"Linger A While" Hot Five Jazzmakers with Dennis Elder

The date is February 16th 2002 and the scene is another Saturday matinee at "C'est what?" in Downtown Toronto. Sitting in on drums with the Hot Five Jazzmakers was one of the great characters and New Orleans stylists on the Toronto jazz scene. It is the late Dennis Elder, who was the leader and founder of the Silverleaf jazz band. The Hot Five regulars at the session were Janet Shaw - reeds; Colin Bray - bass; Reide Kaiser - piano; Rainer Hunck - banjo, Brian Towers - trombonist/leader, who takes the vocal on "Linger A While". On trumpet is Andrej Saradin, who had not been with the band long at that time. Visiting Brit' Steve Mellor is guesting on clarinet.
Dennis died on April 23 2002, barely two months after this film clip. It is wonderful to see him in such fine form, so near the end of his life. Thanks to Marjetta for having her video camera along and capturing such a memorable occasion.
Also available on youtube are two other tracks from this session, with Dennis on drums "Curse of an Aching Heart" and "The Alcoholic Blues", which Dennis sings.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• classic
• traditional
• jazz
• dixieland.