NVDJS NEWS on June 11, 2017 1:00 - 4:00 June July 2017 The Dixie Giants

NVDJS NEWS FIRST CLASS MAIL Napa Valley For the past 4 years the Sonoma County- Dixieland Society based group, The Dixie Giants, have P.O. Box 5494, brought their own special version of New Napa, CA 94581 Sunday,NAPA June VALLEY 11,2017 Orleans music to the Bay Area. Whether DIXIELAND JAZZ SOCIETY they’re playing in clubs or on the streets,

Sunday, July 9, 2017 The Dixie Giants are infamous for radiat- ing an infectious energy and always hav- 1:00-4:00 pm ing a blast. While continuing to play the music of their heroes ( & The All Stars and Preservation Hall Jazz Band, ), they at have also been writing original music in an effort to continue to evolve the idiom of Traditional New Orleans Jazz. Grant Hall- Casey Jones -/ Dan Charles - Veteran’s Home Yountville, CA Tenor Sax Ricky Lomeli - Drums Jesse Shantor - Alto Sax Taylor Cuffie - Drums Jason Thor - Nick Pulley - Sousaphone

on July 9, 2017 1:00 - 4:00 RENEWALS that are DUE Ray Skjelbred and His Cubs Ray Skjelbred and his Cubs play hot Chi- June NAPA VALLEY DIXIELAND JAZZ SOCIETY cago jazz mixed with New Orleans influ- MEMBERSHIP Athens Abell ences, early swing and plenty of blues. Each musician in this five piece group is notable Name______Bruce & Sue Balala in the current traditional jazz scene, and Karen Brooks Anthony Address______Monthly Admission they have many years of playing experi- Gerri Eggers City______Zip______Donations ence, enhanced by a strong historic under- Elizabeth Candish/ Phil Ingalls Telephone:______Date:______NVDJS $8.00 standing of the music they play. The Cubs Jutta Jacobs / Charles Newman Other Jazz Clubs $9.00 swing with intensity and can play a lyrical Other Guests $10.00 Linda Stevens Standard Membership Single $30.00/year melody just as easily. Their work has been highly praised in the American Gerald Turner ($8.00 Session Admission) Couple $50.00/year Youth (12-18 years) $3.00 Rag and the International Association of Jazz Record Collectors Journal said, Children (under 12 years) No charge “For small group Chicago-style, it doesn’t get any better than this.” . Contributing Membership Single $100.00/year (Free Session Admission) Couple $170.00/year Veterans’ Home Residents No charge July Sustaining Membership Single $150.00/year Ray Skjelbred — Leader, Piano Rae Ann Berry (Free Session Admission) Couple $250.00/year NVDJS Kim Cusack — Clarinet on the Worldwide Web Katie Cavera — Guitar Soren Bloch Enclosed is a check for the following: New Renew Check out: the Napa Valley site Clint Baker — Bass Mail check made out to: napatradjazz.org Jeff Hamilton — Drums NVDJS, P.O. Box 5494, Napa, CA. 94581 Jazz Around The Bay Area

NVDJS NEWS President's Message published by the Jazz Clubs Napa Valley Dixieland Jazz 1st Sunday Society TRAD JASS of Santa Rosa meets, at the Moose Lodge, 3559 Airway Drive, Santa Rosa a July 2,DARK, Au- P.O. Box 5494, Napa, CA. 94581 gust 2, Mission Gold 1:00-5:00PM. (707) 526-1772 Jammers call (707) 573-9226, members $8, other clubs $9, pub- ______Cell Block 7 joined us in April for a great day of very lic $10.

The NVDJS is a non-profit organization fine music – what fun they are to have as our fea- 3rd Sunday founded to encourage an appreciation of tured band. NOJCNC Meets at the Elk's Lodge, 3931 San Pablo Dam Rd El Sobrante, June 18 And That’s Jazz July 16 and education in Traditional, Dixieland, San Francisco Feetwarmers 1:00-5:00 PM info call Tom Belmessieri (925) 432-6532, or Paul Hilton (415) 431-3390 , Ragtime and Swing Jazz. Jammers call Rod Roberts (415) 499-1190 . members $8, other clubs $10, public $12. ______In May we were honored to host a remembrance of 4th Sunday BOARD OF DIRECTORS SOUTH BAY TRAD JAZZ SOCIETY, Sunnyvale Elks, 375 N Pastoria Ave, Sunnyvale CA, June 25, Ceole and OFFICERS Gene Campbell. With many of Lee and Gene’s President Linda Stevens friends and family in attendance and with Beyond Jazz Kings July 23, Black diamond Blue five , 1:00 - 5:00 PM info– Barbara Kinney at (510) 792-5484 , members $8, Vice President Marilee Jensen other clubs $8, public $10. Secretary Open Salvation keeping the beat going, we had a very 3rd or 4th Wednesday Treasurer Don Robertson (acting) happy day and that is what Lee wanted. Had Gene .THE ROSSMOOR DIXIELAND SOCIETY June 28, Fog City Stompers, July5 Ray Skjelbred’s Cubs, July 26, Mis- sion Gold Jazz Band 7:00 PM At the Rossmoor Event Center, 1021 Stanley Dollar Drive, Rossmoor, Walnut Creek, CA mem- Directors at Large been there I’m sure he would have agreed. We will Don Robertson miss his always-cheerful presence on the board as bers $10, guests $15 Joy Waite well as at our gigs. Directors Emeritus Phil Eggers Dorothy Hoffman This month we welcome for the first time the Dixie Jazz in other places Sundays NEWSLETTER Giants – an up and coming jazz band with a sound all **Every Sunday**Swing Band –from 7:00—10:PM at the Hydro Bar and Grill, 1403 Lincoln Ave, Calistoga, No Cover. Editor - Don Robertson 707-258-9259 e-mail: [email protected] their own. I know there is competition on June 11 ** 3rd Sunday Gold Coast Jazz Band at the Redwood Café. 8240 Old Redwood Highway, Cotati 5-8 PM, No cover Assist. Editor - Dave Forus with another event going on, but I hope we will have Info: Bill Badstubner 707-526-1772 or Jeff Green, 650-892-0448 Tuesdays OTHER POSITIONS a good crowd to dance and listen to their version of ** 1st Tuesday-- Ken Brock’s Jambalaya Swing (11 pc ) } Thie Jambalaya gig has been discontinued Membership Don Robertson trad tunes and many original tunes band members ** 2nd Tuesdays Chris Bradley’s Traditional Jazz Band }play from 7:30 to 9:30 PM Castle Rock Restaurant 1848 Portola Avenue, 707-258-9259 Livermore 925) 456-7100 Publicity Open have written.

99209 33997 W. Elm St, Lodi CA 952427 n Elm Street Historian Open Thursdays Hope to see you on June 11. Band Liaison Linda Stevens **Every Thursday Earl Scheelar’s Zenith Jazz Band . Hornbill Burmese Restaurant, 3550H San Pablo Dam Road, El Sobrante, 707-939-9018 7-9 PM LARGE dance floor, for info call (510) 964-4293

______**Every 4th Thursday And That’s Jazz Black Pug Roastry at 1303 High St. Alameda , 7-9 pm no cover, food is very Advertising good with depression era prices, (510) 227-5926 (ONLY if space permits) Linda Ads must be submitted by the 15th of the Fridays month preceeding publication. **Most Fridays-Clint Baker's Cafe Borrone All Stars play in Menlo Park at Cafe Borrone, 1010 El Camino Real, 8-11PM. Full Page..(half legal size)...... $70.00 Saturdays Full Page insert---you provide....$30.00 ***Devil Mountain June 17 July 15 1:30 - 4:30 PM at the Danville Grange Hall, 743 Diablo Rd., Danville, CA. Admission $15 , Half Page...... $50.00 BRING YOUR OWN REFRESHMENTS. Check www.jazznut.com, Call Virginia 510-655-6728. Third Page...... $30.00 ***Last Satnrday Gold Coast “Beer Garden” (5 Piece) Jazz Band at the Redwood Café. Beer Garden 8240 Old Redwood Quarter Page...... $20.00 Business Card (6-7 square in.)...... $10.00 Highway, Cotati 3-6 PM, No cover Info: Bill Badstubner 707-526-1772 or Jeff Green, 650-892-0448 (Yearly rate = 10 times the monthly rate) Ads must be paid in advance.

Page 2 Page 7 front line can dance. The has a good fat tone and Editor’s Notes: Farewell to Gene Campbell CD REVIEW . tightly controlled expression, and the trombone and clari- net play their roles below and above that lead. There is by Bert Thompson We were gratified at the number of peo- nothing frantic—the volume is subdued, no one tries to .SAVANNAH JAZZ BAND out-blow any other. Some contrast is provided by the ple who came to honor Gene, and were Sacred and Secular choruses given over to occasional solos by the cornet, pleased to meet so many of his friends p.e.k. Sound PKCD-392 clarinet and trombone. These are all interspersed with and family. Lee and their family did a

ensembles choruses or a trombone-plus-clarinet-led 1. In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree wonderful job of organizing and manag- chorus, the cornet having dropped out. The two brass 2. The Girls Go Crazy ‘bout the Way I Walk instruments add mutes on occasion, and dynamics are ing the event. We just supplied the loca- 3. Storyville Blues always given careful attention. Here and elsewhere, the tion and ambience. 4. Oh Lady Be Good band plays some choruses so softly that one can almost 5. The Old Rugged Cross hear the dancers’ feet shuffling, just as Buddy Bolden 6. Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen With Memorial day behind us, summer liked to do. On the out choruses, the volume is given a 7. Georgia Bo Bo has begun with long days and less need gradual, slight crescendo. 8. My Gal Sal for night driving. Living and holding 9. Nyboders Pris (The Praise of Nyboder) The back line also plays a role in all of this, of course. events in the Napa Valley has become a 10. Key to the Highway These musicians are not given much to soloing—the double edged sword. We have a lovely Friends and Family Food 11. Just a Closer Walk with Thee banjo takes a solo on only four of the tunes, the bass and 12. Lord Lord Lord drums on none—but their presence is felt, the two location and wonderful scenery, but we 13. Canal Street Blues/Goin’ Home stringed instruments laying down a solid four and the have also become a magnet for tourists drums being impeccably tasteful with tom tom accents Bill Smith – Cornet, harmonica, vocals (tracks #2, 6, and 10) in cars. As a result attending our events and pressed rolls where required—even playing on the Roger Myerscough – Clarinet, alto sax, vocals (tracks #4, 12, and 13) has sometimes resulted in difficult traffic. rims on Canal Street Blues—cymbals being sparingly Brian Ellis – Trombone, piano used for accents. We can only suggest a slightly earlier Chris Marney – Banjo, vocal (track #8) departure from home as our band selec- Tony Pollitt – Double bass Variety is constantly to the fore, whether it be the shifting tion will provide a satisfying reward John Meehan – Drums order of soloists (no repetition of a pattern from tune to The Band tune), the mixture of tempos, the differing dynamics, or when you get here. Recorded live at the Falcon Club, Bude, on Aug. 27, 2014, during the even the unexpected rhythm, such as the shuffle rhythm Bude Festival that year. of Key to the Highway. Although there is no piano in- We have survived Bottlerock which is Many jazz bands have short lives—they have their “hour upon the stage cluded in this sextet, yet we are given a few choruses on not exactly “Our Kind of Music”, but and then [are] heard no more.” The Savannah Jazz Band is not one of piano on two tracks by the trombonist. Additional variety have the the Cline Cellars Festival in them, having been on stages in the U.K., several European countries, is introduced by the occasional solo on alto sax and on Canada, and cruise ships now for almost four decades and showing no harmonica, an instrument that is often found in blues July to look forward to. signs of a demise as they already have bookings—half dozen or more bands. per month—through at least the end of 2017. Again an early arrival is recommended. All of this keeps the listener’s interest high—one never

To date, Lake Records, p.e.k. Records, and (now defunct) Raymer quite knows what to expect next from these talented Ukulele Lady Sound have issued some twenty-five or so recordings of the band, and musicians. To keep everything on a positive note, I will Editor Don Robertson listening to them one can understand the band’s popularity. This CD conclude by simply mentioning that about half of the from p.e.k. Records is a worthy addition to the band’s discography and tracks contain vocals. adds to that reputation. Despite having no permanent banjo player yet Those who are familiar with this veteran band will find to replace the last one, I believe, the band still has a “tight” sound, the this CD a worthwhile addition to their collection. ensemble working together as a unit, not as backing for individuals to Those who are unfamiliar with the band will find it a use- display their techniques. ful introduction. At the label’s website http:// The band leans heavily toward the New Orleans style of collective im- www.peksound.co.uk one can obtain more information provisation, and this is apparent on the first track, In the Shade of the Dancers Old Apple Tree, and almost every other thereafter. The tune opens with the rhythm section laying down a swinging straight four/four on which the Page 3 Page 6 San Francisco Style Drumming BAND SCHEDULE-2017 by Hal Smith Excerpts reprinted by permission from the San Francisco Traditional Jazz Foundation Cricket. 11-Jun Dixie Giants 9-Jul Ray Skjelbred and the Cubs Gordon “Gramps” Ed- wards was one of the 13-Aug Neely's Rhythm Aces most admired Bay Area 10-Sep Golden Gate Rhy Mach 5 + 1 percussionists. His 8-Oct Fog City Stompers association with Lu Watters actually pre- 12-Nov Flying Eagles dated Bill Dart’s, as he 10-Dec Gold Coast Holiday Party was one of the drum- mers in Watters’ Sweet’s Ballroom Or- Directions to Grant Hall chestra in the late ‘30s. He also played briefly From the South and West, proceed to Napa in the 1940 version of via Highway 29 or 121. Continue on Highway the Yerba Buena Jazz 29 North, approximately 8 miles to Yountville. Band before Dart joined Take the California Drive off ramp in Yountville as a full-time member. and turn left on California Drive. Follow Cali- No biographical information has come to light on Ed- fornia Drive past the Welcome center until it wards, but by virtue of his nick-name, we may as- ends in front of the large white Member Ser- sume that he was older than the other drummers who vices Building at Presidents' Circle. Go left on were active during the 1940s revival. Clarinetist Bob President's Circle and turn left into the first Helm says that Edwards was influenced by the drum- parking lot. ming of Ray McKinley. One can also hear echoes of , Dave Tough, George Wettling and Nick Cross Presidents' Circle (on foot) and enter Fatool on Edwards’ recordings. Despite playing a the end of the Member Services Build- more swing-oriented style, he apparently fit in well ing. Take elevator to the 2nd floor with the Yerba Buenans on the occasions where he Go right down the corridor and find Grant Hall subbed for Bill Dart. He was in his element in Pat Patton’s Frisco Jazz Band — a swinging mid-’40s combo patterned on ’s bands. Edwards was certainly in familiar territory playing with Condon- himself, when the latter brought a touring band to Hambone Kelly’s for a guest shot in 1949. It is worth the listener’s efforts to seek out Gordon Edwards’ unique drumming: on several acetates by the Sweet’s Ballroom Orchestra, numerous 78s by Pat Patton’s Frisco Jazz Band and the 1950 “Frisco Footwarmers” sides by Bob Scobey (reissued on Good Time Jazz).13 Page 5 Page 4