The Galvanized Jazz band has been playing together for 47 years, and many of them were over a decade into playing Dixieland already when the band formed. Among the dozens of frequent and famous guests the band has hosted Jeff Barnhart stands out as a friend to the band.
The GJB has played a summer concert at Music Mountain for 27 years running. Jeff Barnhart was with them at the very first one in 1992 and he was with them again this August.
Music Mountain, in Falls Village Connecticut, has been hosting a summer chamber music series for 89 years. They liven up their offerings with Dixieland from the GJB and other opportunities for jazz performers.
At this show the Galvanized Jazz Band is guest trombonist Craig Grant along with Fred Vigorito on cornet, Russ Whitman on clarinet and saxophones, Art Hovey on bass and tuba, and Bob Bequillard on drums. Linda Vigorito narrates the show which was a tribute to the music of Fats Waller.
The Waller theme gives Barnhart a chance to stretch his fingers and he keeps the band rolling while providing welcome vocals on a number of the familiar tunes on display. The show is piano led but the band responds in kind with hot brass and steady rhythms to please every ear. I’m a sucker for a tuba solo, and Art Hovey nails it.
The live sound is clear, and the audience respectful. The narration grabs your attention between tracks and gives you the feeling of having a table up front. Highlights include vocals on “Lulu’s Back In Town” and a beautiful instrumental version of “Black and Blue”.
No strangers to recording, www.galvanizedjazz.com features 28 currently available CDs from the band and a number that are no longer in print. Conveniently there is a master song list to help you find one with your favorites.
The Joint is Jumping: Jeff Barnhart Plays Fats Waller with the Galvanized Jazz Band
In Concert at Music Mountain August 11, 2018 www.galvanizedjazz.com
Art Hovey wrote a great personal essay for the paper earlier this year: Multi-Generational Jazz
See also our review of two other GJB Albums: Galvanized Jazz Band Plays Ellington With That Old Tuba
