HU* HAXH •9 V H P

Interview with Deana Martin

Profile o f arranger George Duning

Remembering Dave Tough

Buddy Rich lends humor to story BIG BAND JIMP N EWSLETTER FIRST ISSUE OF THE 23RD YEAR OF PUBLICATION

VOLUME 133 BIG BAND JUMP NEWSLETTER MARCH-APRIL,2011

INTERVIEW- DEAN A MARTIN

THE BACKGROUND

Deana Martin, the daughter of Dean Martin, is a very busy performer, not only musically but dramatical ly and as a writer. She first appeared on television in 1966 on her dad’s highly successful TV variety show, becoming a frequent guest. She’s been a guest of Merv Griffin, Joey Bishop and Mike Douglas on their TV programs, and appeared as an actor on stage in both Europe and the United States. She’s also appeared in motion pictures starring Robert Mitchum and George Montgomery.

During the ‘80s and ‘90s Deana Martin’s personal enthusiasm for health and exercise led herto establish a company called ‘‘Bodies by Deana” and create an exercise video. Deana Martin checks you out over her shoulder Her devotion to family comes through in the following interview. That devotion and the experiences of grow­ her personal health and fitness, briefly referring to a ing up in a family of seven kids with a famous father morning regimen, but without taking advantage of the resulted in a book titled, “Memories Are Made Of This.” moment to promote her exercise video.

She and her husband, John Griffeth, lobbied the Ohio Deana Martin was at home in Branson, Missouri when state legislature to make an official holiday in connection we phoned to record the following interview. That gave with the Dean Martin Festival held each year in rise to our first question. Steubenville, Ohio, Martin’s home town. Dean Martin’s birthday, June seventh, has been declared a state holiday THE INTERVIEW assuring continuation of the festival, a boost to the local economy and source of money to help fund the Dean BBJ: Why did you move to Branson? Martin Music Scholarships awarded to talented young people in the area. DM: Five or six years ago I was going to do a concert tour. Les Brown and The Band Of Renown THE SCENE was on the Dean Martin TV show and I knew Les Brown, Sr. very well and Les Brown, Jr. John (her A Deana Martin CD, reviewed in the September- husband) said, “Why don’t we hire Les Brown so we October, 2009 issue of this newsletter keyed off this can have Deana Martin and Les Brown together?. We conversation with her. Having never met Deana Martin, contacted Les and Les lived in Branson, Missouri and he judgement of her personality had to be made exclusively said he’d be delighted to conduct the tour. He said it from her voice and demeanor on the phone. She’s would be a lot less expensive if you came here for strongly family oriented and personable even with what rehearsal. So we came to Branson to rehearse. I must be a demanding schedule. She also is devoted to thought it was beautiful, just a dream place. VOLUME 133 BIG BAND JUMP NEWSLETTER MARCH-APRIL,2011

1 had hurt my shoulder and Les’s girl singer suggested orchestra is a de­ I see an orthopedic surgeon. We went to his home and light and a little over­ when I walked in the front door 1 said, “What a gorgeous whelming. Usually house.” It’s a big Georgian house on the golf coursejust my band is 42 off the first fairway. He treated my shoulder and pieces or 18. We mentioned he had to move to St. Louis and he had to sell play perform ing art his house. To make a long story short, here we are. centers, festivals ....fabulous Italian It’s a wonderful place to come back to. Your life is festivals....and re­ different here, rather than in Beverly Hills. We travel cently I’ve hired around so much and for us to come back after a five incredible mu­ whirlwind tour is refreshing. People are so respectful sicians. All my ar­ and kind. rangements have been re-written for BB J : Are you treated as a star personality or the girl a quintet, so I can next door? go to any size venue. I’d love to DM: Kind of both. People are used to me and happy do a Madison to see me; it’s always such a delight for people Square Garden or to know that I’m Dean Martin’s daughter. I’m treated the Palladium. It’s with respect and just as a person who lives in Branson traveling to differ­ just like Andy Williams. I look out my kitchen window ent venues with different size bands. It’s almost me, and there’s his house and he’s a dear friend, and all the one-on-one with the audience when I’m up there people that are here. singing. It doesn’t matter if there are two thousand people or four hundred people, it’s just me and the BB J: Have you considered doing a regular show in audience. It’s a wonderful feeling. Branson? BBJ: Standard, repetitive question: What kind of DM: I’ ve considered it, but for me... .1 can go out on father was Dean? the road and do a few shows. I wouldn’t want to work every day here, if you know what I mean. For DM: He was so much fun and so kind and always at me this is just a nice sanctuary. I would do a special home. He was not the party animal. He was performance. I always perform for the veterans; we home every night for dinner. For me personally I would really honor our veterans here in Branson. I do a like to have had more of him to myself to go out to do veteran’s show every year and when Regis (Philbin) things together. But then I understand there were seven came here I did a concert with him. There are special children. He had his wife, he had golf. He would get things I do here, but I don’t know that I’d really want to up early every morning to play golf, and one day he said have a show here. It’s tough! It’s a grueling life, and to me, “Deana, the reason I work is so I can take care there are so many shows here. We have 140 theaters of you kids and play golf.” Those are the two things that and I think there are plenty of shows here. I don’t know were very important to him. I would have liked more that Branson could keep up with a Big Band show or a of him for myself, but he was the most unbelievable show like this for an extended period of time. human being I ever met.

B B J : Where do you appear when you ’ re on the road? BBJ: Did you ever visit your grandparents in Steu­ benville, Ohio? DM: So many different locations. Next week I’m appearing in Orlando with the Orlando sym­ DM: They moved to Los Angeles. My dad brought phony. To be appearing on stage with an 88 piece my grandpoarents Guy Crocetti and Angela to 2 VOLUME 133 BIG BAND JUMP NEWSLETTER MARCH-APRIL,2011

It’s a wonderful, freeing feeling. It’s very nice to get up and go when we want to and not have to worry about all that security at commercial airports.

BBJ: What do you see as the future of music in America?

DM: Hopefully younger people, like the Michael Bubles, will embrace the Great American Songbook. I think there are some excellent entertainers now who are keeping the Great American Songbook Young Deanawith her dad alive. 1 think it’s going to be alright.

Inglewood so we saw them all the time. My grand­ On my web site I’m getting correspondence from mother would come over to the house every Sunday people who are seven years old, ninety-seven years night and make dinner. I have such incredible memo­ old... .it doesn’t matter the age of the person. It appeals ries of her teaching me how to make pasta fagioli and to every age group and it doesn’t matter what the music 1 have that story in my book with the recipe in there with style is, I think it’s how it touches you personally. the secret ingredient. There are different types of pasta fagioli. The one my grandmothertaught me is all white. BBJ: Is your life a happy one? I had a little bit of an argument with Sophia Loren one time when she asked me how I made my pasta fagioli DM: Yes, I’m very happy. First of all I have my and I told her. She said, “No, no! You have to have health. I have a wonderful husband, gorgeous tomatoes and garlic.” son and two incredible grandsons. I live in a beautiful BBJ: How and why did you become a pilot? place, I take care of myself, I’m doing what I want to do with my life carrying on an incredible legacy that Dean DM: My brother, Captain Dean Paul Martin, was Martin give to the world. the one who first got me interested. He was a wonderful pilot and he would fly all of us to Palm Are there more things I would like to do? Yes. I don’t Springs. Two years after Dino’s fatal jet accident, 1 know if I’d ever retire. There’s an energy, a spark in met John Griffeth who was a pilot. He wanted me to me. I keep wanting to learn new things, experience new fly with him, and I was nervous because I’d lost my things, enjoy life. I wish I had more time. For me, life brother and the idea of going into a small plane was not is wonderful and I am happy. I think happiness comes high on my list ofthings to do. John said, “It would make from knowing that I’m loved and that I’m doing some­ me feel better if 1 knewyou could land the plane in case thing important in my life. something happened to me.” Parenthetically, BBJ host Don Kennedy met I started taking lessons at Santa Monica airport. It was Deana’s dad shortly after he married her very difficult to learn how to fly and get over my fear mother. The year was 1949 and Kennedy was but I did it and I know my brother Dino was up there interviewing Dean in his dressing room at the during my first cross-country solo flight. I was so Stanley Theater in Pittsburgh. It was the days nervous; I turned around three times because ofweather, of Martin & Lewis. but I took off from Santa Monica airport and flew out over Malibu and along the coast up to Santa Ynez and Hear BIG BAND JUMP on demand by going landed there. I got clearance to take off again and when to the web site: www.bigbandjump.com. 1 got back to Santa Monica airport I kissed the ground! At the top of the home page, simply click on It was such an amazing flight for me. We love to fly. the blue sentence: Click Here to listen now! We have a beautiful 310 Cessna and we fly to concerts.

3 VOLUME 133 BIG BAND JUMP NEWSLETTER MARCH-APRIL.2011

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR a singer, he went on to fame and fortune Letters to BIG BAND JUMP or the BBJNEWSLET­ and we sidemen TER may be sent to the address below or e-mailed went offto oblivion. to [email protected]. When you e-mail, Just kidding. please give your name and address. All letters are answered, but the volume of mail sometimes de­ Lawrence lays a timely response. Vernazza San Mateo, CA BBJ NEWSLETTER Box 52252 Just received the Atlanta, GA 30355 Les Brown and Woody Herman pro The published letters have been edited for space grams. Les Brown’s considerations, but the meaning has been preserved. is very good and the Woody Herman Bobby Vinton Andrew Dost Just so you know, I’m 27, play program is devastat­ Traverse City, MI in a rock band and I LOVE (his ing! (His exclamation.) I have the Woody Herman tunes caps) Big Band music, and on 78, but I go to BBJ and zap, here they come on one your show. Thanks for introducing people to great disc. One of my prized goodies is Woody’s Carnegie music! Y ounger generations like this stuff but don’t talk Hall Concert. SUMMER SEQUENCE is my favorite. about it much. Mr. Vernazza refers to the one hour custom- Mr. Dost wrote to ask the name of a tune on the made CDs of BIG BAND JUMP programs, of­ BBJ New Year’s program, a show canted to­ fered in mailings to BBJ customers. The pro­ ward music to dance to, generally with a strong grams contain the music and announcements as repetitive beat. We 're gratified when those in heard on the air and are collector's items for younger generations write to say they like Big listeners. The Kenton BBJ program is sched­ Bands. uled for the weekend of 2-3 April, 2011 on both the commercial and public broadcast outlets Alan Sternbergh There was a national Big Band carrying the BBJ program. It is, as always, Chambersburg, PA contest held at Carnegie Hall available on demand at bigbandjump.com the in the Fall of 1946. I played week after it’s heard on the air. second trombone in a band put together by a Teaneck, New Jersy high school teacher to compete in that Michael J. Rutar contest. Our band was voted the best “all around” band. Lorain, OH I was surprised when they chose me as an award winner for best “swing” solo on one of the Woody Herman I really enjoyed the charts we featured. The fantastic “swingin’” trombon­ article on Ina Ray ist from Woody Herman’s Band, Bill Harris, presented Hutton. The pic­ me with my award, 1 wonder if any of your readers ture in the BBJ played in that contest? NEWSLETTER is the same as I have Will Myers My love of the Big Bands stems from in my collection. I Littleton, CO playing in local dance bands around the also have a picture Pittsburgh area in the late ‘40s and of Rita Rio and the early ‘50s. My high school buddy Bobby Vinton had a Phil Spitalny all-girl band during our college days, but once Bobby hit it big as orchestra. {Mr. Ru- 4 VOLUME 133 BIG BAND JUMP NEWSLETTER MARCH-APRIL,2011

tar goes on to list some o f the many band photos he’s his connection with Kay Kyser that led to his career collected since 1937.) I enjoyed the Nancy Knorr writing for the movies. article. Wish her, the Pied Pipers and her brother with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra many bookings and a lot In 1944, after two years in the Navy creating dozens of of success. music programs for the Armed Forces Radio Service, Duning was involved in the music for the Kyser band’s Mr. Rutar has subscribed to this newsletter appearance in the movie “Carolina Moon.” His work since the first issue. Rita Rio led an orchestra was noticed by Columbia Pictures music director Mor­ for a short time, and was also known as Dona ris Stoloff, who hired him as an arranger and orchestra- (with one ‘n ) Drake in the movies. She ’s been tor. It was the beginning of a sixteen year career with described as a performer with verve and en­ Columbia Pictures, first writing music for minor musi­ ergy similar to Betty Hutton. cals despite his interest in more serious movie music. His chance to demonstrate his ability to score for a Dean Canty The only information 1 found on Ben dramatic film came with 1947’s “Johnny O’clock” Edinburg, TX Homer was that he died in 1976. Love starring Dick Powell. Despite that score’s success he the piece on Nancy Knorr, having continued to be assigned work on musicals. It was a worked with Warren Covington and Bill Tole. When I musical that brought him his first Oscar nomination for was with Covington I was one of the Pied Pipers. the 1949 movie“Jolson Sings Again.” In 1956hewas again nominated for his score on the biopic, “The Eddie In last issue’s arranger profile we discovered Duchin Story.” there was very little information about Les George Duning’s most satisfying Oscar nominations Brown arranger Ben Homer. Our thanks to weren’t from musicals, but for his original scores for Dean Canty for filling in his date of death. “From Here To Eternity” (1953), “No Sad Songs For Me” (1950) and his most popu­ ARRAIMGERPROFILE- larly successful, the theme from GEORGE DUIMING the 1955 movie “Picnic.” The Kay Kyser orches­ The Duning composing philoso­ phy is reflected in a quote from tra was the starting point for the long composing him: “Get the emotion down on and arranging career of paper and you have achieved your George Duning. When goal. That wasn’t always easy, he was in his early twen­ believe me. However I was al­ ties he played trumpet and ways able to sense the emotional piano for the Kyser band, content of a film. It was some­ later arranging much of thing that was just there for me. the music for what was At least, it lasted long enough for me to get it down on paper." then the most popular music program on NBC, Television also benefited from the the “Kay Kyser Kollege Duning skill at capturingthe proper of Musical Knowledge.” emotion. Among his scores of TV The Kyser recording of credits are the themes for “Naked PUSHIN’ SAND is rep­ City”and“TheBigValley.” Even resentative of Duning’s with so much musical product out composing skill, later to there, earlier with Kay Kyser, then be demonstrated with in countless films and TV pro­ hundreds of compositions grams and later as an officer of for motion pictures. It was ASCAP and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and 5 VOLUME 133 BIG BAND JUMP NEWSLETTER MARCH-APRIL,2011

Sciences, the name George Duning is not well known Friedwald said, “My first consideration was to focus on except in the industry. He was described by co­ those who primarily sang the American songbook.” workers as a craftsman, thinking only in terms of his Usingthat basis, Friedwald writes various length articles work, never in terms of publicity. He died in the year about everyone from Ernestine Anderson, who’s first in 2000 at age 92. the book, to Nancy Wilson. Those biographical notes take the first 539 pages, followed by a series of essays Legendary composer/arranger/musician Don reflecting on music in America. Redman will be profiled in the May-June num­ ber 134 issue of this newsletter. Bing Crosby and Billie Holiday each occupy thirteen pages, the two longest biographical sketches. Relatively TOP TEA/ BAA/DS recent singers such as Harry Connick, Jr. and Michael Buble are included. There are hundreds of singers of Our reincarnation of two articles from past newsletters popular song included whose names were prominent in as part of this first issue of the 23rd year of publication American popular music from 1925 to the present. brought to mind past surveys. As our reader demo­ graphics and tastes change it could be that we’re just in Pantheon Press 811 pages - $45.00 - Available at any time to capture a fresh view of reader’s top bands. book store or on the internet.

Please see the center yellow page in this issue where you’ll find a form to fill out with your personal top ten Big Band choices. Please send in your survey sheet before May first, 2011. Results will be published in the JAZZ July-August newsletter edition. Herman Leonard BOOKS & RECORDS TO CONSIDER) Herman Leonard devised a way to get into jazz clubs without paying; he was carrying his camera and told the A BIOGRAPHICAL GUIDE TO THE GREAT managers he was there to take publicity photos. Leonard JAZZ AND POP SINGERS died last summer but over 100 of his highly illustrative WillFriedwald black & white photos have been collected in this book. If you’re looking for Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Ben Webster, Earl Hines and even a bare­ I f an encyclopedia of foot Sarah V aughan * singers, this is it. If you’re looking for a were captured not j À Riajrriapbicftl Guide reference work to the in posed photos, but to Lb*- G reat J a n in action as they and P < i| i Sin ge rs lives of singers both current and past, this worked. This is how W ill F rledwald is it. If you’re looking we’d want to re­ to be entertained with member them for the information about it’s the only way the singers and their many of us have recorded product, this seen them with Bookcover is it. those action memo­ ries imprinted on Will Friedwald. the jazz writer, has been gathering this our collective material for years and has assembled it alphabetically brains. Bookcover in this 811 page book. The bland cover pictured above doesn’t reflect the liveliness of the contents. When Bloomsbury-304 pages - $65.00 or less at book stores asked how he selected the subjects for inclusion, and on the internet. 6 READER SURVEY ■ TOP TEN BANDS

As noted in the text, it's been several years since we polled our readers to determine their top ten Big Band preferences. During that time tastes and demographics have changed and it might be a good idea to check your personal top ten again. Please list your ten favorite Big Bands in order of your preference and send the sheet to us before the first of May, 2011. W e'll publish the results of the survey in the July-August, 2011 BBJ NEWSLETTER.

PERSONAL FAVORITE BANDS

(No need to fill in all the blanks if you run out of preferences before you get to ten. Your votes will still be used to determine the overall final list.)

Your comments (if desired): 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Many thanks for taking time to fill in this survey sheet. Should be interesting to see how these results compare with earlier similar Big Band polls, both from the era and those conducted a few years ago by this newsletter.

It's not mandatory that you let us know who you are or your reasons for your top selection(s) but they'll give greater depth to the final results if you do. We very much appreciate your participation.

Use the self-mailer or send in an envelope to: BIG BAND JUMP - Box 52252 - Atlanta, GA 30355.

NAME

ADDRESS

CITY STATE ZIP (Please fold on dotted line)

(Please fold on dotted line)

BBJ NEWSLETTER Box 52252 Atlanta, GA 30355

BBJ NEWSLETTER Box 52252 Atlanta, GA 30355

(Tape or Staple Here) (Please fold on dotted line)

(Please fold on dotted line)

BBJ NEWSLETTER Box 52252 Atlanta, GA 30355

BBJ NEWSLETTER Box 52252 Atlanta, GA 30355

(Tape or Staple Here) CENTER PAGE OFFER - THE LAST OF THE FORTIES The list of artists and selections below speaks for itself, recalling the last half of the forties when the Big Bands were all but forgotten and former singers with the bands became solo stars. This two CD collection of original recordings from 1945 through 1949 captures the essence of that time of social, economic and musical change. Fifty-four original recordings from the LAST OF THE FORTIES. Order by phone at 1-800-377-0022 or by check or credit card using the form below. THE LAST OF THE FORTIES CD One CD Two 5 It’s A Good Day - P e g g y Lee 1 I've Got The Sun In The Morning Les i i w w 2. Whiffenpoof Son« Sing Crosby 2 T o Earh IQs Own in k ¿fr-oic 3 The Hurkleburk - Tommy Dorsey 3 111 Dance A t You r W edding - Buddy C la rk 4 Lr'VT Suirreliridy - D o r is D efy f Buddy 4 I ’m A Big Girl Now - Sam m y K a y r t> Kiinin Full O f Ku«ps - Sam m y Kaye 5 Sy»«|>bnny - Fre ddy Ptartt*t 6 A D ifnun '* Holiday - Perty Cornet 6. St. Louie Btuev March - Tex Bertek* 7 Cruisin' D own T lip R h t r - Puss M org a n 7 Come Rout O r Co rue Slum- - Margaret Whiting £ I Low You (For Srndiucntal Rcuoia) b i l l C o ie S I W ish I D idn’ t L o ve You So P dugkn Monroe 9 Guilty • M a rg a rv i Wheing 9 Choo Choo Ch Bo ogie Lome Jordan 10 Sabre Dartre - Woody Harman 10. Again - D o n x D ay 11 Little W h ite Lies - D>c k fia y m eo 11 So Tired - Fuss Morgan 12 LwghinE On The Outside - A n d y H u -m rit 12 Cement M ix e r - Ahnno fifty 13 Old Butt*« mi th Sky - K a y K yeer 13 D on’t Cry »Toe - CTtJreian Jenkma 14 Tw elfth Street R ag - puff efi'-e Muni 14 Maybe It's Because - Dtck Maymes 35 You Keep Coming Back Like A Song Dinah Shore 15 Buttons And B ow s Dinah Shore 36 Anniversary Song A i P ois on 16 Nature Boy D a i C ole 17. Heartaches - Tad W eems 17 You Came A Lon« Way From St. Louis - Fay M cK in le y 18 1 Love You So Much It Hurts M e - Mills Brothers IS Beg Your Pardon - Francis Craig 19 Again - D a n * D ay 19 N ow I* The Hum - Ping Crvtby 20 Five M inutes Mure - T*x fieneke £0 A Wonderful Guy - Margaret Hsnting 21 Baby, It's Cold Outside - MercerJ Hlaimg 21 Personality - Johnny Mercer 22 Oh, W hat It Seemed To Be - Frankie C ork 22 A - You're Adorable - F orty ’ C o m o 23 L o ver Lee P a u l 23 A Sunday Kind Of Love Claude Thornhill 24 Hear You - Francis Craig 24 A Gal In Calico - Ter Bemrke 25 A T ree In The M eadow - M a rg a ret 25 Careless Hands - M e l Ton ne 26 Once to Lave With Amy - Pay B&t&fr 2 (- Du in' What Come* Nuturlly - Fred d y Met rim 2 - Baby Fare - A.rt M tffiney 27 Shim Fly Pie - Stem Kenton

LAST OF THE FORTIES 2 CDs 54 Selections $29.95 with FREE shipping

NAME

ADDRESS

CITY STATE ZIP I’m enclosing a check or money-order, or please charge to my VISA or MASTERCARD, as above. VOLUME 133 BIG BAND JUMP NEWSLETTER MARCH - APRIL,2011

AN ANNIVERSARY LOOK BACK steady beat svas a driving forceforthcbands swingmgcst arrangements Bassist Sid Wetss saidoFTough. "Budd\ As noted under the masthead of this issue, Rich was said to have a fast foot but Davuv could pint we ’re beginning the twenty-third year of BIG faster than Buddy und faster than Lou is Ekllson. I le had BAND JUMP NEWSLETTER publication. We that perfect way of pedaling the bass drum without that seldom look back, but it became a time of hollow booming sound, the kind that Knipa play ed, that reflection and re-discovery when we opened swallowed up the notes of the siring bass and the rest of the old files to see what we’d done. When the the rhythm section " newsletter was little more than half a decade old we recruited former sportscaster, drummer Jazz critic Leonard Feather wrote. ' Dave Tough may and music enthusiast Hank Morgan to write a well be rated as the greatest artist to ever work as a jazz few columns. Here is a reprint of one of them, drummer just as it appeared in the November-December, 1994 issue, as originally seen.. Author‘Critic George Simon wrote of Tough. 'He was tremendously talented, sensitive, possessed exceptional HANK MORGAN’S CORNER intelligence, a keen intellect and a great wit As an aspiring writer Tough produced among other Hank Morgan, published works a column on drumming and other sports cast e r , subjects for Metronome Magazine former drummer arid music cmbust Weighing at times less than I DO pound> and seldom in ast, keeps coming good health, due in pan to Ins frequent bouts with up with stories alcohol. Tough often faltered on his commitments to about people w<’ many of ihe fine bands who sought his services. Hank Morgan may have forgotten from the past. This After more than twenty years of Stellar work with Big issue s subject is drummer D ave Tough described hi Bands and small groups his final bout with alcohol, Hank os everybody- s favorite drummer. depression and general ill health ended tragically when, while on leave from a veteran s hospital in New Jersey, Dave l ough began his career as a 17 vent old member he suffered a fractured skull in a fall on a Newark street ot the youthfu I Chicago jazz grou p know n as The Austin High Gang. I he group included such young players Dave Tough died December 6, 1948 at age 40 who later became star attractions in the Big Band Bra as Bud Freeman. F rank leschemaker, Bddie Condon and Jimmy and Dick Me Part land

Tough, alway s in demand, play ed with many of the top bands throughout the swing era including Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey. Artie Shaw, Bennv Goodman (after krupa left i. Red Mono. Red Nichols Claude Thornhill. Bunny Berigan. Will Bradley and Joe Marsala AI vino Rey named Tough as his all-time favorite drummer Perhaps Tough's greatest legacy was his IS months with the great Woody Herman band of 1944-4 S when he was named number one drummer in the Downbeat. Metronome and Esquire magazine polls.

Dave Tough Tough played simple basic drums but his incredibly 7 VOLUME 133 BIG BAND JUMP NEWSLETTER MARCH -APRIL.2011

BIG BAND JUMP TRIVIA QUIZ

This quiz is based on some of the BBJ programs broadcast in early February, just a few weeks ago. The music and information associ­ ated with it should be fresh in your minds making it easy for you to achieve a high score. There is no single theme to the (5 ) GOTA DATE WITH AN ANGEL becamethe theme of what questions that fol­ Ray Conniff is part of quiz bandleader? low. They’re taken from the programs titled UPLIFTING MUSIC and A -H a l Kemp B -lna Ray Hutton C-Skinnay Ennis INSTRUMENTAL PLAYBOOK which ran the first D-AlvinoRey two weeks in February. (6) Composer/arranger Jerry Gray said hisfavorite recording of STRING OF PEARLS (which he wroteand arranged for Glenn Gird your loins, sharpen your pencils and attack the Miller) was by: following questions with vigor. A -H a l McIntyre B-Frank DeVol Given the nature of these questions, most Big Band C-Benny Goodman D-AlvinoRey enthusiasts should be able to score ten correct without any Herculean effort. Ready? Begin. (7) BIZET HAS HIS DAY was written and arranged by: A-Ben Homer B- Jerry Gray C-Mel Powell (1) One band had the only instrumental recording reaching the D-DeaneKincaide chartsintheyearl 949. Pleasenametheband. (S) The riff in Lunceford’s YARD DOG MAZURKA is the same A -G u y Lombardo B -Les Brown C -Blue Barron as heard in: D - Tommy Dorsey A-MOONGLOW B-INTERMISSION RIFF C - LOVER D-STARDUST , (2 ) Tommy Dorsey’s SUN NY SIDE OF THE STREET featured thevocalgroupcalledTheSentimentalists. Theirname really (9 ) Young arranger Bill Finegan so impressed Tommy Dorsey was: with a long arrangement, Dorsey authorized it to be on both sides of a 7 &. It is: A -P ied Pipers B - Boswell Sisters C - McGuire Sisters D-Clark Sisters A-PUSSYWILLOW B-SONGOFINDIA C-HAWAIIAN WAR CHANT D-LONESOME ROAD (3)RayConniffgainedsomefameinthefiftieswithvocalgroup (1 0 ) The British Syd La wrence Orchestra is led by: recordings. He had previously played and arranged for Big Bands. Whatinstrumentdid he play? A-TedHeath B-ChrisDean C-SidneyLotterby D-Ian Moffat A-Trombone B-TenorSax C-Trumpet D-Tuba Hope you did well on this one. Some of the questions and (4 ) Whatoccupationdid singer M a tt Monro have when he was answers are evident from past quizzes, others refer to discovered? articles in previous newsletters as well as on-air mentions. As always, answers are on page twelve. A-Plumber B-Painter C-Carpenter D-TruckDriver

8 VOLUME 133 BIG BAND JUMP NEWSLETTER MARCH-APRIL,2011

farm. The next cocky young rooster steps up and does SIDELIGHTS Bird's soloon “Night In Tunisia.” Still nothing happens. A third, quite pompous rooster comes up and scats Humorous stories of and about musicians. Trane’s “Giant Steps''solo. Nothing. Norisingsun. No Today’s two stories are fiction, but reflect the barking dogs. No motion. The three young roosters turn ability of musicians to laugh at themselves and to the old guy, perplexed and ask why their efforts were their craft. fruitless and what they should have done.

The story goes that in 1969 a mail sorter at a New York Finally the old rooster says, "Pay attention.” He clears post office re­ his throat, gives a little cough and cries out. ceived a letter “COCK A DOODLE DOO....COCK A addressed to DOODLE DOO!” “The Greatest The sun rises! Dogs start barking! The Drummer In The farmer wakes up! The old rooster looks at World.” There the younger ones and shouts: was no address or return address “I’VE BEEN TELLING YOU SAD and the sorter %$@*&% JERKS FOR YEARS: YA wasn’t sure what GOTTA’ PLAY THE STANDARDS!!!” to do. QUICKIE REPORTS Fortunately there was a former Frank Sinatra’s Holniby Hills. Califomiaes- drummer who tate was sold at the end of last year to worked on the Paramount Pictures CEO front counter of Brad Grey for 18.5 million the post office The modest Buddy Rich ______dollars. The new owner who promptly will be able to make use of a large found Max Roach’s address and forwarded the letter. motor court, a chauffeur’s apartment, Max Roach received the letter and said, “Oh, no. I’m two libraries, a garden room, seven not the greatest drummer in the world.” Max then bedrooms plus apool with pool house. Land owner Sinatra forwarded the letter to Gene Krupa who said, “Some­ Sinatra bought the house for a quarter million dollars in body must’ve made a mistake” and forwarded the letter 1948 at a low point in his career. to Buddy Rich.

Of course, B uddy had been waiting his entire life for that Jazz pianist Billy Taylor permanently moment. He read the address “To The Greatest left the bandstand on December 28, Drummer In The World” and smiled from ear to ear as 2010. He was a native of Washing­ he ripped open the envelope. ton, DC but moved to New York in The letter began, “Dear Ringo...... ” the early ‘40s to become a protégé of Art Tatum. He appeared on the CBS “Sunday Morning” TV showoverthe Icon Billy Taylor An old rooster, getting ready to retire from his gig on the years to interview and accompany music guests as well farm invites some up-and-coming young roosters to as appearing regularly on NPR. audition for the choice gig.

The first young rooster shows up and scats Dizzy’s Legendary radio writer, producer and director Norman “Groovin’ High” solo. Nothing happens. The sun Corwin recently celebrated his 100th birthday. Fre­ doesn’t rise, No dogs bark. There’s no activity on the quently underlying his dramatic presentations for CBS 9 VOLUME 133 BIG BAND JUMP NEWSLETTER MARCH-APRIL,2011

radio were social and political com­ Georgia Carroll, the wife of Kay mentary. His first program for the Kyser, died at age 91 on January network was in October of 1938 14th, 2011. She’d been living in the followingOrson Welle’snow classic Chapel Hill, North Carolina home “War Of The Worlds.” In a centen­ where Kay retired sixty years ago. nial birthday interview Corwin said, She was a nationally known top fash­ Georgia Carroll “1 didn't leave radio, radio left me.” Corwin ion model when she joined the Kay He lives in Los Angeles. Kyser Band in 1943, where she was always introduced by Kay as “Gorgeous Georgia Carroll.” *** Kay Kyser and Georgia Carroll married in 1944. Early in January the Universal Mu­ sic Group announced it was giving UPCOMING BBJ PROGRAM TITLES the Library of Congress more than 100,000 master tapes, lacquer, glass 5-6 MARCH, 2011 The requests have been stack- and metal discs dating from 1926 to REQUESTS PLUS ing up for several months . In 1948. Bing Crosby’s original 1947 order to assure maximum ex­ master of WHITE CHRISTMAS, is Les Paul, among those posure to various artists we’ve adopted the “Requests included as well as master record- relegated to the archives Plus” format which allows us to add to the frequently ings by Ella Fitzgerald, Andrews Sisters, Louis repetitive requests with a selection in a similar mode. If, Armstrong, Les Paul, Fred Waring, Judy Garland, Billie for example, someone requests Glenn Miller’s IN THE Holiday and the Mills Brothers among others. The MOOD (which happens often) we accompany it with original labels for which the masters were originally a lesser-known Miller recording. This approach satis­ made are Decca, Mercury, Brunswick and Vocalion. fies the listener directly but also lends more latitude to the overall program. *** Alvin and the Chipmunks are suing 12-13 MARCH, 2011 Two very different or EMI, owners of Capitol Records, SPOTLIGHT ON chestras are high- claiming they didn’t get proper royal­ KRUPA / CROSBY lighted on this pro­ ties on the sales of a 24 song boxed gram: the often wild set. Acting on the Chipmunks behalf but disciplined Gene Krupa Band plus the Bob Crosby is the owner of the franchise, group. The Crosby band was together for only a short Bagdasarian Productions. The time but solidly ensconced in the minds of swing fans. speeded-up singing ofthe Chipmunks The litigious Chipmunks You’ll hear the oft-repeated and most generally popular introduced in 1958 might be the best­ Gene Krupa recordings as well as hisjazz trio and a few selling entertainment novelty gim­ more obscure tracks. The Bob Crosby Band was a mick in modem times. cooperative and as such exhibited more creative free­ dom than most bands ofthe time. The cooperative hired *** Bob Crosby to front the band because of his name Margaret Whiting, one of the finest recognition, but the musicians were really in charge. singers of popular song in the middle Thatarrangementyielded some highly imaginative and ofthe last century died on 10 January creative recordings still valued these years later. at age 86. Her sensitive recording of MOONLIGHT IN VERMONT first 19-20 MARCH, 2011 Once one of the most brought her to public attention. She Margaret Whiting HENRY MANCINI powerful music fig- was a staple of USO tours during REMEMBRANCE ures in Hollywood, WW1I and the Korean conflict. She was the daughter Henry Mancini is of composer Richard Whiting. known for scoring TV programs, motion pictures and a

10 VOLUME 133 BIG BAND JUMP NEWSLETTER MARCH-APRIL,2011 show on Broadway as well as dozens of top record hits. review those events and the recordings that went with We recall Mr. Mancini through clips of a conversation them. with him six months before he died, plus his music both from his recorded output and from soundtrack copies. 16-17 APRIL, 2011 In order to pack as Henry Mancini’s was a life beginning with the Big OLD, NEW, BORROWED much different Bands, then writing music for the movies. It was a & BLUE melody into the short recording of the television theme for the program time allotted by r a ­ “Peter Gunn" that began his ascent as a record star. dio programs, Glenn Miller used to create medleys You'll hear a recent musical icon’s story told in music containing the above wedding elements. As we review and his own words. some of the actual Miller medleys, we’re able to work up some of our own with other artists as they meet those 26-27 MARCH, 2011 During parts of the four musical conditions. A wonderful way to again SPOTLIGHT BANDS Big Band Era Coca- enjoy the oft-repeated Miller sound with some lesser- Cola sponsored a heard titles, but also hear other artists in this format regular program cal led “Spotl ight Bands” with rotating borrowed from Miller himself. top bands of the time. This program is an assemblage of some of the actual broadcasts from the ‘40s, just as 23-24 APRIL, 2011 Sometimesthemusic they were heard on the radio, along with background SOUNDS OF TELEVISION used on television information filling in the stories. The stiff, over-re- fades into obscurity hearsed style of the broadcasts doesn’t diminish the because we’re concentrating on the picture. This musical value of the bands, giving us a time capsule program reaches beyond the visual to call attention to compressing six decades into the present. both background music and themes used on TV. Just as in motion pictures, we sometimes aren’t aware of the 2-3 APRIL, 2011 W ith com m ents by Stan music that has such a vital role in creating a mood to fit REMEMBERING Kenton plus his key record- the show. Often we’re also not aware of the well- STAN KENTON ings from the time of his great­ known composers sometimes connected with the TV est general popularity, this pro­ music we’11 hear. Billy May, Henry Mancini, Neal Hefti gram covers the early Kenton years, plus a peek into the and Pete Rugolo are among the composers whose work time when the Kenton Band had lost acclaim among the we’ll sample. general public. Kenton reveals a great deal in segments from an interview conducted by BB J host Don Kennedy 30 APRIL / 1 MAY, 2011 The fact that in the ‘70s plus his comments taken from recorded GOODMAN 1938 CONCERT the sound concerts and other sources helping to clarify his musical from this his­ direction. A revealing look into the career of one of the toric swing concert was preserved at al 1 is a m iracle, but most dynamic bandleaders of the Era and beyond. the additional fact that the resulting recordings have retained their popularity and fascination over three 9-10 APRIL, 2011 It’s been quite a while since generations later is little short of magic. Listeners will CLASS OF ’43 we looked into the music heard inevitably request the ’38 concert version of SING, by the Class of 1943. That SING, SING and then want to hear the emotional rush was a heady time in popular music when Glenn Miller that comes with the sound wave of applause from the was at his peak popularity, Harry James was famous packed hall that cold January night. We experience it (sometimes famous was rhymed with Jame-ess), Bing all again helped along with later comments from Benny Crosby, Vaughn Monroe and Dick Haymes were vying Goodman and some remembrances of events sur­ for top billing on the record shelves and Benny Goodman rounding key elements of the performance. fielded a young band with a singer named Peggy Lee. The Ink Spots, Mills Brothers and Andrew Sisters were 7-8 MAY, 2011 This is a well-worn the most popular singing groups and Dinah Shore and SELDOM HEARD BANDS form at for a program Lena Home made the charts. It was the year of Casa but is given new life Blanca in the movies giving new life to an old song. We as we present some of today’s bands as well as

11 VOLUME 133 BIG BAND JUMP NEWSLETTER MARCH -APRIL2011 secondary bands of the Big Band Era. There are some ANSWERS TO BIG BAND JUMP TRIVIA QUIZ absolutely thrilling sounds emerging from today’s re­ cording studios for two major reasons: Today’s musi­ 1 -B I’VE GOT MY LOVE TO KEEP ME WARM cians display great ability and when combined with was not only the lone instrumental record hit of emotionally driven imagination can come up with sound 1949, but the last hit record for Les Brown. He was able delights. Those sounds are captured with greater clarity to sustain his band because it was the house band for and depth than ever before. We look back AND Bob Hope. forward to develop this program of bands you may have never heard, creating pleasing sounds. 2- D The four Clark Sisters, one of whom married arranger Sy Oliver. 14-15 MAY, 2011 Not long ago in a pro- 3- A Ray Conniff arranged for, among others, Artie TOMMY DORSEY duction discussion we Shaw & Harry James before launching his own REMEMBRANCE recalled the presence unique singing group. of some comments by Tommy Dorsey himself hidden somewhere in the BBJ 4- D Radio folk love to talk about how Matt Monro archives. We dug into the file and came up with some went from being a ‘lorry’ driver to a singing star. observations made by Tommy Dorsey. This program strives to match his comments with some key Dorsey 5- C Skinnay Ennis, of course, who gained fame recordings and combine them with the remarkable singing GOT A DATE WITH AN ANGEL events of his life. A vital time in American musical with Hal Kemp. It was logical he adopt it as his theme history is brought into clear focus. when he organized his own band. For a time he was the house band for the Bob Hope radio program. He died early, choking to death in a restaurant. ANOTHER LOOK BACK 6- C Goodman’s STRING OF PEARLS was ar­ At the end o f 1993 we published a top ten list o f ranged by Mel Powell, who laterwas arranger bands, comparing our reader’s choices with the top and piano player for the Miller Military Band. Jerry ten bands as published by Metronome Magazine in Gray, who worked forMiller both in civilian life and in the 1939. Every time we did a survey folks were eager army, admired Powell’s deft arrangement. to find out what other people considered the top 7- A Ben Homer arranged BIZET HAS HIS DAY. bands. From the November-December, 1993 issue, His profile appeared in the January-February, here’s a look back at the results o f that 18 year old 2011 issue of this newsletter. reader’s survey. 8-B The similarity between the two recordings was METRONOME'S 1939 BIG BAND JUMP’S featured in the “Instrumental Playbook” pro­ TOP TEN 1993 TOP TEN gram of BBJ. 1. Benny Goodman Glenn Miller 2. Artie Shaw Benny Goodman 9- D The fact that Tommy Dorsey could convince 3, Tommy Dorsey Stan Kenton RCA Victor to use both sides of a 78 to dis­ play the complete LONESOME ROAD arrangement 4. Bob Crosby Artie Shaw indicates his value and power at that label. Generally 5. Glenn Miller Tommy Dorsey record executives wanted different tunes on each side 6. Count Basie Harry James so if one didn’t sell, the other one would.

7. Jimmy Dorsey Woody Herman 10- B Trombone player Chris Dean took over the 8. Harry James Count Basie operation of the Syd Lawrence Orchestra shortly 9. Jimmie Lunceford Les Brown after Syd died. In current parlance it is a ‘ghost’ band. 10. Duke Ellington Duke Ellington 12 BIGBAND JUMP Presorted Standard B o x 5 2 2 5 2 U. S. Postage Atlanta, GA 30355-0252 PAID Atlanta, GA Permit No. 3259

Pretty singer

Marilyn Maxwell was a Big Band singer in her teens before she became a movie star. Renowned for U SO shows with Bob Hope.