December 28, 2024

Next Time: Sat., 1/4, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park)

Happy New Year!

A quartet made an appearance for our last Workshop of 2024: Jan (trumpet), Jerry (guitar), Steve H (piano, soprano), and Raphael (bass). Fewer people, of course, means more songs and extra solo time. 

We began with Jerry's pick, Mercy, Mercy, Mercy (II-262). Your scribe called the next one, Perdido (II-311). Raphael opted for Bright Boy (II-68). Jan went for the classic, On the Sunny Side of the Street (II-298).

For round two, Jerry stuck with his funky groove with Watermelon Man (III-429). Yours truly picked that non-Christmas song that often shows up at Christmas time, Thad Jones' A Child Is Born (I-79). Raphael made us work on Horace-Scope (II-168). Jan changed to a Latin mood with Watch What Happens (II-413).

Jerry started round three with the fun Let's Get Lost (II-238). Your scribe went to the easy-going (but not easy to play) John Lewis tune, Afternoon In Paris (I-12). Raphael made us work again by calling the next page, Airegin (I-13). Jan stuck with the adventurous by choosing the Frank Foster jazz waltz Simone (II-350). We closed out the session playing Jerry's call, Killer Joe (II-229).

See you in 2025!

--SJH

December 21 2024

MERRY CHRISTMAS

We took some time from normal activities to prepare for a Holiday Gig upstairs in the Club Room of TowerLight, which took place on Dec. 21. 

Present for that event were George (trombone), Matt (vocals), Serdar (guitar), Jerry (guitar and vocals), Owen (bass), Steve H (piano, soprano) and, for a few tunes, Tom H. (guitar). 

We got the ball rolling with a medium swing version of Silver Bells in 4/4 rather than the usual 3/4. Jerry took the vocal on a slightly-faster-than-usual I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus. Matt, in his green velvet jacket and scarf, channeled Elvis with his rendition of Blue Christmas.

Next, we did a medium-up instrumental version of God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen. Matt took the vocals on the next two: and easy swinging White Christmas, and the bluesy Merry Christmas, Baby. 

Our next bit was an Latin instrumental mash-up of Heat Wave and Let It Snow, which seemed to work out. Jerry took another vocal turn on Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, which swung nicely. Matt sang the ballad Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.

Somewhere in here, we slipped in Jingle Bell Rock and Mistletoe and Holly. I think Matt took both vocals.

Another instrumental followed, i.e., a medium swing version of I'll Be Home For Christmas. Matt led everyone in The Christmas Song. We finished the program with a ska version of Auld Lang Syne.

All in all, a fun event. We didn't hear any objections from the residents who stopped, or who just passed by on the way to lunch, so that has to count for something...

Hope to see you soon at the Workshop!

--SJH

November 30, 2024

Next Time: Sat., 12/7, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park)

We're in the basement theater. Bring your own stand. We usually play out of the Real Books, though this week we will likely be playing a lot of Christmas tunes.

Your scribe has been away on some sad family business for a few weeks, but should be back this coming weekend. In the meantime, he has gotten reports that all has gone well, and that the following players played the following songs.

Players: Charlie (trumpet/piano), Jack (trumpet/vocals)), Jan (trumpet), Sam (trombone), Serdar (guitar), Craig (guitar), Jerry (guitar/vocals)), Carl (guitar), Raphael (bass), Owen (bass), Bill (drums), Matt (vocals).

Songs:

Dolphin Dance

Satin Doll

 Merry Christmas, Baby

I Love Paris

Perdido

Angel Eyes

Long Ago and Far Away

The Christmas Song

I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus

Sidewinder

You and the Night and the Music

Memories of Tomorrow

St. Thomas

Hope to see you next time!

--SJH