CD Release Party at the BOP STOP in Cleveland

Eric Seddon's Hot Club at the BOP STOP (photo: Bill Laufer)

This is the Big One at Last! If you're wondering which of our upcoming gigs to attend, our CD release party at the Bop Stop is the one I'd suggest. I usually don't discriminate when it comes to gigs, but last year Gabe Pollack gave our band the unprecedented opportunity to play a six concert 'Trad Jazz Invasion' of the Bop Stop in Cleveland. We covered rarely heard Sidney Bechet numbers, Jimmie Noone, George Lewis, Benny Goodman, Acker Bilk, Hubert Rostaing, and an evening of my own tunes.

One of the results of that series was our new CD--Bootlegs from the Bop Stop, recorded by Bill Laufer and my wife Elisa, which we'll be selling at this gig.

Also joining us this Thursday will be the legendary Dean of the Trad Jazz Scene here in Cleveland-- George Foley--on the Bop Stop's famous Steinway. If you haven't heard George on a Steinway, this is one of the great opportunities to do so.

George Foley (piano) with Eric Seddon (clarinet)

Mostly, I'd like to thank Gabe with a packed house--for backing our group throughout all of last Fall, and allowing our mission of bringing Traditional New Orleans style jazz played at the highest level of artistry a chance to shine at one of the top nightclubs in Cleveland.

Eric Seddon, clarinet
George Foley, piano
Kevin T Richards, guitar
Gene Epstein, bass
Bill Fuller, drums

Songs from Bechet to Today....

You can purchase your tickets here.

The BOP STOP
2920 Detroit Ave
Cleveland, OH 44113

Thank you and KEEP SWINGING!!!

Eric Seddon's Hot Club * CD Release Party at The Bop Stop in Cleveland * Thursday August 16th

Just about a year ago, Gabe Pollack gave our band the unprecedented opportunity to play six concerts of New Orleans style jazz over a twelve week period at the BOP STOP -- arguably the best listening room for jazz in Cleveland. Three weeks from tonight, we're going to return there to celebrate our live CD pulled from those evenings--Eric Seddon's Hot Club: Bootlegs from the Bop Stop. 

I'd like to repay Gabe's faith in us with a packed house this August 16th. Tickets are only $12, and can be purchased here. 

In addition to hearing material from the new album, you'll be treated to real NOLA style hot jazz from my clarinet,  George Foley on the Bop Stop's Steinway piano, Kevin T. Richards on guitar, Gene Epstein on bass, and Bill Fuller on drums. The new CD will also be available for purchase! 

"Seddon, who has a large tone and extroverted style on clarinet...dominates the music, playing with infectious spirit and creativity within the classic format. His songs, which include a tribute to the late Acker Bilk ("Goodbye Bowler Hat"), are natural fits for New Orleans jazz bands..." 

--Scott Yanow, The Syncopated Times

Eric Seddon's Hot Club [photo: Bill Laufer]

New Logos for Eric Seddon's Hot Club

Emphasizing our New Orleans roots, we've officially updated our band logo as of today:

'Like' and follow us on FaceBook for all the latest information about gigs and recordings! 

Eric Seddon's Hot Club * Go Down, Moses * Bootlegs from the Bop Stop * Marlboro Man Music * 2018

Here's a video of a spiritual included on our new album Bootlegs from the Bop Stop, available through Marlboro Man Music here (shipping to the US only). All of the recordings for this album were captured live in single takes during our Trad Jazz Invasion of Cleveland's Bop Stop in the Fall of 2017.

Eric Seddon, clarinet
Jim Davis, cornet
Kevin T. Richards, guitar
Gene Epstein, bass
Bill Fuller, drums

video by Bill Laufer/Laufer Film

Enjoy!

'Goodbye Bowler Hat' (for Acker)

Here's a song I wrote as a tribute to Acker Bilk. A fan caught this performance on her iPhone one night at the Bop Stop in Cleveland, and graciously shared it with us...

Photo: Bill Laufer/Laufer Film

Monday Morning Blues (on a Snowy Day In Cleveland)

Hey y'all...it's a snowy day in Cleveland, so here's a little Monday Morning Blues for you...from my studio.

"Jeremiah Blues" by Eric Seddon * Live at the Bop Stop * November 1, 2017

Here's a tune I wrote earlier this Fall, called "Jeremiah Blues"...

Eric Seddon, clarinet
Jim Davis, cornet
Kevin Richards, guitar
Gene Epstein, bass
Bill Fuller, drums

video, William Laufer

Some Photos from The Cleveland Museum of Art's Jazz Cafe Series

George Foley and I kicked off the Jazz Cafe at the Cleveland Museum of Art yesterday: a musical series to coincide with their exquisite Jazz Age exhibit. I was particularly gratified that they chose Josephine Baker as the symbol of their exhibit. In tribute, George and I lead off with Sidney Bechet's "What a Dream", Bechet having played in her Revue Negre in Paris...

Eric Seddon (& Josephine Baker)

George Foley (piano) & Eric Seddon (clarinet)

 

Gethsemane

This a tune of mine, part Gregorian Chant, part Klezmer, all Blues, meant as a mediation on Christ's prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. I first wrote it about seventeen years ago, but haven't had the chance to perform it publicly. Recorded on a Tascam DR-40 in my studio just now. For some reason I like sharing rough takes, and this certainly is one. Blessings on everyone this Good Friday.

"Then Jesus came with them into a country place which is called Gethsemani; and he said to his disciples: Sit you here, till I go yonder and pray. And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to grow sorrowful and to be sad. Then he saith to them: My soul is sorrowful even unto death: stay you here, and watch with me. And going a little further, he fell upon his face, praying, and saying: My Father, if it be possible, let this chalice pass from me. Nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.And he cometh to his disciples, and findeth them asleep, and he saith to Peter: What? Could you not watch one hour with me?" (Matthew 26:36-46)

Masterclass at the Cleveland Institute of Music

Some photos of my masterclass with Franklin Cohen's studio at CIM last week:

The Porkpie Goes to The Conservatory

Hanging out with a talented bunch of young players (Photo: Franklin Cohen)

(Obligatory group selfie: we had to get Frank into the picture too!)

Cleveland Jazz on the Street

I'm grateful to have been asked by Roots of American Music to lead a trio during each of the four days the Republican National Convention is here in Cleveland. We're taking part in a non-partisan cultural exposition called Arts Intervention, where select groups have been chosen to represent the diversity and vitality of the Cleveland arts scene.

My trio will perform as street musicians uptown (today and tomorrow), then on Wednesday we'll relocate downtown, where most of the action is.

Here's a clip of us playing my tune "Blue Mardi Gras" earlier today at the corner of Mayfield Road & Euclid Avenue, in uptown Cleveland.

Eric Seddon, clarinet
Kevin Richards, guitar
Ray DeForest, bass

'Topsy' at Nighttown

Sat in with jazz violinist extraordinaire Reed Simon last night for a couple of numbers at Nighttown in Cleveland Hts. This solo from Topsy was caught on a fan's iPhone: