June 5, 2021

 Sorry, your scribe is a bit behind on the reporting. We'll be brief.

Present were Sam (trumpet and trombone), Steve H. (alto, rhythm), Serdar (guitar), and Cyril (vocals). We were delighted by the presence of Serdar's friend and former Minneapolitan Cyril, and hope he visits again.

Songs performed: Sam, Line for Lyons (III-240); Serdar, Alice in Wonderland (I-17); Cyril, Fly Me To The Moon (II-135); Steve H., It Could Happen To You (II-204); Sam, Cantelope Island (II-76); Serdar, Besame Mucho (III-42); Cyril, Autumn Leaves (I-39); Steve H., Have You Met Miss Jones (I-172); Sam, St. Thomas (II-339); Serdar, Oleo (I-309); Cyril, Day-O/Jamaican Farewell (he just started singing, and we had to figure out how to play along, and it worked great); Sam, My Little Suede Shoes (II-282).

--SJH

May 29, 2021

Next Time: Sat., 6/5/21, 11am-3pm, behind McRae Rec. Center (906 E. 47th St., MPLS), weather permitting. 

Present at this week's shindig were Sam (trumpet, trombone), John (trombone), Raphael (bass), Carl (trombone), and Steve H (soprano). 

Sam kicked things off with this weeks Add-A-Tune, I'll Take Romance (III-180), a real addition for most of us as we had never played it before. John took the next call with Groovin' High (I-166). Raphael picked a tricky one given our instrumentation, Bill Evans' Very Early (I-428); somehow, we made it. Carl decided for the more traditional jazz standard, In A Mellow Tone (I-206). Your scribe stayed in the Ellington groove with Take the A Train (I-398). 

Back to the beginning of the circle, Sam opted for something Latin, Once I Loved (I-311). John followed up with another Latin-y tune, Wave (I-431). Raphael chose one with a Latin name, Tangerine (II-386), but we took it as the usual swing. Carl having departed, yours truly chose Pennies from Heaven (II-389).

Sam called for a not-too-fast version of Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise (II-355). Raphael got the next one (John having moved into the shade), calling Wendy (II-xxx). John got the last chance tune, Betty's favorite, Stardust (II-367)

--SJH

May 22, 2021

Next Time: Sat. 5/29, 11am-3pm, behind McRae Rec Center (906 E. 47th St., MPLS), weather permitting 

Present for the Workshop

Sam (trumpet, trombone), Wes (tenor), Steve C (piano), Serdar (guitar), Raphael (bass), Steve H. (alto)

Tunes Played

Gone with the Wind

I'm Old Fashioned

Say It Can't Be So

Oleo

Little Boat

A Fine Romance

Straight No Chaser

Beautiful Love

Time Remembered

All the Things You Are

Jordu

Anthropology

Lady Bird

Blue Bossa

Besame Mucho

St. Thomas

--SJH

May 15, 2021

 NEXT TIME: Sat. 5/22, 11am-3pm, outside behind McRae Rec. Center (906 E. 47th St., MPLS), weather permitting.

People Present

Sam (trumpet, trombone), Steve H (soprano), Raphael (bass), Todd (trumpet), Carl (trombone), Serdar (guitar)

Songs Selected

Sam        Brazil    III-60

Serdar    Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans    II-108

Raphael    Cheesecake    II-82

Carl        Two Degrees East, Three Degrees West    II-408

Steve H    Tangerine    II-386

Todd        There Will Never Be Another You    I-407

Sam        Dear Old Stockholm    I-

Serdar    Tenor Madness    II-390

Raphael    Jeannine    II-

Steve H    Perdido    II-311

Sam        Speak Low    II-364

Serdar    St. Thomas    II-339

--SJH

May 8, 2021

 Next Time: Sat. May 15, 11am-3pm, behind McRae Recreation Center, 906 E. 47th St., MPLS,  weather permitting

It was a little cool to host a Workshop on May 8, but this coming weekend looks more promising.

If anyone did show up this past week, please contact me directly, or by leaving a reply to this blog post.

--SJH

May 1, 2021

NO WORKSHOP 5/8/21 due to chilly weather

We're back! Sort of. The bad news is that at our Grand Reopening, there was no electricity. The good news is that this has been rectified by the Park People. The bad news is that it is only supposed to get up to 60F this weekend--not warm enough for us older folks to sit outside awaiting our turn to play. 

The Workshop had its first fully vaccinated session on Saturday, May 1, 2021, behind the rec center at McRae Park, where we had played (indoors) for a number of years. It was a gorgeous 80 degree afternoon. Present were Sam (trombone and trumpet), your scribe (alto), Raphael (bass), Serdar (guitar), Glen (guitar), Jack K. (trumpet), John (trombone), and Carl (trombone). Without electricity, though, Raphael couldn't play in any useful way. The guitarists strummed and struggled to be heard, but helped keep us on track.

We started going around the group with Sam's pick, Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise (II-355). Serdar had us in a different place and time with Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans (II-108). Yours truly opted for a mid-tempo version of My Romance (I-289). Glen took the next call with Just Friends (IV-237).  John went all Parker on us by choosing Anthropology (I-29). Jack K. brought us back to Ellington with Satin Doll (I-349). Blue Monk (I-52) was Carl's opening call. 

Serdar had left by this point, and people were moving around to avoid the strong sun, so the circle got a bit reconfigured. Sam figured it was warm enough to bring out St. Thomas (II-339). As long as we were feeling a bit Latin, Wave (I-431) was John's call. Jack and Glen together had us play Jersey Bounce (II-223) before departing, as did Carl. With only three people remaining, your scribe called Somebody Loves Me (I-469). John opted for Groovin' High (I-166). Sam closed things out with Out Of Nowhere (I-318). 

Stay tuned for when--and where--our next Workshop session will be. 

--SJH

LET'S PLAY!

Let the Workshop commence!

When: Saturday, May 1, 11am-3pm

Where: Outside, behind McRae Rec Center, 906 E. 47th Street, MPLS (weather permitting)

Bring your own chair.

Even if nobody else shows, Sam and your scribe are dedicated to playing some duets.

Changes in COVID-19 restrictions, not to mention the weather, make it possible for us to gather outside, unmasked (if you are fully vaccinated).  We old-timers are dosed up and ready for action. If you aren't yet vaccinated, there is plenty of space outside, and we'll arrange ourselves accordingly. There is a power outlet, but we might need some extensions or power strips.

For newcomers, this Workshop is an opportunity to work on improvisation and varying styles of jazz. Here's how our Workshop runs. We play from the Real Books, generally vols. 1, 2, and 3, sometimes 4. (If you want to play something not in the Real Books, bring the sheet music for C, Eb and Bb instruments.) We go around the circle taking turns calling the tune. The person who calls the tune calls style and tempo, and gets the first solo. We play it down, then we solo in turn around the circle (you may pass if you wish). The second half is typically dedicated to vocalists (with instrumentals in between), should any be present.

REALLY looking forward to seeing all of you again!

--SJH