Wednesday, February 02, 2011

One potato, two potato

 Mike Essoudry is a well-known drummer about town who also has a jazz octet which bears his name; in addition to his other work (scoring silent films and ear-training at Carleton, for example) he apparently decide he's like to combine a New Orleans parade band with a bunch of other stuff. Lo and behold, the Mash Potato Mashers were born. They had their debut about a year ago and have since gathered a great deal of acclaim for their party-hearty shows. At this gig they were opening for the Hi Lo Trons at Babylon.

First, a  little warmup near the washrooms.

Mike Essoudry's Mash Potato Mashers at Babylon

And they're off, with Matthew Ouimet and Mike Essoudry on drums and Linsey Wellman on the saxophone.

Mike Essoudry's Mash Potato Mashers at Babylon

Mike on the march.

Mike Essoudry's Mash Potato Mashers at Babylon

Trumpet action with Craig Pedersen!

Mike Essoudry's Mash Potato Mashers at 
Babylon

More Mike!

Mike Essoudry's Mash Potato Mashers at Babylon

Ryan Purchase extends his range.

Mike Essoudry's Mash Potato Mashers at Babylon

Flashy action with tuba wrangler (and one-time Silver Heart) Brian Saunderson.

Mike Essoudry's Mash Potato Mashers at Babylon

Mike Schulz gets in some Trombone action.

Mike Essoudry's Mash Potato Mashers at Babylon

Tyler Cyr is the only guy I haven't mentioned yet. Trumpeter Richard Ragno apparently couldn't make this show.

Mike Essoudry's Mash Potato Mashers at Babylon

Walk this way ...

Mike Essoudry's Mash Potato Mashers at Babylon

Warm headgear is apparently a must in this outfit.

Mike Essoudry's Mash Potato Mashers at Babylon

Megaphonic action!

Mike Essoudry's Mash Potato Mashers at Babylon

Matt hits!

Mike Essoudry's Mash Potato Mashers at Babylon

The overhead view.

Mike Essoudry's Mash Potato Mashers at Babylon

Tyler rocks the brass.

Mike Essoudry's Mash Potato Mashers at Babylon

More Craig!

Mike Essoudry's Mash Potato Mashers at Babylon

Lying down on the job ...

Mike Essoudry's Mash Potato Mashers at Babylon

I guess I should be taking a picture of what Mike is gesturing at and not Mike, but oh well.

Mike Essoudry's Mash Potato Mashers at Babylon

Wait, it's Brian!

Mike Essoudry's Mash Potato Mashers at Babylon

More drumming!

Mike Essoudry's Mash Potato Mashers at Babylon

Linsey takes a pre-end break.

Mike Essoudry's Mash Potato Mashers at Babylon

The end!

Mike Essoudry's Mash Potato Mashers at Babylon

They've got several gigs lined up, including a performance at the Ottawa International Jazz Fest; on February 14 they'll try to squeeze into the Manx and on April 9 they'll be performing at Irene's.
  • Show reminder: The calendar at Zaphod Beeblebrox seems to be filling up - Eugene and The Eugenics, Noah Moses and Courtney Thorman are there tonight; Amanda LeBlanc joins River City Junction at the Avant-Garde Bar.

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