EUPHORIA ETC.!

Someone said to me recently that playing jazz in a good band has occasional sublime moments that are better than sex. Well, I don't know about that(from what I remember) but I know what he meant. It gave me the impetus to try to recall artistically ecstatic moments.: Rita Moreno in the stage version of West Side Story(London, early fifties); first hearing of Louis Armstrong's Cornet Chop Suey; Margot Fonteyn with Rudolph Nureyev dancing The Rose; Ascot Gavotte in the original stage version of My Fair Lady with Julie Andrews and Rex Harrison; Billie's Blues as sung by Lady Day with Lester Young in the TV show; Count Basie band's intro number - Royal Festival Hall; Rockin' in Rhythm by the Duke Ellington Band live at Croydon Hall; Turkish Delight, Cleo Laine and Johnny Dankworth at Montreal; Vivien Leigh and Lawrence Olivier in Twelth Night; the signature music of Dalzeil&Pascoe by Barrington Phelong. Just a few that immediately spring to mind. I was reviving my aquaintance with the New Black Eagle Jazz Band via recorded tracks from the seventies, courtesy Doug Jacques, and was knocked out by the tuba solo on Rent Party Blues. Eli Newberger was the tubist responsible. Sublime! Another one for the list! I remember seeing the band at the Stickey Wicket pub west of Boston several times.
Eli was a doctor in Boston and also president of the Child Welfare League of America. I met him in that capacity at a regional conference of the CWLA in Montreal in 1975 which I had a hand in organizing. The NBEJB was, and is, a lovely band. The photos above were taken at a Riverboat Shuffle in Toronto in the late seventies. Tony Pringle on cornet and Len Gosling from the Climax on trombone. Hi Di Ho!

BELLINGHAM TRAD JAZZ SOCIETY

The Bellingham Trad Jazz Society has been revived. Until his death in 2008 Matt Minninger was a fan and avid supporter of anyone and anything to do with his passionate interest in early jazz. I would see him tangled up in microphone wires while setting up for one the bands he promoted or in his distinctive clothes dancing very distinctively at a jazz event. The Trad Jazz world is much diminished by his passing. Anyhoo, his lovely wife Lynne together with other enthusiasts has recreated the BTJS which holds monthly sessions at the VFW in Bellingham. Yesterday, March 21, they brought in Chris Tyle and his Silverleaf JB. It was not to be missed! I was only 30 minutes late arriving due to Border crossing delays. The band was in full swing for a goodly audience - others from the White Rock TJS had made the trip. It was well worth it! Chris Tyle(Cnt), David Loomis(Tmb), Craig Flory(Clt/Tsax) adequately supported by Dan Brown(Bs), Candice Brown(DobroGtr/Bjo) and Julian McDonough(Dms) offered up a lively and authentic mix of well and lesser known tunes. The front line was particularly impressive. David L. and Craig F. were members of the Evergreen Classic JB. Foot stompin' stuff.
Arthur Grainge, the late banjo playing leader of Ottawa's New Orleans Days JB, was a great fan of Chris Tyle and would talk about his authentic approach to the music which Arthur wished to emulate. Many visits to New Orleans paying tribute at the Can Can Room in the Sonesta Hotel and sitting in at Fritzel's led Arthur to form his band in 1997. I was with him on HiHat less drums! AGNOD made a CD and I was able to give a copy to Chris Tyle. Chris remembered Arthur and was glad to have this memento of a friendship.
All in all a satisfactory day, and the beer was only $1.75 a pint. It was so good I had to stock up!
Heigh Ho!

SPRING DIXIE FEST

March 7 & 8 '09
This was a good weekend! Spring may have been an optimistic title given the vagueries of the weather but it was hopping inside at the Austria Vancouver Club. The Vancouver Dixieland Jazz Society, with sponsors Tilley Hats and Long & McQuade, presented youth bands for the first set. The Back Alley Strutters and the Front Porch Swingers showed great potential. Both bands are from the Chilliwack High School jazz program. Notable was a version of Big House Blues. After this it was down to business with the Phoenix Jazzers. This band was extremely popular at the Hot Jazz Club twenty years ago and their performance this day showed why. Good bouncing Trad Jazz! JimmyArmstrong(Tpt) provided a strong lead for Ron Minchell(Trb) and Gerry Green(Clt). Three sets allowed them to settle in and get the dancers dancing and feet tapping. Approximately 200 people were in attendance. The food was good and the libations flowed. After dinner Black Stick put in a major musical contribution. Evan Arntzen(Clt/Sop), his grandfather Lloyd Arntzen(Clt/Sop), Don Ogilvie and Budge Schachte(acoustic guitars), Jennifer Hodges(Bass) and Benji Bohannan(Drms) honored the music of Jimmy Noone,Sidney Bechet and other great early reedmen. They did this with expertise and affection. Wonderful. Notable were Bechet's Dans La Rue d'Antibes,Bechet's Fantasy and Rheinhart's Nuages(gtrs only) . I was sad to learn that Georgia Korba who was to have played Bass had broken bones following a snowboard accident. Get well soon we need you! Jennifer was a strong substitute. She has a trio - Company B - which does the Andrews Sisters thing. They will be featured at festivals this summer including Chilliwack(May) and Vancouver(September). That was Saturday.
Sunday the snow fell, the sun shone and the Phoenix Jazzers played at the White Rock Trad Jazz Soc hop. Even better than Saturday! They put on a lively and interesting program for the 100 or so attendees. Boy Oh Boy - leg tired from tapping!
Gerry Green is in England now and has a gig Tuesday! Great news - Chris Tyle and the Silverleaf will be in Bellingham March 21. He lives in Portland now. Heigh Ho!

RED BEANS & RICE

Sunday March 1st was as usual the preserve of the house band at the White Rock Trad Jazz Soc Hop. However, Rice Honeywell is still in Arizona so the Band had Glen Tremblay(Tpt), Evan Arntzen(Clt/Sax), Alistair Taylor(Pno), Scott Robertson(Dms), Don Ogilvie(Gtr) and Casey Tolhurst(Bs). High spots included Evan's perfect rendition of the traditional solo in High Society and the piano playing of Alistair which somehow gives the band a great rhythmic lift. Low spot was a Louis impersonator from Mississauga who sang while holding a bass! Fun nonetheless. Looking forward to the Vancouver Dixieland Society MiniFest next Saturday featuring the Phoenix Jazzers(apparently risen from the almost dead) and Black Stick. This latter group features aforementioned Evan with his grandfather Lloyd who although 80plus continues to play a mean clarinet. I am up for the Board of the VDJS which will be fun. Heigh Ho!