This morning we rehearsed in Bill Scott’s spacious driveway for the last time (see below). Starting next week, we will be back in the Middleton Senior Center rehearsing from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. every Thursday. We will also be performing in Hoyt Park from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m. on Monday, June 21, as part of Make Music Madison. Yes, we’re back!
Middleton Jazz in a virtual performance of the big band classic, “Topsy”, written by Edgar Battle and Eddie Durham. This arrangement is based on a transcription of the 1937 recording by the Count Basie Orchestra.
Alto Saxophone: Dick Trexel, Les Hoffman
Tenor Saxophone: John Carey
Trumpets: Nancy Boyle, Dick Murray
Trombone: Mike Clipson
Banjo: Bill Scott
Guitar: Carroll Sigler
Piano: John Carey
Bass: Jim Willett
Drums: Mike Connors
We decided that we all needed a pick-me-up during the pandemic, so we created this virtual performance during quarantine. Enjoy!
Clarinets: Dick Trexel, John Carey
Tenor Saxophone: Les Hoffman
Trumpets: Nancy Boyle, Dick Murray
Trombone: Mike Clipson
Banjo: Bill Scott
Guitar: Carroll Sigler
Bass: Jim Willett
Drums, Vocals: Mike Connors
Due to the invisible spread of COVID-19, Middleton Jazz will be on hiatus until further notice. We regret this interruption in making music and sharing it with the larger community, but extreme social distancing is the most effective tool we have right now to deal with the serious threat of COVID-19.
We were delighted to participate in the annual Strollin’ Middleton jazz festival again this year on September 6, 2019. Many thanks to the Greater Madison Jazz Consortium, the Middleton Community Development Authority, and many other sponsors. It was well attended, and we all had a great time! The photo below is from Debbie Trexel.
We had a wonderful audience attend our performance in Rennebohm Park as part of the annual Make Music Madison celebration. The weather was cool and dry, with no bugs, and the band sounded great in the park shelter! One photo is shown below, but there are more in the Photo Gallery. Thanks to Alex Saloutos for managing the venue, Jamie Kember for bringing the heavy gear, and everyone in the audience for turning out!
We were delighted to be invited to participate once again in the Stoughton Area Senior Center’s Music Appreciation Series. We always enjoy playing in the historic Stoughton Opera House, and we received a very warm welcome by the audience of 92 people.
Guitarist Carroll Sigler pointing out the sign outside the Stoughton Opera House.
Below our reed section and drummer get a real workout.
We played at The Jefferson on Saturday, January 19th, 2019. We were delighted to have an enthusiastic audience, including this couple that danced for the whole hour! Thanks to Debbie Trexel for the photo.
Middleton Jazz is delighted to be playing again in the Strollin’ Middleton Jazz Festival, starting at 5:00 p.m. in the Middleton Senior Center (7448 Hubbard Avenue) on Friday, September 7th, 2018. This free event is presented by the Greater Madison Jazz Consortium and the Middleton Community Development Authority, with the support of generous local sponsors.
The event invites you to wander through Middleton and listen to live jazz music all evening at the venues listed below. This year also features five artists displaying their art at five different locations.
John H. “Jack” Lussier played with Middleton Jazz for about eight years. A talented drummer, Jack chose to play washboard in his later years and liked to be introduced as “Washboard Jackson”. His washboard quite literally had all the bells and whistles on it!
Jack was one of Madison’s most prolific philanthropists, but he rarely spoke of it. He enjoyed making people happy, and he certainly did that through his music.
Jack passed away on July 27, 2018, at age 90.
“Washboard” Jackson
