Kingdom Dixie at the NCC

The Newport Country Club hosted Kingdom Dixie as part of the Newport VT Jazz Festival.  We were scheduled to be outside, but it was so hot that they decided we should be inside.  I think it worked out well for them, since many in the audience bought food and drink.  In the morning Richard called me and asked me to bring my PA - I worried that it might not work.  Setup was pretty frantic, and I didn't get a chance to check it much.  It barely amplified anything.

I was SO TIRED, and SO VERY RELIEVED when Richard called for a break.  We had to add a few tunes to finish out the two hours.  I had a V8 and figured out the PA (had to crank everything, including the equalizer).  Also bought a coffee.  Felt better for the second half.

We had Dan Ryan playing with us.  He did a great job, especially considering he didn't know most of the tunes.  He read Chris' music and I tried to help him with cues.  Woody hadn't played in a few days, so had Chris play a solo part in one tune.  I have GOT to learn that melody part that I have in one of the songs - I always skip it.

This may be our last gig for the year.....

Gigs on August 8

I had two gigs on August 8, 2015.  The first was at noon with the NCUHS Jazz Band.  My car was completely full of equipment, but when I arrived I found out that we didn't need most of it.  That was a hassle, but ok.  The sound guys finished setting up and we took over.  The stage was more crowded than this group is used to, and we didn't have enough stands (my fault for not telling the people absent from rehearsal; not my fault for the one who forgot).  I read music over Johna's shoulder.  In addition to her, we had Saige, Braxton, Cody, Rachel, Desiree, Olivia, Brianna, Julianna, Joe, Jon, Ely, and Chandler.  No trumpets!

• I Saw Her Standing Ther
• Piano Man
• All About the Blues
• Skyfall
• Sticks*
• American Patrol*
• Fever
• Tequila

*Time permitting

We had plenty of time to play everything.  Johna was sight-reading Sticks and American Patrol, and was missing a page from Tequila!  I think it went well though.  The sound guy in charge said another jazz band played the previous day, but we KILLED it!

Earlier in the day we went to a Bernard Purdie clinic.  I learned some things by seeing him play - he kept his left foot with the beat, even when not playing the hi-hat, and he kept his ride near his hi-hat so he could use them both easily with his right hand.

After the Jazz Band gig I rushed off to a family reunion, then rushed off to a wedding reception in Coventry.  Big Whiskey Social Club was partly set up before I got there, and I set up after eating.  It was in a big garage, and was a good crowd to play for.  Same set list we've been using.  I was going to write down the problem spots, but I don't remember much.  I know I came in on one tune with an A instead of an E because I'd just switched basses - not a mistake I'd make unless I was tired.  Gimme Two Steps was interesting - Stu didn't remember who sang it so he and John both ended up singing the first verse.  Overall we played really well.

On a BOAT!

On August 6 Kyle and I played 60's tunes on a boat.  Paul Decelles asked me to provide background music, so I asked Kyle if he wanted to do this.  We worked out a list, rehearsed a few times and performed.  I sang lots of backup, and even some lead.  Actually, I practiced more lead than I actually sang, but this was another small step towards becoming a more complete musician.  This was so much fun - looking out over the lake on this beautiful evening and getting paid for playing these fun tunes.  It was over far too quickly!

Sloop John B	Beach Boys
Help Me Rhonda	Beach Boys
Long Cool Woman	The Hollies
Down on the Corner	CCR
Proud Mary	CCR
Little Sister	Elvis
Runaround Sue	Dion
Merct Mercy Mercy	The Buckinghams
She Caught the Katy	Taj Mahal
Feelin Alright	Traffic
Michelle	Beatles
I Feel Fine	Beatles
Daydream	Lovin Spoonful
Happy Together (I sang lead on this one!)	Turtles
My Girl	Temptations
Runaway	Del Shannon
She's Not There	The Zombies
Homeward Bound	Simon & Garfunkel
I'm A Believer	The Monkees
Sittin On the Dock of the Bay	Otis Redding
I Heard It Through the Grapevine	Marvin Gaye
Good Golly Miss Molly	Little Richard

Summer Beach Concert!

The NCUHS BAND played at Prouty Beach on August 5, 2015.  Alex C and Zach R helped bring stuff over and setup went pretty fast, with on and off rain.  The rain started at about the same and got REALLY bad a few times.  I got soaked, but most of the kids did not, because they weren't on the edge of the tent - except Dasha & Brianna, who got pretty wet before I had them move back a row. It was really nice that we had community members Judy, Ron, and Jason playing, as well as college student Brianna on clarinet. Torie was the youngest musician there, on xylophone & bells.

In the last rehearsal Nathan B. had a melody by himself, which made him pretty nervous.  I promised him that he'd have help, and when we got to that spot Joe joined him and played nice and loud.  Great moment. When the wind blew the drummers music just as a soli began, they dealt with it and got through. The trumpets kinda missed a section in the Hobbit.

Jumpin’ at the Woodside - Basie, arr. Lowden

When I’m 64 - Lennon/McCartney, arr. Jennings

Procession of the Sorcerors - Robert Buckley

Symphonic Chorale for Band - Eric Osterling  <>

Suite from the Hobbit, Mvt 1, 3, 4 -  <>
Howard Shore, arr. Douglas E. Wagner

Our Director - FE Bigelow, ed. John Boyd

Happy - Pharrell Williams, arr. Ishbah Cox