[Dixielandjazz] Support live jazz!

[Marek Boym]

On Saturday, 5 April, some friends and I went to hear the Gypsy Alert, a
new (or impromptu) Gypsy swing group in Tel-Aviv.  Two guitars - Mush Shay
and Dror Shimoni,  violin - Omer Ashano and double bass (I don't know the
bassist's name).  And a singer - Alex Schrager.   None probably over
thirty.  The violinist is in his early twenties - a few months ago he was
still in regular military service.  All excellent musicians and very
enjoyable.  But what was scheduled as a Gypsy swing show soon evolved into
a jam session, sitters-in outnumbering the members!  Eli Preminger,
scheduled to play a little later at a nearby place, showed up with his
trumpet, soon joined by his banjo and washboard players.  A young guy (Udi
Raz) joined the fun on trombone, and shortly thereafter, the 27 year okd
Jonathan (in Hebrew it's Yonatan) Hadas joied on clarinet.  Wow!  He played
on a few numbers only, but seemed to know all the songs.  Then Eli and his
bandsmates had to leave for their gig.  We followed when the Gypsy Alert
one ended.  As we entered, we heard two trombonists - the regular Amnon
Ben-Artzi and Udi Raz again.  Hot and swinging (that gig involved entrance
fee of about $5).  Unfortunately, we couldn't stay long - all my friends
had to get up early thenext morning.
On the 7th it was Swing de Gitanes with the British guitarist (an Amsterdam
resident) Robin Nolan in my home town Raanana.  Unfortunately, the lrge
hall was more than half empty, probably because of lack or advertising
(other than notices by SdG, it was listed in "this month in Raanana," but
nowhere else.  I came with my 17 year old grandaughter, who rather enjoyed
it.  Again, some of my friends were there.  The gig involved a master
class; I couldn't make it and walked in only towards the end, but the kids
sounded as if they had played that style for a while (the "while" was
something like 45 minutes!).
On Wednesday, the 9th, I went (alone) to hear listmate Elazar's Doctor Jazz
in Jerusalem.  I got lost and took long to find the place (I have not yet
caught up with modern navigating technology), but the band still played -
very well indeed - for about an hour.  Amnon Ben-Artzi is a member, and the
ubiquitous Eli Preminger played second trumpet.  Well worth the trip!
That's it so far, but another show is scheduled for the 23rd, as is the
monthly guitar get together at the Dancing Camel.  I may still make both,
but after the Dancing Camel the beer they serve at the other place may not
be worth drinking!
I had to postpone writing due to the curse of the jazz class - work!  I
wouldn't forego the shows, but I had to finish the job, too.
Cheers