Here is my first post about the glorious fun at The Ear Inn on March 11, 2018, featuring SUGAR and SOMEBODY STOLE MY GAL, as played by Messrs. Cohen, Chirillo, Robinson, and Kellso.
And I present two more performances from the same happy evening, with the affectionate spotlight on Mister Braff.
Walter Donalsdon’s IT’S BEEN SO LONG:
and my favorite anthem of hope, WRAP YOUR TROUBLES IN DREAMS — Dan Block, clarinet, and Will Reardon Anderson, alto (left and right) sitting in:
The moral of the story? As the Sages say, “Get thee to The Ear Inn on Sunday nights.”
On November 2, 2013, you have another chance to travel back to a time and place not easily reached: America around a century ago. It’s the Armstice Ball, a yearly affair held in New Jersey, with authentic Twenties music and dancing (even a lesson in the afternoon). The band will be led by Dan Levinson, with jazz scholar Sue Fischer on drums; Jay Rattman on reeds; David Sager on trombone; Matt Tolentino on tuba (he’s the leader of the Dallas band “Singapore Slingers”; Mike Kuehn, banjo. The Ball goes from 8 – 11 PM at the historic Madison Community House, 25 Cook Avenue, Madison, New Jersey. Tickets are $30 in advance, $15 with a student ID, and $35 at the door ($20 for students). (So it pays not to wait till the last minute!)
For details — everything you’d need to know about lodging, food, and fashions, click here.
I asked Sue about the repertoire and she told me that it will include some Morton — FROGGIE MOORE, KING JOE, some hot Chicago tunes related to Noone, Dodds, Hines: FORTY AND TIGHT, MY MONDAY DATE, OH SISTER AIN’T THAT HOT, I NEVER KNEW WHAT A GAL COULD DO, as well as waltzes I’M DRIFTING BACK TO DREAMLAND, and tangos CHALITA, ADIOS MUCHACHOS, and POR UNA CABEZA. Among other surprises.
Here’s a video from the 2011 Armistice Ball: different musicians, but you get the picture. A classy affair, with one-steps for all! (None of those artificially ripped jeans the youth of America now prefer, either.) That’s David Boeddinghaus, piano; Randy Reinhart, cornet; Will Reardon Anderson, clarinet; Mike Kuehn, banjo; Johnny Peppers, bass sax; Sue Fischer, drums. And it looks like John Landry is ready to make sure there will be none of that indecent close-dancing here. (I would be there, but I am going to be enjoying the Classic Jazz Party at Whitley Bay . . . too much distance from Newcastle to Madison, even for me.)
Coming in September and October to New York City! Will and Peter Anderson, who play a whole menagerie of reed instruments and are always thinking up inspiring new projects . . . have come up with what is sure to be an enlivening musical experience. Experiences, I should say.
“The ANDERSON TWINS Play The FABULOUS DORSEYS” runs September 11th-October 7th @ 59E59 Theaters!
Saxophonists/clarinetists Pete and Will Anderson tell the riveting story of two bandleaders, Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, who rise to the top, then split up the act over sibling rivalry. This truthful, historical tale is highlighted by a blazing six-piece jazz band and footage from the 1947 film, “The Fabulous Dorseys.” In addition to the Anderson Twins, the cast features Jon-Erik Kellso, Ehud Asherie, Kevin Dorn, and Clovis Nicolas. Tickets: $25.
Shows: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 7:30. Friday 8:30, Saturday 5:30 & 8:30, Sunday 3:30. Additional Shows: September 23 and 30 at 7:30.
All this is taking place at 59E59 Theaters, Theater C. 59 East 59th St, NY, NY 10022. www.59e59.org
The Beloved and I enjoyed Will and Peter’s Benny Goodman / Artie Shaw extravaganza a great deal, and this one promises to be even more fun — although the Anderson boys are sweetly mild-mannered and show no inclination to Dorsey-styled violence on the bandstand. And nary a trombone in sight. Make reservations early! 59E59 is a cozy space and will sell out, I predict.
To follow the Anderson boys (there are also free concerts in NYC. . .) visit their site here.
JAZZ LIVES 