TGCTJF Connecticut Festival All Stars
at The 22nd Annual Great Connecticut Traditional Jazz
Festival
July 25-27, 2008
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The Connecticut Festival All Stars:
Scott Philbrick cornet/leader, Dave Whitney trumpet,
Craig Ball clarinet, Charlie Borneman
(up from Florida) on no frills, tailgate
trombone, Robin Verdier piano, Mike Hashem banjo,
Al Bernard tuba, Ted Desplantes drums.
Cornetist Scott Philbrick
was happy to be reunited with his Connecticut Festival
All Stars, since the gang hasn't been together since this festival
last year. Coming from all over New England (and Florida)
especially for this occasion, they have played at almost every TGCTJF since its
inception. They work perfectly and comfortably with each other. |
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As the program says, "Their two
trumpet front line distinguishes them from most other Dixieland
bands, with its unique harmonic and point/counterpoint melodic
inventions." So does their talent and camaraderie. They
have been playing off and on with one or another over the 37 years
we've been listening to this jazz, (starting at the Sticky Wicket.) |
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The first tune was a friendly warm up, pressed by
Ted's driving beat, with Whitney on
vocal with Two By Two. Borneman took over for vocals on New Orleans. After a year's absence, that was all the warm up they needed
to create extraordinary ensemble work.
Dropping down to five for Louis' Hot Five, they wasting no time,
soaring into Apex
Blues. |
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Robin was featured on Swipesey Cakewalk, composed by
Arthur Marshall and Scott Joplin. He explained that 1916 was a year that
transitioned into this very popular dance, the
Cakewalk. (Joplin was in a good position to "lend" his name to
others at the time.) |
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Scott & Dave continued unrelenting point/counterpoint and harmony
(substantiating the program notes) with a cornet/trumpet duet on
Louisiana, and at another set on Beale St. Blues, trading 4s with
the drum. China Boy had a blistering duet with Craig on clarinet and
Dave on trumpet.
At one point they honored Louis's Hot 5, using just front
line plus banjo and piano. (What was that tune? Anybody?) Dave Whitney was featured on Clyde McCoy's
Sugar Blues, acknowledging Buddy Apple, who played with Clyde. |
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Mike Hashem is a journeyman banjo player and
antique collector with lightening finger dexterity. He has an extensive collection of old banjos
at 41 Courthouse Square, Ossipee NH, 03864. (If anyone is
interested.) He was showing off a new old banjo on Alabama Jubilee and a rolling, romping, My Gal Sal,
backed by Al's notorious tuba, and at another set with I'm
Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover. |
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Craig resurrected the spirit of Benny Goodman on a blazing, searing
Whispering, backed only by the banjo and tuba. |
click for larger image |
| Finale on this set included great ensemble work, with a fabulous drum solo
and a roaring finish on Weary Blues. At another set, they did some
instant arranging for a great front line on my favorite tune, Limehouse
Blues. Borneman acknowledged it was a Wonderful World. You bet. After
ten days of rain, the sun finally broke through just for this weekend. The One I Love Belongs to Somebody Else,
Crazy 'Bout My Baby. Dave sang From Monday On. They
finished this one with Craig Ball on clarinet keeping up a high
velocity pace with all that brass. |
TGCTJF 2009 will be held July 31-August 2 at the
MountainRidge,
Tickets: 1- 800 HOTEVENT
Web Site: www.greatctjazz.org
Questions:
rross92239@sbcglobal.net
Give it a boost, place a Remembrance in the
festival Program!
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| By Marce, Updated
November 16, 2008
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