Joe Boga (trumpet); Jim Fryer (trombone, tuba, vocals); Nathan Tokunaga (clarinet, alto sax); Arnt 'Arnie' Arntzen (banjo, guitar, vocals); David Ostwald (tuba); Alex Roderman (drums)
David Ostwald has lead his Louis Armstrong Eternity Band for twenty four years. Every Wednesday, without fail, for many a year here at Birdland, NYC, the band's midweek, late afternoon slot is invariably a sell out. Thanks to NYC debutant Nathan Tokunaga, this week's performance was no exception. At seventeen, the Californian schoolboy is a star in the making. Tokunaga, clarinet and alto sax, small in stature, looks somewhat younger than he is and standing alongside seasoned musicians the generation gap was there for all to see.
From the set opener, When it's Sleepy Time Down South, to the set closer, Swing That Music, this was a hugely enjoyable 75 minutes. Bandleader David Ostwald has a nice line in patter: a dry wit, casually engaging with his audience, a stock of well-honed one-liners at his fingertips. The jazz? Top drawer. Would Joe Boga nail Armstrong's imperious trumpet playing on West End Blues? You bet! Great!
Classy banjo player Arnt 'Arnie' Arntzen sang one or two numbers, Stardust a particular highlight. Jim Fryer, once of the Classic Jazz Party, is what you could call 'good value', an excellent trombonist, a handy tuba payer (a fun tuba duet with Ostwald on Ice Cream) and occasional vocalist. Swinging drummer Alex Roderman is frequently on this Birdland gig and this afternoon's session illustrated his all-rounder status.
Set list: When it's Sleepy Time Down South; Indiana; West End Blues; Sweet Sue*; The Weary Blues; Black and Blue; Stomping at the Savoy; Ice Cream; Stardust*; Jubilee Stomp; Home*; Swing That Music**.
* Arntzen voc.; ** Arntzen & Fryer vocs.
YouTube (starts about 3:30 mins in).
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