May 4, 2009 - Hackney's

Best crowd yet for a Monday night swing session. We were graced by what we call our 'Tremendously Sexy' rhythm rotation tonight: (R to L) Gina Knight on drums, Stacy WIlliams-Jackson on standup and, of course, Megan Curran-Hurless on the ivories. They swung really hard, and I saw a big smile on Stacy's face whenever I glanced over to see how she was faring. It can be intimidating to come into this setting and site read! Poor Rob Zettl was odd man out on Guitar, but I don't think I heard him complaining.

There were a lot of new faces in the crowd tonight as word of the best entertainment bargain around continues to spread. Meg again had her loud and obnoxious relatives come south from Arlington Heights. Some old time Beverly folks popped in too, including the Hamilton Hechlers and the Barnabas Haws.

The worldwide panic over the swine flu pandemic adversely effected us in the first set. After taking prudent and cautionary measures, most of us found it hard to play proficiently. Some of us sounded better than we have in ages. It was decided, after several refreshments, that we should forgo our protection for the second set.

The evening's highlights included a first time reading of Basie's 'I Cant Stop Loving You', and a more than respectable read down of Ellington's Cottontail. Low light has to be Vince's surprise at discovering that the new version of Alright OK, while transcriptually accurate, was in a less than stellar key for a male. Can anyone say " that's a third up from normal - C!"?

Drink of the night was Blue Moon- see the monkey!

Set 1

I Can't Stop Loving You, Eager Beaver, The Very Thought of You, Moanin, Caribbean Clipper, Orange Colored Sky, Cottontail, Almost Like Being in Love, The Best Is Yet To Come, More (Darin), Alright OK,  Moten Swing

Set 2
Come By Me, A Train, Why Don’t You Do Right, Hot Toddy, Balboa Bash, Sway, Blue Trane, The Man I Love, Our Love Is Here To Stay, On The Street