2012 Jazz Festivals

2012 Jazz Festivals
Subject to change –
CALL to confirm!

The Williams Reunion Jazz Band, by Jane F. Collins
http://www.janecollinsartist.com

Sun Valley Jazz Jamboree  Oct. 17-21: The Early Bird Discount is Still Available! 5-Day All Events, Early Bird Price $115.00 Expires July 31st, 2012 Early Bird Discount Pricing on 5-Day All Events $115.  5-Day All Events after 7/31/2012 $130 Click here for Early Bird Discount Tickets!

July 27-29 Evergreen Jazz Festival, Denver Colorado, Four venues, Bands  Wolverine Jazz Band with special guest Jim Fryer on trombone, also Yerba Buena Stompers, Independent Jazz Band, Queen City & More  www.evergreenjazz.org

July 28 The Great Connecticut Jazz & Blues Festival at the Sheraton Four Points Hotel, 275 Research Parkway, Meriden, CT. (203) 238-2380 DETAILS

• Heartbeat Dixieland Jazz Band  10-pc band 3pm
• Galvanized Jazz Band with Craig Grant trombone and Cynthia Fabian vocals, 5 & 9pm
• Midiri Brothers Septet
• Festival All Stars (last year)
• Bluzberry Pi
• Basically Blues
• Eran Troy Danner Band
• Peter Scheips Band
• Cobalt Rhythm King
• Jordan & Friends – 18-year-old Jordan Brint, string bass Skyler Hagner on saxophone, Alex Cross on Piano, and Josh Gosselin on drums.
  The J-Dawgs with DC Jones

Eric Devine’s video.    Traditional Jazz/Blues Fest 2011
The Board is continuing to work at building our sponsor base for our second 25 years! If you would like to help, or know someone who might like to help, give us a call at 1-800-HOT-EVENT (1-800-468-3836), or email Ray Ross atrross92239@sbcglobal.net or Ken Chant at kcjazz2001@yahoo.com.   http://www.greatctjazz.org/

Aug 2-5 41st Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival. The 2012 Festival Is Back In Downtown Davenport, Kicking Off Thursday Night At 6PM In The Mississippi River Hall At The Davenport RiverCenter! The Bix Society Office is not staffed on a full time basis in the off season. Please leave us a message at 563-324-7170 and we will call you back. You can also e-mail us at info@bixsociety.org  or through the feedback page on our website http://www.bixsociety.org/.  Bands  YouTube 40th Anniversary

Aug 3-5 Newport Jazz Festival, Fort Adams State Park, Newport RI  http://newportjazzfest.net/ Tickets  Preservation Hall Jazz Band, .  Dr. John,  August 3rd at the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Aug. 5th, Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks on the Quad Stage from 1:40pm – 2:40pm Hear what artists have to say, including Vince.   (JoinJazzBoston at the $100 donor level and above and Receive Two Free Tickets to Newport Jazz Festival; Get Discounted Newport Tix Before June 12)

Aug 4-11 Martha’s Vineyard Jazz Festival www.mvjazzfest.com with Made in the Shade, Stan Strickland, Terri Lyne Carrington, Drew Davidson guitar, Elan Trottman sax, Gerald Veasley bass, and introducing Freddy Yonnet harmonica and many more.
Aug. 4th, 2nd line parade, Pianist Jason Moran performing.  Book signings, art exhibits.

Aug 4-7   11th French Quarter’s Annual Satchmo SummerFest http://www.fqfi.org/satchmosummerfest/

Aug 5  FREE (mostly) Carson City Music Festival, Carson City, Nevada http://www.jazzcarsoncity.com  775-883-4154 The summer sizzles as Mile High Jazz Band Association, Carson City, local businesses, and jazz lovers proudly continue the annual August jazz festival started in 2004. This year, performances will be held at multiple venues in Carson City, and will feature several performances by a variety of musicians and bands. Events are scheduled between Aug. 4 and Aug. 19. Most events are free. Outstanding regional and international jazz artists will play for you at Third Street, the Farmers Market, Comma Courtyard, Firkin & Fox, plan: b microlounge, the Brewery Arts Center, the Carson Mall, the Legislative Plaza and Capitol Amphitheater, and other venues in Carson City. A “guitar summit” presenting outstanding local guitarists is being planned. Featured annual performers are Reno Jazz Orchestra with Cami Thompson(8/21/11), and the Mile High Jazz Band. Other groups will be listed when final agreements are inked.

Aug 10-12  14th Annual Sutter Creek Ragtime Festival, $60 until July 15th. www.suttercreekragtime.com  Cash or check only.

Aug 15-19  Rockport Jazz Festival at Shalin Liu Performance Center,  37 Main Street Rockport, MA 01966 978.546.7391 http://www.rockportmusic.org/jazz-world-music.html   This place is a Jewel!  Tierney Sutton Band, Grace Kelly Quintet, Roy Haynes, Ellis Marsalis, Ann Hampton Callaway

Aug 16-19  9th Annual Bar Harbor Jazz Festival. There will be Live music in outdoor venues and restaurants all over beautiful Mount Desert Island. https://www.facebook.com/barharborjazzfestival

Aug 16-19 Central Pennsylvania Jazz Festival, Harrisburg PA The 2012 Festival highlights many of the great musicians from Central Pennsylvania and welcomes artists from New York, Philadelphia and more. A Riverboat Cruise, annual JazzWalk, Jazz Picnic, Sunday Jazz Brunch, and Jam Session highlight the four day event. The Friday night JazzWalk features live music in several downtown venues including Bricco, the Hilton Harrisburg’s Patio, MoMo’s BBQ, Pints Bar and more!. Jazz violinist John Blake Jr., an international jazz star formerly with Grover Washington & McCoy Tyner, will headline Saturday’s annual Picnic as will the Zeropoint big Band from State College, PA. Sunday events include the Sunday Jazz Brunch at the Hilton Harrisburg, a special lecture by saxophonist/composer Jonathan Ragonese on Listening to America’s Pulse, and the Festival will close with a star-studded Jam Session at the ABC Brewery. Please join us for the weekend and celebrate America’s music. Tickets www.friendsofjazz.org

Aug 29-Sep 9   Mediterranean Cruise, Jazzdagen Tours, Holland America ms Ryndam, starting at $1,975 http://jazzdagen.com/tours/med_2012.htm Cornet Chop Suey, Peter Meijers Quartet, Tom Rigney and Flambeau, & more.  Ports: Barcelona, Palermo, Catania, Katakolon, Corfu, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Naples.  Depart Gateway Airport.

Sep 7-9   16th Pentastic Hot Jazz Festival www.pentasticjazz.com Penticton, BC Canada

Sep 12-26 Germany & Austria with the Draga-Coots All-Star Jazz Band.   Pack your bags only once. Stay in one modern Bavarian style hotel, located in the picturesque village of Grassau, nestled on the edge of the Alps between Munich and Salzburg. Itinerary  Info: www.crisptours.coms.coms.coms.coms.coms.coms.coms.coms.coms.com,   email: tom@crisptours.com

Sep 20-23 – 15th Annual Jazz at Chatauqua  http://www.jazzatchq.com/  Workshop 16-20.  Ticketshttp://www.jazzatchq.com/tickets.php   Michael Steinman’s Jazz Lives

Sep 28-30 Summit Jazz 2012 at the Red Lion Hotel, Denver Southeast. The bands and artists are The Jim Cullum Jazz Band, Titan Hot Seven, Climax Jazz Band, Ivory & Gold, Summit Hot Seven, Twin Pianos with Jeff Barnhart and John Sheridan, Jazz Cookers and Denver Jazz Club Student Allstars.  Note from Juanita Regarding Summit Jazz 2012, we are excited to announce that Allan Vache will be the clarinetist with The Jim Cullum Jazz Band this year. Allan was with the Cullum band for many years and has become a much sought after musicians performing at jazz events around the world. Also guesting with the Cullum band will be Hal Smith on drums. Further info for Summit Jazz including the opportunity to sponsor a musician is available at www.summitjazz.org. 

Oct 4-7 19th Annual Glacier Jazz Stampede Kalispell, MT glacierjazz@hotmail.com

Oct 12-14 24th Annual Medford Jazz Jubilee, Medford OR featuring Lena Prima info@medfordjazz.com www.medfordjazz.org

Oct 17-21 23rd Annual Sun Valley Jazz Jamboree, in Sun Valley, Idaho www.sunvalleyjazz.com  5-Day Early Bird All Events Badge $115 by Oct 9th, Traditional Jazz, Contemporary Jazz, Swing, Big Band, Zydeco, Blues and more.

• Ivory & Gold
• Trombone Tribute Special Set
• Big Bang Jazz Band
• Bill Allred’s Classic Jazz Band
• Louis Ford and his New Orleans Jazz Flairs
• Big Band Swing Design
• Jeff Barnhart, Titan Hot Seven
• Pearl Django
• US Coast Guard Dixie Band
• Yve Evans 

Oct 26-28 Jubilee by the Sea, Pismo Beach CA http://pismojazz.com/JubileeByTheSea.htm Ticket Order Form 2012

Oct 26-28 Whitley Bay Classic Jazz Party http://www.whitleybayjazzfest.org/  SOLD OUT –  The Classic Jazz Party takes place at the Village Hotel, North Tyneside, on the Cobalt Office Park which is about four miles from Whitley Bay itself and just off the A19. The full address is Silverlink North, Cobalt Business Park, Newcastle upon Tyne NE27 0BY, telephone (0191) 270 1414.

Oct 28-31 Guinness Cork Jazz Festival, Ireland http://www.cometocork.ie/calendar/events/240/

Nov 1- 4 Arizona Classic Jazz Festival   Chandler, AZ – JAS’M, Ivory & Gold, Titan Hot 7 her12@msn.com

Nov 16-18 Suncoast Jazz Classic www.SuncoastJazzClassic.com  Clearwater Forida – Since we are adding new musical genres to our lineup and the festival is more than just Dixieland, the Board has elected to change our name to: SUNCOAST JAZZ CLASSIC, PO Box 1945 Largo, FL 33779-1945 Phone 727-536-0064.  Email: jazzclassic@aol.com
EARLY-EARLY BIRD PRIZE!!!!! When you purchase your festival weekend badge by June 1, your name will be entered in a drawing for a Luxury Room for two nights at the Sheraton for the 2012 Festival – valued at $300 (courtesy of the Sheraton). Winner will be notified by June 15, 2012, … OR … Purchase your badges before October 1, 2012 at discounted prices.

Bands for 2012: Wally’s Warehouse Waifs -trad jazz and great entertainment, Cornet Chop Suey – trad jazz and show-stopping sets, Dave Bennett – Benny Goodman, Jerry Lee Lewis and more, Carolyn Martin – award-winning standards and Western Swing, Tom Rigney and Flambeau – cajun, zydeco and blues, Dave Gannett (Black Dogs) and his Barehanded Wolfchokers, Bill Allred – big band swing and jazz, Red Garter Jazz Band – from the Villages with all your favorites, Lisa Kelly/JB Scott – jazz and swing, Naples Dixieland Jazz Band – great music and jam sessions,  Jane Campedelli with Noel Kaletsky (Galvanized), Lew and Mary Green (Salty Dogs), Scotty Philbrick (Seacoast Stompers), Dan Howard and Gene Blood; Rose Bilal and the Stars of Jazz, Valerie Gillespie Trio The INIMITABLE Bob Leary and the Three Thin Guys (Herb Bruce, Jim Snyder and Howie Smth), Bob Draga – everything! Pepper and Friends back by popular demand – they are doing Afterglow also!!!!!!!!! Jonathan Russell – 17 year old jazz violin virtuoso.

Nov 16-18 West Coast Ragtime Festival, Sacramento CA www.westcoastragtime.com  Ivory & Gold, Jeff Barnhart Guest Artist

Nov 21-25 33rd Annual San Diego Thanksgiving Dixieland Jazz Festival, http://www.dixielandjazzfestival.org/festival.htmlTown & Country Resort & Convention Center, 500 Hotel Circle North, San Diego CA Tickets  5-day badge $95  PrintableFLYER

Dec 1-11 JazzFest at Sea, Caribbean cruise from Ft. Lauderdale on the MSC Poesia. Banu Gibson, Allan Vache, Hal Smith, Harry Allen, John Skillman & more. Prices start at $1299 pp double occupancy. www.jazzfestatsea.com. Prices do not include airfare or optional excursions. 

Dec 28-Jan 2 Orvieto Sparkles: Umbria Jazz Winter Festival 20 This 6-day event is filled with a beautiful blend of jazz sounds juxtaposed with ancient buildings, piazzas and narrow, winding streets creating the perfect mix of local and international camaraderie, and a bond created by the jazz whose sounds intermingle with great wine and food. With the Euro at an all-time low, it has never been a better time to take advantage of this great tour. Orvieto, Italy. Orvieto Sparkles Umbria Jazz Tour

2013

Jan 4-18 Jazz Sea Cruises celebrates 30 years with a 14-day Caribbean Cruise Flyer  The Grand Finale Cruise!

Tony Pringle will be playing with the Climax Jazz Band in January 2013 on a cruise in the Caribbean on the m/s Maasdam run by the Holland America Line. He played this year (2012) with the Grand Dominion Jazz Band on the same ship and had a really good time. He hopes some Black Eagle fans might want to join him next year. Details of the cruise can be found at: Jazz Cruise.

Jun 21-23 Central Pennsylvania Ragtime Festival http://www.rockhillragtime.com
Some samples:  a 1979 rag.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-U-2wH1eey0
Adam Swanson: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kIl1Jcs2A4
And a few others. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixhStqwsK5M http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDg3jEgD93M http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1dmEr5yjNM

Dick Donovan Big Band Directed by Steve Taddeo at St. Mary’s Church in Waltham, MA

by Hal McAleer

A peppy vocal by Caroline Griep with Steve Taddeo and the gang at St Mary’s Church in Waltham, MA

for video –  http://youtu.be/6xRz5Xw4Udo

Steve does his patented shtick at St Mary’s in Waltham with an intro vocal by Caroline Griep. Watch how Jeff Hughes emulates Steve on the air drums.

for video – sound on – click here:            http://youtu.be/jBmd0GTc-lU

Jordan & Friends at the 2012 Jazz & Blues Extravaganza

Jordan Brent, bass, is leader of this fine young band, with Skyler Hagner alto sax, Alex Cross piano, and Josh Goslin drums.

At first the audience was apprehensive when they saw teenagers up on the stage, until the band broke into Girl from Ipanema, and everyone sat back and listened, stunned. The quality of their musicianship was superb.

Jordan Brent is from Wallingford, Connecticut. 18 years old, an acoustic bass player, whose solos full of variety and propulsion.

She’s a talented musician, and very smart.  She even designs her own clothes.

Jordan will be attending Brown University, taking Psychology in September.

Skyler Hagner is one of Art Hovey’s protégés from the Sugarfoot Jazz Band.

Now an accomplished professional, he plays in many genres of bands in the area and he’s sat in with the Galvanized Jazz Band.

This is Sky three years ago, when he played reeds with the Sugarfoot Jazz Band at the Hot Steamed Jazz Festival.

This is only part of his vast collection of instruments.

Feelings, Nothing More Than Feelings!  Alex Cross is passionate about the piano, his intense facial expressions show it.

Young drummers haven’t had much exposure to jazz, especially the “laid-back,  just keep time” of the older styles of jazz.  A Train, alto sax playing the melody, enthusiastically conversing with drums.

Josh Goslin style is fluid, but focused on the snare drum.

Duke Ellington’s In a Sentimental Mood, fantastic sax.  Josh using brushes on snare, soft and sentimental. He’s perfectly capable of slam-banging Gene Krupa-style, but maintains his composure for this particular audience.  Segue into a blistering Saints, still with the brushes.

We learned later that this group generally plays modern jazz, but were advised to play some Dixieland for this crowd by Ross, Ken, and a tuba player (who will remain anonymous).   They pulled if off!  Let’s hope they keep playing our music for younger folks out there.

Galvanized Jazz Band at the 2012 Jazz & Blues Extravaganza

Skyler Hagner alto sax, with the Galvanized Jazz Band

The Galvanized Jazz Band was one of the first Jazz Bands to bring New Orleans Traditional and Dixieland Jazz into the New England area.

Fred Vigorito cornet, Russ Whitman clarinet alto sax, Bill Sinclair piano, Bob Bequillard drums, Art Hovey tuba/string bass, Craig Grant trombone, Cynthia Fabian vocals.

They immediately set sparks flying with a feisty Oh Baby.  Louis’s Hot 5 – 1920’s set the stage for all that came after, Louis’s Sunset Café Stomp.

Fred Vigorito drives the band with his hot, dynamic cornet. His major influences were Louis Armstrong, Kid Thomas, Kid Howard, Wild Bill Davison, Bobby Hackett, Muggsy Spanier, Ruby Braff. No wonder.

With a variety of instruments, versatile Russ Whitman is one of the most sought after reed men in the business.  He’s played with Jimmy Dapogny’s fabulous Chicago Jazz Band.

Louis Prima wrote their next tune in1946, Sunday Kind of Love

 

Craig Grant began playing Dixieland while attending Harvard University, first at Boston’s Red Garter with banjoist Joel Schiavone, then at several of Joel’s ‘Your Father’s Mustache’ clubs in Mass, NJ and NY.

Bill Sinclair has an incredible feel for New Orleans jazz and plays from the heart.  He drives the rhythm section.

The rhythm boys drive the band…

Bob Bequillard

Art Hovey

This was Bob Bequillard’s 80th birthday!! Bob still pushes the band with a sturdy, dependable beat.

Art Hovey also has a solid beat, whether on tuba or string bass.  Art has been playing tuba since he was a teenager. He became a high school physics teacher, but his love has always been Traditional Jazz.  He spends a great deal of time impressing young musicians with his enthusiasm for the music.  Some of his protégées  are already playing professionally – see young Skyler Hagner playing saxophone with the band above, and with Jordan & Friends.

Cynthia Fabian sang her own version of a traditional African American spiritual, most famously recorded by Sister Rosetta Tharpe in late 1944, Strange Things Are Happening Every Day.  It was really something  romantic to dance to.

Cynthia is an amazing vocalist from the Blue Lights Jug Band, and has been singing off and on with the Galvanized J.B. for many years, giving new life to old melodies.

You Gotta See Your Mama Every Night or You Can’t See Your Mama At All, A Good Man is Hard to Find

She put heart and soul into Crazy, a tune Willie Nelson wrote in 1961, and made famous by Patsy Cline.

Driven by Freddy’s vigorous cornet, the band continued with a barn-burning Wrought Iron Rag, and closed with a sizzling Fidgety Feet.

The Galvanized Jazz Band plays stimulating, revitalizing jazz.  They played at the Millpond Taverne in Northford Connecticut for 25 years.  Now well into their 41st year, the band plays at various venues around Connecticut, and on the 3rd Sunday of the month at Aunt Chilada’s in Hampden, CT.

www.galvanizedjazz.com

Jazz Jesters at the Sherborn Inn July 24, 2012

Jeff Hughes trumpet/leader, John Clark reeds, Craig Ball reeds, Jimmy Mazzy banjo/vocals, Ross Petot piano, Albie Bernard tuba, guest drummer Steve Taddeo.

When people want to be entertained, they generally go out for dinner, drinks, music, fun conversation, but Traditional Jazz followers are very picky; they aren’t looking for ‘background music’.  They want to hear their music first – everything else is just superfluous. No talking while the music is playing, please!

Jeff Hughes is one of their favorite band leaders for that reason – Jeff has a band for all seasons, and tonight was ours.  We knew it was going to be a fun night when Craig Ball walked in at the last minute (Craig always comes in at the last minute) and spotted another reed player, John Clark, asking him “What are we doing?”  John replied, “I don’t know.” 

Jeff distributed charts and they found out.  They started with a 1927 tune that symbolized the feeling we all had today, This is My Lucky Day.

Jeff dug down deep for some very old material, the best and hottest of the 20’s and 30’s, some we have never heard before – and probably the musicians too.  They had fun with it,  inspiring and provoking each other, adding their own interpretations to these old tunes. It was an enlightening and entertaining evening! They really enjoy playing together. Their camaraderie is infectious – we all were having a good time.  Couldn’t help it.

Not Much we’ve heard before, but not Dream Kisses. Another tune Bix recorded in a 1930 session with Jack Teagarden, Deep Down South.

Guest drummer Steve Taddeo, usually loud and flamboyant like Gene Krupa, played fine restrained trad, with the use of brushes on the snare drum and his special 1939 cymbal (the original cymbal that Buddy Schutz played on Benny Goodman’s Angels Sing).  Good job, Steve!

Ross was featured in pulsating, effervescent stride on Cole Porter’s Riding High.   Albie Bernard, driving the band on tuba, took a high spirited solo on Breakaway.

Jimmy had the vocal on Oh Miss Hannah, and Changes with Jeff backing him on his 1946 Olds trumpet. 

Jeff let Taddeo cut loose with this one, with drum sticks beating energetic Gene Krupa style!

There aren’t many Mouldy Figs left here – Bea Page is our finest.  The band walked up to her table, playing a swinging Happy Birthday, and continued with her favorite tune Moon Glow.

Manager Phil Cocco caught Bea by surprise for her “29th birthday” with a delicious birthday cake prepared by the chef – that she shared with all of us.

Back to the ‘stage’ – John Clark on clarinet and Craig Ball on tenor sax with a poignant duet on Irving Berlin’s Russian Lullaby.
Memories of the Depression in the1930’s – I’m In The Market.
A 1911 tune that is still being played in colleges today, Sweetheart of Sigma Chi.
The band played Who, dedicated to another fan, Joan Murray.  (Her birthday is in August.)

Jeff took out the flugelhorn for a sweet When Day is Done.  1910? Jolson’s Golden Gate(California Here I Come.)  Weary Man Blues.  There Ain’t No Land Like Dixieland,Cottage for Sale, Old Folks.

They sent us home with Farewell Blues.

This is a new band for Jeff Hughes, separate from the Jazz Jesters Novelty Orchestra, that sounded much more like the Paramount Jazz Band. Nevertheless, he delved deep into the Jazz Decades for tonight’s performance – and we hope there will be many more like it.  Wish we had a video!!

Seacoast Stompers with Dave Whitney and John Clark at the Acton Jazz Cafe, July 7, 2012

by Harold McAleer

Seacoast Stompers held their regular 1st Saturday of the month at the Acton Jazz Cafe with Scott Philbrick guitar/cornet, filling in for Jimmy Mazzy, Lee Prager trombone, Bob McHenry string bass, Bobby Reardon drums, Frank Stadler piano, and substitutes Dave Whitney on trumpet, John Clark reeds, and special guest Maureen Benson on vocals.

 

 

Maureen Benson with a sweet vocal to this Ellington classic.

for video – sound on – click here:            http://youtu.be/v1jYhgZMMMA

Dave Whitney has a woman living way back o’ town at the Acton Jazz Cafe. for video – sound on – click here:            http://youtu.be/T5IFUjrFVDc

Catch the exchange between trumpet and trombone!!  I love it! (Marce)

And another video:

http://youtu.be/6AWCag3sRnU

2012 – HOT STEAMED JAZZ FESTIVAL’S 20TH ANNIVERSARY!

The Hot Steamed Jazz Festival will continue next year – some bands have already been booked. It will take that long to finish this site, adding new embedded videos as they get processed. Come back once in a while to see and hear these great bands – and see you next year!

 

2012

The Hot Steamed Jazz Festival celebrated a successful 20th Anniversary thanks to a  dedicated group of people who love Traditional Jazz and work to keep its Jazz presence in Essex, Connecticut.

Congratulations to President and Chairman Karen E. Senn, Shirley Bombaci Vice President, for their hard work, and also Nina Sulinski treasurer, Beth Fitzsimmons secretary,  and a large crew of volunteers including Isobel Allen, Bob & Sue Brummet, David and Marge Olmsted, Judy Postemsky and more, who presented 12 bands, plus a Saturday night Jam and Sunday Gospel Service.   

Their choice of bands was judicious,  

Jeff Barnhart – Connecticut
Galvanized Jazz Band – Connecticut
Riverboat Ramblers – Connecticut
Festival All Stars – All over
Heartbeat Dixieland Jazz Band – Connecticut (mostly)
The Midiri Brothers – New Jersey
Swing Times Five led by Jeff Hughes – Massachusetts
Ben Mauger’s Vintage Jazz Band – Pennsylvania
Wolverine Jazz Band – Massachusetts
Sugarfoot  Youth Band – Connecticut
Saturday Night Big Jam
Gospel Service with Jon Seiger
Funky Butt Jazz Band
Dan Levinson’s Millenium All Stars – New York
Bob Seeley – Michigan

Other News and History Related to the Festival

20th Anniversary Cake Presentation

HOT STEAMED JAZZ FESTIVAL

by Lauren Humpage

Twenty one years ago, near the close of The Great Connecticut Traditional Jazz Festival in Essex, CT I had a casual late evening conversation with Joe and Shirley Bombaci and Bpombaci and (if my memory is correct) Darcie Deaville the jazz fiddler with Igor Glenn’s Jazz Cowboys, who was staying at Joe and Shirley’s house for the weekend festival.

The Great Connecticut Traditional Jazz Festival was being transferred from Essex to a camp ground in Moodus, Connecticut and pushed out to July.
Jim Almond, a conductor at the Essex Railroad Museum, suggested to Joe and Shirley that they maintain a festival here in Essex.
Although at that time the jazz followers attending numbered in the thousands, I for one was not sure if  The Hot Steamed Jazz Festival would be profitable. Would fans return to the area within 45 days of the large 3-day TGCTJF in July for another festival much smaller in size? 

In the first couple of years, it was a struggle and ran in the red, and the Bombacis had to cover the losses.  Eventually they were able to find sponsors and get the festival to where it is today.  For twenty years fans have returned to the Hot Steamed Jazz Festival, and still do with great enthusiasm.
Originally, it was two venues, the engine house and one large tent, but for about the past nine years it has been in two large tents. The general atmosphere has been enthusiasm and excitement for performers and followers alike. Although crowds have never reached the level experienced at that TGCTJF, attendance has been in the low hundreds. (A good measure being in general, the present age of the followers of the music.)  But it is still a 3-day festival of excellent quality… maybe one of the best small festivals in the country. 
The weather is not a problem – no matter what mother nature throws at this festival, the excitement and quality persists from the first note played early Friday evening to the last note played late Sunday afternoon. Why? Partly because it’s an intimate informal outdoor experience where friendships and camaraderie between followers/supporters and musicians intermingle continually and effortlessly everywhere on the grounds between sets all weekend long.
The quality of musicianship? My word! The best of the best from those that have been the top dogs for years to the new upcoming talent that are deservedly making names for themselves nationally and internationally in the jazz world we all love.
I’m not a great one to remark on one tune over another. My interest and memory locks into the overall total performance of any individual or group – what happened musically and how the audience reacts.
More of Lauren’s comments on the Bands’ pages.

HOLE IN THE WALL GANG CAMP

Proceeds from this festival go to the late Paul Newman’s Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, which is now celebrating its 25th year.  There were several representatives from the Camp at the Festival.

Maria has been part of the camp for 20 years.  She said it serves 20,000 kids and families in New England at no charge every year. The Community comes together, and the kids get to connect with others like themselves. It makes a fantastic summer for them! 

Natali is a cancer survivor, now 20 years in remission. Paul Newman taught her how to play pool when she was 9 years old!

My special thanks to Lauren Humpage for providing some history and short, succinct, comments on the bands.

Marce

Hot Steamed Jazz Festival 2012 Bob Seeley

Bob Seeley – 4 sets – soloist – The world renowned Boogie-Woogie pianist of industrial strength from Michigan was back for (I believe) his 5th straight year. Simply Wow! He and Jeff did a four-hands-on duet in his second set that had the audience on their feet for a standing ovation when finished. There are very few that can do what Bob Seeley does!                                       Lauren Humpage

*                     *                    *

An 83-year-old scamp, who jumps up and down from the stage like a teenager. Bob Seeley takes boogie woogie tunes of the masters he learned from, like Mead Lux Lewis, Pete Johnson,  and Albert Ammons, as well as contemporaries, just to see what he can do with them.   History lessons are part of his package.

He said during WWII, most of the music was Pop.  Boogie Woogie was a fast, happy Blues.  Sippy Wallace’s Suitcase Blues.

In 1948 Freddy Martin and Josh Pinochle took  Rimsky Korsakov’s Flight of the Bumble Bee and turned it into a boogie. 

Lewis, Johnson and Ammons hung out of Mead. Jimmy Yangtze was older, they listened and learned from him.  Many songs at the time referred to railroads and trains.  Yangtze Special was named after a steam train, you can actually hear the engine start, the wheels slipping. 

He said he’d try a classic Bish boogie woogie that was done on two pianos back when he was about 16 years old. He managed it one one piano, with flying fingers!

Boogie Woogie doesn’t have to be fast. He slowed down for a boogie Freddie Slack played in the 40’s.  Strange Cargo was Freddie’s theme song.

When the war ended, boogie-woogie faded. Freddie played piano for a little while, drinking heavily, he died at 52.  People who hit the top did not live a full life.  Seeley says “The music business is not easy.”

There was a request for WC Handy, his most famous tune, St. Louis Blues – he played the Earl Hynes version.  Fast bouncy, boogie, with some stride.  Then moved to something not boogie, Malagueña, written by Ernesto Lecuona.  He played it in stride, quoting a big of “She don’t wear no pants in the southern part of France”. 

Meade ‘Lux’ Lewis was about 5 feet tall and weighed about 300 pounds. His boogie – Tell Your Story Blues tells a story.  The right hand holds the conversation, while the left hand keeps the eight-beat. 

Cow Cow Davenport was a boogie woogie player in the 20’s and 30’s.  He composed Cow Cow Boogie.  Sold it outright.  Trad bands play it too.

Mama Don’t ‘low – that song is usually used to identify the players in a band. He used it to enumerate all the different kinds of music, citing examples.  Mama Don’t ‘low no Scott Joplin, Irving Berlin. Ragtime (Maple Leaf Rag) James P. Johnson (Charleston) Fats Waller (Honeysuckle Rose) Duke Ellington (A Train – left hand traveling all over the low end of the piano).  George Gershwin (I Got Rhythm) left hand in a hopping stride.  He ended with an Irving Berlin (God Bless America.)

*                       *                         *

Amazing pianist.  His second set was totally different. and just as fascinating.

Mead Lux Lewis’s Six Wheel Chaser, Juan Tisol’s Caravan, going from boogie into rapid stride. He slowed for Jelly Roll Morton’s Dead Man Blues (“a favorite in the nursing homes.  Another one is After You’ve Gone“.)  

Boogie Woogie Man, his Bumble Boogie cannot be described – you must see it!  Eric Devine videotaped it.  All in good time.

Mr. Freddie Blues.  He moved quickly from one to another pianist, remembering all the best pianists of the past.

He said Errol Garner was “one of the greatest ever”. 

Jerome Kern’s Yesterdays started with as a ballad, morphing into an lively boogie, fingers dancing across the keyboard.

Pete Johnson – stride pianist – wrote Death Ray Boogie – named after that look, that stare, that Benny Goodman gave his players.  He played more leisurely for Fats Waller’s  Cuttin’ The Boogie.

He said Jelly Roll Morton hated the boogie, but it was ‘in’ at the time so they all had to play it. So Fat’s contribution in a cutting contest was Handful Of Keys.  That should show them!

*                       *                         *

Bob had the last set on Sunday afternoon in the Hole in the Wall Tent, Galvanized was playing in the Louis Armstrong Tent.  Fred Vigorito led the Galvanized Jazz Band marching into the tent and there was a free-for-all.

If you look carefully, you’ll find Joel Schiavone on banjo, hiding in the background. 

That concluded a fine weekend of great jazz. Bands have already been booked for next year. Volunteers – get ready for another one!!

Hot Steamed Jazz Festival 2012 Dan Levinson’s New Millennium All Stars

videos by Eric Devine

Dan Levinson – Reeds, Andy Schumm – Cornet, Matt Musselman – Trombone, Gordon Webster – Piano, Molly Ryan – Guitar and Vocals, Rob Adkins – Bass, Kevin Dorn – Drums

Early Jazz from the 20’s and 30’s appears to be fading away with us, the generation that was raised on it.  Trad and Dixieland Festivals that have been thriving for 25-30 years are either closing completely, or incorporating other genres to fill the seats.  Fortunately for us,  Dan Levinson has devoted his life into finding and teaching our kind of music to some of the younger, upcoming musicians, so that it doesn’t just disappear.

He’s brought hundreds of them to the Hot Steamed Jazz Festival, for all but one year of its existence.  This year, he really picked some All Stars who have built names of their own, some even have their own bands – playing Our Kind Of Music.  Hence The New Millennium All Stars.

It’s obvious that they enjoy it!

Clarinet Marmalade, Baby Won’t You Please Come Home, Fidgety Feet.

Check out Rob Adkins on the string bass:

New Millenium ensembles are superb, and Dan gives each a chance to STAR! Milenberg Joys

Molly now also plays guitar.   Darkness on the Delta
Smoldering interchange between the front liners, especially Dan on tenor and Matt Musselman on trombone.

With Dan on tenor sax, she continued with I Can’t Give You Anything But Love

She recently kickstarted a fund for a new Swing CD which has already reached it’s goal.  We’re looking forward to it!

http://mollyryan.com

Dan took off on clarinet for There’ll Be Some Changes Madeand the New Millenium pursued him, even letting drummer Kevin Dorn take some licks.

Kevin has been one of the busiest drummers of this genre all over the country.  Settling in New York, he started his own band, The Traditional Jazz Collective – now known as The Big 72.

We look forward to hearing him every year!

Andy Schumm prefers to work as a ’20s musician than a modern player – that started after he heard a Victor recording of Bix Beiderbecke.

Andy plays with many bands, including Jon Erik Kelso’s EarRegulars, Vince Giordano’s Nighthawks, and The West End Band.

He, like Dan, is an advocate for teaching young students good music.

Matt “Grandpa” Musselman assimilated a group of of Manhattan School of Music graduates and started a band in 2006 called Grandpa Musselman and His Syncopaters, playing classic New Orleans Music.

Rob Adkins is new to us.   He has a relentless pulse on the string bass. (See his solo on The Original Dixieland One Step again.)

He plays with many classic NY bands, including Gordon Webster, and regularly with Gordon Au’s  Grand St. Stompers.

Every year, Dan Levinson brings in another group of young musicians. Thank you, Dan. We’re grateful to you for preserving our kind of music, and looking forward to who and what you will feature next year!

http://www.danlevinson.com

Hot Steamed Jazz Festival 2012 Funky Butt Jazz Band

Funky Butt Jazz Band – 1 set – 4 pieces – created by Pete Campbell-cornet 30 plus years ago and now in the hands of his son Pierce/guitar/vocals, with Paul Boehmke-clarinet/sax, Tony Pasqualoni-bass and John Rispoli-drums, it’s trad jazz with a whole new almost folky sound and feel. Pierce’s vocal voicing has an interesting musky tone to it that draws the listeners attention. Backed by the quality of the local pro’s and the selections and keys selected made that one set a most memorable experience with the desire to hear more.                          Lauren Humpage

Funky Butt is a bit more modern than Traditional Jazz, nevertheless they had a fine choice of tunes and were a pleasure to hear. Pierce opened with I Can’t Give You Anything But Love (for his wife’s birthday), and Billie Holiday’s Come Rain or Come Shinewith Paul’s sophisticated alto sax, and dynamic drumming by Rispoli.

A perfect description of this whole weekend – Summertime, nice and warm.
The first time Pierce ever heard this tune was at his grandmother’s in St. Louis – where it gets REALLY HOT!

Driven by an intense, rambunctious drummer, they picked up the beat for a sizzling Dinah, then followed with a mellifluous Wonderful World.

Pierce introduced the next tunes – “In New Orleans, folks want to walk in the shade – not the Sunny Side of the Street.”

And what could 15¢ in N.O. get you? One Meat Ball.

Wish I Could Swing Like My Sister Kate, superb string bass solo.

A change of pace – St. Louis Blueswas the first blues Pierce heard, done by Sammy Rimmington.

Cute song, funky Ain’t She Sweet segued into Nancy. 
One of his favorites, written in 1861, the Battle Hymn of the Republic“Glory Glory Halleluiah”.

Combining fine jazz, humor and history, Pierce and the Funky Butt Jazz Band are pure, unreserved entertainment.

http://www.piercecampbell.com/funky_butt/