Someone else will be taking over the writing as of next week. It's been fun.
Participant Picks (well, my picks):
Charlie Barnet, Skyliner
Artie Shaw, Begin the Beguine
Debbie Duncan, Secret Love
Friday, January 29, 2016
January 23, 2016
No vocalists could make it for this session, so it was all instrumental. (Actually, Dick had a bad cold, but he stopped by for a little bit. When you're not singing, you have to listen to us, so he didn't last long.) Sam (bass), Gene (drums), Steve M (alto) and Jack D (trumpet) had already played Ornithology by the time Wes (tenor) and I (alto) arrived. Soon after, Jack (trumpet and drums) stopped in, and eventually Birk (drums) and his friend Marcus (acoustic guitar). Last but not least was Bronco (bari sax). Jack D requested When I Fall In Love. We moved then to Steve M, who asked for All of You (I-21). Yours truly called Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered (I-43). Gene took a pass, and Sam brought out dear old Dear Old Stockholm. Back to one of the Jacks., we played Long Ago and Far Away. Steve M started us on Darn That Dream, and I found Blue Room (I-53). Gene gave a shout out for Birk's Works, followed by Sam and Tangerine. Wes wanted a favorite, Along Came Betty. People were moving around a lot, and I may have missed some tunes in here. I've got Steve M asking next for Robbin's Nest (II-330). Somebody (I can't read my own handwriting) called All Or Nothing At All. Sam got the next choice, and we played East Of The Sun. Somehow, it got back to me, and I decided on After You've Gone, which is a lot trickier to play than it looks on the page, what with the double-time feel. Again, my legibility fails me, but I think Bronco chose the next song, Call Me. The last tune was at Steve M's behest, Blues For Alice.
Someone else will be taking over the writing as of next week. It's been fun.
Participant Picks (well, my picks):
Someone else will be taking over the writing as of next week. It's been fun.
Participant Picks (well, my picks):
Sunday, January 17, 2016
January 16th 2016
Attendees: Lachel (Trumpet), Wes (Tenor), Serdar (Guitar), Steve (Alto), Jack (Trumpet),
Jack K. (Trumpet), Todd (Trumpet), Gene (Drums), Sam (Bass), Joe (Trumpet), Elmer (Tenor),
Tom (Drums).
Tunes Played: Saint Thomas, Angel Eyes, My Romance, Satin Doll, There Will Never Be Another You, Beautiful Love, Broadway, Georgia On My Mind, Suede Shoes (My Little).
Jack K. (Trumpet), Todd (Trumpet), Gene (Drums), Sam (Bass), Joe (Trumpet), Elmer (Tenor),
Tom (Drums).
Tunes Played: Saint Thomas, Angel Eyes, My Romance, Satin Doll, There Will Never Be Another You, Beautiful Love, Broadway, Georgia On My Mind, Suede Shoes (My Little).
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
January 9, 2016
Attendees: Wes (Tenor), Jack (Trumpet), Steve (Alto),
Tom (Drums), Gene (Drums), Sam (Bass), Carl (Trombone),
Serdar (Guitar), Annie (Vocal), Jim (Piano).
Tunes Played: Well, You Needn't, In A Mellow Tone, Blues For Alice, Satin Doll, You've Changed, The Saga Of Harrison Crabfeathers, All The Things You Are, Song For My Father, There Will Never Be Another You, On A Clear Day, Sophisticated Lady, I Don't Want To Set The World On Fire, The Glory Of Love, Black Orpheus, I Get A Kick Out Of You, All My Tomorrows, Rockin' Chair, My Heart Stood Still, Most Gentlemen Don't Like Love, Lullaby Of Birdland.
Tom (Drums), Gene (Drums), Sam (Bass), Carl (Trombone),
Serdar (Guitar), Annie (Vocal), Jim (Piano).
Tunes Played: Well, You Needn't, In A Mellow Tone, Blues For Alice, Satin Doll, You've Changed, The Saga Of Harrison Crabfeathers, All The Things You Are, Song For My Father, There Will Never Be Another You, On A Clear Day, Sophisticated Lady, I Don't Want To Set The World On Fire, The Glory Of Love, Black Orpheus, I Get A Kick Out Of You, All My Tomorrows, Rockin' Chair, My Heart Stood Still, Most Gentlemen Don't Like Love, Lullaby Of Birdland.
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
January 2, 2016
Happy New Year!
The stalwarts braved our first good cold Saturday of the winter to play some jazz: Sam on bass, Gene and Tom on drums, Steve M and Steve H on altos, Wes on tenor, Jim (after a long hiatus) on piano, Serdar on guitar, Carl on trombone, and Annie bringing the vocals.
Steve M started the new year right with That Old Feeling (III-393). Sam followed up with My Ideal (III-282). Steve H thought a touch of the old sod would be lucky, and called for Jersey Bounce (III-223). We turned next to Wes for a pick, and he was ready with Lullaby of Birdland (I-256). Tom was looking just to swing a bit, and called for C-Jam Blues (II-74). We went to a middling lope with Sam's next pick, Java Jive (III-222). Jack sent up a few trial balloons before finally settling on Pennies From Heaven (II-309), throwing in a vocal for good measure. Gene actually landed on one we had in the books on the first try: Whisper Not (II-422). Serdar was all set up by this point, and when we turned to him for a choice, he confessed he had a soft spot for Besame Mucho (III-42). Steve M went next, and went mid-tempo to keep us from crying on Who Can I Turn To? (III-423). By the time we got back to yours truly, Annie's mic was plugged in and ready for a version of On The Sunny Side Of The Street (II-298).
With the vocal portion beginning, Annie chose a swingy version of Make Someone Happy (II-258), followed by a sweet ballad, The Folks Who Live On The Hill (II-137). For an instrumental break, Wes picked Flying Home (II-136)--not quite at Benny Goodman speed, but we kept it moving. Annie next pulled out an amusing Cole Porter tune not in the books, Most Gentlemen Don't Like Love. Next we took on On A Clear Day You Can See Forever (III-308).
It was only 2:00 when I had to check out, but I suspect some good tunes were played over the course of the next hour.
The stalwarts braved our first good cold Saturday of the winter to play some jazz: Sam on bass, Gene and Tom on drums, Steve M and Steve H on altos, Wes on tenor, Jim (after a long hiatus) on piano, Serdar on guitar, Carl on trombone, and Annie bringing the vocals.
Steve M started the new year right with That Old Feeling (III-393). Sam followed up with My Ideal (III-282). Steve H thought a touch of the old sod would be lucky, and called for Jersey Bounce (III-223). We turned next to Wes for a pick, and he was ready with Lullaby of Birdland (I-256). Tom was looking just to swing a bit, and called for C-Jam Blues (II-74). We went to a middling lope with Sam's next pick, Java Jive (III-222). Jack sent up a few trial balloons before finally settling on Pennies From Heaven (II-309), throwing in a vocal for good measure. Gene actually landed on one we had in the books on the first try: Whisper Not (II-422). Serdar was all set up by this point, and when we turned to him for a choice, he confessed he had a soft spot for Besame Mucho (III-42). Steve M went next, and went mid-tempo to keep us from crying on Who Can I Turn To? (III-423). By the time we got back to yours truly, Annie's mic was plugged in and ready for a version of On The Sunny Side Of The Street (II-298).
With the vocal portion beginning, Annie chose a swingy version of Make Someone Happy (II-258), followed by a sweet ballad, The Folks Who Live On The Hill (II-137). For an instrumental break, Wes picked Flying Home (II-136)--not quite at Benny Goodman speed, but we kept it moving. Annie next pulled out an amusing Cole Porter tune not in the books, Most Gentlemen Don't Like Love. Next we took on On A Clear Day You Can See Forever (III-308).
It was only 2:00 when I had to check out, but I suspect some good tunes were played over the course of the next hour.
Auld Lang Syne
Here’s a weird mix of people performing the staple New Year’s
Tune.
Kenny G
Royal Scots Dragoon Guards
Rod Stewart
James Taylor
Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians
A random bluegrass version
Bing Crosby
Enjoy!
--SJH
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
December 19, 2015
This week, after the Santa Breakfast but before Christmas, we had a mixed bag of tunes, but not of people. A solid group of regulars made an appearance: Sam (bass), Gene (drums), Tom (drums) Jack (trumpet and drums), Steve M (alto), Steve H (alto), Wes (tenor), Serdar (guitar), Carl (trombone) and Annie (vocals).
We started out without the last three until we got a guitar some time after noon. Wes got us kicked off with I Can't Get Started (I- ). Sam changed tempo with All The Things You Are (I-22). Gene, as usual, called several tunes that are not in our books until we landed on Softly As In A Morning Sunrise (II-355). At Tom's behest, we took a swing at Baby It's Cold Outside (in the Christmas Real Book) including the call and response. Jack has always been fond of the romantic tunes, including Isn't It Romantic? (I-219). Serdar, all set up by now, got his pick (no pun intended), and chose Song For My Father (I-373). Steve M then put in the call for I Hear A Rhapsody (II-177), with Jack switching to drums. Wes got another turn with Cousin Mary (II-93). Steve H based on a challenge from Carl last year, had put together a mash-up of Blue Monk and Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, which seemed to work out satisfactorily.
The vocal part of the program began with Annie calling first A Child Is Born (I-79) and I Thought About You (II-180); for the latter, she graciously shared the microphone with Jack. Carl brought out his manuscript of Mingus' Jelly Roll, which is slowly coming into shape. Back to Annie's vocals, we took up Polka Dots and Moonbeams (II-318) and a straight up blues tune, Merry Christmas Baby. Steve H asked to do a swingy version of I'll Be Home For Christmas (Christmas Real Book). Annie went back to a nice easy glide on What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? (Christmas Real Book). As I was on my way out the door (had some Christmas errands to run), the group was playing Poinciana (III-322).
We will not be meeting on December 26, but we will be back in session on January 2, 2016.
Christmas Listening
Dave Brubeck “Homecoming”
Jingle Bells
Dave Brubeck “Farewell”
Jingle Bells
Joe Pass Let It Snow
Joe Pass White
Christmas
Joe Williams Kissing
By The Mistletoe
Joe Williams What Are
You Doing New Year’s Eve
Oscar Peterson God
Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Tony Bennett and the Count Basie Orchestra I’ll Be Home For Christmas
Tony Bennett and the Count Basie Orchestra Silver Bells
Pearl Bailey Jingle
Bells Cha Cha Cha
Andy Williams (not
a jazz guy, but I’ve always appreciated the swinginess of this arrangement) Sleigh Ride
Herb Alpert and The Tijuana Brass (and I’m pretty sure an
uncredited Paul Desmond, who was recording for A&M at the time) Let It Snow
The Heath Brothers Our
Little Town (based on O Little Town
of Bethlehem)
Charlie Parker White
Christmas
Dexter Gordon Quartet The
Christmas Song
Gerry Mulligan and Dave Brubeck Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
Manhattan Transfer Santa
Claus Is Coming To Town
Manhattan Transfer Snowfall
Not available on You Tube, but here are four by Debbie
Duncan on her Christmas album that you should hear before you die: Santa Baby, O Come O Come Emmanuel, Little
Drummer Boy, Make Me A Present of You.
Enjoy!
Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year to all!
--SJH
December 12, 2015
Man, I have not been keeping up! Sorry about that reader(s).
On Saturday, December 12, we played the annual Santa Breakfast at MacRae Park. (The weeks leading up to this, we practiced our Christmas repertoire in anticipation.) As usual, the kids were a hoot, as they danced to the music. Santa apparently had things well in hand up north, as he was there the entire time from 10 to noon. There was breakfast, face painting, and a chance to chat with the Big Guy--and, of course, all to the vocals of Annie and Dick, backed up by the rest of the Workshop: Sam (trumpet) Gene (drums), Tony (bass), Ray (violin), Serdar (guitar), Jack D (trumpet), Carl (trombone), Wes (tenor), Steve M (alto) and yours truly (alto).
I kind of lost track in the middle, so let me see if I can remember everything. We did Sleigh Ride, The Christmas Song, Silver Bells, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, The Christmas Waltz, Frosty the Snowman, Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, Blue Christmas, White Christmas, Here Comes Santa Claus, Feliz Navidad and Merry Christmas Baby. There may have been one or two others. Anyhow, we had fun, as usual, and they fed us well, as usual.
On Saturday, December 12, we played the annual Santa Breakfast at MacRae Park. (The weeks leading up to this, we practiced our Christmas repertoire in anticipation.) As usual, the kids were a hoot, as they danced to the music. Santa apparently had things well in hand up north, as he was there the entire time from 10 to noon. There was breakfast, face painting, and a chance to chat with the Big Guy--and, of course, all to the vocals of Annie and Dick, backed up by the rest of the Workshop: Sam (trumpet) Gene (drums), Tony (bass), Ray (violin), Serdar (guitar), Jack D (trumpet), Carl (trombone), Wes (tenor), Steve M (alto) and yours truly (alto).
I kind of lost track in the middle, so let me see if I can remember everything. We did Sleigh Ride, The Christmas Song, Silver Bells, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, The Christmas Waltz, Frosty the Snowman, Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, Blue Christmas, White Christmas, Here Comes Santa Claus, Feliz Navidad and Merry Christmas Baby. There may have been one or two others. Anyhow, we had fun, as usual, and they fed us well, as usual.
Saturday, November 14, 2015
November 14, 2015
A good sized group, and a several newcomers. Gene and Berk (drums), Wes (tenor), Steve M, Bronco and Steve H (alto) Jack D (trumpet), Serdar (guitar), Sam (bass), Carl (trombone), Annie and Ron (vocals).
Sam opened things up with Bye Bye Blackbird (II-23). Steve M went next, choosing Bag's Groove (II-30). Jack D wanted to work on Angel Eyes (I-28). Gene went seasonal with Autumn Leaves (I-39). Serdar decided on an up-tempo version of All of Me (I-20). Bronco called April In Paris (I-32) next. Steve H changed the tempo with Bernie's Tune (III-39). Wes pulled out a Dizzy favorite, Groovin' High (I-166).
Annie and Carl had arrived, and the vocals began. Annie took two with I Wish You Love (III-172), and My Favorite Things (I-285). Carl got the instrumental call, so we worked on his manuscript of Mingus' Jelly Roll. Back to Annie and two more: It Never Entered My Mind (III-205), followed by Let There Be Love (III-236). Newcomer Ron took a swing at One For My Baby (III-314), and I've Got You Under My Skin (III-190). Sam took control on the instrumental, and we had some fun on St. Thomas (II-339). Annie took another pair of vocals, this time Don't Get Around Much Anymore (III-190), then changed the mood with For All We Know (I-145). Ron called for L-O-V-E (III-252) and What A Difference A Day Makes (III-430). The group eventually settled on Caravan (II-77) for an instrumental. Serdar asked to go out with St. James Infirmary, but the group went one more after that, finishing with I Love Paris (II-189).
We mourn those harmed in the attacks yesterday in Paris, and we are thinking of our friends there.
Sam opened things up with Bye Bye Blackbird (II-23). Steve M went next, choosing Bag's Groove (II-30). Jack D wanted to work on Angel Eyes (I-28). Gene went seasonal with Autumn Leaves (I-39). Serdar decided on an up-tempo version of All of Me (I-20). Bronco called April In Paris (I-32) next. Steve H changed the tempo with Bernie's Tune (III-39). Wes pulled out a Dizzy favorite, Groovin' High (I-166).
Annie and Carl had arrived, and the vocals began. Annie took two with I Wish You Love (III-172), and My Favorite Things (I-285). Carl got the instrumental call, so we worked on his manuscript of Mingus' Jelly Roll. Back to Annie and two more: It Never Entered My Mind (III-205), followed by Let There Be Love (III-236). Newcomer Ron took a swing at One For My Baby (III-314), and I've Got You Under My Skin (III-190). Sam took control on the instrumental, and we had some fun on St. Thomas (II-339). Annie took another pair of vocals, this time Don't Get Around Much Anymore (III-190), then changed the mood with For All We Know (I-145). Ron called for L-O-V-E (III-252) and What A Difference A Day Makes (III-430). The group eventually settled on Caravan (II-77) for an instrumental. Serdar asked to go out with St. James Infirmary, but the group went one more after that, finishing with I Love Paris (II-189).
We mourn those harmed in the attacks yesterday in Paris, and we are thinking of our friends there.
Django Reinhardt, Paris Blues
Duke Ellington and Orchestra Main Theme from Paris Blues
Duke Ellington and Orchestra, Paris Blues (Azure Te)
Karrin Allyson, Paris Blues (Azure Te)
Coleman Hawkins, Under Paris Skies
John Coltrane, Ray Draper, Mal Waldron, Under Paris Skies
Ella Fitzgerald, I Love Paris
Avalon Jazz Band, I Love Paris
Stephane Grappelli, Svend Asmussen, Parisian Thoroughfare
Stephane Grappeli, Afternoon in Paris
Charlie Parker, April In Paris
--SJH
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