let’s play 2!

So, maybe there’s some things you can’t expect an old couple to do, like 16-18 innings as Ernie proposed. 

The rest of the yes-no are too long and agonizing to bother with, but we can make 2 concerts in one day!  As we just did, the first in the highbrow atmosphere of Orchestra Hall (1), doubling back to Ann Arbor’s Kerrytown Concert House 7 hours later to hear Pete Siers and his Kerrytown Stompers, a quintet (2).  We know Pete from Firefly Club days (early-mid ‘90s) where he often drummed for groups playing there.  He marched out an impressive group, flanked on stage left by a young banjoist and stage right by a young bearded man wrestling a bass saxophone.  These monsters served as the bass sections of jazz combos from New Orleans right up into the 30s.  The more common bass augment in small jazz groups of this era was the tuba or sousaphone, straight out of the marching band tradition that bore these groups.  The bass sax, even more monstrous, fell back even more quickly to the oncoming string basses.  Yet, it’s unique tone attracted top bandmen of the day and even Duke Ellington included the instrument on some of his charts.  Oh, yeah, you aging wind guys, one with a longstanding jazz club and jazz band plus his talented trumpeter companion kept us in the front row hoppin’.  Sneak a trombonist in a bit later and more the merrier!

So the banjo on one side and big brass bass instrument to the other marks a truly genuine authenticity to the grouping.

As Pete and the boys ripped into it, started by Pete on the washboard, the time to sit and hear what’s up wins out.  Such rollicking stuff, and we hadn’t heard half of these songs before (but we supported them in spirit!).  That had to be the happiest jazz concert we’ve heard since the Firefly shut down.  Such noise and feeling from a few guys.  Then throw in local boogie-woogie sensation Mark Braun (a.k.a. Mr.B), the jazz intensity only goes up a notch (or 2!).  So lucky, the 50 or so people (me too!) who caught them.  We shall return!

The whole concert is up “live” on YouTube (3).  I think ya can pay to see it later, didn’t check how much.

An older concert, maybe 2020 or 2021, is out there with the same roster Pete had for today’s performance (3), so as you decide whether or not to seek this out, just take in these wonderful sounds!I wanted to append this blog with a YouTube of Pete’s performance at the Firefly, but couldn’t find one from so way back. He was such a young’un then.  Any least little trip back to FireFly gets quickly sad, and can get worse.  So sad the state nailed her in August 2009, but those actions have consequences (4).  Your charges found work at Zal Graz Grotto, but it was never the same, junior high gymnasium versus cool cocktail joint.  Trumpeter Don Hicks has coaxed a marvellous jazz club into being right on Main Street (5).  Let’s hope he keeps paying his taxes!.

References

1. Ike B.  DS”d”’oh”. WordPress 040524.  https://theviewfromharbal.com/2024/04/05/ds-doh/
2. KERRYTOWN CONCERT HOUSE.   Pete Siers & the Kerrytown Stompers feat. special guest, Mr. B

Pete Siers & the Kerrytown Stompers feat. special guest, Mr. B

3. Kerrytown Concert House.  Pete Siers & the Kerrytown Stompers with special guest pianist Mr. B (Mark Lincoln Braun.  YouTube.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4aw-j3dGTU

4. Morgan M.  Firefly Club Closed.  Assets Seized.  Ann Arbor Chronicle 8/14/2009.  https://annarborchronicle.com/2009/08/14/firefly-club-closed-assets-seized/index.html

5. Blue Llama JAZZ CLUB.  https://bluellamaclub.com