Andrew (Andy) Gill Meyer, 85, traditional jazz fan and former district court and superior court judge, known for his compassion and interest in others, died Oct. 30, after a long bout with cancer. Meyer resided in Sherborn, Mass., with his wife, Sally, also an ardent trad jazz fan. They frequently were at jazz concerts at the Sherborn Inn and at other venues in the Boston area, and they attended the two trad jazz festivals in Connecticut: the Great Connecticut Traditional Jazz Festival and the Hot Steamed Jazz Festival. Judge Meyer is survived by his wife, three daughters, two sons and 10 grandchildren. A memorial service was held for him Nov. 8 at the Pilgrim Church, Sherborn. I was honored to know Judge Meyer; his many friends and I will miss him.

Doctor John Clark's Wolverine Jazz Quintet performed Nov. 1 at the Tewkesbury (Mass.) Elks Club. Clark's Wolverine Jazz Band played Nov. 11 at the Sherborn Inn. It was the band's last public gig in 2008. The band is now working on a new CD that will be released in the Spring.

Cornetist Jeff Hughes' Jazz Jesters Novelty Orchestra was at the Sherborn Inn, Oct. 14. The other members of JJNO were reedmen John Clark and Craig Ball, pianist Ross Petot, Jimmy Mazzy on banjo and vocals, tubaist Al Bernard, and drummer Bill Reynolds. Reedman Stan McDonald's Blue Horizon Jazz Band performed at the Sherborn Inn Oct. 21 and Nov. 18. The New Black Eagle Jazz Band was there Nov. 4, and Hughes' Lost in the Sauce played there Dec. 2.

The bands at the Sherborn Inn in January will be guitarist Eric Baldwin's Benny's Balladeers on the 1st, Swing Times Five the 8th, and the Blue Horizon Jazz Band the 15th. The Sherborn Inn is located at the junction of Routes 27 and 16, Sherborn. Call (508) 655-9521 for additional information.

Frank Sinatra-style vocalist Steve Marvin's recent appearances included Oct. 31 with trumpeter Dave Whitney and the Steve Hershman Trio at Angelica's, Middleton, Mass.; Nov. 1 with drummer Bob Saraceno, pianist Yvonne Monet, and bassist Marc Pucci at the 1149 Restaurant, East Greenwich, R.I.; Nov. 7 and Dec. 5 with pianist Russ Hoffman, bassist John Pierce and drummer John Hazilla at the All Seasons Table, Malden, Mass.; and Nov. 14 with the Hal McIntyre Band in a tribute to Sinatra at the Oakley CC, Watertown, Mass.

On Nov. 9, the Dixie Diehards Dixieland Jazz Band played at the Amazing Things Arts Center, Framingham, Mass. The band was advertised as being "known for its sense of fun, frolic and nonsense, inspired by the music of the early 20th century."

December 2008 issue | © 2008 The Mississippi Rag

P.O. Box 19068, Minneapolis, MN 55419.