January 13, 2024

Next Time: Sat., 1/20, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park)

Another fun time was had by the attendees at the Jazz Workshop in the Park (in the basement in the senior citizens building). Playing were Jan (trumpet), John (trombone), Jack (trumpet, recorder), Steve C (piano), Raphael (bass), Steve H (alto), Serdar (guitar), and Matt (vocals). 

Yours truly took the initiative to get things going, and opted for Nevertheless (III-300) for the opener. Jack was next in line, and chose Nancy With The Laughing Face (III-298). (Your scribe has often wondered what Nancy thought of that title.) Serdar got himself settled in time to call All Of Me (I-20). Steve C. had a handout from Book V, 'Tis Autumn. Raphael went to a second Kalmar and Ruby tune, Three Little Words (III-406). Jan got seasonal, turning to Baby, It's Cold Outside (II-28). John was feeling the need for a bit of Charlie Parker, for some reason, and pulled up the fun Billie's Bounce (II-xx). 

The cycle began again, and yours truly went to the John Lewis tune, Afternoon In Paris (I-12). Jack sang and played on his choice, I'm Old Fashioned (III-182). Serdar recognized our lack of a Latin tune, and called for How Insensitive (I-xxx). Matt, arriving when he could, asked our indulgence on Fly Me To The Moon (II-xxx). Your scribe had to go as the remaining group was getting started on Beyond the Sea for another vocal by Matt. A little bird tells me that the follow-up tune, L-O-V-E, did not go so well, but things wrapped up with St. Thomas. 

Hope to see you next time!

--SJH

January 6, 2024

Next Time: Sat., 1/13, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park)

The Workshop got the New Year off right with a solid group of players: Jan (trumpet), John (trombone), Jack (trumpet), Steve C (piano), Steve H (alto), Raphael (bass), Sam (trumpet, trombone), and Serdar (guitar).

Jan was the first to arrive, so he got the New Year's first pick, Fly Me To The Moon (II-xxx). John took the next call with Doxy (II-111). Sam downshifted a tad with an easygoing version of Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise (II-355). Jack dropped the tempo further, opting for Candy (I-xxx). Yours Truly wanted to turn the heat up a bit while paying tribute to years past, and chose I've Found A New Baby (II-481). Serdar called All The Things You Are (I-22), with Intro also as an Outro. Steve C stayed in the same book, finding Out Of Nowhere (I-318). Raphael surprised us by not calling for anything surprising, going with There Is No Greater Love (I-406). 

Back to the beginning of the loop, Jan kicked off round two with Girl Talk (II-151). John's second choice took us in the other direction: Ornithology (I-xxx). Sam took us back to slower with Angel Eyes (I-28), though it shifted back and forth between ballad and double-time feel. 

At this point your scribe had to pull up stakes, but the group was still going strong.

Hope to see you next time!

--SJH

December 30, 2023

Next Time: Sat., 1/6, 11am-2pm, TowerLight (3601 Wooddale Ave., St. Louis Park)

You'll find us in the basement theater. It is advertised in the building as the Jazz Jam. Bring your own music stand.

The number of players has picked up, and everyone seems to be enjoying it! This week we had Steve H (piano, soprano), Raphael (bass), W Rayford (drums), Jan (trumpet), John (trombone, piano), Jack (trumpet), Serdar (guitar), and Sam (trumpet, trombone) celebrating his 95th birthday.

We began with a call by yours truly, My Romance (I-265). Raphael turned the page to the little-known (by us, anyhow) Memories Of Tomorrow (I-267). Jan had the next choice, going with One Note Samba (I-314). W Rayford opted for the generally mysterious sounding Stolen Moments (I-384), but at a medium swing. John's turn brought us Dizzy Gillespie's Manteca (II-259). Sam was ready with his call, Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise (II-359). Jack chose Miles Davis' Solar (I-363). Serdar wrapped up the first go-around with Alice In Wonderland (I-17). 

Your scribe had to leave quite early, during Alice, but has every reason to believe that the playing continued in his absence.

Hope to see you next time!

--SJH

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