The New Wonders just off the New Jersey Turnpike - April 10

The New Wonders: Mike Davis (cornet, vocals); Jay Rattman (alto sax, clarinet, vocals); Joe McDonough (trombone); Jared Engel (banjo, vocals); Dalton Ridenhour (piano); Ryan Weisheit (bass sax); Jay Lepley (drums, vocals) 

Mike Davis' New Wonders accepted an invitation from the Tri-State Jazz Society to play an afternoon concert at Haddonfield Methodist Church, New Jersey. Cornetist Davis is a renowned exponent of all things 'classic jazz' - performing the music, dressing the part, living the life. The New Yorker and his New Wonders pulled off the New Jersey Turnpike to play a Sunday afternoon concert up in Haddonfield, a concert available to all, worldwide, thanks to the 'new wonder' of online streaming.

Davis reshuffled the pack ever so slightly with bass sax man Jay Rattman moving into the alto sax chair to accommodate Ryan Weisheit on the big beast. Davis' New Wonders album provided one or two numbers over the course of the afternoon's two sets. Indeed, I Get the Blues When it Rains, and the stand-out track from the 2016 recording, I'm Walking Between the Raindrops, proved to be first set highlights. 

Second set Davis said: Dalton, would you like to play a solo piano piece? Sure, replied our pianist, Good, said Davis. And so the band took five. The Gershwin's Do, Do, Do followed by Davis' transcription of Lila maintained a varied programme. More variety with a couple of four-part vocal harmonies (including Clorinda) featuring Davis, Rattman, Engel and Lepley, a kazoo-less Deep Sea Blues compensated by Joe McDonough's trombone and another Davis vocal feature on The Best Things in Life are Free.  The Very Thought of You featured the elegant piano playing of Dalton Ridenhour and Davis' vaudevillian vocals. The New Wonders signed-off with Tiger Rag. Russell

First set: Eiger ?; Nothin; Does-Does Like it Used to Do-Do-Do; I Need Lovin'; I Get the Blues When it Rains; I'm Walking Between the Raindrops; April Showers; Hurricane; Arkansas Blues; I'm More than Satisfied; Sugar Foot Strut; Crying for the Carolinas; Midnight, the Stars and You; Rockin' Chair.

Second set: Loud Speakin' Papa (You'd Better Speak Easy to Me); Persian Rug; That Certain Party; Love Will Find a Way; Do, Do, Do; My Blue Heaven; Lila; Clorinda; If You Want the Rainbow (You Must Have the Rain); The Deep Blue Sea Blues; The Best Things in Life are Free; Three Blind Mice; Alabamy Bound; The Very Thought of You; Wang Wang Blues; Ain't Misbehavin'; Tiger Rag.