New Black Eagle Jazz Band perform on Valentine's Day

The me&thee coffeehouse welcomes premier traditional jazz musicians New Black Eagle Jazz Band (featuring local favorite and bandleader Billy Novick) to its stage on February 14 at 8 pm. It’s a Valentine’s Day treat for fans of the early jazz era. Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, the me&thee is located at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead at 28 Mugford Street.

Shake off the winter doldrums and celebrate Valentine’s Day with the New Black Eagle Jazz Band, six inspired musicians who pay homage to the greatest early jazz-era musicians like Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton, and Duke Ellington. The New Black Eagle Jazz Band is widely recognized as one of the premier traditional jazz bands in the world. For over forty years, the band has delighted audiences worldwide with its infectious, soulful and uplifting style of traditional New Orleans Jazz. They’ve played jazz festivals including Newport, JVC, Tanglewood, Edinburgh, and New Orleans Jazz and Heritage. They’ve also appeared in concerts accompanied by symphony orchestras such as the Scottish National Symphony, the Delaware Symphony, the Baltimore Symphony, and the Boston Pops among many others. But their favorite type of venue is probably a small, intimate listening room like the me&thee.

The New Black Eagles are Billy Novick on alto sax, clarinet, and vocals; Stan Vincent on trombone; Jeff Hughes on cornet; Herb Gardner on piano; Bill Reynolds on drums; and Jesse Williams on bass. With a Grammy nomination to their credit, a vast repertoire and a highly entertaining stage manner, it’s no wonder that the New York Times has noted that the Black Eagles are “so far ahead of other traditional bands…there is scarcely any basis for comparison.” Reaching beyond traditional early jazz, the band has developed its own eclectic sound, incorporating spirituals, 1920s and 1930s popular music and even some songs recorded by Elvis and Bob Dylan. Don’t be surprised if you also hear some musical reflections on Valentine’s Day at this concert.

Tickets for the New Black Eagle Jazz Band are $22 in advance and $25 at the door. Student tickets are $10. Tickets are available online at www.meandthee.org and can be purchased in person at the Digital Docs at 157 Elm Street or the Arnould Gallery at 111 Washington Street in Marblehead. As at all me & thee events, refreshments are available, including homemade pastries, coffee, and teas. The me & thee has a handicapped-accessible entrance and an accessible bathroom, is a smoke-free environment, and is easily reached by MBTA bus.

The me & thee is one of the oldest continually running acoustic listening rooms in New England, and probably the country. It has been and will always be a volunteer, non-profit organization sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead. For information and directions, call ###a>781-631-8987 or check the website at Next concert: February 21 – An Evening with Chris Smither

CALENDAR/PSA: Friday, February 14, 2020: New Black Eagle Jazz Band. Door charge is $22 in advance and $25 at the door. The coffeehouse is located at the Unitarian Universalist Church at 28 Mugford Street, Marblehead and the show starts at 8:00 p.m. Call 781-631-8987 or go to www.meandthee.org for information and directions.