Bios of the Novel Jazz Septet
Barney Balch-tenor, alto and soprano trombone; Barney has played in many bands from Maine, Massachusetts, New York, California, and Florida. Barney began his jazz career in Boston in the mid-1970’s with Craig Ball, Dave McMillan and Jimmy Mazzy. In 1978 he began performing with veteran stride pianist, Bob Page and the Downeast Jazz Babies (including blues guitarist, TJ Wheeler and bassist Dick Cash). In 1980 Barney moved to S. California and studied with the Kansas City Blues Trombonist, Jimmy Cheatham (veteran of Duke Ellington, Lionel Hampton, and Thad Jones orchestras). Barney has performed with John Best (original lead trumpet with the Glenn Miller Orchestra), the great stride pianist, Don Ewell (member of the Jack Teagarden band), Francine Reed (of the Lyle Lovett Band) and numerous other big bands. Along with performing with the Novel Jazz Septet, he spends his spare time “mining” original manuscripts from the Duke Ellington Collection at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. and arranging them for the band.
Mike Mitchell-Trumpet; Cornet, Flugelhorn; Mike Mitchell has been playing jazz trumpet in Maine for nearly thirty years. Mike studied at the University of Maine at Augusta jazz program and later in the University of Miami jazz studies program. Mike brings his love of jazz and performing, together with his soulful trumpet playing and many jazz compositions that he contributes to the group.
Bruce Boege-Saxophone; Bruce Boege lives in midcoast Maine and plays in several jazz groups. He also operates his recording studio-Limin Music in Northport. He is a composer creating soundtracks for various film and video projects over the years as well as composing jazz pieces and other music. He has performed with the late James Williams of the Art Blakey Jazz Messengers, Miles Evans at the Left Bank, Mary Ann Driscoll, Francine Reed of the Lyle Lovett band, and played and jammed many others from Maine to Hawaii including Keith Richards and Willy Nelson.
Bill Friederich- Drums; Billy has played with U.S. Army bands in Colorado and Europe. His musical repertoire includes jazz, blues, as well as band music. He regularly performs with accomplished pianist, Paul Sullivan and recently recorded on Noel Stookey's soon-to-be released CD.
Herb Maine- bass; Herb Maine is a well-known acoustic bassist in New England and plays regularly with pianists Mickey Felder and Kenny Gaspar. He has also performed with the late great trumpeter, Herb Pomeroy.
David Clarke- Guitar; David “Quick" Clarke joined the United States Air Force Band at age 17, spending his first 2 years in Biloxi, Mississippi (the birthplace of the blues). His next 18-month assignment was at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines, touring Okinawa, Korea, Japan, Guam, and Hawaii. He spent his last 10 months in the service gigging for Uncle Sam at Travis Air Force Base in California. Upon returning to mid-coast Maine in 1986, he fulfilled a life-long dream and opened a music store, "David's Music", in Belfast, and began giving music lessons. In 1987 he formed the rock band DC3 and over the years, Quick has played with various other bands: "Tonto Lavec”, "Faceplant,", "The Willy Kelly Band," "Hemmens," the "Bel-Isle Trio/Quintet" and "the Elevator Pilots." He currently splits his time playing with the Novel Jazz Septet with other jazz groups ("Bel-Isle Trio" "Erdasa" and "Three Button Deluxe”).
Mickey Felder-Piano; Mick Felder studied classical piano in New York with Charles Ragusa, and jazz with Charlie Banacos and Scott Oakley. During the late 60's he took a musical detour into folk music, playing guitar and singing in small clubs in New York. Moving to Maine in 1971, he and four other talented musicians formed the popular bluegrass band "Wild Mountain Thyme" which performed throughout New England for many years. Mick returned to jazz in the late 70's and has been performing in concerts, clubs and restaurants throughout Maine ever since.
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