Back at the keyboard after many months, it was none other than Blondie (Hope).  Greg was taking a night off so she aptly filled the spot, hammering out those swing numbers with the stride-type left hand so common during the early jazz days.  Last week's show (review not written) also featured a guest artist, Tom Davis on guitar, no stranger to the Hall.  And due to a scheduling snafu, Steve Newby was in the corner on bass.

Deftly dodging the 33,427 farmers who were out cutting crops, the crowd gradually filled the Hall to over flowing.  At one time there were four visitors standing, a few outside, and nearly every seat in the house filled.  Several newcomers enjoyed a high-energy show for their first visit.  Hanging in and seeming to enjoy the entire show was a little girl on the third row, probably two years old.  The Band serenaded her with Lullaby.

Opening the show with two Ellington numbers/hits is one sure way to nearly guarantee a good start, and this night was no exception.  Don't Get Around Much Anymore kicked it off, followed by I'm Beginning To See The Light.  It was also a night with an international flavor as several songs with a Latin beat were performed, a couple of French songs (C'est Magnifique and Autumn Leaves) and a Russian/Ukraine song from the 19th century, Dark Eyes.

A broad spectrum of styles was also covered with quasi-Bluegrass, Bebop, Gershwin, and Early Americana (Home Sweet Home).

Strains of Kansas City followed the happy patrons out the door, with the sounds of Tommy's blues harmonica lifting up on top of the Band ensemble.