Swingin' on Old Cape Cod

What better for a band during the lazy months of summer than a gig on Old Cape Cod, with or without the Patti Page Lyrics?

The Dixie Diehards Dixieland Band has visited twice this summer, first for a family party at Gray's Beach and more recently for a private backyard affair in Dennis. Our audience were swimmers in the pool and cookout guests. Our stage: the pool house!

After the gig, band members repaired to banjoist Chris Wadsworth's home for afterparty grub. Uh, can I get a Cape Codder, Chris?

PHOTOS: It's all soul on "Wabash Blues." At right, Paul Peterson wails on a solo.

Welcome to Grassroots Jazz

Hi. My name is Rick Foster: music journalist, jazz fan and amateur musician and vocalist for a wonderful New Orleans jazz band called The Dixie Diehards of Foxboro, Massachusetts.

As a youngster taking my first trumpet lessons, I idolized Louis Armstrong the symbol of all that was virtuous in the world of jazz. I knew then that I would have to grow up to be a very special trumpet player indeed to find a place in the music created by Armstrong, Beiderbecke, Hirt, James and so many others.

Well, as with so many of us, my daydreams far exceeded my talent level. But despite years of inactivity due to jobs, houses, kids and bills, I never forgot Louis Armstrong. Or my trumpet.

These days I'm getting a second chance thanks to a wonderful bunch of guys that include a retired college professor, medical doctor, retired English teacher, businessmen and others. Some of us are professional musicians; others are serious amateurs compelled by our passion for the music to pick up a horn, a banjo or a set of drum sticks.

Come on along and meet the gang, drop in at a gig via our interactive web site, http://www.dixiediehards.com/, write a review or just swing and dig as you follow us from job to job.