On March 9 we returned to the Beachhead Restaurant
for another evening of good food and good jazz from 6 until 8:30 PM. The Beachhead is located at
3 Cosey Beach Avenue in East Haven.
This is a great spot, with great food but limited seating. If you decide to visit the Beachhead please call 203-469-5450 for dinner reservations, and please inquire about our next appearance there.
We were at Marisa's in Trumbull again on February 17. This is a good-sized restaurant with plenty of seating and parking, but since 2006 our almost-monthly Sundays have all been sold out! Please call Marisa's (203-459-4225) to make dinner reservations and to inquire about our next appearance there. Marisa's is located at 6540 Main Street in Trumbull, CT 06611.
Our free concert on Feb 10 (2008) at the Westport Center for Senior Activities, (203-341-5099)
at
21 Imperial Avenue in Westport, featuring Skip Hughes on trombone and vocals, with Herb Gardner on piano was very well-attended. Photo & Story:
Our January 27 (2008) concert at the Thornton Wilder Auditorium in the
Miller Cultural Complex, 2901 Dixwell Avenue in Hamden, CT was more than sold out; we had to delay the start while extra chairs were brought in. We do hope to return to that wonderful hall some day. The phone number is 203-287-2546. . . .
MAP & DIRECTIONS . . .
Our guest trombonist was the incomparable Jim Fryer, with the fulsome banjo and vocals of Joel Schiavone as a added treat.
(Jim is the featured guest on our newest CD, "Creole Trombone".)
On November 29 (2007) Noel Kaletsky and Dirck Spicer joined us for a special
CD release party at the Beachhead Restaurant, located at
3 Cosey Beach Avenue in East Haven. It was a wonderful evening; all of our dear friends from the Millpond were there!
As one fan put it, - It was a great night. Music was wonderful - just an amazing gathering of old friends sharing great memories and making new ones! Food was great and the service was spot on too!
We also played there on July 1, September 30 and October 26 as a quintet for standing-room-only crowds.
This is a great spot, with great food but limited seating. If you decide to visit the Beachhead call 203-469-5450 for dinner reservations, and please inquire about our next appearance there.
Sarah Spencer and Art Hovey were featured with Roy Rubinstein's Chicago Hot Six on October 14 in a concert for the Jazz Appreciation Society of Syracuse (Burt Dunlap, 315-469-7034) at LeMoyne Manor, just off the NY Thruway in Syracuse.
The same band performed on October 15 for the Flower City Jazz Society at Country Party House, 321 East Linden Ave, East Rochester (585-381-9630) with easy access from I 490.
On September 29 (2007) the GJB performed at the Old Brick Building,
103 East Main Street in Clinton. It was an outdoor fundraiser for the Clinton Historical Society, to help pay for a new roof. The event included wine and cheese, the “Clintonion Derby”(a spoof horse race), and a horse comedy routine. Thanks to the famous
Vigorito Voodoo, we enjoyed clear blue skies and temperature in the low 70s; a perfect fall day.
On September 15 (2007) the GJB performed at the Foxwoods Casino as part of the Food and Wine festival's Mardi Gras masquerade party. There was a huge and appreciative crowd, and even some of the chefs joined in with the shapely dancing willow trees in front of the stage.
On September 9 (2007) the Galvanized Quintet performed at the First Congregational Church of Cheshire,
111 Church Drive, in Cheshire, performing at two jazz services and then a picnic on the lawn in front of the church. Our session that evening at Marisa's made it a rather long day.
On September 8 the GJB performed with Jane Campedelli and Jim Fryer for a large and very appreciative audience at the Somerset Vocational and Technical High School Theatre in Bridgewater, NJ as part of the 14th Season of
Jazz in Bridgewater, which raises needed funds for the United Way and is co-sponsored by the New Jersey Jazz Society.
This was the final concert of the series.
On August 15 (2007) the GJB returned to Ashlar of Newtown for its annual free outdoor concert with banjo crackerjack Bob Price and superb trombonist Harvey Tibbs. ...MAP...
On August 11 (2007) the GJB returned to
Music Mountain
in scenic Falls Village, CT for our 14th concert at the "string quartet capital of the summer music universe", with the incomparable Jim Fryer and Bob Price. . .
MAP. . .
For more info about Music Mountain or to order tickets for other events there, call 860-824-7126.
The 2007
Great Connecticut Traditional Jazz Festival was back at the
Sunrise Resort in Moodus July 27-29, and we were there! Our guest trombonist on Friday was Ben Griffin from the Coast Guard Band. On Saturday and Sunday we had the inimitable Herb Gardner. Since Russ was performing at the Bix Festival in Iowa with James DaPogny on that weekend we featured a series of guest clarinetists, including Noel Kaletsky, Sherman Kahn, John Clark and Joe Midiri. Members of the GJB also performed with Bill Logozzo's Heartbeat Band and Sarah Spencer's Transatlantic Jazzz Band.
On July 15 (2007) the GJB presented a free outdoor concert at the Levitt Pavilion in Westport, with trombonist Neil DeFeo and Bob Price, the "banjo crackerjack". Although thundershowers were in the forecast, we enjoyed a beautiful evening and a substantial and appreciative audience. The voodoo still works!
The 2007 Hot Steamed Jazz Festival was June 22-24 at the Valley RR station in Essex, and the GJB was there on Friday and Sunday with Jane Campedelli, Craig Grant, and Bob Price!
. . . .Directions:
. . . MAP:
On June 14, 2007 the GJB returned to the gazebo on the green in Fairfield for its annual free outdoor concert with Jane Campedelli, Bob Price. and trombonist Art Baron, formerly with the Duke Ellington orchestra and currently on leave from Bruce Springsteen's band.
On
June 16th, 2007 the GJB performed at the Litchfield Community Center's “STRUT and SWING into SUMMER”, a Jazz Concert/Dance with Bob Price, Skip Hughes, and Jane Campedelli.
On June 3, 2007 the GJB performed at the First Congregational Church of Southington with Tom Boates, Scott Kahn, and Sherman Kahn
as part of its regular Sunday morning service.
Directions...
On April 15, 2007 the GJB traveled through some wet weather to perform in Easton, PA for the Pennsylvania Jazz Society with Craig Grant and Jimmy Mazzy. Click HERE for a map and directions.
On March 4th the GJB attracted a crowd of 250 to the the Westport Center for Senior Activities for a free concert with Skip Hughes, sponsored by a generous grant from the Mortimer Levitt Foundation.
On February 26 (2007) the GJB returned to the Creative Arts Center at the University of New Hampshire in Durham as part of the
Dorothy Prescott Traditional Jazz Concert Series, with special guests Skip Hughes and the one and only Jimmy Mazzy on banjo and vocals. Although there was enough snow in Connecticut that day to close all schools, the famous Vigorito Voodoo worked for us once again; we had no difficulty getting there and back. A CD recording of this performance is now available; see the "Recordings" section of this website for details and ordering information. Tickets to other concerts in this series are available from www.portsmouthnh.com. (Look for "Traditional Jazz Series".) You can also call 603-862-2290 between 10AM to 4PM, weekdays. For more details, go to www.unh.edu/music.
A CD compilation of music recorded at several previous concerts from this series is available at the UNH Library Website.
The 2006 SunCoast Jazz Festival was November 17-19 in Clearwater Beach, Florida, and the GJB was there with Jane Campedelli, Bob Price, and Craig Grant! A grand time was had by all. One of the highlights for us was having Davy Jones (formerly with the Black Dogs) join us for a set. The GJB will be taking a break from the Suncoast festival in 2007 to make room for other bands, but we do hope to return in 2008; please continue to support this fine festival!
On October 1 (2006) the GJB returned to the wonderful
Penn's Peak Entertainment Facility in scenic Jim Thorpe, PA for a 3 PM concert with Craig Grant, Bob Price, and Jane Campedelli. (Bob and Jane flew in from Florida just for this occasion.) The concert was a huge success, attracting an audience of over 350. We do hope to return next year.
DETAILS . . .
DIRECTIONS. . . MAP . . .
PHOTOS FROM OUR 2005 CONCERT . . .
VIDEO CLIP #1 (Changes Made, featuring Jane Campedelli) . . .
VIDEO CLIP #2 (Avalon, featuring Bob Price)
. . .
On August 19 (2006)> the GJB performed for a record-breaking crowd with Bob Price and Skip Hughes at Music Mountain (Connecticut's answer to Tanglewood) in Falls Village, CT. Note: Gordon Hall at Music Mountain is now fully air-conditioned! For more info about Music Mountain call (860)824-7126....
DIRECTIONS
.... MAP...
The 2006 Great Connecticut Traditional Jazz Festival was back at the
Sunrise Resort in Moodus July 28-30. (Click HERE for a map and/or directions.) We were there with Jane Campedelli, Bob Price and Craig Grant. Clarinetists from the other bands (Pieter Meijers, Dan Levinson, Craig Ball, Dr. John Clark, and Sherman Kahn) joined us, as Russ was away at another festival.
The following bands appeared:
- The Bearcats
- Blue Street
- The CT Festival Band
- Cornet Chop Suey
- The Galvanized Jazz Band!
- Washboard Slim & the Blue Lights
- The Wolverines with Jimmy Mazzy
- Igor's Jazz Cowboys
- Jeff Barnhart's All-Stars
- Tex Wyndham's Rent Party Revelers
- Dan Levinson & RL Tradition
- Swing 39
- The Fryer-Balaban Swingtet
- Jonathan "Jazz" Russell
- The U.S. Coast Guard Dixieland Band
- The Elm City Banjo Society
For info about next year's festival please visit
Festival Website or call 1800-486-3846. (That's 1800-HOT EVENT.) Be sure to ask about becoming a Jazz Angel, a Member, or a Volunteer!
The Festival also encouraged young musicians by assembling and rehearsing a band of young students to perform. The band rehearsed in North Branford on Monday evenings, June 26 through July 24, directed by Art Hovey. Please click HERE for more of the story.
On July 5th, 2006 the GJB performed with Herb Gardner and Bob Price at the Wadsworth Mansion in Middletown, CT as part of the "Music at the Mansion" summer concert series, which is free and open to the public. Although there was rain in the morning, the weather cleared and was perfect for the concert; over 1000 people attended.
MAP. . .
Despite dour predictions by the weather forecasters, the 2006 Hot Steamed Jazz Festival (June 23-25) got off to a fine start on Friday. The GJB performed with Cynthia Fabian, Skip Hughes, and Bob Price. Thanks to the famous
"Vigorito Voodoo" there was not a drop of rain until all the performances were finished and the instruments were back in the cars. (And then it was just a light drizzle.) We were not asked to perform on Saturday, and therefore could not keep the rain away. But the rain did stop for our two sets on Sunday with trombonist Jim Fryer, on leave from the Titan Hot 7.
. . . .Directions:
. . . MAP:
November 18-20, 2005 - The GJB performed again at the 15th
annual Suncoast Dixieland Jazz Classic in
Clearwater Beach, Florida, probably the best-run jazz festival anywhere. It was a treat to see so many of our good friends from Connecticut and to hear so many excellent bands from all over the country.
Festival Photos:
October 22, 2005 - Several members of the GJB performed along with the rest of Connecticut's traditional jazz community at the New Orleans Jazz Benefit Concert on at the Unitarian Meeting House in West Hartford. This event was organized by Tom Schmutzler, who sends his heartfelt thanks to all who attended and participated. All proceeds (amounting to $1300) are going to the Preservation Hall Hurricane Relief Fund.
October 16, 2005 - The GJB performed in concert at the wonderful Penn's Peak Entertainment Facility in Jim Thorpe, PA with special guest trombonist Jim Fryer, clarinet & sax wizard Dan Levinson, Bearcat banjoist "Gim" Burton, and our favorite vocalist, Jane Campedelli. In addition to entertaining a large and enthusiastic crowd, we raised $1190 for the Preservation Hall Hurricane Relief Fund. (See below.)
. . Photos. . .
September 28, 2005 - FUNDRAISERS FOR VICTIMS OF HURRICANE KATRINA: The GJB performed with trombonist Jim Fryer, clarinetist Sherman Kahn and other friends of the band at a special fund-raiser for hurricane relief at the Cedars/Millpond. More than $3000 generated by this event (all of the cover charge money, all of the musicians' pay, all of the staff pay, and many individual donations) went directly to the Preservation Hall Hurricane Relief Fund, set up by Preservation Hall specifically for New Orleans musicians in need.
September 23, 2005 - The Guilford, Connecticut church community sponsored an ecumenical New Orleans Night to raise funds for the victims of Hurricane Katrina and for the support of families relocating to the New Haven area. The Galvanized Jazz Band performed New Orleans style music, with Tom Boates and Donn Trenner. Richard Marvin, a Christ Episcopal Church member and graduate of Tulane University in New Orleans, prepared a magnificent New Orleans-style dinner of rice, red beans and smoked sausage with vegetarian alternatives and food for children. This event, though marking a real tragedy for the Gulf Coast, also celebrated the culture and traditions of New Orleans and affirm the certain knowledge that New Orleans and the entire Gulf Coast will rise again. All donations and money from the raffles (totaling approximately $6000) went to the American Red Cross Relief Effort and to the New Haven Katrina Relief Fund, administered by the Community Foundation of Greater New Haven. The New Haven Katrina Relief Fund is to aid evacuees coming to our area.
September 17, 2005 - Jazz supporter and fan Bill Taggart hosted a Jazz Picnic at his home in Lafayette,
New Jersey. We were there with Skip Hughes, Sarah Spencer, and the amazing John Gill (formerly with Turk Murphy) on banjo. Other performers included the Smith Street Society Jazz Band, Hot Antic's Michel Bastide (cornet), Australia's Trevor Rippingdale (reeds), trumpet master Bill Barnes, and many others. Recordings of this even will eventually become available at
www.okom.com.
August 29, 2004 - The GJB performed at a special tribute to Spiegle Willcox, 3-5 PM in Cortland, NY, in the Brown Auditorium on the
SUNY Cortland campus
. Our guest trombonist-vocalist was Rocco Patierno. The concert honored the memory of Spiegle Willcox, who passed away five years ago at the age of 96. Proceeds from the event went to the Willcox Music Scholarship Fund at SUNY Cortland. Seven Cortland students have received Willcox scholarships in the last six years. The concert was made possible by a grant from the Center for the Arts of Homer in conjunction with the SUNY Cortland Department of Performing Arts. 
