December 2012 Volume 37, Number 10

SKJELBRED’S GANG OF JAZZERS OFFERS PRE-YULETIDE MUSIC IN OUR FINAL 2012 SESSION DECEMBER 16

By Rod Belcher

Pianist Ray Sjkelbred, a favorite PSTJS performer for Ray’s piano stylings often echo a trace of world-renowned years on end, brings a truly talented group of like-minded artists such as Art Hodes, , Jess Stacy, Fats old hands together to entertain at our last concert of 2012. Waller and Joe Sullivan, though he avoids being an out- He calls it his “First Thursday Band,” derived from his and-out copier. His bandstand mates always appreciate his once-a-month gig at the Creole Restaurant in ability to back their solos appropriately, a “must” to achieve Seattle’s Pioneer Square. a real feel. His years of playing in various SF Bay Area Actually, it’s an enlarged unit we’ll hear, making for trad bands shows through in his high level of musicianship. a bigger orchestral sound, though it’s still only a septet. We’re glad to have him and his good friends back again! Imported from Portland is cornetist Chris Tyle. He’s one of those multi-instrument whizzes who fits in on whatever WHEN: 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Sunday, December 16 “axe-du-jour” he’s assigned to play. The same could be WHERE: Ballard Elks Lodge, 6411 Seaview Ave.NW, said about Steve Wright of Bellevue, who will specialize Seattle as reed-man on this date, and Jim Armstrong (down from ADMISSION: PSTJS members, $12; non-member guests $15 British Columbia) who will limit his output to trombone Pay only at door. and vocals. MORE INFO: 425-776-5072 - or - website: www.pstjs.org Joining Skjelbred to form a standout rhythm section Lots of free parking; beautiful view. are Mike Daugherty, drums; Jake Powel, guitar/banjo; and Snacks, coffee, other beverages available. Dave Brown, string bass.

Notes From the Prez!

Here we are at the end of our 2012 season, and what it regularly so none of us will have to scrounge for the funds a year it has been. Next month we begin 2013, wow come June. It would be great if you would like to make time does fly when we’re having fun! your pledge now, or any time soon, just remember that we Remember we agreed in September to plan on don’t need the money in the bank until the end of June, having Bob Schulz and his Frisco Jazz Band back in when I begin searching for good and reasonable airfares for September 2013 for another awesome Jazz weekend. the guys. The amount we need to raise is $2800 to cover the I’m wishing each and every one of you Happy Holidays and travel expenses for the band. So I’m hoping all of you a healthy, prosperous New Year. have established your fund jar at home and are feeding Cheers, Judy Jazz Soundings December 2012 Page 2

Puget Sound Gigs for Local Bands Traditional Jazz Society BELLINGHAM TRADITIONAL JAZZ SOCIETY 1st Saturday 2 - 5 pm VFW Hall 625 N. State St 19031 Ocean Avenue Edmonds, WA 98020-2344 FIRST THURSDAY BAND 425-776-5072 www.pstjs.org 1st Thurs of the month, 7 - 10 pm, New Orleans Restaurant, 114 1st Ave S., Seattle, WA 206-622-2563 UPCOMING EVENTS Elks Lodge, Ballard, 6411 Seaview Ave N.W., Seattle GLENN CRYTZER AND HIS SYNCOPATORS

1st Sunday and 3rd Wednesday of the Month Dec 16 Ray Skjelbred’s First Thursday Band Jan 20 Uptown Lowdown JB 9:30 pm -12:30 am Century Ballroom 915 East Pine Seattle, WA, Feb 17 Glenn Crytzer and His Syncopators 206-324-7263 Mar 17 Gerry Green’s Crescent City Shakers Apr 21 Sidewalk Strutters holotradband May 19 holotradband Tuesdays, 7 - 10 pm, New Orleans Restaurant, 114 1st Ave S., Seattle, WA Jun 16 New Orleans Quintet with Ron Rustad 206-622-2563 PRESIDENT: Judy Levy [email protected] 425-890-6605 NEW ORLEANS QUINTET VICE PRESIDENT: George Swinford [email protected] Mondays, 6:30 - 9:30 pm, New Orleans Restaurant, 114 1st Ave S., Seattle, WA 425-869-2780 SECRETARY: Cilla Trush [email protected] 206-622-2563 206-363-9174 TREASURER: Gloria Kristovich [email protected] GREATER OLYMPIA DIXIELAND JAZZ SOCIETY 425-776-7816 2rd Sunday 1 - 4:30 pm at the Olympia Elks,

BOARD OF DIRECTORS PEARL DJANGO Joanne Hargrave [email protected] 206-550-4664 Dec. 8, 7:30 pm, The Conway Muse This really is a fun place - come on Leroy Johnson: [email protected] 206-772-4378 out! 18444 Spruce (@ Main), Conway, WA; 360-445-3000 Jan Lemmon [email protected] 425-776-9763 Edmund Lewin: 360-297-6633 Dec. 13, 7 pm - 2 sets Boxley’s 101 W. North Bend Way, North Bend, WA; Gary Lydum: [email protected] 206-719-3955 425-292-9307 George Oelrich: [email protected] 360-793-0836 Dec. 14, 8:00 pm, North City Bistro We love this place! Reservations Carol Rippey: [email protected] 425-776-5072 recommended 1520 NE 177th St; Shoreline, WA; 206-365-4447 Jack Temp 425-242-0683 Dec. 15, 7:30 pm, The Seasons At Seasons Performance Hall 101 N. Naches MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR Ave. Yakima, WA (509) 453-1888 Carol Rippey: [email protected] 425-776-5072 UPTOWN LOWDOWN JB EDITOR Dec 1, 2-5 pm, Bellingham Traditional Jazz Society - Bellingham Anita LaFranchi: [email protected] 206-522-7691 VFW Hall 6pc band Dec 2, 3-6 pm, White Rock, B.C. Jazz Society Uptown “Lite” Crescent Branch #240 Royal Canadian Legion Hall JAZZ SOUNDINGS Dec 18, 6:45 & 8:45 pm, Lights of Christmas - Warm Beach, WA Uptown “Lite” - Jingle Jazz Published monthly except July and August by the Puget Sound Tradi- Dec 19, 6:45 & 8:45 pm, Lights of Christmas - Warm Beach, WA tional Jazz Society. Uptown “Lite” - Jingle Jazz Anita LaFranchi, Editor, [email protected] Dec 21, 7-9:30 pm, Crossroads, Bellevue Uptown Swing Christmas Ads must be submitted in a jpeg or PDF format jazz plus. Payment in advance to: Gloria Kristovich, P.O. Box 373, Edmonds, WA 98020-0373 Advertising Rates: Full page $100. 7 1/2” wide by 9 1/2 “ tall On Your Dial...... Half Page $60. 7 1/2” wide by 4 1/4 “ tall Saturday Quarter Page $40. 3 5/8 Wide by 4 1/4 “ tall 7 - 12 pm Swing Years and Beyond KUOW 94.9 FM Sunday Deadline is the 10th of the month for the next month’s issue 3 -6 pm Art of Jazz, Ken Wiley, KPLU 88.5 FM Jazz Soundings December 2012 Page 3

Presented by Lighthouse Jazz Society

February 22 thru 24, 2013 SEASIDE, OREGON

BLACK SWAN BLUE STREET BRIDGETOWN SEXTET GRAND DOMINION HIGH SIERRA IVORY&GOLD ORIGINAL WILDCAT JASS BAND TITAN HOT SEVEN TOM RIGNEY & FLAMBEAU UPTOWN LOWDOWN WALLY’S WAREHOUSE WAIFS WE THREE BOB DRAGA, Guest Artist

More information at www.jazzseaside.com or 1-866-345-6257; M-F; 9 – 5 PM only. A portion of this project was made possible from a Tourism Grant by the City of Seaside Jazz Soundings December 2012 Page 4

They Called it Jazz - A HOT CLARINET IS GOOD TO FIND

By Hal Smith - AFCDJS Artistic Director

(This is one more in a series of biographies of great traditional jazz musicians. Lorenzo Tio, Jr. -- who also counted Johnny A year after the second The series started with the March/ Dodds, , , recording, Simeon made a rare appearance April 1991 issue and was developed and among as bandleader on two sensational records by Rambler founding publisher and his pupils! in a trio which features pianist Earl Hines Board Member, the late Len Levine). Simeon became an in-demand reedman (though some discographies list the Reprinted from the Fall 2012 Jazz Rambler. who also played alto, soprano and baritone obscure pianist William Barbee saxophones. He was working with Elgar’s in place of Hines). Creole Orchestra when bandleader Jelly In 1931, Simeon joined the Earl Hines Roll Morton summoned him to participate Orchestra and settled in for a 10-year stay. in the Red Hot Peppers recording sessions Fortunately, Hines’ Orchestra recorded for RCA Victor. Simeon was clearly inspired many sides between 1932 and 1941 that by the playing of Morton, cornetist George show Simeon to good advantage. His Mitchell, trombonist , banjoist/ wailing above the final ensemble was a guitarist Johnny St. Cyr, bassist John beautiful New Orleans/Chicago touch and Lindsay and drummer Andrew Hillaire. the clarinet solos are all memorable. If Omer Simeon never made another While he was with Hines, Simeon also record, the sides with Morton are eloquent recorded as a freelancer -- with Lionel testimonies to his genius as a clarinetist. Hampton and on a memorable session by Simeon’s ensemble work is flawless and the Friars Society Orchestra. The latter was every one of his solos is a masterpiece. recorded in Chicago in 1935. Alhough New The Tio influence is evident in Simeon’s Orleanians Paul Mares and Santo Pecora Dodds-like chorus on “Original Jelly Roll were in the front line, the clarinet playing Blues” and “The Chant” which resembles on the date is a lot closer to the Windy City Jimmie Noone’s agile style. The solo on than the Crescent City. Simeon’s choruses “Black Bottom Stomp” has elements of on “Maple Leaf Rag” and “Nagasaki” are Tio and his students, but is unmistakably much closer to Teschemacher than Tio. Above: Omer Simeon Simeon. The aforementioned “Smoke And the clarinet solo on the first take of House Blues” ventures into the type “Reincarnation” could easily be mistaken In the late 1950s, Mary Russell presented of sounds that would be heard a few for a typical chorus by Simeon’s erstwhile her husband Pee Wee with an LP reissue of months later in 1926, when a 17-year-old fan, Mr. Russell. ’s 1926 Red Hot Peppers Chicagoan played an “outside” solo on After leaving Earl Hines’ Orchestra, recordings. Pee Wee was fascinated by Ben Pollack’s recording of “Deed I Do.” Simeon played with ’ Omer Simeon’s clarinet work on the Throughout the mid-to-late ‘20s, Omer Orchestra and, in 1942, joined the popular records and played the sides over and over. Simeon continued to work with the Elgar orchestra led by . Soon after, he went to hear Simeon with Orchestra and also with Erskine Tate’s Simeon is present on many Lunceford the Wilbur DeParis band at a New York Orchestra. He recorded with ’s sides including “Back Door Stuff” and nightclub. Pee Wee was so overcome that Dixie Syncopators, Jabbo Smith, the Dixie “For Dancers Only.” While touring with he marched up to the bandstand and hugged Rhythm Kings and . Jelly Lunceford in California, he also played on Omer Simeon! After listening to Simeon’s Roll Morton once called Omer Simeon two recording dates with Kid Ory’s Creole haunting and somewhat quirky solo on his “favorite clarinetist,” so it is no Jazz Band in 1944 and 1945. Back in New Morton’s recording of “Smoke House surprise that Simeon was included on the York, he recorded four wonderful sides with Blues” it is easy to understand why Pee 1928 Red Hot Peppers date that produced James P. Johnson and Pops Foster, billed as Wee reacted that way. They were definitely another set of classics: “Shreveport Stomp,” “The Carnival Trio.” Coincidentally, one kindred spirits of the clarinet. “Mournful Serenade,” “Boogaboo,” “Kansas of the sides recorded with Johnson and Omer Simeon was born in New Orleans City Stomp,” “Shoe Shiner’s Drag” and Foster is titled “Lorenzo’s Blues” – surely in 1902. His family moved to Chicago “Georgia Swing.” As on the previous Morton a reference to Simeon’s teacher. in 1914, where he studied clarinet with recordings, each clarinet solo is a work of art. Continued on page 5 Jazz Soundings December 2012 Page 5

Puget Sound Traditional Jazz Society 19031 Ocean Ave., Edmonds, WA 98020-2344

Please (enroll) (renew) (me) (us) as a member or members

Name Address City, State Zip Code E-Mail Phone Check when renewing if your address label is correct

Dues for 12 months: Single $25 Couple $40 Lifetime single $200 Lifetime Couple $350 Patron $500 (One or two lifetime membership) Please enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

The Puget Sound Traditional Jazz Society is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization dedicated to the performance and preservation of traditional jazz. Your membership and contributions are tax-deductible. Thank you.

Omer Simon Continued from page 4 He stayed with Lunceford until 1950, Notable clarinetists who were inspired The horn, now owned by Dr. Michael then freelanced around by Omer Simeon include the late Frank White (also a New Orleans clarinetist) with a variety of bands. He was featured Chace, and contemporary reedmen will be displayed in the National on soprano sax on ’s “Gentleman Jim” Buchmann and Geographic Museum in Washington, 1954 recording of “Skokiaan” and spent Evan Christopher. Simeon’s clarinet D.C. the last years of his life performing and was recently featured on a segment recording with the Wilbur DeParis band. of “America’s Lost Treasures” on the He died of throat cancer on Sept. 17, 1959. National Geographic television channel. Puget Sound Non-profit Org Traditional Jazz Society U..S. Postage 19031 Ocean Ave. Paid Edmonds, WA 98020-2344 Seattle, WA Permit 1375 Address service requested

You and your friends are cordially invited to hear sizzling-hot jazz as a guest of Elks Club Jazz Society member Colin Dearing. Admission is payable at the door.

BANDS, CONTACTS

AIN’T NO HEAVEN SEVEN Leader: Terry Rogers JAZZ UNLIMITED BAND Leader: Duane Wright [email protected] 206-465-6601 [email protected] 866-337-2111 COAL CREEK JAZZ BAND Leader: Judy Logen, 425-641- JAZZ STRINGS Bookings: Candace Brown 1692 Bookings: [email protected] [email protected] 253-752-6525 COMBO DE LUXE Bookings: Candace Brown LOUISIANA JOYMAKERS! Leader: Leigh Smith www.combodeluxe.net [email protected] 253-752-6525 [email protected] 604-294-9464 CORNUCOPIA CONCERT BAND Leader: Allan Rustad THE MARKET STREET DIXIELAND JASS BAND www.comband.org 425-744-4575 Ansgar Duemchen: 425-286-5703 Tim Sherman 206-547-1772 DUKES OF DABOB Bookings: Mark Holman, 360-779-6357, www.marketstreetdixielandjass.com [email protected]. MIGHTY APHRODITE Co-leaders: Bria Skonberg, Claire DUWAMISH JAZZ BAND Bookings: Carol Johnston McKenna [email protected] 405-613-0568 [email protected] 206-932-7632 NEW ORLEANS QUINTET Leader: Dave Holo FIRST THURSDAY BAND Leader: Ray Skjelbred, www.neworleansquintet.com email: [email protected] [email protected] 206-420-8535 RAINIER JAZZ BAND Manager: Randy Keller FOGGY BOTTOM JAZZ BAND Leader: Bruce Cosacchi [email protected] 206-437-1568 360-638-2074 RAY SKJELBRED GRAND DOMINION JAZZ BAND Bookings: Bob Pelland [email protected] 206-420-8535 [email protected] 360-387-2500 RONNIE PIERCE JAZZ ENSEMBLE holotradband Leader: Dave Holo email: [email protected] [email protected], 206-467-9365 www.holotradband.com UPTOWN LOWDOWN JAZZ BAND Leader: Bert Barr HOT CLUB SANDWICH Contact: James Schneider [email protected] 425-898-4288 www.hotclubsandwich.com 206-561-1137 WILD CARDS JAZZ Leader: Randy Keller HUME STREET PRESERVATION JAZZ BAND [email protected] 206-437-1568 Bookings: Karla West 406-862-3814