TAILGATE RAMBLINGS FEBRUARY 1981 TAILGATE RAMBLINGS as much as we could have hoped for. The Hot Volume 11, Number 2 Mustard Band was in fine fettle Saturday at February 1981 the Museum of American History. Tony Hagert POTOMAC RIVER JAZZ CLUB: and his New Sunshine Jazz Band cavorted at the EDITOR: Don Farwell President Ken Kramer same place on Sunday. And the National Por­ trait Gallery was the scene on Monday of some CONTRIBUTING EDITORS: excellent solo piano by John Eaton. (See Dick Baker Harold Gray Harold Gray's report elsewhere in this issue.) Vivienne Brownfield Floyd Levin As you'll see from the name appended below, Joe Godfrey the editorship of this chronicle has undergone a change. Ken Kramer, who has done such a TAILGATE RAMBLINGS is the monthly publication fine job over the past couple of years, of the Potomac River Jazz Club. The Club decided it was time to step down, and I drew stands for the preservation, encouragement, the short straw. Ken and I will do the tenth and advancement of traditional jazz. This anniversary issue (April) together, and then means jazz from 1900 to 1930 in the New he'll bow out. My policy, until someone tells Orleans, Chicago and Dixieland styles, me different, is that the columns of Tailgate including their various revivals, as well as Ramblings will be open to whatever anyone blues and ragtime. TAILGATE RAMBLINGS wants to say about traditional jazz or jazz­ welcomes contributions from its readers. men, subject only to limitations of space and the libel laws. So let the contributions roll MEMO FROM THE EDITOR Don Farwell A liking for traditional jazz is essen­ BAD NEWS FROM THE B'HAUS tially retrospective in nature--for ragtime, even more so. Musically speaking, we trad­ The Bratwursthaus, the spawning ground of itionalists live in the past, and we like it the PRJC as well as the main showcase for there. This being so, it is likely that the our music, is out of business, the victim of lion's share of our votes were cast for a late-night fire. Ronald Reagan in the November election. So It happened the night of the John Doner most of us, perhaps, do not grieve excess­ farewell, January 16. (See Dick Baker's ively over the departure from the Washington report elsewhere in this issue.) Nick and scene of Jimmy Carter and his Georgians. Betty locked up and went home around 1:30. Yet among the many things, good or bad, for At 3 the phone rang, and they learned the which Jimmy Carter will be remembered is one restaurant was in flames. Someone, it seems, that ought to have special meaning for PRJC flipped a cigarette in the trash barrel members. In June 1978 the first-ever White beside the bar, and the laws of physics took House jazz festival took place. The President it from there. was right in the middle of the festivities and The damage was extensive, and insurance from all reports enjoyed himself hugely. That doesn't begin to cover it. What comes next kind of attention does a lot for the preserva­ is uncertain. Nick is determined to reopen, tion, revival, encouragement, and advancement and he hopes he won't have to find new of jazz, which is what the PRJC is all about. quarters. But the future of Parkington it­ We may all look back nostalgically to that self is up in the air, and Nick may have to jazz festival after a four-year diet of look elsewhere. We'll keep you posted. 01' Blue Eyes and Mr. Las Vegas. Meanwhile, let's remember that Nick and But maybe one is wrong to contemplate the Betty have done a lot for the PRJC. Now future so darkly. From what we hear, our they're in a position where they can use a new President venerates the past no less than little help from their friends. If you the mouldiest PRJC fig. When it comes to want to help send your contribution to Judy economics, the drummer to whose beat we march and Joe Shepherd, 2365 N. Oakland St., will be Adam Smith, and our good news tonight Arlington, VA 22207. They'll see it gets to will come to us from Gabriel Heatter, with an Nick. assist from Lowell Thomas. So we may yet see Life goes on. At least one of the B'haus a White House reception with music provided bands found a new home without missing a by the Hot Five, the Red Hot Peppers, or the beat. The Picayune Jazz Band performed at ODJB. Johnny's Place, on Lee Highway just east of One must admit that the inaugural festivi­ North George Mason Drive, on Wednesday, ties featured a satisfying number of goodies January 21. The place was mobbed, and among for PRJC members. Not enough, of course, but those present were Nick and Betty. THE PRESIDENT'S COLUMN ALAMO CITY JAZZ BAND, FEBRUARY 21 SEEKING THE ELUSIVE DIXIELAND BIRD San Antonio's Alamo City Jazz Band, making its first trip to the East Coast since its The Florida Keys are great for those who founding in 1962, will play for the PRJC like fishing, swimming, sunning, snorkeling, Saturday, February 21, at the Alexandria sailing and scuba diving. For those who have trouble breathing without live traditional Holiday Inn. While the Alamo City JB has long lived in jazz in regular dosages these islands may not the shadow of the more famous Happy Jazz Band be the best place. in San Antonio, the group's credentials are Your president is getting quite a bit of certainly impressive. The band has played the first list in this sunny spot. Last week at public events of greatest significance in he thought that the second requirement for the Lone Star State, including the Texas State perfection, live Dixieland, was going to be Fair, the Cotton Bowl Parade, Hemisfair '68, real ized. the Kprrville Ragtime Festival and others._ An ad appeared in the local paper, stating It appeared on national television when it thusly, "Dixieland At Its Best". The place played for Super Bowl VIII in Houston. In was in a luxury hotel, about 47 miles from 1977 the band was sent as goodwill ambassadors where we were perched. The ad was further in to Guadalajara, Mexico -- San Antonio's its enticement -- "no rock or pop by order of Sister City. In 1980 they played at the vast the Musical Director." The time was from 8 p.m. to the beckoning "?". All night? Sacramento Dixieland Jubilee. The leader is trombonist Chuck Reiley, who Musicians jamming like mad into the semi- tropical dawn? We would find out. not only has led the Alamo City JB since he Dressing, which in the Keys is putting on founded it nearly 20 years ago but has a shirt and shoes, we left at 6, dining appeared many places as a featured soloist. enroute at a fancy restaurant in Islamorada. Last month he served for the fifth time as With growing anticipation we headed south. music director for the pregame and halftime Then came the place, a large resort location, shows at the Super Bowl. with a surprising lack of people about. May­ The cornetist is Larmon Maddox, who joined be more later, we thought. the Alamo City JB in 1977 following several Into an impressive lobby after a half mile years with the John Roberts Jazz Band and drive in from the highway. We asked the young the Frank Mesich Band in Austin. lady at the desk where the music was being Soprano sax player John Page dates back to performed. She said there was a band upstairs Super Bowl VIII (1974) with the band. in some romantically named room. We asked if Banjoist Spud Goodall has been with the this was the Dixieland band we had read about. band fulltime only since last fall, but he She had a pained look as she said, "It is only has been a regular substitute with the band a drummer and he puts in his own ads." Well, for many years, and appears on the third of we thought this was a little negative but per­ their five LP records. haps she was one of the few who hated our Tuba-player Darvin Dietert has been with music. She pointed in resignation to a room the band since 1978. down the lobby. We heard an odd music coming Pianist Bill Honsberger played in jam ses­ from it, and we looked in, with some fear. sions with Chuck Reiley clear back in 1958, Our fear was realized. There, on a glitter­ but moved to California. He returned to San ing bandstand, was one man, a drummer. Beside Antonio in 1975 and joined the band. (Hons­ him was a tape recorder, some controls, a berger is not shown in the band picture couple of speakers and the song "Near You." elsewhere in this issue because his job Here was our Musical Director, valiantly usually prevents his traveling with the band; keeping time with the tape. however, as of TR press time, it was hoped The Musical Director, drummer and the that he would be able to join the band on this author of the ad "Dixieland at Its Best", trip.) waved, called out a hello. Not being in an Harvey Kindervater, the regular Alamo unfriendly mood we waved back, and also good­ drummer, will be unable to make the trip. bye. As we sorrowfully left for the 47 miles Someone will be there playing the skins, but back he was still going on "Near You", with we don't yet know who.