I was sorry to learn of the death of bandleader/cornetist Richard C. (Dick) Creeden, 88, on July 28 at his home in Danvers, Mass. Creeden served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II and was a salesman for various companies before his retirement. Prior to a stroke some years ago which rendered him unable to play traditional jazz, Creeden led a band, Richard's Barn, which played regularly at the Village Green, Danvers; the Sportsman's Lounge, Plum Island, Mass.; Romie's, Danvers, and the Press Room, Portsmouth, N.H. Marion (Kennedy) Creeden, his wife of 65 years, preceded him in death. Creeden is survived by two children and their spouses, two grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Creeden's musician colleagues and his many fans considered him an exellent musician and one of the real gentlemen of jazz. He will be missed.

The Three Swingin' Tenors (Steve Marvin, Jim Porcella and Jack Alessi) sang July 18 at Central Square, East Boston; July 26 at the Winery, Portsmouth, R.I., and July 27 at the North End Feast at the corner of Hanover and Commercial Streets, Boston.

Pianist/vocalist Paul Broadnax and his musicians performed Aug. 7 at Costello's, Kennebunkport, Me., and Aug. 9 at Maudslay State Park, Newburyport, Mass.

The New Black Eagle Jazz Band (with bassist John Turner and drummer Bill Reynolds as guests) appeared June 20 in Woonsocket, R.I. at Chan's. Duke Robillard of Roomful of Blues fame was in the audience at Chan's, and he sat in on acoustic guitar for one blues set with NBEJB. On July 12, NBEJB was featured at Music Mountain, Falls Village, Conn.; July 19 at the Deerstrees Theater, Harrison, Me., and July 20 at the Falmouth Historical Society, Falmouth, Mass.

On July 22, NBEJB, in its 37th year, played at the Sherborn Inn, Sherborn, Mass., and was very well received by the audience. The musicians were leader Tony Pringle, cornet and vocals; Stan Vincent, trombone; Billy Novick, clarinet, alto saxophone and vocals; Bob Pilsbury, piano and vocals; Peter Bullis, banjo; Barry Bockus, bass, and guest Dave Hurst, drums. Among the tunes were "That's My Home," "Bouncin' Around," "Blame It On the Blues," "Dinah," "Give Me Your Telephone Number," "Wild Man Blues," and "Mahogany Hall Stomp." NBEJB will appear again at the Sherborn Inn on Oct. 28.

Stan McDonald's Blue Horizon Jazz Band, with guest trumpeter Bo Winiker, was featured at the Sherborn Inn July 15. Other bands there recently were Swing Times Five July 29, the Riverboat Stompers Aug. 5, and Robin Verdier's Monte Carlo Jazz Ensemble Aug. 12. The MCJE musicians, in addition to pianist/arranger Verdier, were cornetist Bob MacInnis, reedmen Craig Ball and John Clark, tubaist Al Bernard, and Bill Reynolds.

September 2008 issue | © 2008 The Mississippi Rag

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