June 24, 2023

Next Time: Sat., 7/1, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park)

The Workshop cruised smoothly this past weekend with a decent summer attendance: Sam (trumpet, trombone), Steve C (piano), Jack (trumpet), Steve H (soprano), Raphael (bass), and Bill (vocals). 

We started, as usual, with a call from Sam, Have You Met Miss Jones (I-172). Your scribe moved to a the less swingy, more floaty Lullaby of the Leaves (III-266). Jack opted for Satin Doll (I-349); even Bill joined in for a vocal chorus. Bill got the next pick, going to a handout version of My Funny Valentine. Steve C went with Time After Time (III-408), and this time Jack threw in a vocal. Bill came back with another handout version, this time of All The Way. Raphael took us old school with Jersey Bounce (III-223). 

Starting round two, Sam turned to Nostalgia in Times Square (I-306). Another vocal from Bill followed, this time September Song (handout). Yours truly pulled out the standard East of the Sun (III-104). Jack went to the Miles Davis favorite, Tune Up (I-418), though at a more relaxed clip than the original. Bill's next vocal was the easy-going More Than You Know (II-277). Steve C kept us on our toes with a Latin version of What A Difference A Day Made (III-430). Several of us had to pull up stakes at this point, so the afternoon wrapped up with a call by Bill, Come Fly With Me (III-80). 

This weekend, then?

--SJH

June 17, 2023

Next Time: Sat., 6/24, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park)

The gang assembled once again for some jazz fun. Present were Sam (trumpet, trombone), David (trombone), Steve C (piano), Raphael (bass), Steve H (alto), Carl (trombone), Bill (vocals), and Ari (trumpet). 

As usual, Sam got us started, with the unusual (unless you've been around the Workshop for a while) Dear Old Stockholm (I-102). David took the next call, Black Coffee (I-45) at a somewhat faster clip than what you might generally hear. Bill took his first vocal turn, Ain't Misbehavin' (handout in his key). Carl opted for the Ellington ballad Mood Indigo (I-279). Bill's next vocal selection was I'll Take Romance (handout). Steve C. turned the mood a little lighter with If I Were A Bell (II-194). Raphael got the next pick, Move (II-280), on which just about everyone took extra choruses. Bill came back to do I've Got You Under My Skin (handout) Yours truly finally got a turn shortly before heading out for the day, and chose Paul Desmond's Wendy (II-418). Ari pulled out something new to everyone, Jimmy Rowles' 502 Blues (I-142). Your scribe slipped out during that one, but apparently things continued without him. Sam pulled out Song For My Father (I-373). The festivities closed with David's choice, One Note Samba (I-314).

Hope to see you next time!

--SJH

June 10, 2023

Next Time: Sat., 06/17, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park)

Your scribe was out of town for this week's bash, but a reliable source has passed on the following information:

Present: Sam (trumpet, trombone), David (trombone), Carl (trombone), Jack (trumpet), Ari (trumpet), Vern (accordion), Serdar (guitar), Steve C. (piano), Raphael (bass). 

Tunes covered: 

Vern: Hello Young Lovers

Sam: Chitlins Con Carne

Carl: Jelly Roll

Jack: Candy

Steve C.: If I Should Lose You

Raphael: Airegin

Sam: Move

Carl: All Of Me

Jack: Oleo

Serdar: Sunny

Ari: Blue Bossa

Serdar: Out Of Nowhere

Sam: St. Thomas

See you soon!

--SJH

June 3, 2023

Next Time: Sat., 6/10, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park)

"Jazz Jam" in the basement theater. Bring your own stand.

Present at this session were Sam (trumpet, trombone), Steve H (piano), Carl (trombone), Dave (trombone), and Bill (vocals). 

It was an unusual session, with only yours truly to plunk out rhythm, and three trombones (no waiting) to accompany the vocals. But we powered through and made the best of it. Unfortunately, your scribe seems to have lost the list of tunes we played, so you will just have to imagine the fun we had.

Until next time!

--SJH

May 27, 2023

Next Time: Sat., 6/3, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park)

NO MORE MASKS REQUIRED!

Warning: The intersection of Wooddale and 36th St. will be closed for the foreseeable future as construction continues on the light rail line. If you are coming from the north, you may need to find a workaround.

Present were Steve H (soprano), Sam (trumpet, valve trombone), Steve C (piano), Raphael (bass), Jack K (trumpet), Carl (trombone), Vern (accordion), and Serdar (guitar). 

The fun kicked off with Sam's first choice, Little Boat (I-245). Your scribe kicked things up a notch with Somebody Loves Me (I-369). Carl got us back in a laid-back mode, going with In A Mellow Tone (I-206). Jack kept the atmosphere mellow with an easy-going version of Bye Bye Blackbird (II-73). Steve C rasied the speed bar a touch, opting for the grammatically problematic You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To (II-436). Serdar announced when he walked through the door that he was going to call Summertime (IV-435), though when the time came, he went with a medium swing tempo. Raphael used his turn to present us all with a challenge, Charlie Parker's Segment (III-349), though we were grateful that he counted it off significantly slower than the original. Vern brought us back to ballad speed with In A Sentimental Mood (I-2xx). 

Back to Sam, his second pick of the day was Pent Up House (I-324). Yours truly, just a tad tongue-in-cheek, called for a easy swing version of I Could Have Danced All Night (III-156). Carl and Jack having to depart earlier, Serdar took the next one, opting for All The Things You Are (I-18). Your scribe also had to depart, but has it on good authority that Steve C chose Pennies From Heaven (II-xxx), after which Raphael finished the session with Ceora (I-xx). 

See you next time!

--SJH

May 20, 2023

Next Time: Sat., 05/27, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park)

Masks in the building until playing.

Catching up!

Present: Sam (trumpet, trombone), Carl (trombone), Raphael (bass), Bill (vocals), David (?)

Songs performed: On Green Dolphin Street (IV-xxx), Sam; Holy Land (II-166), Raphael; Bye Bye Blackbird (II-73), Bill; In A Mellow Tone (I-206), Carl; Tenderly (II-389), Bill; Cantalope Island (II-76), Sam; Caravan (II-77), David; Just In Time (II-222), Bill; Two Degrees East, Three Degrees West (II-408), Carl; Joyce's Samba (II-216), Raphael; All Of Me (I-20), Bill.

Your scribe looks forward to your attendance at the next one!

--SJH

May 13, 2023

Next Time: Sat. 05/20, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park)

Masks in the building, please, until we play.

Finally a chance to get to reporting, though we will be brief.

Present: Sam (trumpet, trombone), Bill (vocals), Raphael (bass), and Ari (trumpet, rhythm)

Tunes: Memories of Tomorrow (I-267), Raphael; Meditation (I-266), Sam; Girl from Ipanema (I-158), Bill; Bye Bye Blackbird (II-73), Ari; In Walked Bud (II-200), Raphel; Mr. P.C. (II-276), Sam; Just in Time (II-222), Bill; Angel Eyes (I-28), Sam; Up Jumped Spring (I-xxx), Raphael.

--SJH