Katie Cavera, who's spent much of her time performing Paris lately, returned to augment the six-piece MIghty Aphrodite.

Continued: Elkhart

Returning to Elkhart after too long an absence were the Original Salty Dogs with vocalist Carol Leigh. Their hair may be greying, but this unit sounds as good today as they did when we first heard them in St. Louis 34 years ago. In the front line which always comes to play are leader Lew Green, cornet and pithy comments; Kirn Cusack, clarinet, and Tom Bartlett, trombone and occasional vocal. Mary Green, Lew's wife, filled in on piano for John Cooper who wasn't able to attend. Remaining back-line members consisted of banjoist Jack Kuncl, tubameister Mike Waldbridge and the always tasty drummer Wayne Jones. Carol Leigh's vocals and humorous asides continue to spice up the Salty Dog appearances. "Annie Street Rock", "Panama" and "Creole Belles" among others, still sound fresh to these old ears.

Bassist Stewart Miller was one of the Bobby Lewis Cats 'N Jammers.

As for Elkhart veterans, clarinetist Dave Bennett and trumpeters Rob Parton and Bobby Lewis returned this year with new and different groups. Michigan clarinetist Bennett, 24, fronted a quartet manned by Doug Cobb, drums; Tad Weed, piano, and Frank Steed, bass, for six sessions, and then Bennett joined the Paul Keller/Cary Kocher Quartet with Phil Kelly, piano, and Pete Siers, drums, on Saturday for a memorable set of Benny Goodman tunes. Rob Parton, known for his JAZZTECH Big Band, downsized this year to a quartet which showcased his trumpet and flugelhorn along with featured sidemen Steve Million, piano; Eric Hochbera, bass, and Chicagoan Joel Spencer, drums. On Saturday morning, Parton conducted a trumpet clinic for students. Bobby Lewis, usually on board as a trumpet soloist, brought a fleet sextet to Elkhart this year. The Bobby Lewis Cats 'N Jammers, in addition to the leader, offered Terry Myers on reeds and Russ Phillips on trombone along with rhythm stalwarts Jim Ryan, piano; Stewart Miller, bass, and Elkhart veteran Charlie Braugham, drums. The sextet swung from the get-go and was a welcome addition to the festival.

Elkhart festival favorite Bill Allred returned in 2008 without his Classic Jazz Band, but his engaging personality and trombone were noted prominently throughout the weekend. Allred led four dynamite swinging sets, and he played the role of sideman for three sets led by clarinetists Chuck Hedges and Alien Vaché and trumpeter Randy Sandke. Allred's Friday night set included Sandke, Howard Alderi, guitar; John Sheridan, piano; Nicki Parrott, bass, and Ed Metz, Jr., drums, with vocalizing by Terrie Alden. This set introduced us to the tandem tenor team of Floridians John Orsini and Terry Myers. Myers also doubled on clarinet with Allred and with the afore-mentioned Bobby Lewis gang. Pianist John Sheridan had nothing but kind words and raves for the two tenormen.

Sheridan himself added plenty of lustre to this set and to sets led by Hedges, Sandke, Warren Vaché and Ken Peplowski. A Randy Sandke Saturday evening set found Allred, Myers and Orsini along with the leader swinging in front of pianist Derek Smith, guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, bassist John Bany and drummer Butch Miles. This set was highlighted by Meyers and Orsini's "Lester Leaps In," Pizzarelli's "These Foolish Things," Sandke's "Stardust" and Allred's lovely take on "Stars Fell on Alabama," a tribute to the late Jack Teagarden. Earlier on the Elco Stage with Mighty Aphrodite, Emily Asher played the heck out of the same tune. If this had been a contest, it would have been a tie in favor of the audience.

Terry Myers and John Orsini again combined their talents in two fabulous sets entitled "Salute to Zoot and Al." There must be something in the water in Orlando -- these two fugitves from Disneyland lit up the Riverwalk and Curtis Pavilion Stages. Sunday afternoon the two Floridians, swinging in front of pianist Eddie Higgins, guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, bassist Frank Tate and drummer Ed Metz, Jr., let loose on such Sims and Cohn charts as "The Opener," "Emily," "The Note," "Blue Hodge," "Take Four" and Lester Young's "Tickletoe." (Another version of "Tickletoe" served as the festival closer Sunday on the Elco Stage with Ken Peplowski, Warren Vaché, Howard Alden, John Bany, John Sheridan and Butch Miles doing the honors.) More should be heard from Orsinia and Myers who did their instruments proud and provided genuine excitement throughout the all-too-short weekend.

Whenever the Original Salty Dogs reunite for a festival, it's party time. This band has had the same terrific personnel for four decades, but John Cooper couldn't make this gig, so Mary Green filedl in for him (very capably, we might add). From left: cornetist Lew Green, drummer Wayne Jones, clarinetist Kim Cusack, vocalist Carol Leigh, pianist Mary Green, trombonist Tom Bartlett, banjoist Jack Kuncl and tubaist Mike Walbridge.

September 2008 issue | © 2008 The Mississippi Rag

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