Trombonist John “T-Bone” Paxton, percussionist RJ Spangler and their troupe of happy enthusiasts pass the torch of brightly lit and spark laden, colorful traditions that make ends meet and embellish universally pleasing music.
John Paxton is steeped in instrumental Motown, R&B, vintage early blues, mainstream jazz from “Tricky Sam” Nanton to J.J. Johnson, Curtis Fuller and right up to Trombone Shorty.
As a singer whose roots are equally as deep, he’s immersed in New Orleans, Kansas City as well as the Detroit tradition which all are never far behind. Neither is the music of Duke Ellington, Fats Waller, Slim Gaillard, Louis Jordan, Nat “King” Cole, soul funk of the 1960s or even Jimmy Cliff. He has a keen ability to conjure up engaging vocal images of Dr. John, Professor Longhair or Huey Smith from the Crescent City.
His greatest attribute is the pure fun he brings to any setting, as fans have recognized through four decades.
This is a program of standards that don’t seem so well worn yet reinvigorated in the hands of John Paxton. Nat Cole’s “When I Grow Too Old to Dream” is expectedly wistful and reflective: “Estate” is the lover’s bossa icon: “Lulu’s Back in Town” is a tongue-in-cheek playful piece, going back to Nat Cole; “This Will Make You Laugh” takes a poignant turn with strings and a chart from Matt LoRusso; and “Them There Eyes” is seductive as Paxton acts the playboy.
Tbone heads to NOLA for “Junko Partner” and delivers a Louis Jordan calypso with “Pushka Pee Shee Pie.” Fats Waller’s “Sweet & Slow” is a BBQ brisket style’s “Percy Mayfield’s “Lost Mind” features the full Planet D Nonet in a crazy out-of-control romance; Jelly Roll Morton’s “Milenberg Joys” goes the farthest back historically; and the finale “Cease the Bombing” is a soul jazz number that gives us something to think about today. Grant Green first released this song in 1969 and it is still relevant in these times.
Jazz musicians are accused of being too intellectual, cerebral or even over the heads of most Americans. What John “T-Bone” Paxton offers time and time again is a reliable and enjoyable brand of jazz and blues that can be liked by anyone and everyone.
-Michael G. Nastos;
Hot House Magazine/NYC
WCBN 88.3 FM, wcbn.org, Ann Arbor, Mi.
Tbone Paxton “Joys”
1. Milenburg Joys, (4:59) By Paul Mares, Leon Roppolo, Jelly Roll Morton, and Walter Melrose, Copyright Kobalt Music Pub America I o/b/o Edwin H Morris and Co, (PD9) Tbone (vocals & trombone), Alex Colista (alto sax) Christopher Tabaczynski (clarinet), Goode Wyche III (baritone sax), James O’Donnell (trumpet), Michael Zaporski (piano), Matt LoRusso, guitar), Sean Perlmutter (drums), Trevor Lamb (string bass), RJ Spangler (congas)
2. Estate (6:04) Bruno Martino & lyrics by Jon Hendricks, Copyright Universal Music Corp. o/b/o Santa Cecilia Casa MusicaleTbone (vocals & trombone), Matt LoRusso (guitar), Sean Perlmutter (drums) Kurt Krahnke (string bass), RJ Spangler (congas, caxixis)
3. Lost Mind (5:08) Percy Mayfield, Copyright Sony/ATV Music Publishing, (PD9) Tbone (vocals & trombone), Alex Colista (alto sax) Christopher Tabaczynski (tenor sax), Goode Wyche III (baritone sax), John Douglas (trumpet), Michael Zaporski (piano), Matt LoRusso, guitar), Sean Perlmutter (drums), Trevor Lamb (string bass), RJ Spangler (congas), arranged by Joshua James
4. This Will Make You Laugh, (3:16) Irene Higginbotham, Copyright Microhits Music Corporation, Tbone (vocal, trombone), Matt (guitar, Kurt (bass), Tbone (trombone), Sean O’Connell (1st violin), Pia Bucco (2nd violin), Alycia Wilder (viola), Ana Abrantes (cello), arrangement by Matt
5. Junco Partner (5:01) By Robert A. Shad Copyright Embassy Music Corporation, Tbone (vocals/trombone), Mike Harrison (piano), Alex Colista (tenor sax), Goode (bari sax) and James O’Donnell (trumpet), Sean (drums), Trevor Lamb (string bass), RJ Spangler (congas, tambourine), arranged by Tbone
6. Lulu’s Back in Town, (3:31) By Harry Warren and Al Dubin, Copyright WB Music Corp., Tbone (vocals & trombone), Matt LoRusso (guitar), Sean Perlmutter (drums) Kurt Krahnke (string bass), arranged by Matt
7. Sweet and Slow (5:26) By Al Dubin and Harry Warren, Copyright WB Music Corp. and WB Music Corp. o/b/o Al Dubin Music Co. Michael Zaporski (piano), Matt LoRusso (guitar), Sean Perlmutter (drums) Kurt Krahnke (string bass)
8. Pushka Pee Shee Pie, (3:29) Louis Jordan, Walter Merrick, and Joe Willoughby Copyright Kobalt Music Pub America Inc. o/b/o Ocheri Publishing Corp. and Kobalt Music Pub America Inc. o/b/o Cherio Corporation Kobalt Music Pub America Inc.Tbone (vocals/trombone), Mike Harrison (piano), Alex Colista (tenor sax), Goode (bari sax) and James O’Donnell (trumpet), Sean (drums), Trevor Lamb (string bass), RJ Spangler (congas), arranged by Jeff Cuny
9. Them There Eyes, (4:14) Maceo Pinkard, Doris Tauber, and William Tracey, Copyright Bourne Co. (Tbone (vocals), Christopher Tabaczynski (clarinet), James O’Donnell (trumpet), Matt LoRusso (guitar), Sean Perlmutter (drums) Kurt Krahnke (string bass)
10. When I Grow Too Old to Dream, (4:11) Sigmund Romberg w/ lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, Copyright EMI Robbins Catalog Inc, Tbone, (vocals & trombone), Matt LoRusso (guitar), Sean Perlmutter (drums) Kurt Krahnke (string bass),
11. Cease the Bombing, Neal Creque, Copyright Bengrad Music Co, (7:55)Tbone (trombone), Alex Colista (tenor sax), Mike Harrison (Fender Rhodes, vibes) Trevor Lamb (string bass), Sean (drums) RJ (congas), James O’Donnell (percussion)
59:14 minutes ELD-41 is the catalog number for the spine
Executive producer: RJ Spangler
Produced by Scott Strawbridge & RJ Spangler
Engineer, Jake Shives
Mastered by Morgan Sizer
Artwork: Maddie Summers
Recorded at the Tempermill Studio, Ferndale, MI, USA
Liner notes by Michael G. Nastos
Photos; Chuck Andersen and Jeff Dunn
Publicity: GROOV Marketing & Consulting
Band:
Tbone Paxton, trombone/vocals
Matt LoRusso, guitar
Kurt Krahnke, string bass (2, 4, 6, 7, 10)
Trevor Lamb, string bass (1, 3, 5, 8, 9 11)
Sean Perlmutter, drums
RJ Spangler, congas, various percussion instruments
Members of the Planet D Nonet
Alex Colista, alto & tenor sax #1, 3, 5, 8, 11
Christopher Tabaczynski, tenor sax, clarinet #1, 3, 5, 9
Goode Wyche III, baritone sax #1, 3, 8
James O’Donnell, trumpet, various percussion instruments, background vocals #5, 3, 5, 8, 9, 11
Michael Zaporski, piano #1, 3, 7
Special guests
John Douglas, trumpet #3
Mike Harrison, piano, Fender Rhodes and vibraphone, background vocals 5, 8, 11
Junco arranged by Tbone & Matt
Milenberg arranged by Tbone
Push-Ka-Pe-Shee Pie arranged by Jeff Cuny
Lost Mind arranged by Josh James
Sweet and Slow arranged by Michael Zaporski
This Will Make You Laugh arranged by Matt
We dedicate this this recording to Mary Ann Trainer, a friend who will be missed dearly. Tbone & RJ want to thank Matt, Trevor, Sean and Kurt, who have given so much to this project. Playing so many gigs, it is always a joy to make music with you brothers.
We also want to send a very special dedication to our friend Scott Strawbridge, his ear has been so vital on this and so many other projects. We love you brother.