Naples Jazz Orchestra with star firepower

 Byron Stripling and Doc Severinsen

Thousands jammed into Cambier Park in downtown Naples FL last night for what was the clear highlight of the Naples Jazz Orchestra's fourth season. The 16-piece big band's concert with two special guests - trumpeters Doc Severinsen and Byron Stripling - was also a high point since drummer Bob Stone organized the band four years ago.



Stripling, Severinsen and the NJO spent a good portion of the evening digging into the New Orleans repertoire, which made perfect sense given the city's importance in the development of jazz - and jazz trumpet playing. Highlights included "Bourbon Street Parade," "Basin Street Blues," "West End Blues," "St. James Infirmary" and a rousing closer - "When the Saints Come Marching In" - on which the two stars shared the solo spotlight with trombonist Greg Nielsen and trumpeter Dave Pruyn. The engaging humor and musical simpatico between the two horn players was a treat.



Severinsen

Severinsen, who turns 86 on July 7, still has high-octane firepower on his solos (reminiscent at times to Maynard Ferguson) though he wisely paces himself. He also retains the colorful fashion preferences that America got to know so well during his 45 years as the leader's of NBC's Tonight Show Orchestra. He also threw in fine versions of two favorite ballads: "September Song" and Bob Haggart's classic "What's New?"

Stripling

Stripling, an Atlanta native and alumnus of the Lionel Hampton, Woody Herman and Count Basie Orchestras, is artistic director of the Columbus (Ohio) Jazz Orchestra. He's an engaging horn player and fine singer who loves digging into the Louis Armstrong-New Orleans repertoires. In 1988, Stripling was picked to play the lead in the musical Satchmo: America's Musical Legend. After opening in New Orleans, the show played in Atlanta, The Kennedy Center in Washington DC, and North Carolina before closing in Boston.


Bob Stone

The drummer led The Bob Stone Big Band in Chicago for 15 years before moving to Florida full-time in 1990. He has assembled a crack outfit in Naples that is perhaps Florida's finest professional big band. Players from all over southern and central Florida drive as much as 150 miles each way for concerts and rehearsals. Its ranks include trumpeter (and assistant musical director) Mark Pettey, pianist Kenny Drew Jr., and saxophonists Mike Brignola, Tom Ellison and Rodney Rojas.

Both guest artists were thrilled by the backing band. "One of the great gifts of Naples sits behind me," Stripling told the crowd. "They are the best of the best." To which Severinsen added: "You guys have got a red-hot band here."


Doc Severinsen and the NJO