July 22, 2023

Next Time: Sat., 7/29, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale, St. Louis Park)

An active session at the Workshop this week, with the addition of old-timer (haven't seen him since the McRae days) Tom (drums), along with regulars Sam (trumpet, trombone), Steve C (piano), Jack (trumpet), Steve H (soprano), Raphael (bass), and Serdar (guitar).

Sam launched the boat this week with Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise (II-355). Jack got the next call, going with Four (I-149). Tom took us where we had not been previously, No More Blues (Chega de Saudade) (I-74). Steve C had a song for our trip, Road Song (I-344). Raphael took us to a beautiful place (hard to play, though), Joy Spring (I-244). Serdar took us to a 3/4 place with Alice in Wonderland (I-17). All the way around to yours truly, who pulled out a handout of the 1923 tune by Harry Archer, I Love You.

Round two began with Jack's choice of Dancing on the Ceiling (I-98). Sam tried to get us in a funk mode with Sister Sadie (III-355). Tom went with the more familiar Bye Bye Blackbird (II-73). Steve C, also carrying handouts, pulled out a chart of Never Never Land. Raphael's pick the second time around was You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To (II-436). Serdar rounded off the afternoon with a bossa, How Insensitive. 

Hope to see you there this week!

--SJH

July 15, 2023

Next Time: Sat., 7/22, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park)

Once again, your scribe has no report from attendees of the Workshop about what tunes were played, but he will be personally attending this week's shindig. Hope to see you there!

--SJH

July 8, 2023

Next Time: Sat., 7/15, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park)

Your scribe was not in attendance at the Workshop this past time, and has no notes from it, but once he receives them, he will post the goings-on.

--SJH 

July 1, 2023

Next Time: Sat., 7/8, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park)

Word on the street has it that this past Workshop was only modestly attended. This did not prevent anyone from having fun, however. Present were Sam (trumpet, trombone), Serdar (guitar), and Bill (vocals). Here is what they covered.

All of Me

Ain't Misbehavin'

Swiggles

All the Way

More Than You Know

Just In Time

I Remember You

My Romance

Soft Shoe

Blue Monk

St. Thomas

One hopes that more will be free to join us this Saturday!

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