The New Black Eagle Jazz Bandat Ma Glockner's
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 Billy Novick |
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Billy Novick's New Black Eagle Jazz Band (as it is called in the Worcester area) gave a sterling performance to a knowledgeable and appreciative crowd at Ma Glockner's in Bellingham Massachusetts on Thursday, March 20, 2008. |
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In the absence of leader Tony Pringle, Billy took the lead. He lives and breaths music as a teacher, composer, arranger, and music writer for TV and movies. Mike Peipman of Franklin graciously stepped in at the very last minute to complete the front line, with steadfast Stan Vincent, of Falmouth on trombone; also Peter Bullis of Byfield on banjo, and Bob Pilsbury of Sudbury on keyboard. Subbing for Barry Bockus on string bass was John Turner; and all the way from Simsbury, Connecticut, the original drummer since 1971, Pam Pameijer. What a nice surprise! Pameijer on drums and Bullis on banjo maintained that essential Trad Jazz beat that keeps the flame of traditional jazz ablaze. (See http://www.blackeagles.com.) |
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The first set was a bit uncertain as the front-line 'youngsters', Billy Novick and Mike Peipman worked out mutually familiar tunes. Mike has played with Trad/Dixieland bands The Blue Horizon Five and Made In the Shade, so that wasn't much of a problem. (He is currently with the The Composers Alliance Orchestra playing contemporary jazz.) They quickly ironed out the kinks and converted to a lively, zealous Down In New Orleans, and the eager audience reacted accordingly. Mike was let loose on West End Blues, for which he is renowned, and the fans went wild. He passed the baton to Pilsbury, who brought the tune to a complete halt. Complete silence. What suspense - "When is he ever going to start??" Finally after about 16 beats, he hit a slow, repetitive note with one finger, he kept all of us, including the band, holding our breaths. Pam was backing him with a soft drum roll. Finally Bob bore down on the keyboard (as only he can - pity the keyboard!) picked up the rhythm, removing all stops, comping and punctuating, and the band exploded behind him. Fabulous! |
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John Turner displayed his rhythmic sense and ability on string bass. He has great chemistry with this band. John is a free-lance musician from Beverly, playing anywhere in New England, a perfect substitute. The band played many of the old familiar Trad Jazz tunes, even one of my favorites, Jelly Roll Morton's The Chant, an old Black Eagle standard. |
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Stan Vincent is a splendid improvisor on his tailgate trombone, and was featured on an inventive version of Over The Rainbow, backed only by the piano, banjo and drum. |
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Moving to an early Ellington Black And Tan Fantasy, with a fabulous duet between Mike with Billy on alto sax. Pam was lightly tapping the cymbals, accentuating Mike's 'Bubber Miley' trumpet. Joe Avery's Blues and Wild Man Blues - were really fierce! |
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More great ensemble on Bucket's Got A Hole In It, with Pilsbury adding a bit of boogie beat, Pam playing sticks on the bass drum shell a la Baby Dodds. A rowdy Panama. WOW! Peter was given his
one banjo solo on this one. (He is also the Band Manager and
handles all the band's booking and managerial chores.) |
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It was such a
pleasure to have |
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The response of this erudite audience was overwhelmingly positive. Half of them were former Sticky Wicket reg'lars, (we counted 'em.) The Rileys from Swansea; Elizabeth and her Mom, Janet, from Framingham; Ron (the BEJB band-aid) from North Attleboro; Tom, the trombone player for the Squirrel Hill Olde Tyme Band; the Meyers were just back from Florida. They came from far and near; Jim & Jean Enright drove 70 miles from Royalston just to hear the Black Eagles, and the Sullos came from just a couple of miles away in Bellingham. Relative newcomers Rick Foster and Jim Kelleher of the Dixie Diehards really enjoyed the band. There were many more listeners, and many more tunes, but I was too wrapped up in the music to take any more notes. It felt like the good old days at the Sticky Wicket, where some of us spent 19 years listening to this band! Wild Man Blues, Panama, The Chant - I could feel Joe Roger's spirit hovering overhead! |
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remarkable evening - this will be a tough act to follow!
* * * * Catch Tony Pringle's New Black Eagle Jazz Band .................................................................................................. |
| by Marce March 24, 2008 |
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