John Clark's Wolverine Jazz Band at Primavera Ristorante

Since 1995, the Wolverine Jazz Band has been entertaining lovers of Traditional Jazz all over southern New England and the U.S. In Massachusetts, they have raised the roof at the Sherborn Inn, crisped the leaves at sundry summer concerts and flaked the varnish on church pews in the Boston suburbs. The band arranges Dixieland and Swing performances to suit all.

John Clark (clarinet, saxophone) began playing in the Boston area as a substitute with various Dixieland and big bands, including the New Black Eagle Jazz Band and the Paramount Jazz Band, with which he toured England and Wales in 1995. He also regularly appeared with Lucinda Ellert's Happy Feet Dance Orchestra, Dave Whitney and His Orchestra and Robin Verdier's Monte Carlo Jazz Band. He has also played and recorded with Ross Tucker's Hot Cat Jazz Band of Connecticut and with the Back Bay Ramblers, appearing at numerous Jazz festivals in Canada and the U.S. with each. Currently, he plays most frequently with Dan Gabel's Abletones big band, the High Society Orchestra and of course the Wolverines....

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Since 1995, the Wolverine Jazz Band has been entertaining lovers of Traditional Jazz all over southern New England and the U.S. In Massachusetts, they have raised the roof at the Sherborn Inn, crisped the leaves at sundry summer concerts and flaked the varnish on church pews in the Boston suburbs. The band arranges Dixieland and Swing performances to suit all.

John Clark (clarinet, saxophone) began playing in the Boston area as a substitute with various Dixieland and big bands, including the New Black Eagle Jazz Band and the Paramount Jazz Band, with which he toured England and Wales in 1995. He also regularly appeared with Lucinda Ellert's Happy Feet Dance Orchestra, Dave Whitney and His Orchestra and Robin Verdier's Monte Carlo Jazz Band. He has also played and recorded with Ross Tucker's Hot Cat Jazz Band of Connecticut and with the Back Bay Ramblers, appearing at numerous Jazz festivals in Canada and the U.S. with each. Currently, he plays most frequently with Dan Gabel's Abletones big band, the High Society Orchestra and of course the Wolverines.

Jeff Hughes (cornet, trumpet) has been dubbed "Mr. Melody" and has made a name for himself in the Boston area as a Bix-styled cornet player with the Paramount Jazz Band, New Yankee Rhythm Kings and numerous other groups. By day, he is a mild-mannered marine biologist but by night he is the leader of Swing Times Five, the Brahmin Bellhops and Jazz Jesters and is also a disciple of Bunny Berigan.

Trombonist Tom Boates has been active on the Connecticut jazz scene for a number of years and has toured extensively with both the Hot Cat and Hot Jam bands. As a school teacher and band director, Tom is uniquely qualified to deal with the rest of the band (their words, not ours!). Tom's playing, singing and arranging talents are all invaluable to the Wolverine Jazz Band.

Pianist Ross Petot is a familiar presence on the ragtime festival circuit but with the Wolverines shows that, as a band pianist, he has few equals. In addition to working with the Wolverines, Ross also plays regularly with Stan MacDonald's Blue Horizon Jazz Band, the Jazz Jesters, Swing Times Five and records with the Back Bay Ramblers.

To fans of traditional jazz, Jimmy Mazzy (banjo) needs no introduction. Suffice it to say that he has been a central part of the New England jazz scene for many years and his presence in the Wolverine Jazz Band has been a key part of their success. Jimmy played regularly at the Colonial Inn (Concord) and Angelica's restaurant (Middleton) and travels extensively with Eli Newberger, Butch Thompson and the Paramount Jazz Band of Boston.

Rick MacWilliams (tuba) is the co-founder of the Commonwealth Jazz Quartet and has been lending his talents to Jazz groups in the area since the 1960s. Prized for his faultless rhythm and harmonic sense, Rick also brings to the band a wealth of experience both as player and leader.

Drummer Dave Didriksen is a native of Chicago and played with the Happy Feet Dance Orchestra and Swing Times Five and is considered one of the most versatile drummers playing in the hot dance style. While he is an expert on the stylistic elements, he never sacrifices swing.

Those who have heard the Wolverine Jazz Band before already know; those of you who haven’t are in for a treat. There is never a dull moment with this band; audiences feed off the energy of the band and the band feeds off the responsive crowds!

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