December 3, 2022

NO WORKSHOP DEC. 10

Next Time: Sat., Dec. 17, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park) in the basement theater.

Masks in the building except while playing. 

We had a healthy crew again this week: Sam (trumpet, trombone), Steve C. (piano), Vern (accordian), John (trombone), Jack K (trumpet), Ari (trumpet), Raphael (bass), Serdar (guitar), Bill (vocals), and Steve H. (alto and soprano). 

We did a few warmups while the full complement arrived: Freddie Freeloader (I-151) and Four (I-149). After that we played Christmas and other holiday songs, both from the Real Christmas Book and from handouts. It was all quite a bit of fun.

Hope to see you on Dec. 17!

--SJH

November 26, 2022

Next Time: Sat., 12/3, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park) in the basement theater.

Masks are required in the building, except while playing. Use the parking lot entrance. Bring your own stand.

A healthy group showed up for the Workshop this last time, including a newcomer. Jack H (tenor), joined regulars Sam (trumpet, trombone) Steve C (piano), Raphael (bass), Carl (trombone), Ari (trumpet, flugelhorn), Jack K (trumpet), Serdar (guitar), Bill (vocals), and Steve H (soprano). There were enough people getting into their solos that we barely got around the circle once.

Ari got things going with his choice of All Blues (I-18). Sam took the reins on the next song, My Little Suede Shoes (II-282). Jack K sent us scrambling for enough Vol. IVs to play Smile (IV-402). Jack H opted for that great tenor song, Moonglow (II-275). There Will Never Be Another You (I-407) was the pick of our guitarist, Serdar. 

Once Bill was set up for some vocals, he chose All of Me (I-20). Steve C. called for a Latin version of Here's That Rainy Day (I-175). Bill got in the Latin mood as well, with The Girl From Ipanema (I-158). Raphael went back to Charlie Parker, finding Yardbird Suite (II-433). Bill once more channeled his inner Frank with Come Fly With Me (III-80). Jack K's choice, I Thought About You (II-180) was the last thing your scribe heard as he headed out.

--SJH

November 19, 2022

NEXT TIME: Sat., Nov. 26, 11am-2pm, basement theater of TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park)

Wear a mask into the building (you can remove it while playing). Use the parking lot entrance. Bring your own stand.

A decent sized contingent showed up for our "Jazz Jam" at TowerLight, and a number of residents stopped by for a few tunes to listen and applaud. Present were Steve C. (piano), Jack (trumpet and percussion), Steve H. (alto), Carl (trombone), Sam (trumpet and trombone), and Raphael (bass). 

Yours truly got things under way with That Old Feeling (III-393). Carl waxed nostalgic in his choice of After You've Gone (III-12). The world faded into the background with Steve C's pick, Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams (III-455). Raphael opted for a warm and mellow version of Poor Butterfly (III-324). We stayed in an oldies mood with Sam's option, Honeysuckle Rose (II-167). Jack brought us back to a different era, deciding on Four (I-149). 

Your scribe began a second round of tunes with an attempt at something Latin, going to Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars (I-335), which took a while to get through. We returned to a bit of classic jazz with Carl's choice, Satin Doll (I-349). Steve C to us down a beautiful path with Beautiful Love (I-40). Raphael decided to make us work a bit, even on a ballad, choosing Coltrane's Naima (I-293). Some of us ran out of time and had to slip away as the group played Sam's pick, Parker's My Little Suede Shoes (II-382).

Here's hoping to see you at the next session!

--SJH

November 12, 2022

NEXT TIME: Sat., 11/19, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park) in the basement theater.

Bring your own stand. Masks required in the building. Use the parking lot entrance.

Your scribe missed the Workshop "Jazz Jam" yet again, so he has nothing to report about who was there or what was played. 

UPDATE: Got the word from one of the participants about the goings on.

Present were Sam, Jack, Serdar, Raphael, and Bill.

Tunes: 

III-335 Sister Sadie (Sam)

I-440 When Sunny Gets Blue (Jack)

II-298 On the Sunny Side of the Street (Serdar)

II-152 Gravy Waltz (Raphael)

II-111 Doxy (Sam)

I-318 Out of Nowhere (Bill)

II-135 Fly Me to the Moon (Bill)

I-387 Sugar (Jack)

IV-436 Sunny (Serdar))

III-173 I Wished on the Moon (Raphael)

I-88 Come Rain or Come Shine (Bill)

III-132 Gone with the Wind (Sam)

This week yours truly returns. Hope to see you there!

--SJH

November 5, 2022

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

Use the parking lot entrance. Bring your own stand.

Your scribe missed our opening festivities at TowerLight last week--and will miss them this coming Saturday as well. As a result, he has no notes on what took place last time. But be assured he is looking forward to getting together indoors to play some tunes with everyone as soon as possible.

--SJH

October 22, 2022

Next Time: Sat. 11/5/22, 11am-2pm, in the basement theater of TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave. S., St. Louis Park)

We're back indoors, Workshoppers! It is a residence for the aged and ill, so we need to wear masks into the building, and perhaps while we are playing if we are not blowing horns. I heartily recommend bringing towels so you are not emptying spit valves on the floor. Also, it will be advertised to members of the TowerLight community as a weekly Jazz Jam (NOT as a Workshop) as part of their entertainment, so residents may actually come down to listen, or even join in.

Bring your own stand and mask. (They have chairs.)

At our last session, we garnered a good crew: Jack (trumpet), Steve (soprano), Raphael (bass), Carl (trombone), Serdar (guitar), and Wes (tenor). Here is what we played for our last sunny (but cool) afternoon at the back door to McRae.

II-201 Indiana (Jack)

II-408 Two Degrees East, Three Degrees West (Carl)

II-207 It's A Blue World (Raphael)

II-44 Billie's Bounce (Serdar)

III-394 That Old Black Magic (Steve)

III-408 Time After Time (Jack)

III-13 Ain't Misbehavin' (Carl)

III-58 Bossa Antigua (Raphael)

I-407 There Will Never Be Another You (Serdar)

II-111 Doxy (Wes)

See you next time at TowerLight, Nov. 5!

--SJH

Oct. 15, 2022

NEXT TIME: Sat., 10/22, 11am-2pm, behind McRae Rec Center (906 E. 47th St., MPLS), weather permitting--though it is shaping up to be a beautiful Fall weekend.

Bring your own chair and stand.

It was too chilly and damp for a meeting this past weekend, but this weekend looks really good, assuming the weather folks aren't just making it up. This may be it for the year, unless something comes through for an indoor venue. Hope to see you there for one last outdoor gathering!

--SJH

P.S. Just got word that the Powers That Be have nixed our application to return to indoors at McRae. They continue to want rent. Hope to at least see you outside on Saturday.