[Dixielandjazz] WOW!!!

[Stephen G Barbone]

Just got back from a Barbone Street gig in West Chester PA with our  
special guest Jonathan Russell.

WOW!!!!!

We hadn't seen, or played with him since last year. He has grown. Both  
physically and musically. Now at 13, he is as tall as our trumpet  
player, Paul Grant, but that growth pales in comparison to his musical  
growth. He was absolutely superb. And does he enjoy playing . . .  
especially in our type of freewheeling band. I think he might have  
been a little surprised because this version of Barbone Street had 3  
black Dixieland musicians in it and a few people have been telling him  
that blacks do not play OKOM.

We had a sub on trombone, Clarence Watson, who is a retired music  
teacher from the New Jersey School system. He couldn't stop talking  
about "J". "Who is he? Where has he been? He's what? 13? Hard to  
believe." And Clarence is no slouch. He has backed people like Sammy  
Davis Jr., Frank Sinatra as well as played in various jazz bands and  
recording bands during his 60+ years in the business.

The venue was an upscale "Over 55" Community and the audience was  
about 500 people for this outdoor concert. Only an hour and a half, it  
was over much to soon. But business wise he got paid very well, and  
sold a bunch of his new CDs that have Bucky Pizzarelli, Joe Ascione,  
Ed Polcer and Nikki Parrott with him. If you don't have that one,  
check out his website and get it. Superb.

"J" has a new violin. Full size now that his arms have grown long  
enough. It is an acoustic electric and has a great sound. And  he gets  
all over it. He has recently taken a few theory lessons with bebop  
jazz master pianist Barry Harris and you can hear it in his approach  
to the music. He really brings something worthwhile to the party. If  
any of the bands on the list get to work with him, be sure to play  
"Blues My Naughty Sweetie Give To Me." He'll knock your sock off on  
that tune. Moreso that you think possible.

We're playing again with him as our special guest on September 6 and 7  
at the Laurels Equestrian Event in West Grove PA. We can hardly wait.

Festivals all over the world should book him while they can afford  
him. Who knows how far his price will rise after his Lincoln Center  
Jazz Band debut with Wynton Marsalis in November.

Promoting jazz to the young audience? IMO The best way to do that is  
get gigs for young jazz musicians.

Cheers,
Steve Barbone
www.myspace.com/barbonestreetjazzband