December 23, 2023

Next Time: Sat. 12/30, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park)

The Players: Sam (trumpet, trombone), Steve H (soprano), Steve C (piano), W Rayford (drums), Vern (accordion), Serdar (guitar), Jan (trumpet), John (trombone), Randy (trombone).

The Tunes: Sam, Walkin' Shoes (II-490); Steve H, I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm (III-188); Serdar, How Insensitive (I-181); Steve C, Pennies From Heaven (II-309); Vern, Perdido (II-311); Jan, Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars (I-335); W Rayford, Stormy Weather (III-382); John, There Will Never Be Another You (I-407); Sam, Bluesette (I-407); Steve H, Santa Monk (Handout).

Your scribe had to leave at this point, so other songs were played that are unrecorded here. Ah, well. If you want a fuller account, stop by the Workshop this week. Then have a Happy New Year!

--SJH

December 16, 2023

Next Time: Sat. 12/23, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park)

It was a busy week at the Workshop, but it is also a busy week for your scribe, so let me be brief.

Personnel:

Stuart (trumpet), Steve H. (alto), Jack (trumpet), Randy (trombone), Steve C. (piano), Raphael (bass), Sam (trumpet, trombone), Serdar (guitar)

Tunes played:

Sam--Work Song (II-429)

Steve H--Silver Bells (handout)

Jack--My Ideal (III-292)

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

Steve C--Blue Bossa (I-50)

Raphael--Just In Time (II-222)

Sam--Jeannine (II-212)

Steve H--Nevertheless (III-300)

Stuart--C-Jam Blues (II-74)

Jack--Body and Soul (I-57)

See you next time?

--SJH

December 9, 2023

Next Time: Sat. 12/16, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park)

Several newcomers joined a batch of regulars for this episode of the Jazz Workshop: Jan (trumpet), Randy (trombone), and W. Rayford (drums), joined Sam (trumpet, trombone), John (trombone, piano), Raphael (bass), Vern (accordion), Steve H. (piano, soprano), and Serdar (guitar) for a rollicking time.

Your scribe got things rolling with a handout version of Silver Bells in 4, rather than the usual 3. Raphael called an old one, Jersey Bounce (III-223). Vern thought Cherokee (I-77) would sound good on his squeezebox, and he wasn't wrong. Speaking of squeezing. Rayford opted for Just Squeeze Me (III-226). Randy shook things up with Watermelon Man (III-429). Sam chose the blues with Parker's Lazy Bird (III-53). John kept us working hard by going to Brazil (III-60). Serdar wanted to get more comfortable with Rollins' Oleo I-309). Yours truly got another shot in, with a Sing, Sing, Sing-based version of God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen (handout). 

Given the number of solos there were to be played, that's as far as we got by 1:30, when several musicians had to leave. But a solid rhythm section remained as your scribe headed out, so he assumes that two or three more tunes were wrestled with before the afternoon wrapped up.

Hope to see you next time!

--SJH

December 2, 2023

Next Time: Sat., 12/9, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park)

Your scribe was unable to make it to the session this past weekend, but has at least some notes of what took place.

Present were Sam (trumpet, trombone), Jack (trumpet), John (trombone), Raphael (bass), Vern (accordion), Serdar (guitar), and Steve C. (piano).

Tunes played: Sam, Dindi (II); Jack, I Remember You (II); John, Oye Como Va (II); Serdar, On the Sunny Side of the Street (II); Steve C., A Weaver of Dreams (II); Raphael, Heat Wave (III); Vern, Skylark (III); Sam, Parisian Thoroughfare (II). 

At this point the notetaker had to leave, so that's all we have to report.

Hope to see you soon!

--SJH

November 25, 2023

Next Time: Sat., 12/2, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale, St. Louis Park)

A pretty good showing this week: Sam (trumpet, trombone), Steve C. (piano), Raphael (bass), Jack (trumpet), Ari (trumpet), Al (tenor), Steve H (soprano), and Serdar (guitar).

Your scribe was a tad late, but the word is that the first two tunes were from Sam, who called Blue Monk (I-xx), followed by Steve C.'s choice of Groovin' High (II-xxx). Raphael was up next, deciding on Whisper Not (II-4xx). Ari opted for a bouncy version of Autumn Leaves (I-39). Jack chose to sing on I Thought About You (II-180). Al challenged us with Coltrane's Moment's Notice (I-280). Your scribe pulled out a handout of a mash-up of Santa Claus Is Coming To Town and Blue Monk. Serdar made his first call All Blues (I-18). Steve C got another chance, going to Lady Bird (I-235). When yours truly was departing, the gang were working on Raphael's choice of Bolivia (III-58).

Hope to see you next time!

--SJH

November 18, 2023

Next Time: Sat., 11/25, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park)

We're in the basement theater. As of last time, the signs encouraging masks had been removed, so things are looking up.

This week's gang included Steve C (piano), Steve H (soprano), Jack (trumpet), Raphael (bass), Sam (trumpet and trombone), and Serdar (guitar). 

Your scribe kicked things off with a medium version of Honeysuckle Rose (II-167). Jack directed us to a mixed ballad and double-time feel on When Sunny Gets Blue (I-440). Steve C took the typical ballad, We'll Be Together Again (I-xxx), at a medium swing pace. Raphael changed things up entirely with El Gaucho (I-131). Sam couldn't find the tune he wanted, but instead opted for Killer Joe (II-229), which worked out quite well, thank you.

Round 2 began with Jack's call for a mid-tempo lope through There Will Never Be Another You (I-407). Yours truly pulled out a handout of Irving Berlin's Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep, shifting from ballad to light swing and back again. Serdar finally got a pick, going with On the Sunny Side of the Street (II-xxx). Your scribe shifted over to piano, and Raphael called the Coltrane bit, Lazy Bird (I-241). As Jack and said scribe were pulling up stakes, Sam was trying to organize the remaining trio on the jazz waltz Three Flowers (I-412). 

Hope to see you next time.

Happy Thanksgiving!

--SJH

November 11, 2023

Next Time: Sat., 11/18, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park)

In case anyone is worried, there has been no requirement for masks recently.

Things were a little slow at the Workshop again. Sam (trumpet, trombone) and Steve H (piano) were debating whether to play, when Jack (trumpet) arrived. We got in one tune before--surprise!--Serdar (guitar) came in and was ready to try to play, splinted arm and all. A couple of us had to leave by 1:00, so it was a shorter time span, but we did manage to play the following:

Manteca (II-xxx)  Sam

Too Young (II-403)  Steve

Doxy (II-111)  Sam

Speak Low (II-xxx)  Jack

Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise (II-355)  Serdar

A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square  (III-302)  Steve

In A Little Spanish Town  (III-197)  Sam

Sure hope to see more of you next time!

--SJH