Half a Loaf Is Still Delicious: Notes From Jeff and Joel’s House Party

One of the lines attributed to Mae West is “Too much of a good thing . . . can be wonderful.” I agree with this, but I wonder what Miss West would say about the following report I am turning in, incomplete but enthusiastic, from “Jeff and Joel’s House Party,” with Jeff being pianist/ singer/raconteur Barnhart and Joel being banjoist/ singer/master of ceremonies Schiavone. The party took place this preceding weekend at the Elks in Branford, Connecticut. (I can check my GPS for the exact address on South Montowese Street if you need to know.) The Line Up Aside from Jeff and Joel, the participants were Banu Gibson, vocal and stories; Vince Giordano, tuba, bass sax, string bass, vocal; Dan Levinson, clarinet and tenor; Noel Kaletsky, clarinet and soprano; Kevin Dorn, drums; Frank Tate, string bass; Fred Vigorito, trumpet; Mike Davis, cornet and vocal; Jim Fryer, trombone, vocal, and trumpet; Dalton Ridenhour, piano; Tom Boates, trombone and vocal; Tom Palinko, drums. (There were also many lovely people who didn’t sing or play instruments who made the Party even better than simply having musicians perform in a room.) History and Details Some details about the Party, for those unfamiliar. This one was the eighth, spread over seven years. (It was the third I’ve attended.) And there are four sessions: Friday night, Saturday afternoon and evening, and Sunday afternoon. Food a