

--SJH

February 16, 2019

Next Time: Sat., Feb. 23, 11am-3pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park)

FJF Prep: Minor Swing (IV 284)

Only a small group present this past session. Along with reporter Raphael were Sam, Jeff, and Wes.

Songs

I 324 Pent Up House (Sam)

I 128 Easy To Love (Jeff)

I 119 Dolphin Dance (Raphael)

I 245 Little Boat (Sam)

I 166 Groovin' High (Wes)

II 288 No Moe (Jeff)

I 285 My Favorite Things (Raphael)

I 55 Blues For Alice (Wes)

II 355 Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise (Sam)

II 293 Now's The Time (Jeff)

II 433 Yardbird Suite (Raphael)

III 22 Along Came Betty (Jeff)

I 39 Autumn Leaves (Sam)

--SJH

February 9, 2019

Next Time: Saturday, February 16, 11am-3pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale, St. Louis Park)

Your scribe had to cut out early in the proceedings, so Raphael kept tabs on things.

II-67 Blues in the Closet, SteveII-112 The Drive, RII-102 Dexter Rides Again, AriI-311 Perdido SteveII-218 It's Too late, CraigI-267, Memories of Tomorrow, AriI-283 The Most Beautiful Girl in the World, CraigI-39 Autumn Leaves, AriI-338 Red Clay, RI-453 Yesterday, AriI-195 I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free, AnnieII-408 2o E, 3o W, CarlI-16, Alfie, AnniePrinted, How Little We Know, AnnieI-207 In A Sentimental Mood, CarlI-82, Come Sunday, AnnieI-62 But Beautiful, AnnieII-261 Makin' Whoopee, AnnieIII-313 The Party's Over, CarlIII-312 On the Sunny Side of the Street, Annie attendance - Steve, Ari, Craig, Annie, Carl, Raphael 

--SJH