Every time I post some new videos of music by Ray Skjelbred and the Cubs they get an enthusiastic response . . . so here’s some more, recorded on July 13, 2014, as part of their Northern California tour. These performances happened thanks to the Napa Valley Dixieland Jazz Society (which met at Grant Hall in Yountville, California) — with dancers! The performers, the creators, are Ray, piano; Clint Baker, string bass; Kim Cusack, clarinet; Katie Cavera, guitar; Jeff Hamilton, drums. And they swing.
We begin with a bit of early Thirties meteorology — asking Aeolus to bring one’s baby back, or BREEZE:
Lessons in remorse, contrition, and forgiveness. WHO’S SORRY NOW?:
A slow-drag, cozy version of MY HONEY’S LOVIN’ ARMS for the happy pair:
That venerable invitation to hedonism, DARKTOWN STRUTTERS’ BALL:
Even if funds are low, you can still woo with this declaration, I CAN’T GIVE YOU ANYTHING BUT LOVE:
I think it was appropriate to play SWEETHEARTS ON PARADE when the Society members broke out their parasols, but then again this song is one of my favorites, no matter how simple the chord sequence:
SOMEBODY STOLE MY GAL, with vocal by Clint:
SQUEEZE ME, Mister Waller’s first hit:
JAZZ BAND BALL, which is what we were having:
Another bit of Wallerizing, KEEPIN’ OUT OF MISCHIEF NOW:
And the Whiteman-and-Henderson rouser, HAPPY FEET:
Ordinarily I don’t post so many videos from one performance at the same time, but these sounded so good that I couldn’t help myself. You understand. (I send the usual apologies to Jeff and Katie for making them invisible, but they certainly are delightfully audible — which is what counts.)
May your happiness increase!
JAZZ LIVES 