NEW BLACK EAGLE JAZZ BAND
Together since 1971.
Playing the best in New Orleans style Jazz, Gospel and Blues.
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THE "EAGLES" FAMILY
[click here for the Band History]
Tony was a founding member of the New Black Eagle Jazz Band, and was the Musical Director until his passing in 2018.
Tony cited King Oliver as a major inspiration with a nod to George Mitchell of the Red Hot Peppers, Kid Howard and Henry "Red"
Allen. Along with his infectious laugh, growly vocals and amusing, off-hand commentaries, his style was easily recognizable for
that distinctive, plaintive tone that smacks of Mutt Carey in the 1940s. In the earlier years of his musical career he formed the
Druids JB which became the resident band at The Cavern in his native Liverpool (later to become the home base of The Beatles). Tony
immigrated to the United States in 1967 and within two weeks was playing with the two Stans - Vincent and McDonald - in the "Exit Jazz Band".
The New Black Eagle Jazz Band was founded in September 1971, and the rest is history, as they say. For more details about the Band History,
click on the link above.
Peter Bullis (Banjo), 9/5/1932 - 9/4/2018
Peter was also a founding member of the New Black Eagle Jazz Band, and was the Business Manager until his passing in 2018.
Most banjoists in a trad band are tempted to gain attention by unflaggingly plunking chords for 16 bars, loud and fast. With
admirable restraint, Peter was renowned for a relaxed 4/4 true melodic banjo sound. His first exposure to jazz was as
a Dartmouth College junior when he visited New Orleans and heard George Lewis, Paul Barbarin and Papa Celestin, after which he
joined, recorded with and managed the "Indian Chiefs Jazz Band". In the 60s, he performed with the "Salty Dogs" in Raleigh,
N.C. For more details about the Band History, click on the link above.
Bob Pilsbury (Piano & Vocals), 12/2/1926 - 5/12/2020
Sadly, another founding member has passed away. Many of you are familiar with Bob's exuberant and personal piano playing.
In his earlier life, Bob layed clarinet in high school and college (Dartmouth) and led a 58-member Army marching band while stationed in the
Philippines and Korea. He studied classical piano at the New England Conservatory of Music and prided himself on having
perfect pitch. In the 1950s, he was the intermission pianist at Jimmy Ryan's in New York City and occasionally sat in with
such greats as Willie "The Lion" Smith at Stuyvesant Casino and Central Plaza. Bob moved back to Boston for a long stint with the
Excalibur JB and studied at Harvard to become a psychologist. For more details about the Band History, click on the link above.
New Black Eagle Jazz Band
16 Fletcher Ave, Lexington MA 02420 USA PH: 781.771.7458
For Website/Technical questions please email Billy Novick (Manager) and John Gleeson (Webmaster)