January 28, 2023

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

We're in the basement theater. Masks in the building unless playing.

Your scribe missed due to pinkeye this time, so Sam and Jack took notes. Here is what we can tell you.

People present:

Sam, Tim, Carl, Jack K., John, Raphael, Serdar, Ari

Songs played:

Out of Nowhere (Sam)

Blue Bossa (Tim)

Mood Indigo (Carl)

Body and Soul (Jack)

All the Things You Are (Serdar)

Caravan (Tim)

Sugar (Jack)

Afternoon in Paris (John)

Yardbird Suite (Raphael)

Chameleon (Ari)

Now's the Time (Sam)

How Insensitive (Serdar)

Recorda Me (Raphael)

See you next time!

--SJH

January 21, 2023

Next Time: Sat., 1/28, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park) in the basement theater. 

Masks in the building unless playing. 

Your scribe was not present at the last go round, but Serdar took notes, so here we go.

Present: Raphael (bass), Sam (trumpet, trombone), John (trombone), Jack K (trumpet), Serdar (guitar), Bill (vocals), and an interested listener. 

Tunes dealt with in various ways:

Maputo (handout)

Yesterdays (I-454)

There Will Never Be Another You (I-4xx)

Ain't Misbehavin' (III-13)

It's A Good Day (III-208)

Out Of Nowhere (I-318)

Song For my Father (I-373)

I'll Take Tomance (III-180)

Billie's Bounce (II-44)

The Girl From Ipanema (I-158)

Road Song (I-344)

See you next time!

--SJH

January 14, 2023

Next Time: Sat., 1/21, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park) in the basement theater.

Masks in the building when not playing!

Things are picking up at the Workshop (aka Jazz Jam). Plenty of participants: Jack H (tenor), Jack K (trumpet), John (trombone, piano), Sam (bass), Vern (accordion), Steve H (soprano, piano), Serdar (guitar), Bill (vocals) and Catherine (vocals). We had to fill in a few holes left by people who could not be there, but we managed.

Sam got things going with a bit of Latin,  Once I Loved (I-311). John got the next call, going to Afternoon in Paris (I-12). Jack H wanted to work on some harmonizations on the classic tune for such work, Sentimental Journey (II-343). We couldn't find enough copies of Jack K's first idea that were in the same key, so he switched over to Tune Up (I-4xx). Bill went for an easy swinger, All Of Me (I-20). Vern went even farther back, opting for Basin Street Blues (II-37). Bill got another turn and went to The Girl From Ipanema (I-158). Catherine, freshly arrived, asked for Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars (I-335). Yours truly had an original, Lungotevere, in the bag for everyone to try out, recalling the Romani band he heard frequently on the Via del Corso; with an accordion and guitar on hand, it was the perfect opportunity. The next two songs up were My Romance and Night and Day, but your scribe was packing up and did not remember to write down any more information, though it is likely that another song or two were played before closing time.

Hope to see you there this week!

January 7, 2023

Next Time: Sat., 1/14, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park) in the basement theater.

Bring your own stand. Masks in the building unless playing. 

It would appear that yours truly did not properly report on the Workshop that took place Dec. 17, 2022. Here is the quick report.

Present: Steve C (piano), John (trombone), Steve H. (sax), Vern (accordian), Jack (trumpet), Bill (vocals), and Serdar (guitar).

Tunes: 

John: Blue Bossa (I-50)

Jack: Misty (I-277)

Steve C: Out of Nowhere (I-318)

Steve H: Silver Bells (Handout)

Vern: So What (I-364)

Bill: Pennies from Heaven (II-309)

Serdar: All Blues (I-18)

Bill: All of Me (I-20)

John: All the Things You Are (I-22)

Steve H: I'll Be Home for Christmas (Handout)

Bill: Come Fly With Me (III-80)

After a couple of weeks' hiatus due to the holidays, we returned for more fun in the new year.

Present: Sam (trumpet, trombone), John (trombone, piano), Steve H (soprano, piano), Jack (trumpet), Raphael (bass), Bill (vocals), Serdar (guitar).

Tunes:

Sam: Broadway (I-61)

John: Black Nile (I-48)

Jack: Yardbird Suite (II-438)

Bill: Pennies from Heaven (II-308)

Steve H: Whisper Not (II-422)

Bill: Watch What Happens (II-413)

Serdar: Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans (II-117)

Raphael: Just In Time (II-222)

Sam: Red Top

Your scribe has the feeling that he forgot to write down some of the songs that were played. Perhaps he will get edits from other attendees.

Hope to see you next time!

--SJH

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