For 20 years, Lobsterman's Wharf Restaurant, 224 Ocean Point Road,  East Boothbay Harbor, Maine, kicks off the summer season with Pete Collins and The Jazz Band Ball.  This year, on July 3rd, 2005, a bright, sunny Sunday afternoon the band was joined by Massachusetts's Jeff Hughes and Lee Prager.

"It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing" warned us this was going to be a significant happening.  With Pete Collins on clarinet, Jeff Hughes - cornet, Lee Prager - trombone, Henry Berry - piano, Dave Page - drums, and Jack Tucky bass we were not disappointed.  Pete says "It feels like old home week - I see all the locals and college folk are back!"  

Fans (us) from as far away as Milford MA were on hand to hear tunes such as Avalon, Down In New Orleans.  Pete played a request for "I'll be Glad When You're Dead, You Rascal, You" by Sally Neale of Lexington MA.  Sometimes it was HOT with Dr. Jazz,  Sweet Georgia Brown, I Found a New Baby; sometimes it was soft with ballads like It's Wonderful, Somebody Loves Me, naturally somebody requested It's a Wonderful World - Pete does a fine Louis.  I had A Dream.  You Made Me Love You.  Dot and Norm Cyr of So. Paris said: "Great music, Great weather, wonderful scenery. What more can one ask for. We'll return for more in August."

Pete wear's a Pemaquid, Maine hat with the saying "Ugly Child",  Pete took the vocal.  They sent us home begging for more with At The Jazz Band Ball

This is just a sampling of what you'll be hearing all summer at Lobsterman's Wharf.  Pete and The Jazz Band Ball will return on July 24th with our own "Wild" Paul Monat on cornet and (left) August 14th with Jeff Hughes.