Sneakers Jazz BandLive at White CrowIn March 1984, some of Vermont’s most talented jazz musicians began meeting every Tuesday night at a Winooski watering hole called Sneakers. The place was small and the pay wasn’t great, but they showed up anyway. For these musicians, it was an opportunity to sharpen their chops and play with some of the most accomplished jazz musicians inthe area. These guys played in more lucrative bands the rest of the time, but Tuesday night at Sneakers was the night to play the music they wanted to play.The roster of musicians sometimes included nationally-known jazz artists who were touring in the area. Their presence, along with the skills of the regular players, contributed to the feeling that Tuesday night at Sneakers was something special. Regular attendees included four UVM students who would later become the phenomenally successful rock band Phish. “We went every Tuesday for years,” guitarist Trey Anastasio said in a 1998 Good Citizen magazine interview. “We always had the front table, right in front of the band. I remember nights when it was amazing.”Tuesday nights at Sneakers also served as a platform for trying out original compositions written by band members and other jazz artists in the Burlington music scene, providing a rare opportunity to test new compositions in front of an appreciative live audience.In June 1989, White Crow Studios owner Todd Lockwood invited the Sneakers Jazz Band to make a live studio recording as part of the Burlington Discover Jazz Festival. An audience of thirty jazz fans accompanied the band in the studio. The result is a high energy performance with all the benefits of studio sound. While listening to these tracks, it is clear that this music is a matter of passion for these players, not just another gig.The Tuesday night tradition at Sneakers continued until March 1996.Paul Asbell, GuitarDave Grippo, Alto SaxRussell Remington, Tenor SaxJeff Salisbury, DrumsBruce Sklar, PianoJoey Sommerville, TrumpetClyde Stats, Bass1. No Room For Squares 6:24(Hank Mobley)EMI Unart Catalog Inc. / Second Floor Music (BMI)2. House of Gold 5:43(James Harvey)3. Leslie 7:13(Joey Sommerville)Like You Mean It (SESAC)4. Donna Lee 3:37(Charlie Parker)Atlantic Music Corp/Screen Gems-EMI Music Inc. (BMI)5. Slitherin’ 6:24(Paul Asbell)El Snowshoe Music (BMI)6. Violet 5:49(Bruce Sklar)7. DujiBop Scuffle 6:01(James Harvey)8. Caravan 8:09(Duke Ellington, Irving Mills, Juan Tizol)EMI Mills Music Inc. / Sony ATV Harmony (ASCAP)9. Blue Lunch 9:20(Paul Asbell)El Snowshoe Music (BMI)Recorded June 7, 1989 at White Crow Studios, Burlington, Vermont as part of the 1989 Burlington Discover Jazz FestivalProduced by Todd Lockwood, Paul Asbell, and Clyde StatsAudio Engineering by Todd Lockwood, assisted by Tom WaltersDigital Mastering by Adam Ayan, Gateway MasteringThis recording was made with a Neve 8068 Mark II recording console and Studer A820 analog tape machines utilizing Dolby SR noise reduction. The final mix master was recorded on 1/2-inch analog tape for maximum clarity and dynamic range.Dedicated to John Gouvin, owner of Sneakers Bar & Grill and jazz enthusiast who made it all happen.