JAZZ HISTORY ON THE NORTH SHORE
Sandy’s Jazz Revival and Lenny’s on the Turnpike provided musical, educational and cultural enrichment to an under-served population outside Boston and they provided something special for the players, an intimate setting in which to play their music. World-class musicians trucked up to the North Shore to play, and now that these venues are gone, there is a nostalgia and a void which we are trying to fill. The photos below are from the Sandy Berman archive. We will be adding to this page as we acquire more material, so if you have photos, stories, or other memorabilia, please contact us.
Above, Lennie Sogoloff discusses the start of his sorely-missed club of the past, Lennie's on the Turnpike in an interview with Henry Ferrini.
Helen Humes with Sandy Berman
Louie Armstrong celebrates his 60th birthday at Sandy's.
Sandy Berman at the Melody Lounge.
Roomful of Blues with Sandy Berman
Lennie’s on the Turnpike
If you are a long time New England Jazz fan you will remember the great Jazz club “Lennie’s on the Turnpike” in Peabody, MA. If you ever visited the club you will remember the large photo montage that greeted visitors by the door. This was done by Joe Johnson and the photos are compliments of www.classicjazzphotos.com.
The photos below are from Amanda Carr,Boston based daughter of a big band vocalist and trumpeter (Nick Capezuto, most known for Herb Pomeroy Band), who says, "My Dad, Nick Capezuto shown in photo with Herb Pomoroy band 1956 at the Stables. (Left to right: TOP: Bill Berry, My Dad, Lenny Johnson, Everett Longstreth. LEFT: Joe Ciarvadoni, Gene DiStacio...) RIGHT: My mom, Nancy Carr, shown here with the Bob Bachelder Totem Pole Orchestra at Norembega Park in 1938. She still sings with this same band.. Anyway, My mom tells me they used to always stop at Lennie's on the way home after a gig because he had the best burgers in town....
Of course, My Dad played at Lennie's with Herb's band. Lennie loved my father and got to speak with him a couple of years ago before he passed away..... He knows my mother well."
Joe Bucci and Lennie Sogoloff, in Lennie's club "Lennie's on the Turnpike", 1964. Joe's Hammond B3 had "transitioned" into the 3-manual "Monster" at this point in time. Joe always suspended a big plate glass mirror behind him in the clubs, so the audience could watch his hands ! The three keyboards are visible in the mirror. Lennie is "in his glory" talking on the microphone!
Photo donated by Carol Buuci, Joe Bucci's widow.
Please read the letter below from Carol Bucci, after our May 2, 2020 tribute to Lennie Sogolof.
| Hi Henry and Chava... The May 2nd Tribute to Lennie Sogoloff was a FANTASTIC afternoon ! I'm so glad I was there, and got to meet you both briefly. I've thought about the event a hundred times since then. I had just gotten acquainted withe the NSJP thru a phone conversation with Lennie about a week or so before the event. Checked out the website and the YouTube clips. I think it is just tremendous that you folks are rekindling the "golden age of jazz" on the North Shore ! Fantastic ! As you are aware, my husband, Joe Bucci, was the first performer at Lennie's. Lennie played a huge part in Joe's career, and Joe played a huge part in Lennie's career. It's impossible to talk about the history of North Shore jazz and Lennie's on the Turnpike without talking about Joe Bucci. And it's impossible to talk about my husband's successful music career without talking about his beloved "home base" ...Lennie's on the Turnpike ! Joe loved Lennie, and Lennie loved Joe. From the late 50's right through the 1960's Joe had a HUGE following at Lennie's. He regularly packed the place. His engagements there were usually at least several weeks in length. He played SEVEN nights a week, with a Sunday afternoon matinee ! A lot of folks would bring their kids or teenagers to the Sunday afternoon sessions. It was a tremendous opportunity for these kids to hear top-notch live music!! Many of these kids were studying organ at the time, were hugely inspired by Joe, and some went on to music careers. Joe had a Hammond B-3 in the early days of Lennie's, that eventually got "transformed" by Joe and electronics engineer Bruce Williams from Framingham, into what was (to my knowledge) the ONLY THREE-MANUAL Hammond organ in the world...ever. The third keyboard provided authentic instrument sounds (banjo, flute, baritone sax, etc.) unavailable on any other organ. Plus, the keys electronically activated an actual set of real VIBES contained in a detached cabinet. This one-of-a-kind three manual Hammond became affectionately known as "The Monster". You have to remember that this time period was LONG BEFORE SYNTHESIZERS. But Joe desperately wanted a bunch of REAL instrument sounds from the keyboard, and with Bruce Williams' superb expertise and creativity, he was able to accomplish that. It made Joe's sound "unique" and really inspired him to cut loose with incredible improvisations, using the "baritone sax", vibes, etc., along with his swingin' string bass pedal lines. At the bottom of this web page is a photo of "The Monster" http://www.joebucci.com/organ/More%20Joe%20Bucci%20!2.htm Lennie had such huge respect for all the good musicians he hired. His club was most definitely a LISTENING room. It seldom was a problem, but IF somebody was yapping while the musicians were performing, Lennie had no problem getting on the microphone and firmly reminding folks that "this is a LISTENING room - please give the musicians your full attention !!" The musicians LOVED Lennie for that ! I've watched the YouTube clips of the NSJP event with Berklee Outreach Band at the Beverly High School. I can't get over the looks on many of the kids' faces ! Oh my gosh... all I can think of is a "deer caught in the headlights" ... they seem so stunned at what they are hearing ! This is SO worthwhile ...exposing the kids to GREAT American Jazz music ...what a contrast to the dumb "rap music" a lot of them listen to. The group and one-on-one coaching the kids get from the Berklee musicians is wonderful !! Enough of my rambling. I just want to THANK YOU so much for the great afternoon May 2nd, and more importantly, for all you are doing to rekindle the golden age of Jazz on the North Shore !! EXCELLENT !!!!! When you have a chance, you might enjoy checking out these links. www.myspace.com/joewbucci There is a "music player" at the top of the page - hit the blue button. The first three numbers are the Joe Bucci DUO (1960's era). The last three selections are the Joe Bucci TRIO (1970's) with Joe on organ, superb vocalist Martha Maxwell, and the talented Joe Bucci JR on drums/vocals. (Joe JR has done all the web site stuff relating to his Dad). Keep in mind that ALL the base lines you are hearing are Joe's LEFT FOOT on the ORGAN PEDALS - NO BASS PLAYER. ..just two instruments only: organ and drums. Joe was known for his fantastic pedal technique and bass lines - unmatched by any organists at that time - or since... (most all the jazz organists played (and still do) "left HAND" bass on the lower keyboard - "Jimmy Smith" style) I'm hoping to get down there to attend some more NJSP events!! My VERY BEST wishes to you both, in all your efforts with the NSJP !! Warmest Musical Regards, Carrol E. Bucci |