Artist: John Norris and the New Orleans Jazz Band of HawaiiLP: At the Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel, Waikiki
Did you ever wonder what it would sound like if Dixieland was a Honolulu suburb?The Garden Bar Jam Sessions
These Sunday afternoon jam sessions began back in 1965
when Bernie Hal-Mann organized the Hawaiian Village Stompers.
Trummy Young was the leader-man from 1967 till 1973. The
session has had many of the "greats" drop by to sit in for a
few numbers. These include Earl "Father" Hines, Casey Cole,
Al Hirt, Matty Mattlock, Zoot Sims, Nick Fatool, Bud Freeman,
The Ink Spots, and even Joe Frazier sang one with us. Since
March of '73 it has been John Norris and the New Orleans
Jazz Band carrying on the familiar format and trying to preserve
our traditional music in its authentic New Orleans style with
an equally authentic repertoire. To preserve the spontaneous
freshness of an authentic jam session, the band has never had
a rehearsal, and guest performers call out a key, set a tempo,
and take their chances, along with the audience.
The Garden Bar at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel is right
ON THE BEACH AT WAIKIKI where swimmers and sun bathers
mingle with tourists and local jazz lovers every Sunday
afternoon for a weekly celebration of the sounds of those
"good ol' jazz" tunes. The musicians of the New Orleans
Jazz Band of Hawaii work elsewhere in Honolulu during the
week, but get together on Sundays for these popular four
hour jams. After the first hour, which the band plays like a
narrated concert of the most authentic New Orleans music,
talent from the audience is called up to "sit in" with the band.
In the crowd, which averages about 350 inside and many
more out on the sand, are people of all ages, and the happy
sounds of this music often generates improvised dancing and
always a parade at the end of the day. The sessions are
memorable experiences which are never predictable, never
the same, but always fun, especially for the guys and gals
of the new Orleans Jazz Band of Hawaii who seem to
have the most fun of all.
These Sunday afternoon jam sessions began back in 1965
when Bernie Hal-Mann organized the Hawaiian Village Stompers.
Trummy Young was the leader-man from 1967 till 1973. The
session has had many of the "greats" drop by to sit in for a
few numbers. These include Earl "Father" Hines, Casey Cole,
Al Hirt, Matty Mattlock, Zoot Sims, Nick Fatool, Bud Freeman,
The Ink Spots, and even Joe Frazier sang one with us. Since
March of '73 it has been John Norris and the New Orleans
Jazz Band carrying on the familiar format and trying to preserve
our traditional music in its authentic New Orleans style with
an equally authentic repertoire. To preserve the spontaneous
freshness of an authentic jam session, the band has never had
a rehearsal, and guest performers call out a key, set a tempo,
and take their chances, along with the audience.
The Garden Bar at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel is right
ON THE BEACH AT WAIKIKI where swimmers and sun bathers
mingle with tourists and local jazz lovers every Sunday
afternoon for a weekly celebration of the sounds of those
"good ol' jazz" tunes. The musicians of the New Orleans
Jazz Band of Hawaii work elsewhere in Honolulu during the
week, but get together on Sundays for these popular four
hour jams. After the first hour, which the band plays like a
narrated concert of the most authentic New Orleans music,
talent from the audience is called up to "sit in" with the band.
In the crowd, which averages about 350 inside and many
more out on the sand, are people of all ages, and the happy
sounds of this music often generates improvised dancing and
always a parade at the end of the day. The sessions are
memorable experiences which are never predictable, never
the same, but always fun, especially for the guys and gals
of the new Orleans Jazz Band of Hawaii who seem to
have the most fun of all.
We enjoyed many a Sunday afternoon at the Hilton listening to the wonderful music of John and his group of talented musicians. Marvelous in all respects.
ReplyDeleteI just discovered this gem last week - so great that you've posted it! Thank you :)
ReplyDeleteSo much fun. Experience I won't forget.
ReplyDelete