|
|
THE CHARLES NEVILLE/SKELETONES CONNECTION
L to R:Joe Reidy trombone, vocal, Peter McNeaney trumpet, flugelhorn, Peter Carne tenor sax, clarinet, Jake Weiner baritone sax. bass clarinet., Guy Wallis bass, vocal, Dave Biladeau trumpet, flugelhorn, Charles Neville alto sax, tenor sax, Steve Glover piano. bass trombone, Ted Wirt flute, clarinet, alto sax. piano, vocal, Chet Pasek drums, Ray Lang guitar (Photo by Leon Rice Greenfield Cable Studios October 26, 2003)
The Skeletones Band played for many years each October at the Montgomery Town Hall. Sponsored by the Montgomery Cultural Council this concert slowly grew in audience attendance through the years.
In October 2001 after a performance, a member of the audience-Jeff Houston-approached the band and said "I am friends with Charles Neville, (of the Neville Brothers Band) I have told him about this band and he would like to meet you all!" (Charles resides in the Berkshires) Nonetheless we were very surprized when a few days later when the phone rang. It was Charles and he indeed wanted to play with the band, specifically at our next annual concert the following year in Montgomery.
|
A year went by. We had a short rehearsal, the music seemed to gel and we performed our first concert on October 25, 2002. One of the cultural Council members depicted this event in this watercolor painting:
|
Click to enlarge.
|
The following year on October 26, 2003 the Montgomery and Huntington Cultural co-sponsored a second concert at Stanton Hall, Huntington MA. A few days later this article appeared in the Country Journal:
COUNTRY JOURNAL THURSDAY OCTOBER 30, 2003
SKELETONES AND CHARLES NEVILLE FILLTHE HALL
by Amy Reifsnyer
|
HUNTINGTON It was standing room only at Stanton Hall on Suday evening when the Skeletones with Charles Neville took the stage. Sponsored by the Cultural Councils ofHuntington and Montgomery, this is the second year the Skeletones, under the direction of Ted Wirt, performed with saxophone legend,Charles Neville.
This is a train town isn't it?" joked Wirt, who also played alto sax as he introduced Duke Ellington's "A" Train.
The band next went on to play a number of familiar tunes with the crisp rythmn section of Gary Jackson(bass) and Chet Pasek (drums) immediately anchoring the band.
One concert goer was immediately engaged: A woman nearby became dreamy eyed over "Angel Eyes" until a friend suggested it was a song about lost love. "I love this song!' sighed two voices as the band began the standard song "Harlem Nocturne", written in 1942 by Ray Noble. The synchrocity of the brass section was as remarkable as was Neville's saxophone technique.
|
Guy Wallis covered the vocals on a bluesy renditionof B.B.King's "The Thrill is Gone", ending the first set.
During intermission this writer had a chance to talk to Charles Neville. Neville related "The media attempts to categorize these different styles, yet this is all really mainstream music that most folks can relate to. This music is the real heart and soul of America. The audience and and the band seem to be sharing the same experience.
Following a brief intermission, the band returned with an "in your face" rendition of the Jazz Crusader's "Tough Talk". The trumpets of Dave Bilodeau and Peter McNeany were responsible for getting the audience jumping-shagging dance space in the aisles!
Next Duke Ellington's "Caravan". featuring Joe "Bone Ranger" Reidy, conjured a landscape of desert nights, and palm trees at an oasis.
|
Charles Neville next featured a tribute to the late great Grover Washington with "Mister Magic". The saxophone section switched to woodwinds setting a mellow mood with interspersed brass punctuation while Charles smoothly soloed the melody and improvisation throughout.
All of these sound colors left this writer in a reflective mood with a wandering mind. Suddenly I was snapped bckedto reality! The band was swinging its encore on Louis Prima's Jump, Jive, and Wail. With trombonist Joe Reidy on vocals and the band gang shouting the refrain the crowd took to its feet.. Charles Neville took long shouting choruses on tenor sax with the backing band building volume and intensity. Each chorus raised the level! Charles and the band continued to build! Suddenly the concert was over as the lights came up.
In summary this was a great concert. Neville and his local friends know their music, work together, and connect with an audience. Judging by the enthusism on the bandstand, it is evident that this band will be making music in the future. Don't miss them!
|
The following evening the group perfromed a live TV broadcast from Greenfield Cable Studios. (See photo above)
A videotape of this performance is available from NewEnglandLiveMusic.com.
On October 24, Charles Neville and the Skeletones perfromed at Alumni Weekend at Westfield State College, Westfield MA. This year the band was expanded to a full 17 piece big band. On October 25-the following evening-Montogomery and Huntington Cultural Councils sponsored a third concert at Gateway Regional High School. This was the best concert yet with a very enthusisatic reception. A few days later Charles conducted a jazz workshop for memebers ofthe Gateway Jazz Ensemble.
This year-2005-finds Charles Neville very busy with the Neville Brothers touring worldwide in support of their recently released album 'Walkin' in the Shadow of Life' (Neville Nation/Back Porch/EMI)
. However plans are underway for Skeletones/Neville shows at Westfield State, Gateway Regional, and elsewhere. Contact NewEnglandLiveMusic.com for information, or booking this group for concerts and clinics.
Top of Page
Email Ted Wirt
Site created by: BandShack
©2005 New England Live Music, All Rights Reserved
|
