by George Borgman

Several fine jazz advocates died recently in New England, including Ronald A. Siff, 70, of Shrewsbury, Mass., who died Nov. 13 at the Jewish Healthcare Center, Worcester, Mass. Siff, a true traditional jazz fan, frequently attended performances at the Sherborn Inn, Sherborn, Mass. Siff was a vice-president of a footwear manufacturing company in Webster, Mass., leaving that position in 1976, and he later was a partner in a recording studio in North Brookfield, Mass. Several years ago, he produced a concert, in Worcester, featuring Doctor John Clark's Wolverine Jazz Band. Siff participated in many community affairs and charities. His hobby was collecting antique cars. He left three sons, three daughters, eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. His funeral and burial were on Nov. 16.

Jazz pianist Donald (Don) J. Bennett, of Cambridge, Mass., died Nov. 23 at Newton Wellesley Alzheimer's Center. According to trumpeter Dave Whitney, Bennett played with the Yankee Rhythm Kings, beginning in 1977, for about 10 years and in Whitney's small band in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Bennett left a wife, Elizabeth, two sons, a daughter, one brother, and 11 grandchildren. Graveside services were held at the Cambridge Cemetery Nov. 27.

In Connecticut, jazz bassist Charlie Stevens passed away Nov. 14. Fred Vigorito, leader of the Galvanized Jazz Band, described Stevens as a wonderful player, a great guy, and an old friend. The funeral was private. Reedman Bruce McNichols, in New York City, commented, "Charlie Stevens was a fine bass man and a spectacular musician! He laid down a solid beat, with perfect intonation and very tasty notes."

J.D. Danscuk, 80, host for the past 27 years of a popular Saturday night jazz program on WMNR-FM, Monroe, Conn., recently died. He supported the Galvanized Jazz Band and the two summer trad jazz festivals in Connecticut. Danscuk left his wife, Joyce, and four children.

The musical scene has been active. Trombonist Jim Fryer and the Usual Suspects returned to the Silvermine Tavern, Norwalk, Conn., on Nov. 24, and the Bearcats Jazz Band, with reedman Dick VanGorder and pianist Bobby Day as guests, performed for a dinner dance Dec. 28 at Anthony's Lake Club, Danbury, Conn. The other Bearcats were leader Joe Hanlon on cornet, trombonist Craig Grant, banjoist Jim Burton, tubaist Greg McCurty, and drummer Eddie Stockmal. Two regular Bearcats not there were reedman Noel Kaletsky and pianist Charlie Freeman. The Bearcats are in their 30th year at the Blazer Pub, Purdys, N.Y., where they perform 8-10:30 p.m. the last Thursday of the month. They play the first three Thursdays monthly, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., at the Silver Mine Tavern.

In 1984, the Galvanized Jazz Band, featuring guitarist Howard Alden, vibraphonist Dirck Spicer and clarinetist Kaletsky, played at the Millpond Tavern, Northford, Conn. Cornetist Fred Vigorito describes it as "a spectacular evening of jazz. It all came together, like magic!" Tubaist Art Hovey recorded the session, but the recording sat on a shelf for 23 years. Hovey retrieved it, and it is GJB's latest CD, Airmail Special. GJB introduced the CD to the public at a release party Nov. 29 at the Beachhead Restaurant, East Haven, Conn.

GJB, with guest Craig Grant, plays at Marisa's Restaurant, 6540 Main Street, Trumbull, Conn, from 6-8 p.m., Jan. 20. Call (203) 459-4225 for details. GJB will appear, Jan. 27, 2-3:30 p.m., in concert at the Thornton Wilder Auditorium, Miller Cultural Complex, 2901 Dixwell Avenue, Hamden, Conn. GJB's special guests will be Jim Fryer and banjoist Joel Schiavone. Call (203) 287-2546 for more information. On Feb. 10, 2-3:30 p.m., GJB, with guest trombonist Skip Hughes, will play in concert at the Westport Senior Center, 21 Imperial Avenue, Westport, Conn. Call (203) 226-7600 for details.

Also in Connecticut, Bill Logozzo's Heartbeat Jazz Band performs at Oliver's, Essex, monthly, usually on the first Thursday. The Heartbeat will play Jan. 13 for the jazz service at the East Hampton Congregational Church.

In Massachusetts, on Nov. 29, jazz vocalist Steve Marvin appeared with pianist Al Vega's trio at the Stockyard Restaurant, Boston; on Dec. 29, Marvin performed at the All Seasons Table Restaurant and Lounge, Malden; and Dec. 30, he was with pianist Jack Senier at the Sunday brunch at the Hart House, Ipswich.

There was no jazz at the Sherborn Inn in December, except for the Annual Spectacular Jazz Mini-Fest on Dec. 4. The participants included Jeff Hughes and Dave Whitney on trumpet or cornet, trombonist John Kafalas, reedmen Stan McDonald and Craig Ball, pianists Ross Petot and Robin Verdier, Jimmy Mazzy on banjo and vocals, Stu Gunn on string bass and tuba, drummer Dave Bragdon, and singer Molly Malone. The bandleaders were McDonald and Whitney.

The upcoming schedule for the Sherborn Inn is: Jan. 8 and March 4, John Clark's Wolverine Jazz Band; Jan. 15, Feb. 19 and March 18, McDonald's Blue Horizon Jazz Band; Jan. 22, the New Black Eagle Jazz Band; Jan. 29, Swing Times Five; Feb. 5, Verdier's Monte Carlo Jazz Ensemble; Feb. 12, That Old Feeling; Feb. 26, Rags to Riches; March 11, La Creme, featuring Malone; and March 25, Jeff Hughes' Lost in the Sauce.

On Dec. 6, Stan McDonald's Blue Horizon Five performed at Ma Glockner's Restaurant, 151 South Maple Street, Bellingham, Mass. With McDonald on soprano saxophone and clarinet, were guest cornetist Jeff Hughes, guitarist Royce Anderson, tubaist Pierre LeMieux, and drummer Richard Malcolm. The same five were there Jan. 3, and added Al Ehrenfried on string bass. The quintet is at Ma Glockner's the first Thursday monthly, from 7-10 p.m. For details, call (508) 966-1085.

Paul Broadnax, vocalist and pianist, and string bassist Peter Kontrimas played for 15 years at Bullfinch'a Restaurant, Sudbury, Mass., but the gig ended with a good-bye party there Dec. 17. The Dave Whitney Trio was at the New Year's Day Brunch at Bullfinch's.

Happy New Year!

January 2008 issue | © 2008 The Mississippi Rag

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