inatra Grabs Two '54 Poll Spots lampton Roars Kenton, Fitzgerald, Brown n Europe Again Brubeck Repeat Winners I New York—The current Lionel Chicago- -This was the year of Sinatra. In addition to the Hampton European tour, which be­ other laurels he picked up in 1954, Frank has swept to re­ an Oct. 30 in Germany, will prob- sounding wins in two of the categories in Down Beat’s 18th bly be extended until at least Jan. annual readers popularity poll. Not only did he capture the “I J because of Hampton’s shatter- favorite singer crown, a title he hg success. relinquished in 1947, but he also | “The Hampton band and show,” was named the top pop iecords tiorts broker Joe Glaser, “are ro­ personality of the year. ving ovations wherever they ap- Both were decisive wins for The East Vs. West lear. and are deing even greater Voice, who hat followed up his jsiness, if possible, than when Academy Award-winning perform­ hey were in Europe last y ear. The ance in From Here to Eternity And Never The ini can’t wait to see Hampton, with a string of hit records and nd seats are sold out in advance albums, a lauded straight drama­ ! their play dates in almost every tic role m the film Suddenly, and | ise. Twain Shall Meet t an upcoming appearance with i “In Amsterdam, the fam broke Doris Day in Young at Heart. New York—The inevitable geo­ (to the hall foi the second show Two more personalities grabbed graphical war has begun! After all I id about 2,000 people, so they double victories in this year’s poll. the publicity accorded the alleged iy, got in for ‘free’—and the floor Stan Kenton became the third per­ ■‘west coast” school of jazz, Bethle­ । ived in in front of the stage. son to be elected to the Music Hall hem Records in New York has in­ I ut luckily* m - one was hurt.” of Fame (see separate story on augurated a series of LPs to be this page) and also had his orches­ devote to “east coast” jazz. But an tra named the top jazz band of added purpose if the Bethlehem TASTE IN MUSIC i« deinoii«lrute<l hen* with a vengeance, aa actor the year. series, according to Creed Taylor, Kirk Douglas, serenading lady seal with his mandolin, receive- sloppily Rrnbeik Score« Twice who handles a&r for the young lew R&B Unit sentimental respon-e in scene from forthcoming Twenty Thou»and Dave Brubeck captured both the company, is to find new jazz talent. League» Under the Sea. Douglas, who recently demonstrated his banjo­ top personality of the year in jazz The series will feature unknowns leady To Tour plunking prowess on TV, learnt d mandolin especially for thi« film role, award and saw his quartet elected though some “names” will be used according to -poksmen for Wait Disney Productions. the best small group. as leaders on several of the albums. In the instrumental division, Firs* “east coast jazz" set is New York—A new rhythm and Compositions of Bobby Scott The •es package show, The. Top Ten only three of last year’s winners wen* unseated. Les Paul gave up 17-year-old pianist whose first al­ iB Show, will start on a series bum for Bethlehem has already 60 one-niters the end of Janu- his guitar chair tn Johnny Smith, 'Down Beat' Readers Put whose Roost recordings and concert been released (Great Scott) is ihe show, one of the biggest appearance- in the Festival of joined in his newest set by Hal Modern Music this year won him McKusick (alto), Ronnie Woellmer tb units to date, will feature the (trumpet), Eddie Bert (trombone), lovers, Faye Adams, Fats Doin- Kenton In Hall Of Fame large audience. Shelly Manne took Al Epstein (baritone), Milt Hinton D, Joe Turner, the Moonglnw back the drum crown from Gene Krupa in a close race, and Pete (bass), and Ovi« Johnson (drums). mo, Milburn, Charlie and Ray, Chicago—Stan Kenton, one of the most controversial fig­ The second alburn in the series e Paul Williams orchestra, the Rugolo eased in ovei Ralph Burns ures in music and a man with a tremendously strong personal in the arranger classification. will feature the Vinnie Burke quar­ Il Doggett trio, and the Spence tet, with a third devoted to guitar­ «ins. following, is the third person to enter the Music Hall of Fame. Otherwise, the top spots । >ok pretty much the same as in 1953. ist Joe Puina Other “east coast On thi theory that n any road He was selected by the readers of Down Beat through votes jazz” sets will showcase Conte Can­ ow- did poorly this fall because cast m the 18th annual music* Brown Selected doli and Milt Hinton. Not in the •y were • ver priced, the expenses popularity poll. he first brought u band out of Les Brown was named the na­ “east coast” serie« but soon to have tiie Top Ten will be kept as low For '.he third straight year, California to the east in 1940. tion's best dance band. Ella Fitz­ Bethlehem LPs of their own are possible. Duke Ellington and Benny Good­ His experiments in jazz, his gerald again reigns» as favorite altoist Pete Brown (with trumpeter lit addition to concert dates in man barely missed the top rung, various concert tours, and hi' will­ girl singer. The Four Freshmen Joe Wilder) and Ralph Burns. vnas and auditoriums, the Top with fewer than 100 votes separat­ ingness to back up his beliefs romped to ■ win in the vocal com­ m will play combination dance ing the top three this time. vocally at all times have won him bo league. ■ I concert dates when necessary. Previous winners were Louis both the highest praise und some First-place winners in the all­ The show will be produced by Armstrong and Glenn Miller. of the most barbed criticism of any star band were Chet Baker, trum­ pet; Bill Harris, trombone (who, >u Krefetz und booked by Shaw Kenton has been a dominant fig­ figure in music. Peterson 3 rtists. ure in popular music ever since He was one of jazz* most voci­ with Buddy DeFranco, swept to an ferous and staunch champions in unprecedented 10th straight the recent years when, as he put crown); Charlie Parker, alto sax; it, “we may have to go under­ Stan Getz, tenor; Gerry Mulligan, In Rainbow' ground to survive, but we will do baritone; DeFranco, clarinet; Os­ Hollywood—Oscai Peterson has car Peterson, piano; Ray Brown, been signed with his trio (Bobby >ong Contest Victor Inked His contention has been borne bass; Terry Gibbs, vibes; Art Van White will be added -n drums) at out by the big resurgence uf jazz Damme, accordion, and Don Elliott, one of the soundtrack features in music* in the last couple of years miscellaneous instrument (mello­ the forthcoming unimated cartoon and by the tremendous amount of phone). version of Finan’s Rainbow, the ly Label X' As Vocalist recording activity in the field now, The two top band singers remain Burton Lane-E. Y. Harburg s’,age both by major and independent Tommy’ Mercer, Ray Anthony’s musical. Also to be heard, but vocalist, and Lucy Ann Polk, Chicago—Down Beat’s songwriting contest winner, Glenn firms. not seen, in the film will be The Kenton orchestra lias been working these days with both Dave Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald andall whose song, Hold On to Your Heart, won over thou- named the best iazz band in the Pell’s octet and husband Dick and Ella Logan; the latter starred inds of entries, has been awarded a performing contract land six times by the readers of Noel’s group. in the stage production. ith Label “X," RCA Victor subsidiary. In addition to the this magazine and has fostered 2 Walkaway Winners The picture will be produced by let he won with Broadcast Music,*------------------------------------------------- -------- many winners, including Pete Ru­ The newly instituted top person­ Maurice Binder for Distributors ie., for publication of hip song, golo, Shelly Manne, June Christy, alities of the year department Corp, of America, a releasing firm e ex-GI also ha« contracts with That's Rich Eddie Sairanski, the late Jay found two other walkaway win­ backed by film exhibitors. Director -o major labels—Mercury (where Johnson, and Maynard Ferguson’, ners, in addition to Brubeck. Ruth is John Hubley, formerly with s composition will be recorded in the individual accomplishment Brown and Perez Prado easily United Production i of America ’ Ralph Marterie after the first categories. moved by other candidates in the (Gerald MeBoing-Boing. et al). ' the year) and Label “X,” where The first 10 place« in this year’s rhythm and blues and Latin Amer­ Lyn Murray is music director. wsibly he will do his own tune. Buddy Lands In Hal) of Fame balloting were as ican sections, respectively Joi Delaney, general manager follows: In the pop department, however, Label “X,” after hearing a dub Kenton, Ellington, Goodman, so many persons split their ballots the song, made by Vandall hnn- Another Hassel Charlie Parker, Bing Crosby, to include both male and female Hollywood—Hurry James merely George Gershwin, Paul Whiteman, choices, the category was split into Ellington Ork if, was quoted as saying, “We these divisions. Rosemary Clooney, 'tter -agr that lad Im fori anyone laughed when shown the storv in Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, and M get’s hold of him.” Down Beat of Dec. 1 in which Woody Herman.