All About Jazz

In addition to contemporary styles, Ralph also performs traditional jazz, which dates back to the early 1900s, playing bass lines and solos on a helicon or sousaphone. From 1989 to 2015, Ralph led the trio Route 3 – An American Musical Journey in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota. The group gave up to fifty performances per year at venues in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa.

On the Sunny Side of the Street by J. McHugh & D. Fields

Here’s our traditional jazz rendition of On the Sunny Side of the Street with music by Jimmy McHugh and lyrics by Dorothy Fields including the rarely-heard verse to the song (right at the beginning). Performed by Teri Parker-Brown, vocals; Chris Olson, guitar; Ralph Hepola, sousaphone.

Out of Nowhere by Johnny Green & Edward Heyman

Here’s a traditional jazz rendition of (You Came Along from) Out of Nowhere music by Johnny Green with lyrics by Edward Heyman; performed by Teri Parker-Brown, vocals; Chris Olson, guitar; Ralph Hepola, sousaphone (a type of bass tuba).

The Green Door by Bob Davie, lyrics by Marvin Moore

We’re going back to the 1950s! Let’s join the party…if we can just get in!! LeRoy Larson, tenor banjo & vocals; Teri Parker-Brown, herself; Ralph Hepola, sousaphone; Dick Bortolussi, drums.

Medley: Londonderry Air & Danny Boy

We’re giving a traditional jazz treatment to both the Irish song Londonderry Air, and Danny Boy which was written by Frederick Edward Weatherly in 1913. All of the lyrics are included in the slide show. Teri Parker-Brown, vocals; LeRoy Larson, tenor banjo; Ralph Hepola, sousaphone; Dick Bortolussi, drums.

Honolulu I Am Coming Back Again by Silverwood & Lindenman

We’re off to Hawaii – performing a rare musical gem. A brief history of the song, as well as the lyrics, are included in the slide show. LeRoy Larson, tenor banjo, ukulele & vocals; Teri Parker-Brown, vocals; Ralph Hepola, sousaphone; Dick Bortolussi, drums

Choucoune by Michel Mauleart Monton

Choucoune by Michel Mauléart Montont (1855-1898) is a nineteenth-century Haitian meringue, also known as The Mocking Bird, which was popularized in the 1950s as Yellow Bird. LeRoy Larson, tenor banjo, guitar & mandolin; Ralph Hepola, sousaphone; Dick Bortolussi, drums