Dixieland at the Pool

It may have been Wednesday, but Jackson Square made it feel more like Fat Tuesday—or mardi gras—at the Maplewood Community Pool last night.

The penultimate week of the the Summer Concert Series at the pool brought the sounds of New Orleans-style jazz to Maplewood. Jackson Square, named for the famous site in the Big Easy, is a Dixieland jazz band consisting of six local musicians:  Tom McGee (trumpet), Susan Dillon (trombone), Eddie Cosberg (drums), Steve Berger (tuba), Howard Lipstein (clarinet), and Neal Weiss (tenor sax). 

Tonight, they were also joined by Ben Williams on trombone. Ben conducts the ensemble Swingtown, of which most of these musicians are also a part.

"Weary Blues", "Riverfoot Stomp" and "Honeysuckle" were just a few of the songs heard poolside this evening.

Children and moms danced along while others enjoyed dinner or dessert as they took in the tunes for an hour. The brought it all home with "When the Saints Come Marching In."

And then everyone went marching home, humming some tunes on the way.

Next week, the summer concert series at the pool ends with the mellow sounds of Rich Maloof on acoustic guitar, Wednesday, August 18, from 6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.