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Home , Art Hodes, Dick Wellstood, Dixieland, Drummer, George Wettling, Jazz

January 2011 Volume 36, Number 01

“UPTOWN LOWDOWN ” ... Notes from the Prez ... Now going into Fourth Decade

OPENS SOCIETY’S 2011 MONTHLY SERIES JAN. 16 Happy New Year everyone. 2010 a good year for our Jazz Society and I expect 2011 to be even better and more fun. We’ll be By Rod Belcher starting off January, as we have done for so many years, with Uptown Lowdown. We’ll also have another 100 CD’s from Curt’s collection. Not many musical groups playing the classic jazz of the period January is also the time to start thinking of who to send to between World Wars One and Two are still going strong into a fourth Jazz Camp Heebie Jeebies. As many of you know, Puget Sound decade of adherence to its faithful style, but that’s the case with Traditional Jazz Society pays the tuition to Jazz Camp for young cornetist Bert Barr’s Uptown Lowdown . students who are serious about their . The dates for Jazz The has continued to land top-drawer bookings at festivals, Camp 2011 are July 3rd thru the 9th. The camp is located at Lake cruises, recording dates and special events ever since Barr organized Crescent on the Peninsula, which is about 35 miles west in the early . It’s been playing a steady gig each of Port Angeles. It’s a beautiful spot and perfect for the camping January for the members and guests of the Puget Sound Traditional and musical experience in every respect. Jazz Society for many years and this year is no exception. The only age limit is that the youngest students must be Uptown’s are all well-known to aficionados of at least 12 and the oldest so far has been 76. My first year as this genre of American (sometimes referred to as President we sent one student. Each year we have increased the “” though Barr and his fans rarely use the term.) number and I expect to send at least six students this summer. The His lineup of sidemen includes Tom Jacobus (); Paul tuition per student is $550 for the week. We pay these tuitions Woltz and Andy Hall (reeds); RoseMarie Barr (); Paul Hagglund with the proceeds from the raffle ticket sales each month. The (); Al LaTourette (). growth both seen and heard in the students is amazing considering They play mostly a repertoire of tunes they know so well that the number of days of instruction and practice. The faculty is top there is a minimum of referring to arranged passages. Their “book” drawer and Karla West the director runs the camp like a fine tuned includes a combination of early and , plus music related machine. But with lots of fun involved. to such as Jellyroll Morton, , Fletcher You can find all the information about camp online at Henderson, , , and www.campheebiejeebies.us. You will also find an application for each many others. It also delves into the arena of “.” student to fill out. If you know of someone (child, grandchild ...) who Come, one and all, to hear our “old reliable” purveyors of truly would enjoy and benefit from this great opportunity – just fill out TRADITIONAL jazz. the application and mail it to me at 5226 236th Pl S.E. Issaquah, WA 98020. If you’d like to talk with me about camp by all means WHERE: Ballard Elks Lodge, 6411 Seaview Ave. NW, give me a call, 425-890-6605. This will be my fifth year as a (Snacks, coffee, etc. available. Plenty of FREE parking. Excellent volunteer at camp and I love to talk about it. Or ask me about it dance floor.) at our Sunday Jazz.

TIME: 12:30 - 4:30 p.m. - Sunday, January 16th Cheers, Judy ADMISSION: $10 P S T J S MEMBERS; $13 (Invited Guests) - Pay only at door Lost and Found: INFO CONTACT: Carol Rippey, 425-776-5072 - or website: www. There was a 2-tone silver earring found at the November concert. pstjs.org The owner should leave a message at 425-776-7816 Jazz Soundings January 2011 Page 2 Puget Sound Traditional Jazz Society 19031 Ocean Avenue Edmonds, WA 98020-2344 425-776-5072 www.pstjs.org SUBSCRIBE TODAY News You Can Use About Traditional Jazz and Ragtime EVENTS U.S. One Year: $26 -:- Canadian $39 U.S. Funds* Elks Lodge, Ballard, 6411 Seaview Ave N.W., Seattle U.S. Two Years: $48 -:- Canadian $74 U.S. Funds* UPCOMING EVENTS (*) Includes Airmail Delivery Make payable to: The American Rag February 20 holotradband 20137 Skyline Ranch Dr., Apple Valley, CA 92308-5035 March 20 Grand Dominion Jazz Band Phone/Fax: 760-247-5145 April 17 Hume Street Name ______May 15 Black Swan Jazz Band June 19 Ain’t No Heaven Seven Address ______LEADERSHIP City ______State ______PRESIDENT: Judy Levy [email protected] Phone ______Zip + 4 ______425-890-6605 VICE PRESIDENT: George Swinford [email protected] Puget Sound Traditional Jazz Society 425-869-2780 SECRETARY: Cilla Trush [email protected] 206-363-9174 TREASURER: Gloria Kristovich [email protected] Gigs for Local Bands 425-776-7816 CASEY MacGILL’s 4 TRIO Sundays, 5:30 - 8:30 Tutta Bella Pizzeria 4411 Stoneway N 206-633-3800 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Wednesdays, 8-11. Pink Door Restaurant & Lounge 1919 Post Alley Dave Brown: [email protected] 253-752-6525 (Pike Market) 206-443-3241 Colin Dearing: [email protected] 206-937-5476 FIRST THURSDAY BAND Joanne Hargrave [email protected] 206-550-4664 1st Thurs of each month, 7 - 10 p.m., Restaurant, 114 1st Ave S., Leroy Johnson: [email protected] 206-772-4378 Seattle, WA Jan Lemmon [email protected] 425-778-9763 GLENN CRYTZER’s SYNCOPATORS Edmund Lewin: 360-297-6633 1st Sunday of the Month 9:30-12:30 Century Ballroom 915 East Pine Ian McKenna: [email protected] 425-771-5479 (2nd Floor) 206-324-7263 George Oelrich: [email protected] 360-793-0836 Third Wednesday of the Month (same as above) Carol Rippey: [email protected] 425-776-5072 GRAND DOMINION Jan 2 - 15, Jazz Sea Cruise - Canal MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR holotradband Carol Rippey: [email protected] 425-776-5072 Tuesdays, 7 - 10 p.m., New Orleans Restaurant, 114 1st Ave S., Seattle, WA NEW ORLEANS JAZZ EDITOR Mondays 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. New Orleans Restaurant, 114 1st Ave S., Seattle Anita LaFranchi: [email protected] 206-522-7691 PEARL Jan 4, 7:30 pm Jazz Alley, 2033 Sixth Ave., Seattle, WA 206 441-9729 Jan 14, 7 pm Collective Visions Gallery, 331 Pacific Ave, Bremerton, WA JAZZ SOUNDINGS 360 377-8327 UPTOWN LOWDOWN JB Published monthly except July and August by the Puget Sound Tradi- Jan 9, 1:30 - 5 pm, Olympia Jazz Socitety, Olympia Elks Uptown “Lite” tional Jazz Society. Jan 16, 12:30 - 4:40 pm, Puget Sound Trad. Jazz Socitety, Ballard Elks Anita LaFranchi, editor, [email protected] Ads must be submitted in a jpeg or (PDF format) Payment in advance to: Gloria Kristovich, P.O. Box 373, Edmonds, WA 98020-0373 On Your Dial...... Advertising Rates: Saturday Full page $100. 7 1/2” wide by 9 1/2 “ tall 10 a.m. Gospel Jazz, Ted Reed KARI 550 AM. Half Page $60. 7 1/2” wide by 4 1/4 “ tall 7 - 12 p.m. Swing Years and beyond KUOW 94.9 FM Quarter Page $40. 3 5/8 Wide by 4 1/4 “ tall Sunday Deadline is the 10th of the month for the next months issue 3 -6 p.m. Art of Jazz, Ken Wiley, KPLU 88.5 FM Jazz Soundings January 2011 Page 3

OREGON DIXIELAND JUBILIEE Presented by Lighthouse Jazz Society

February 25 thru 27, 2011 SEASIDE, OREGON

234th ARMY BAND BLACK SWAN BLUE STREET JAZZ BAND CHOP SUEY HIGH SIERRA IVORY & GOLD NO INHIBITIONS SOUTH BURGUNDY STREET JAZZ BAND TITAN HOT SEVEN TOM RIGNEY & FLAMBEAU UPTOWN LOWDOWN WALLY’S WAREHOUSE WAIFS

BOB DRAGA, Guest Artist

Five venues: three at the Convention Center and one each at the Best Western Oceanview and Seaside Elks.

Call 1-888-306-2326 for housing info. More information at www.jazzseaside.com or 1-866-345-6257. Jazz Soundings January 2011 Page 4

They Called it Jazz - The Heartbeat of Jazz By Hal Smith

Recently, jazz pianist Ray Skjelbred was listening to the 1941 on for awhile in New York. Between 1929 and 1932, his drumming was recording of “The Last Time I Saw ” by The Three Deuces, with heard on a number of classic records, including a trio date with Jelly clarinetist , pianist and Zutty Roll Morton and and the spectacular “Rhythmakers” Singleton. As Singleton launched into an accented press roll behind sides featuring Henry , Pee Wee Russell, Joe Sullivan, Eddie Russell’s wailing , Skjelbred virtually pointed his finger at Condon, and others. Singleton and declared, “That guy’s a genius!” A majority of , Zutty returned to Chicago, working as a sideman and sometimes other instrumentalists and listeners agree! leading his own groups. He continued to record memorable sides, such Arthur James Singleton was born in Bunkie, on May as those with Charles LaVere, Banjo Ikey Robinson and . 14, 1898. His lifelong nickname was bestowed upon him as an infant. When a steady engagement with Eldridge ended in 1937, Singleton (“Zutty” is Creole for “cute”). He began drumming at an early age and once again decided to try his luck in New York. The second time was a played professionally with the legendary New Orleans pianist Steve charm. He was soon working regularly at Nick’s in , Lewis. During this time Singleton became one of the first drummers in then at Jimmy Ryan’s on . He also spent a considerable New Orleans to play brushes extensively. amount of time in recording studios, with , Jelly Roll He served in the U.S. Navy during World War I, then returned to Morton, , , , Pee Wee Russell New Orleans. In the early ’20s he joined the orchestra of , and others. Singleton’s 1940 record of “” (with and went to work on the Streckfus riverboats. With Marable, he gained his own band) was one of the most rhythmically intense sides of that another nickname: “Face.” In years to come, Singleton addressed most particular year. The only other record from 1940 that could possibly acquaintances in this way, and they returned the compliment! match it was ’s “ of Wails” with ’s fiery The riverboat work eventually took Singleton to St. Louis, where relentlessly driving the band. he joined the orchestra led by cornetist . After hours, he However, the recordings that show Zutty Singleton at his best played sessions with Bix Beiderbecke, Frank Trumbauer and a St. Louis the “Three Deuces” sides, made for Commodore in 1941. The band name who would become a lifelong friend and associate— Pee Wee celebrated a musicians’ hangout in Chicago and reunited three musical Russell. In the Gateway City, Singleton also met his soon-to-be bride, comrades who formed a mutual admiration society — Pee Wee Russell Marjorie Creath (Charlie’s sister). (clarinet), Joe Sullivan (piano) and “Face” on . These records In 1925, the Singletons relocated to Chicago, to take advantage really tell the Zutty Singleton story — swinging press rolls and snare of that city’s thriving musical scene. Zutty soon fell in with an old fills, explosive rimshots, propulsive ride , hypnotic tom- acquaintance, Louis Armstrong, and the Orleanians maintained tom rhythms, melodic solos and judicious use of woodblock, cowbell a busy schedule playing dances, shows, clubs and recordings. The (and ratchet)! Russell and Sullivan were clearly enjoying every quarter drummer played briefly with Doc Cook and his Orchestra and put in note of the superb drumming. Listeners who have a will feel the a longer stint with a trio led by clarinetist . One night same inspiration when they hear these desert island recordings. during the trio engagement, Noone reportedly turned to Singleton and the first televised jazz concert, with a band led by . In asked him to take a . Years later, describing the drum solos 1943, he took time off from his busy schedule in to make to author Martin Williams, Singleton recalled humming the to a trip to Hollywood. There he appeared onscreen and was heard on the himself, marking off the internal - and eight-bar phrases and ending soundtrack of the film “Stormy Weather,” playing with a combo led by the solo exactly at 12, 16 or 32 bars, depending on the . his old friend . Zutty’s playing inspired many younger Chicago drummers. Dave Despite the fact that the onscreen action was “synched” to a Tough picked up his accented press rolls. borrowed prerecorded soundtrack, it is a joy to watch Zutty work his musical some of his unique snare drum patterns. was deeply wonders during an uptempo passage on “Ain’t Misbehavin’.” (Waller influenced by the melodic solos, using the entire drum set. In 1938, also recorded a number called “Moppin’ and Boppin,” which featured a played many of Singleton’s tom-tom rhythms on one of the drum solo, but it was not included on the soundtrack. Thankfully, it was most famous drum features of all time — “Sing, Sing, Sing,” At the end later released by RCA Victor). of his solo, Krupa also appropriated After a brief return to New York, Zutty and Marge headed west Zutty’s four strokes on the cowbell to cue the orchestra back in! to Los Angeles. During his long residency in Southern , In the late ’20s, Singleton recorded a number of classic sides with Singleton played with an astonishing roster of musicians, including Kid Louis Armstrong and . He used an unusual percussion device Ory, the , the Bobcats, Slim and Slam, Albert called “bock- a-da-bock cymbals” on “Sugar Foot Strut” and “Monday Nicholas, James P. Johnson, and ! Zutty’s Date” while other recordings demonstrated his mastery with brushes incredible musical instinct allowed him to play just the right thing in and his strong pulse on the drum. each musical situation, whether playing a rideout chorus over a fire In 1929, Armstrong and Singleton went to New York. A session siren, or following the complex playing of from July of that year produced one of the best recordings ever made by A year later, Singleton took part in Parker and Gillespie. He Louis or Zutty — “That Rhythm Man.” The incandescent and was heard on Orson Welles’ broadcasts featuring the band, vocal and the swinging drums are nonpareil. “Lamplighter” broadcasts with ’s Bob Cats, seen onscreen The two New Orleanians parted company, though Singleton stayed Continued next page Jazz Soundings January 2011 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.

Zutty Continued from page 4 in “New Orleans” (with Armstrong, Ory and ), “Love that Brute” (with Eddie Miller) and on the “Dixieland Jamboree” TV series with Nappy Lamare. He recorded with the Capitol Jazzmen, Barney Bigard, and and appeared at the very first traditional jazz festival — the “Dixieland Jubilee” in Los Angeles. The Singletons eventually returned to New York, this time permanently. In 1951, Zutty went to with a band led by Mezz Mezzrow. Though the band experienced a number of musical and personal problems, “Face” received a hero’s welcome from fans who were well aware of his distinguished musical background. Back in New York, he worked briefly with Roy Eldridge, then played a long stint in a trio with clarinetist and pianist at the Metropole. When Jimmy Ryan’s moved to a new location, Zutty led the band. He continued to record, with Sidney Bechet and Lil Armstrong, Dick Wellstood and Tony Parenti, Henry Red Allen, the DeParis Brothers and more. And despite the traditionally-oriented recordings he made, Singleton enjoyed hearing contemporary musicians such as . In the late and early 1970s he appeared at the Manassas Jazz Festival in . A number of the sessions were recorded and issued by Festival Director Johnson McRee, including a two- volume set from 1967 of “Zutty and the Clarinet Kings.” This set contains one of Singleton’s best melodic solos — a clear statement New Orleans Quintet of the melody on “Chinatown, My Chinatown,” which should Monday 6:30 - 9:30 be required listening for any drummer who expresses an interest holotradband in soloing! He also played several unaccompanied solos for the French- produced film “L’Aventue Du Jazz.” Tuesdays 7:00 - 10:00 p, After suffering a stroke in 1970, he retired from music and First Thursday Band passed away in New York City on July 14, 1975. Pianist Every first Thursday once remarked that Singleton’s drumming “was a foundation on Ham Carson Quintet which wonders could be built.” Zutty Singleton’s recordings, and comments from those who heard him in person, confirm Stacy’s Thursdays 7 - 10 pm assessment. His drumming was the heartbeat of jazz. 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

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BANDS, CONTACTS AIN’T NO HEAVEN SEVEN Leader: Terry Rogers HOT CLUB SANDWICH Contact: James Schneider [email protected] 206-465-6601 www.hotclubsandwich.com 206-561-1137 CASEY MacGILL’s BLUE 4 TRIO HUME STREET PRESERVATION JAZZ BAND Contact: Mike Daugherty [email protected] 206- Bookings: Karla West 406-862-3814 832-5372 www.blue4trio.com JAZZ UNLIMITED BAND Leader: Duane Wright COAL CREEK JAZZ BAND Leader: Arny Robbins [email protected] 866-337-2111 206-499-2719 [email protected] JAZZ STRINGS Bookings: Candace Brown COMBO DE LUXE Bookings: Candace Brown [email protected] 253-752-6525 www.combodeluxe.net [email protected] LOUISIANA JOYMAKERS! Leader: Leigh Smith 253-752-6525 [email protected] 604-294-9464 CORNUCOPIA Leader: Allan Rustad MIGHTY APHRODITE Co-leaders: Bria Skonberg, www.comband.org 425-744-4575 Claire McKenna DR. D AND THE DOGS Leader: Ansgar Duemchen [email protected] 405-613-0568 [email protected] www.dr-d-dixiedogs.com NEW ORLEANS QUINTET Leader: Dave Holo 425-337-1740 www.neworleansquintet.com 253-875-6932 DUKES OF DABOB Bookings: Ernie Landes NO INHIBITIONS JAZZ BAND 360-437-9588 [email protected] 360-981-7412 www.noinhibitionsjazz.com DUWAMISH JAZZ BAND Bookings: Carol Johnston RAINIER JAZZ BAND Manager: Randy Keller [email protected] 206-932-7632 [email protected] 206-782-1521 FIRST THURSDAY BAND Leader: Ray Skjelbred, RAY SKJELBRED [email protected] 206-420-8535 [email protected] 206-420-8535 FOGGY BOTTOM JAZZ BAND Leader: Bruce Cosacchi RONNIE PIERCE JAZZ ENSEMBLE www.foggybottomjazz.com 360-638-2074 [email protected], 206-467-9365 GRAND DOMINION JAZZ BAND Bookings: Bob Pelland UPTOWN LOWDOWN JAZZ BAND Leader: Bert Barr [email protected] 360-387-2500 [email protected] 425-898-4288 holotradband Leader: Dave Holo WILD CARDS JAZZ Leader: Randy Keller www.holotradband.com 253-875-6932 [email protected] 206-782-1521