March 29, 2025

Next Time: Sat., 4/5, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park)

Bring your own stand. We typically work from the Real Books.

A fine crowd of good players swung by for a visit this week. On hand were Jan (trumpet), Bill (drums), Bob W (trombone), Steve H (soprano), Raphael (bass), John L (trumpet), Tom H (guitar), Tom A (piano), and Ari (trumpet). 

We began with a cool version of My Funny Valentine (I-287) set up by Jan, which was a bit faster than ballad speed and was just on the edge of dropping into a swing. Next Bob called for a slightly up version of There'll Be Some Changes Made (I-408). Tom H brought a handout of Love For Sale, which we cruised on at a nice mid-tempo swing. Tom A having arrived to relieve your scribe of piano duties, we launched into a straight-up swing number from the Basie book, Freddie Green's Down For Double (II-110). Tom A got the next pick, going with All Of Me (I-20). Raphael pulled out a tune we did a while back but which doesn't get out very often, A Weaver Of Dreams (I-416).

A few people passed a turn over to Jan, who went with Alright, OK, You Win (I-24). We moved backwards then to John, who called Satin Doll (I-349), and Ari, who proposed So What (I-364). Somehow Jan got another pick, and we did our first Latin of the day, Jobim's Dindi (I-xxx). Bob pulled out the classic Pennies From Heaven (II-286), while Tom H opted for Blue Bossa (I-50). 

At this point, yours truly had to pack up and head home, though it did not look as though the rest of the group, still having fun, were prepared to leave yet.

Hope to see you next time!

--SJH

March 22, 2025

Next Time: Sat., 3/29, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park)

George Linkert, the activities director at TowerLight and, as such, our lord and master, as well as a member of our group, arranged for us to play upstairs in the Club Room for the March 22 Workshop. Things went pretty well. Present were George (trombone and vocals), Jack (trumpet), Steve H (soprano), Ari (trumpet), Serdar (guitar), Tom A (piano), Raphael (bass), and Bill (drums). There were also a number of people who stopped, most for several tunes, which was a treat for us.

Here's what we played: All of Me, Autumn Leaves, Lady Bird, Satin Doll, Solar, Stella By Starlight, Take The A Train, Bye Bye Blackbird, On The Sunny Side Of The Street, St. Thomas, and Tenor Madness.

We hope to be back in the Club Room some Saturday in May or June.

--SJH

March 15, 2025

Next Time: Sat., 3/22, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park)

We'll start upstairs in the Club Room this week! If we still have significant time left, we can finish back downstairs in the theater.

Your scribe missed the March 8 gathering, but no one else took notes, so nothing to report about it.

However, he was present at the March 15 funfest, so here is what happened.

People
Jan (trumpet), Matt (vocals), Serdar (guitar), Raphael (bass), Steve (piano, soprano), John (trumpet), Ari (trumpet).

Tunes played

Jan: Black Orpheus (I-49)

Matt: Quizas, Quizas, Quizas (III-329)

Serdar: Tenor Madness (II-390)

Steve: Up Jumped Spring (I-425)

Matt: You and the Night and the Music (handout)

Raphael: Joy Spring (I-229)

Ari: St. Thomas (II-339)

Matt: Moonglow (II-275)

Jan: Doxy (II-111)

Matt: Come Fly With Me (III-80)

Serdar: Moon River (II-274)

A few people lingered to play some more after yours truly had to retire. They're no quitters!

--SJH

March 1, 2025

Next Time: Sat., 3/8, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park)

We meet in the basement theater. Bring your own stand.

Not our biggest crowd this week, but a solid group that made things happen: Jan (trumpet), Matt (vocals), Craig (guitar), Steve H (piano), Raphael (bass), Serdar (guitar), Don (conga)

Here's who called what, right up to the time your scribe departed:

Craig: Ornithology (I-317)

Jan: Whisper Not (II-422)

Matt: Gee, Baby, Ain't I Good To You (I-153)

Steve: Some Day My Prince Will Come (I-367)

Matt: When You Wish Upon A Star (handout)

Raphael: Here's That Rainy Day (I-175)

Matt: Whatever Lola Wants (handout)

Craig: Killing Me Softly (IV-241)

Jan: Saint James Infirmary (II-338)

Matt: Let's Get Lost (handout)

Serdar: Tenor Madness (II-390)

Matt: Smile (IV-401)

Steve: Pennies From Heaven (II-309)

Hope to see you next time!

--SJH

February 22, 2025

Next Time:

Who was there?

Matt (vocals), Jan (trumpet), Bill (drums), Craig (guitar), Carl (bass), Steve H (piano), Raphael (bass), Serdar (guitar)

What did we call?

Jan: Meditation (I-266)

Craig: Satin Doll (I-349)

Matt: How Little We Know (handout)

Steve: Indiana (II-201)

Matt: Blue Skies (handout)

Raphael: That Old Black Magic (III-394)

Bill: Autumn Leaves (I-77)

Carl: Dream A Little Dream (I-124)

Matt: Zing Went The Strings Of My Heart (handout)

Serdar: Billie's Bounce (II-44)

Jan: Witchcraft (III-452)

--SJH

February 15, 2025

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

Bring your own stand. We work mostly from the Real Book, vols. I-IV.

Your scribe was looking after his sick wife (and consequently got the bug himself), but Jerry was kind enough to take the minutes of the meeting.

Present were Jerry (guitar), Serdar (guitar), Owen (bass), Bill (drums), Jan (trumpet), Jack (trumpet), Carl (bass), Raphael (bass), Tom (piano), and Matt (vocals). Also Pat, a resident, visited.

Here's what they played:

Watch What Happens (II-413)

Four (I-149)

Baubles, Bangles, and Beads (handout)

My Funny Valentine (I-287)

Oleo (I-309)

Wave (I-431)

La Vie. En Rose (handout)

From This Moment On (III-126)

All Of Me (I-20)

Angel Eyes (I-28)

Coming Home Baby (II-89)

Just The Two Of Us III-228)

St. Thomas (II-339)

See you next time?

--SJH

February 8, 2025

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

Bring your own stand. We usually work from the Real Book Vols. I-IV.

Last week's weather, among other things, kept the meeting to only a few people for about an hour. Since your scribe was not present (for several reasons), he cannot report firsthand on the goings-on, but did get at least this brief report from a participant.

Matt (vocals and recording secretary), George (trombone), Serdar (guitar), Craig (guitar), and Jan (trumpet) made it in. They played My Funny Valentine, Black Orpheus, How About You, Georgia On My Mind, Blue Monk, Black Coffee, L-O-V-E, Alice In Wonderland, and Come Dance With Me.

--SJH