December 28, 2024

Next Time: Sat., 1/4, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park)

Happy New Year!

A quartet made an appearance for our last Workshop of 2024: Jan (trumpet), Jerry (guitar), Steve H (piano, soprano), and Raphael (bass). Fewer people, of course, means more songs and extra solo time. 

We began with Jerry's pick, Mercy, Mercy, Mercy (II-262). Your scribe called the next one, Perdido (II-311). Raphael opted for Bright Boy (II-68). Jan went for the classic, On the Sunny Side of the Street (II-298).

For round two, Jerry stuck with his funky groove with Watermelon Man (III-429). Yours truly picked that non-Christmas song that often shows up at Christmas time, Thad Jones' A Child Is Born (I-79). Raphael made us work on Horace-Scope (II-168). Jan changed to a Latin mood with Watch What Happens (II-413).

Jerry started round three with the fun Let's Get Lost (II-238). Your scribe went to the easy-going (but not easy to play) John Lewis tune, Afternoon In Paris (I-12). Raphael made us work again by calling the next page, Airegin (I-13). Jan stuck with the adventurous by choosing the Frank Foster jazz waltz Simone (II-350). We closed out the session playing Jerry's call, Killer Joe (II-229).

See you in 2025!

--SJH

December 21 2024

MERRY CHRISTMAS

We took some time from normal activities to prepare for a Holiday Gig upstairs in the Club Room of TowerLight, which took place on Dec. 21. 

Present for that event were George (trombone), Matt (vocals), Serdar (guitar), Jerry (guitar and vocals), Owen (bass), Steve H (piano, soprano) and, for a few tunes, Tom H. (guitar). 

We got the ball rolling with a medium swing version of Silver Bells in 4/4 rather than the usual 3/4. Jerry took the vocal on a slightly-faster-than-usual I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus. Matt, in his green velvet jacket and scarf, channeled Elvis with his rendition of Blue Christmas.

Next, we did a medium-up instrumental version of God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen. Matt took the vocals on the next two: and easy swinging White Christmas, and the bluesy Merry Christmas, Baby. 

Our next bit was an Latin instrumental mash-up of Heat Wave and Let It Snow, which seemed to work out. Jerry took another vocal turn on Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, which swung nicely. Matt sang the ballad Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.

Somewhere in here, we slipped in Jingle Bell Rock and Mistletoe and Holly. I think Matt took both vocals.

Another instrumental followed, i.e., a medium swing version of I'll Be Home For Christmas. Matt led everyone in The Christmas Song. We finished the program with a ska version of Auld Lang Syne.

All in all, a fun event. We didn't hear any objections from the residents who stopped, or who just passed by on the way to lunch, so that has to count for something...

Hope to see you soon at the Workshop!

--SJH

November 30, 2024

Next Time: Sat., 12/7, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park)

We're in the basement theater. Bring your own stand. We usually play out of the Real Books, though this week we will likely be playing a lot of Christmas tunes.

Your scribe has been away on some sad family business for a few weeks, but should be back this coming weekend. In the meantime, he has gotten reports that all has gone well, and that the following players played the following songs.

Players: Charlie (trumpet/piano), Jack (trumpet/vocals)), Jan (trumpet), Sam (trombone), Serdar (guitar), Craig (guitar), Jerry (guitar/vocals)), Carl (guitar), Raphael (bass), Owen (bass), Bill (drums), Matt (vocals).

Songs:

Dolphin Dance

Satin Doll

 Merry Christmas, Baby

I Love Paris

Perdido

Angel Eyes

Long Ago and Far Away

The Christmas Song

I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus

Sidewinder

You and the Night and the Music

Memories of Tomorrow

St. Thomas

Hope to see you next time!

--SJH

November 23, 2024

Next Time: Sat., 11/30, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park)

Bring your own stand. We are usually playing from the Real Books, but if you want to play something else, bring some music in C, Eb, and Bb.

ONCE AGAIN, your scribe was not present, and will not be there this coming weekend, either. But, once again, I have it on good authority that things went OK. Here is the who and the what.

Who: Jan (trumpet), Jerry (guitar), Serdar (guitar), Jack (trumpet), Bill (drums), Craig (guitar), Raphael (bass), Carl (bass), Sam (trombone), and Tom (piano).

What: 

Four

Satin Doll

I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus

My Romance

Take the A Train

Billie's Bounce

The Last Time I Saw Paris

Softly As In A Morning Sunrise

Pick Yourself Up

Moon River

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

I Thought About You 

Doxy

Out Of Nowhere

Tequila

Come join the crew for some Saturday Jazz fun!

--SJH

November 16, 2024

Next Time: Sat., 11/23, 11am-2pm, in the basement theater of TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park)

Bring your own stand. We usually play from the Real Book vols. I to IV.

Again, your scribe missed out on the fun! But the report is that a good time was had. Here is what we know.

The Players Present:

Serdar (guitar), Matt (vocals), Bill (drums), Craig (guitar), Sam (trombone), Vern (accordion), Raphael (bass), Jan (trumpet), Jerry (guitar).

The Songs Called: 

Don't Get Around Much Anymore

Call Me Irresponsible

Beyond the Sea

Where or When

Work Song

It Had To Be You

Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans

A Child Is Born

 Fly Me To The Moon

Blue Monk

The Stars Fell On Alabama

It Might As Well Be Spring

Ceora

Buster Rides Again

St Thomas

See you next time!

--SJH

November 9, 2024

Next Time: Sat., 11/16, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park)

Bring your own stand.

Once again, your humble scribe was unable to attend this session, but it seems a good time was had by all nonetheless. Here's what he found out from those present.

Personnel: Jan (trumpet), Sam (trombone), Serdar (guitar), Craig (guitar), Paul (bass), Jerry (guitar), Jack (trumpet), and a warm welcome to TowerLight Activity Director George (trombone).

Songs:

Blues By Five

There Is No Greater Love

How High The Moon

Paper Moon

Mercy, Mercy, Mercy

Dear Old Stockholm

Killer Joe

Dancing On The Ceiling

Blue Monk

How Insensitive

It's Too Late

Angel Eyes

Lullaby Of Birdland

Watermelon Man

St. Thomas

Will we see you next time? Here's hoping.

--SJH

November 2, 2024

Next Time: Sat. 11/9, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park)

Bring your own stand.

Your scribe was absent, but got the following reliable report.

The People

Tom A. (piano), Bill (drums), Jan (trumpet), Raphael (bass), Serdar (guitar), Craig (guitar), Sam (trombone), Charlie (trumpet), Matt (vocals)

The Tunes

All The Things You Are

Chega de Saudade (No More Blues)

I Can't Give You Anything But Love

Come Fly With Me

Bernie's Tune

Something

It's Too Late

Hallelujah I Love Her

Recado Bossa Nova

Line For Lyons

I'm Beginning To See The Light

Autumn Leaves

Blue Monk

St. Thomas

--SJH