Following a four decade tradition, the current members of the Bill’s Seafood Jazz All-Stars strive to “start your weekend off right” every Friday Night at Bill’s Seafood restaurant in Westbrook CT by providing a great musical environment. Their entertainment is a healthy mix of traditional Jazz/Dixieland, Tin Pan Alley and the Great American Songbook music of the 1910s, 20s, and 30s. The musicians are some of the best and busiest musicians in the Connecticut and New England music scene and really enjoy coming together to bring their passion to audiences, both aficionados and unsuspecting seafood lovers, at this popular spot!
Tom Boates (Trombone/Leader) has been with the BSJAS for 20 years. He recently retired in 2021 from 44 years of instrumental music education with lengthy stops in South Hadley, MA (21 years) and Guilford CT (20 Years) He is also currently a member of the Wolverine Jazz Band of Boston MA and the Hot Cat Jazz Band, Williams Reunion JB and the Tuxedo Junction Big Band. He has performed in numerous jazz festivals throughout North America and and has been recorded on over 20 CDs.
Lou Bocciarelli (Bass) has been with the BSJAS for 17 years. Arguably one of the most “working” bass players in the Northeast, he also regularly performs with both the Hartford Jazz Orchestra, the New London Jazz Band and is equally at home in all styles of music from contemporary compositions to Country and Western to professional musicals. He has performed in Europe as well as throughout the US.
Tom Palinko (Drums) is the longest tenured member of the Bill’s band and has even performed at the location with other bands on other nights. He started playing there in the mid-1980s! He has toured with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra and counts Ed Soph as one of his teachers. Tom’s other groups include the Hot Cat Jazz Band, String of Pearls Big Band and is also in constant demand for his amazing musicality in groups large and small.
Dr. John Clark (Reeds) is the leader and founder of the Wolverine Jazz Band of Boston MA. His start at Connecticut College has catapulted him to lifelong pursuit and study of early jazz. Besides the Wolverines, his resume includes stints with the Hot Cat Jazz Band, Swing Legacy, Dan Gabel’s Abletones and “too numerous to mention” other groups ranging from busking college Dixie bands in the Boston streets and Fenway Park to pit musician for Jazz Ballet performances in Hong Kong! He has also performed in many Jazz Festivals around the US. As an educator, he is heavily in demand as a private instructor through several school systems on the Boston area and has taught Music courses at numerous college campuses in MA and CT.
Ian Frenkel (Piano), besides performing with us, is the Director of Music for the Cadets of the United States Coast Guard Academy. His duties there include administering the activities of the Music Department and conducting/directing/overseeing all of the instrumental ensembles offered on the New London, CT campus. Ian’s (pronounced “Yahn”) skills can be seen anywhere from weekly minister of music duties in the local St. Mark’s Lutheran Church of Norwich, CT to performances in all styles and eras of American popular music whether a pipe organ or a Hammond B3, Synthesizer or grand piano.
