Greetings Jazzy Enthusiasts: It will be difficult to top last month's session (those crazy Crescent Katz kids from Sacramento), but we aim to step up our game. Jazz has many flavors, sometimes you feel like Rocky Road, other times Butter Pecan. This month will be more dance-friendly, so bring some comfortable shoes...
Our featured group this month is a longtime favorite, The Blue Street Jazz Band. 2015 marks their 32nd anniversary, a true force of musicality, integrity, stability, and professionalism in the performance of Dixieland Jazz. Founded in 1983 by trumpet player Forrest Helmick and currently under the leadership of trombonist Dave Ruffner, Blue Street continues to be one of the most innovative groups in traditional jazz. Original songs and creatively conceived arrangements have been the hallmark of the band along with each member's unique musical prowess. The band features the singing of Sherri Colby. While traditional jazz is the cornerstone of Blue Street, they are also known for their eclectic tastes in music. Musical styles performed by the band also includes Swing, Mardi Gras, Folk Songs, Marches, Waltzes, and Gospel Music. In any genre, beware of tapping feet!
The Blue Street Jazz Band
Our local band this month is Pacific Swing, a five piece band comprised of active professionals from the Central Coast music scene. The crowd will surely "move it more at intermission" with this fantastic blend of fastpaced swing, Dixieland, Latin, or a nice danceable mixture of it all. This band has appeared many times at our Sunday sessions and is always a hit, especially for our dancing crowd. Bring your dancing shoes!
Pacific Swing
Oh, and let's not forget about our preliminary Jam sets, always fun and surprisingly musical, even if unrehearsed. ;) We all try to represent what it means to be a "Basin Street Regular:" (1) have fun; (2) play ur heart out; (3) give the kids their showcase; and (4) collectively improvise, whenever possible. This month's sets are led by our stunningly effective Jazz Master, Del Gomes (JazzMaster Del, lol), fresh back from jazz camp. Here is a list of this Sunday's jam set tunes, as well- and aptly chosen by Rhonda & Jeff...so-called "Cardinal numbers:"
Set 1 (11-11:30AM): Wabash Blues; Ballin' the Jack; Paper Moon; Tiger Rag; Just a Little While; (South)
Set 2 (11:45-12:15): Dinah; Bourbon St. Parade; When You're Smiling; Goody Goody; Nobody's Sweetheart; Exactly Like You
Set 3 (12:30-1:00): Muskrat Rumble; Ice Cream; Sheik of Araby; Sweet Lorraine; Big Butter & Egg Man
As ever, the jams start at 11AM. Blue Street has different sets at 1 & 3:20PM. Pacific Swing time from 2:20-3:10. Food and drinks available (I am a sucker 4 the Frito boats!). And don't forget about the raffle at 3:15. Last month I won the below priceless painting,"Save the Octagon Barn," by Joan Karlie Goodall (I Love it!). This time I'm buying extra tix from Hugh, targeting the new Crescent Katz' CD (b/c it has the Shakey's Pizza Theme Song). Ok, cu there, don't be square. Prepare to swing...I am personally treating the show as a 2-day-belated "birthday party dance" for Linda Shorb (b/c she moves the most amongst us, lol). Long Live Jazz!
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