Hello Everyone!

Just before the holidays, on my way back to Boston from Phoenix, I was in the plane riffling through a bunch of magazines and it seems to me that this time of year everyone is coming up with a top ten list. Top Ten toys the kids will want for the holidays, Top Ten celebrity scandals reported this year, the Top Ten things you better do next year or you will get fat and old, etc, etc. So I thought maybe we should try it.

No problem. I was so sure it wouldn't be a problem I grabbed a pen and started writing right on back of one of the magazines. But then problem number one arose--Top Ten what? Top Ten most surprising shows Scullers had this year, Top Ten shows we wished would never leave, Top Ten shows we may never get back because this talent is just going to explode and be too famous and we won't be able to afford them. So not only did I have more than 40 Top Ten lists in my head, each list had about 30 eligible shows attached. And I KNEW the minute I got off the plane and called Luba, Fred, Matt, Natalie and the rest of the gang they would berate me for forgetting all kinds of shows!

So--- I decided to play it safe and go with Top Ten Most Memorable Events at Scullers , and yes I know this is completely subjective and I am eagerly awaiting to hear everyone tell me everything I forgot. So here goes and please forgive me.

10. End at the beginning-Last New Year's Eve with Earl Klugh (which ended well into 2007) was outstanding. For year's I asked why all the people that come show after show boycott us on this night every year. I love to see all the new faces and appreciate everyone allowing us to showcase what we do and love. But this year Luba and I were on a mission for the 'it's amatuer night' people to take us seriously on New Year's Eve. We started in August getting our most familiar faces to join us for the big night. It worked, it was a heck of a party, our best NYE ever. FYI--you are not off the hook this year!


9. War (Jan 5-6), yes that WAR, they came in and blew the doors off the place. What will Fred think of next?

8. Roy Haynes (Feb 2-3), This jazz drummer has played with everyone from Count Basie, Louis Armstrong, Sarah Vaughn & Bird among countless others--he is a living legend in jazz and an icon here in his birthplace of Boston. We all love him, he is so inspiring and every time he comes everyone says the same thing “Is he really in his eighties?�

7. Bobby Caldwell (Feb 9-10) The venerable crooner hadn’t played here since 1998 and for the entire time I have been here at Scullers, he has been the far and away most requested artist. We have tried and tried for almost a decade, but we persevered and did it. He is an incredible entertainer, as soulful a singer as they come and a really great guy. It was a pleasure to have him back. I received a pile of mail after the show begging us to get him back fast….can you say November!

6. Chuck Loeb (Feb 15) Chuck has been coming to Scullers from the very beginning and you know when his name is on the ticket what to expect—a good time will be had by all. But Chuck fooled us all. He showed up with this super young, super hot band that could have burnt down the place. Chuck looked like a 20 year old jumping around the stage playing a mix of rock and jazz and blues and everyone in the place was out of their seats the entire show. Josh Dion, his powerhouse drummer, was a twenty-something that could belt out a tune like a cross between Joe Cocker and Ray Charles…seriously. This was one of the best shows I have ever seen at Scullers. (Top Ten All Time)

5. Tower of Power (Apr 14-16), need we say more?

4.Charo (May 18-19) I never thought I would see/hear someone in Scullers singing the Macarena in a red sequined, very tight jump suit and not call for security, but the only one needing security was Charo from her adoring fans. Half the show was her trademark endearing, hilarious and heavily accented trip down memory lane, the second half pure flamenco guitar genius. Absolutely unforgettable!

3. Lou Donaldson (Jun 28-29) Gentle Man-He is a legend, a gentlemen and a gentle man. For all that caught the show you know this was a special treat and an honor for us to have him return after so many years.

2. The whole month of August. Okay, this is where I need to cheat, I AM AT NUMBER TWO! And who can pick a show from a month that featured Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Mindi Abair, Steve Cole, The Rippingtons, Richard Elliot, The Puppini Sisters and Ottmar Liebert-can’t do it. I know MANY of you camped out (okay not camped out technically, we do have an all suite hotel here) for days attending 4, 5, even 10 shows that month-thank you. I didn’t go home either.

1.Chris Botti (Nov 23-26)-The return. When the biggest star in the jazz/pop world, who currently has the biggest selling album on the charts today jumps off tour with Andrea Bocelli and Dianna Krall to come play your little club, you know you’ve got something special. Incredible! That’s what the entire 4 day, 8 sold out show run was, simply incredible. With all the celebrity, accolades and unbridled success he has had in the last few years, he hasn’t forgotten where he came from. Since 1998, we have presented Chris 5 times and when we asked (one can dream can’t one) if he would come visit us again HE was the decision maker who made it happen. We always knew he was an immense talent and a wonderful person and now so many more in Boston know the same.

By the way….when leaving he said he had a blast and couldn’t wait to return and then asked ‘What are you guys doing this summer?’…..STAY TUNED!


There it is and I hope this inspires you to recall all the great times had at Scullers this year! Please feel free to tell me what you think should have been included at dayla.santurri@hilton.com.

I know I have said it a million times, but it feels like a good time now. Thank you all for the support and guidance you’ve given to us throughout the years. We wouldn't have had the priviledge to do what we love without it.

On behalf of all of us here at Scullers and the Doubletree Guest Suites Boston, may we be the last to wish you, a very Happy New Year!


Dayla Arabella Santurri
General Manager
Scullers Jazz Club