The GJB will be back at Aunt Chilada's on Sunday, December 15 from 6 to 8 PM with Russ Whitman, Jim Fryer, Charlie Freeman, Art Hovey, Tom Palinko on drums, and Fred Vigorito back with us after his long illness! The GJB has performed monthly at Aunt Chilada's (usually on the third Sunday of the month) since July of 2009 with the exception of the Covid year. Known since 1993 as the best Mexican restaurant in the greater New Haven area, Aunt Chilada's is located at 3931 Whitney Avenue, just a couple of miles north of Sleeping Giant in Hamden, beside the golf course. Seating is somewhat limited; please call 203-230-4640 to reserve a table or a seat at the bar. There is no cover charge, and no minimum. We expect be back again on January 19, 2025. Click HERE for Jean Hadley's review of a not-quite-recent session.

"Jazz musicians communicate with each other and listen to each other in an effort to create a good final product. That is exactly the process that all of us should employ in legislative bodies and in gatherings to resolve important public issues. It is jazz that points the way." (Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor)

Jay Hickerson & Carol Leigh with the GJB (GJB 3/17/02) was recorded during a typical unrehearsed Sunday night at the ChowderPot Restaurant in 2002, featuring special guests Jay Hickerson on piano, Carol Leigh on vocals, and Craig Grant on trombone along with GJB regulars Fred Vigorito, Russ Whitman, Art Hovey, and Bob Bequillard. Jay was a talented pianist, entertainer, tennis and ping-pong champion, author, and old-time radio expert. World-famous ragtime/classic jazz pianist Jeff Barnhart writes "I feel fortunate to have had such an open-minded, gifted musican and teacher devote time with me. I am a musician today because of Jay Hickerson." Carol Leigh, also a consumate performer, charmed fans with her wit, sassy humor, and vocal interpretations of classic jazz and blues from the 1960s in California into the 21st century with the Salty Dogs and sometimes with the GJB. Carol passed away in 2020, and Jay passed on in 2022. Working with Carol and Jay was an honor and privilege; we miss them both.

For more information about our CDs please visit the Recordings section of this website.

An Early History of the Galvanized Jazz Band appeared in the July 2021 issue of the Syncopated Times. The second installment, The Millpond Years is in the August issue. The third part, After The Millpond Years, is in the October 2021 issue. Non-subscribers can see each of them by clicking on the blue lettering.

In addition to the events listed above, members of the GJB are still working with various other groups. Please visit the "OTHER GIGS" section of this website for information about those activities.

Over in Holland Gerard Bielderman has published a very complete Galvanized Jazz Band Discography describing our recordings on LP, cassette, and CD, including some that even we didn't know about. Gerard has already published discographies of many other well-known bands and performers; we are honored to be included among them. (Ours is listed in the "Swinging American" section of his website.)

Eric Devine has posted many videos from the last few Hot Steamed Jazz Festivals. Here are a few of the GJB:

Marce Enright's New England Traditional Jazz website has undergone extensive revisions and improvements. Videos of many recent events are being added; be sure to check it out!

To contact us, send an email to Fred: vigorjazz@aol.com
or give him a call: (203)453-5916