TAILGATE RAM BUNGS August 1978 Volume 8 Number 8 Ragtime to Russia screeches on tenor saxes and dog-whistle high notes on trumpets. I found only I spent the period May 26-June 23 in the one trombonist on the whole trip (al­ Soviet Union on a 6-city tour with the though he was damned good) and not a N.E. Conservatory Ragtime Ensemble, cond­ single clarinetist. ucted by Gunther Schuller. In addition Dick Baker to my official duties as State Depart­ ment escort officer and interpreter for (Is there traditional jazz in Russia? the group, I made it a point to seek And how do jazz fans communicate with out and get acquainted with jazz club no Tailgate Ramblings to keep them presidents wherever I could find them, posted? Watch this space next month which I did in five of the cities we for Dick's continuation of his account visited. of the Russian trip. -- TG) The most remarkable aspect of the tour was political: We seemed to be the Aussies Coming to Marriott only Americans being treated well in Ai'ter two years of planning, Bob Barnard the Soviet Union in that period. Jour­ is bringing his jazz band back to the nalists were being hauled into court, U.S. this summer, and will play for the diplomats were being accused of spying, PRJC on Friday evening, Aug. E. an American businessman was (ludicrously) Trumpeter Barnard first came to this arrested for money speculation, and two country from his native Australia in guides at the American agriculture 1975, along with his trombonist, exhibit in Kiev were expelled for "anti** John "Cossie" Costelloe. On that trip, Soviet" comments; at the same time the the two spent several days in the Ragtime Ensemble was receiving more than Washington area, sitting in every night just a proper reception - the Soviets at the B'haus or at O'Carroll's Seafood bent over backwards every step of the Hoorah._Barnard liked what he saw on way to enhance our stay there. I was that trip, so in 1976 he brought his looking over my shoulder every step of whole band over here for a 1-month the way, but the hammer never fell. tour. Now he's back. The Ragtime ensemble was quite well Just as in 1976, this summer's tour received by Soviet audiences, although is anchored around a performance at the it was clear that the Russians didn't annual Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz really know what to expect from us„ A Festival in Davenport, followed by a popular Soviet pianist of the 20's, series of one-nighters for jazz clubs Alexander Tsfassman, recorded Kitten on around the country. The Keys, and they've heard The Enter­ The Barnard band has not changed tainer in recent yars over international since 1976. In addition to Bob and radio, but that was about the extent of Cos ie, John McCarthy (clt), Chris their familiarity with ragtime. Gener­ Taperell (po), Wally Wickham (bs) ally, the audiences came expecting some and Laurie Thompson (dr) make up the sort of jazz (in Odessa, the group was band. They'll play as usual from 9 to even incorrectly advertised as a "jazz 1 in the Potomac Room of the band"), but they quickly warmed to the Marriott Twin Bridges. Admission is band's music and came away both ener- $5 for PRJC members, $7 for nonmembers. tained and educated, I found^jazz interest and activity PRJC on Radio in the Soviet Union at an all-time high; The Jazz Band Ball rolls on on unfortunately, this does not extend to WPFW-FM (89.3 ) Sundays 6-7:30 pm. traditional jazz. As has always been This month, the lineup reads: the case with the Russians, even before Aug. 6 - Host, George Combs - Toots the Revolution, they are most interested Thielmans: Jazz Harmonica in the very latest in Western culture. Aug 13 - Lou Byers - Sidney Bechet in I was constantly embarrassed by being Europe unable to answer eager questions about Aug. 20 - Ted Chandler - Earl Hines In the_activities of modern avant garde jazz Retrospect musicians of whom I'd never even heard„ Aug. 27 - Jim Lyons - Southside Chicago. There are a few traditional bands, and a few big bands playing everything from Miller to modern, but for the most part PIANO FOR SALE. Ornate old Epworth Soviet jazzmen seem distressingly upright, gd. cond. $500. DBaker 698-8017 inclined to emulate their American counterparts in producing unmusical Dinner and Delivery Service The Gunther Schuller Group appeared at Wolftrap and were dined by the Bakers afterwards. Many PRJCers at Wolftrap, Tailgate Ramblings After traveling all over Russia with no slip ups, the airline misplaced a drum, August 1978 and after much phoning, Dick Baker got Vol. 8 No. 8 one from Johnny_Roulet of the Stutz Editor - Ted Chandler Bearcats, who kindly came to the rescue. Contributing Editors - Fred Starr Family who Pla.vs Together probably Dick Baker will stay together, as they have to Mary Doyle practice. The Coulson family from Calif, PRJC President - Dick Baker(703)698-8017 here for a Kennedy Center appearance. V.P. - Ray West (703)370-5605 Everyone in the family plays at least PRJC Hot Line - 573-TRAD D D one instrument, most two0 Jo Murphy and TR is published monthly for members of Ed Fishel were helpful in getting some the Potomac River Jazz Club, a nonprofit members out to hear this impromptu group dedicated to the preservation of performance at the B'haus. Joe is a traditional jazz and its encouragement good friend of Lu Watters, and so are in the Washington-Baltimore area. Signed the Coulsons. Great entertainment. articles in TR represent the views of St Louis Festival A smash. Great their authors alone and should not be weather and one whole week of jazz. Among construed as club policy or opinion. those who heard Turk Murphy, the Tar­ Articles, letters, and ad copy (no nished 6 , and others, from here were charge for classified ads for members) the Grays, Wahlers, Ericksons, Don should be mailed to the editor at: Angell, and the Rohleders from Richmond. 7160 Talisman Lane Meanwhile. Back at the Bjhaus, Nick, Columbia, Md. 21045. the genial host, has been downed by a hernia operation, but at this writing, Is It True What They Say . . . doing nicely. Overheard these lines Ahoy, Landlubbers! Everyone was looking spoken by a visiting wit: "I dropped in here because I heard the Alexandria ever so nautical (white pants sales Symphony was coming." soared locally) when the State College, Pa-, band made its fun appearance at the .is—There a Bg,ss out there? Enjoyed annual PRJC boatride. A1 Brogdon of this month's B'haus jam session where Southern Comfort housed a few members musicians meet musicians. Met a new one - since he used to play with that band. Lew Kauder, tenor sax - who used to live So did the Kramers. The Kovalacheks, in Bogalusa (Yes, Virginia, there really is one) 50 or 60 miles away from New string bass and wife, stayed with us; Orleans, and that many light years away both music teachers - she's not teaching in other respects. Ed Fishel says the now while she takes care of a next jam hasn't had a bass in 2 years (slight generation musician. exaggeration). Corrections and Apologies The Hey, MateNext band may be playing Tie Me Kangaroo Down or Waltzing new member of the Hagert ensemble Mathilda Dixieland style when the is a girl, Norma, not a boy. The edit­ Aussies come to town under Bob Barnard. orial offices of TR will be receiving a nasty note from Reed Irvine. Mary H. Doyle PRJC MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION (Please Print) NAME SPOUSE'S NAME______STREET CITY______STATE AND ZIP______TELEPHONE NO. (optional)______MUSICIAN?______WHAT INSTRUMENTS?______PRESENTLY MEMBER OF BAND?______CARE TO JOIN ONE?______DESCRIBE JAZZ INTERESTS BRIEFLY (WHAT STYLES, ARTISTS YOU PREFER. WHY? optional)

PRJC DUES THRU 1978 - $5.00. Checks payable to Potomac River Jazz Club. Mail to: Doris B. Baker, Membership Sec’y 7004 Westmoreland Rd. Falls Church, Va. 22042 But On the Other Hand An Editorial Outcry Jay Dee ticked off at us, we think we've been terribly kind to several bands After reading Sam Laudenslager's piece that have visited us this year, but Jay in this issue, we are moved to hope that Dee is our man at the Marriott, and he he feels better for the unburdening. We writes so well we aren't about to get were happy to afford him the space. in his way.) it is something quite Now it's our turn, because we think different and indefensible to write bad that Sam was right on a point or two reviews of local bands. And there is and very wrong on a number of points. a perfectly good reason why this is so. No one has asked Sam, Bob Sauer, or Everyone in the club knows that there anyone else to write profound musical are perhaps a half dozen bands in the commentary (his phrase) for TR. (We do club that are much more interesting so now, however. They could write very than the others, (not necessarily meaningful stuff for us if they so des­ better, we said "more interesting") ire.) There is, however, a very good passage in the Book of Proverbs, which One of these is the New Sunshine JB. states: "He who tooteth not his own We recently ran a favorable review of horn, said horn shall not be tooted." their new record. We doubt that if we It's all very well to plead being had found the record to be a dog we would too busy playing to toot your horn in have said so - we'd probably have ignored TR, but Sam, you say you do have a PR it or said something equivocal about it. person. If you aren't in TR enough, But we genuinely found it to be an the fault may be in PR rather than TR. interesting addition to our record shelf, Sure we fumble the ball, now and then. and said so. But this was a case in Our gig list (which will stay at one which the NSJB invited comparison with page, by the way - we have neither other jazz bands nationwide. Most of time, space, nor personnel to enlarge our bands don't have the chance to do it) is not always wholly accurate. that. Most of them are groups of hobby­ Sometimes this has been because bands ists who do pretty damn well as hobby­ have been less eager for us to stop ists. Why set up what you call "objec­ listing a gig than to start, and have tive" standards and hold them to them? failed to tell us when it ended. Among other things, you would quickly If we were in your place, we'd far destroy a lot of people's good times, and rather be in the Unicorn Times than TR, more to the point, you could all too though we'd like being in both. But UT easily inhibit the artistic growth of has space enough and facilities enough some member or members of the affected to go into far more detail than we can. bands. There's no way we're going to We are, as youcorrectly described us, start that kind of thing. a nice resource for you - not vitally necessary. We had started a series of historical You speak of "expurgation" problems pieces on the jazz traditions. At the with TR. This is a bit irritating, and risk of embarrassing the author of that could cause us to loose our famed sunny series - who happers to be ourself - we disposition and equable temperament. We are suspending it for a time because we edit material in TR because that is have access to the results of some what we are - an editor. Editors edit, historical research by the research Sam. And for reasons which seem good and arm of the Federal Jazz Commission, and sufficient to us, we shall continue we think it of considerable importance. to edit -not expurgate, which smacks So in this issue, where you otherwise of censorship - as long as we are editor. might have found The Jazz Traditions, And we will not apologise for editing, you'll see Fred Starr's piece on the but would apologise for failing to edit. Diversity of Early Jazz. I speak saltily on this point not a alone to you, Sam, but to everyone else who has hassled me at one time or another A press release from Hunter College in on this point. Their name is Legion. NYC tells us that Stuart Anderson, One point which you made would get us PRJC member and recently featured in into a lot of trouble, which is one these pages with his memoirs of life reason for opposing it. But there is a in the big bands of the 30's, is now better reason - it would be profoundly an interne under Hunter's Inservice destructive. We don't honestly mind Learning Program. Under the rather elastic terms of getting into trouble. We had a mess of the program, Stu is working at home it last year when we lambasted (because they deserved to be lambasted) a teen and is writing an autobiography of his age band from the Coast who'sname now sax-ing days as described to us in TR. escapes us. It is one thing to clobber — TC a visiting band (At the risk of getting But what can you say to criticize a Move East, Turk! fellow who lit fires on almost every I love the parttime jazz groups usually tune, starting with Papa Dip, Riverside heard at local concerts, whether they Blues, Dr Jazz, and Euphonic Sounds? are local or come a great distance. Turk included two numbers from the job But Turk Murphy remains an order of our Wilmington Red Lions were about to magnitude better than any of them. He play, including the world famous You've is a professional, with professional Got Everything a Sweet Mama Needs But musicians behind him; just about the Me. Using the sit-in tuba, the band only jazzband to have survived the last finished with King Porter Stomp, Dallas 25 years, still giving most of us Blues, and Trombone Rag. goose pimples every time we heard it. Well, now that he's lost Eathquake Turk is just as much a perfectionist McGoon's, I do have one suggestion: as ever, and he and the group were in MOVE EAST, TURK! unbelievably high spirits at the Mount Jim Weaver Laurel Hilton Hotel in Mount Laure, N.J. in mid-June. Notes From the Bakery It was simply the best jazz I'd he heard since I last heard Turk on the Well, I made it back safely - one of West Coast at the ill-fate and late the few Americans to return from Mother lamented Earthquake McGoon's. Thanks Russia unscathed in June. Only trouble and all hail to Joe Seigle and his is I seem to have gotten about 3 months Delaware Valley Jazz Fraternity for behind in my various activities in the bringing him in on his way from the month I was gone. Probably something West Coast to the St. Louis Ragtime to do with differences between the Julian Festival. and Gregorian calendars -- rainy nights From where to where? Not a direct are longer in Soviet Georgia than in route, but I'm glad it happened. The Carter country. unfortunate part was that there were If you haven't started already, now's 36 last minute cancellations, so the the time to be planning for our annual house was not even full. If people like picnic on Saturday, Sept. 16 . As usual that just gave warning, I could have it will go from noon to dark at Blob's made a dozen calls and brought 36 more Park in Jessup, Md. people myselfJ A colorful sidelight of the picnic An early Murphy original , Bob Helm, eachyear are the various folks who show was on clarinet after many years away. up with records and other jazz parapher­ Maybe I wouldn't pick Bob as my all- nalia to sell. Not only will we wncourage time favorite clarinetist, but his solos such activity this year, but we'll set sounded fine, just like the old days. I aside as area for this flea market so like the way he puts them together. I shoppers can hit all the stands in one enjoyed his versions of the rags and of convenient stroll. We will ask, however, Shreveport Stomp, meticulously done with that vendors not use any of the limited the rest of the band, as well as the number of picnic tables to set up displays. many improvised solos. What the hell! Please_bring your own folding tables. I always thought Bob played a little Also, if vendors will send me their names flat and he still does. I don't remember and a brief description of what they'll him on soprano sax before, and he didn't be selling, I'll list them in the seem so flat on that instrument. official program. That's right, we'll The count down on the rest of the band have a published program this year. is easy. I didn't know any of them, but Those who just can't wait until Sept. the cornet player, Leon Oakley, was to do their jazz picnicking should be really a gas. All the rest did admirably aware of the party being thrown by our appropriate chores at all corners - even good friends in the New Jersey Jazz Soc- the tuba player before he took sick aftei iety^on Sat., Aug 12. Their annual the long flight from the coast. Ken Rut­ picnic is held on the campus of Fairleigh ledge, executive VP of Corning Glass, Dickinson University in Madison from 2 to took over for him and did a great job. 6 pm. They'll be presenting two bands, Turk still programs carefully, if not Vinnie Giordano's Aces and Randy Rein­ always well. I always enjoy hearing The hart’s Rhythm Kings, for a $6 admission Torch or Ace in the Hole again because fee. In case of rain they move into they-re popular and good, but Row Row the campus gym. — DB Row never quite makes it, even in Turk's PRJC SINGLES - MEETING EACH MONTH hands. Another disappointment was a 3rd Thursday at the Bratwursthaus ~ surplus of vocals that night. Turk's Arlington, Va. Info call: Evelyn voice was a little husky, but still by Franklin (H) 9A6-5 3 2 5 : (0) 295-0Q52- far the best in the group. Jim Nielsen (H)562-7235; (0) 693-6500: or Dottie Beltron (HD62-7819,(0) 6Louis Armstrong recorded that line up to play at jazz festivals with his Hot Four, Hot Five, Hot Seven, across the country? and in duet with Earl Hines. By that -- S. Frederick Starr year Armstong was in a position to get whatever instrumentation he desired for his recordings. Yet for one session he New Book on Buddy Bolden abandoned drums or trombone, or added In Search of Buddy Bolden: Donald M. a tenor or baritone sax. Clearly, Arm­ Marquis. 176 Pp. (illus.) LSU Press strong comsidered his jazz to be inde­ $9.95 pendent of any particular instrumenta­ tion. In the introduction to this short book Earlier, the choice of instrumenta­ is a quote from H.L. Mencken: "Whatever tion was even more open. A tailgate everybody believes is rarely true." slide trombone is today considered a _We don't know much about Buddy Bolden, sine qua non of any true traditional his life and times - but most of what jazz band. But prior to WW I especially, we believe we know is wrong. Items: i.e. before the manufacture and issuance Bolden was never a barber. of large quantities of slide trombones He never edited a scandal sheet. to military bandsmen, the valve trombone He didn't play at Tintype Hall - for was almost as widespread. Among pioneer the excellent reason there was no such groups using a valve trombone were place. Buddy Bolden's band and the bands of Freddy Keppard didn't turn down a Jimmy Paleo and Stalebread Lacoume. Victor recording contract - Victor Strange as it may seem today, the French turned him down because of his race. horn was not unknown, figuring in the Storyville didn't have any jazz (the orchestrations of Fate Marable and even musical kind) to speak of. the N. 0. Rhythm Kings. According to Marquis, Bolden was for Baritone and tenor horns had also a few years at the century's turn the been standard components in town bands Black king of N.O. trumpets. He played across America for two generations before mostly at Funky Butt (Union Sons) Hall the Great War. Naturally, they too found and at Johnson Park, leading the top their way into the early jazz ensembles, jazzband in the city until he tried to especially those that had evolved from kill his mother-in-law, for which he the marching bands. More surprising, was committed in 1907 to an asylum. perhaps, is the presence of a violin in In Search of Buddy Bolden is not really extant photographs of such pioneer groups a biography, but outlines the kind of as the Superior Orchestra (with Bunk life Bolden probably led, rather than Johnson), the Peerless Orchestra, Stale­ trying to detail a life for us for which bread Lacoume's band, the Jimmy Paleo therereally is not much evidence. The band, the Woodland Band (with Kid Ory), result is to demythologize Bolden and and even in 1922, King Oliver's band. make him comprehensible to the modern The violin was commonly included as reader. This is a huge achievement. a lead instrument in brass-string dance One could get picky: thereare a orchestras of that day, so it was nat­ couple of annoying typos - but that's ural that they would have been employed pretty small potatoes. Marquis hasn't by the proto-jazzmen as well. Jazz, after solved the riddle of Buddy Bolden - all, was a style of playing any music probably no one ever will, now. But rather than a fixed system of instru­ with this book, we do get a glimpse - mentation or voicing like the classical and that's most valuable. string quartet or the modern wind quintet. — Jazzbo Brown from Columbia Town After the recording industry took up Record Review the price Black artists had to pay in those days to get national exposure. Rosey McHargue. McHargue's Memphis 5 There is some attractive piano-trumpet Jump J12-7 dueting by Duke and Artie Whetsel on Ry Cooder. Jazz Warner Bros. 3197 Black and Tan Fantasie - otherwise not Duke Ellington Band Shorts 1929-35 much. The other two cuts are better._ Biograph BLP M-2 Better recorded, and no racist material. A Bundle of Blues stems from 1933 and An interesting if mixed bag. Let's take features lively readings of Rockin in them in the order listed. Rhythm and Bugle Call Rag and an Ivie The McHargue item comes from the West Anderson vocal on Stormy Weather. Coast Commodore-like vaults of Clive Symphony in Black from two years later Acker - a treasure trove of white dixie­ is an unexpected treat - a foreshadowing land music from the late 4o's„ A great many will be thrilled by this of Duke's later, longer pieces. In record as it features clean, well-recrded, concept, it might have been a trial high-grade musicianship. Brad Gowans, a heat for Black, Brown and Beige, and seriously under-recorded trombonist, is features, of all people, a young shown here to good advantage, and bass Billie Holiday in a brief but lovely saxist Joe Rushton is in remarkable form vocal on Duke's Saddest Tale, (listen to his legato, almost dreamy The familiar Ellington soloists passage on Sister Kate).McHargue is top of the mid-30's are all present and drawer. account well for themselves. Why then am I disappointed? Perhaps -- Jazzbo Brown from Columbia Town the music is a tad too polite, mannered, and pallid. The question it raises is Jay Dee Takes a Cruise the old one of white vs. Black jazz. This is as indisputably white as the The sixth annual PRJC floating beer Red Hot Peppers were Black. Many people, bust (read: boat ride) occurred on June including this writer, find Black jazz 2 ^ . The weather was warm, the drinks more nourishing, but those who flip over cool. There were no reported missings the McKenzie-Condon Chicagoans and the in action resulting from ship-board or Charleston Chasers (there are many) should later highway antics. buy this record. Music for the occasion was provided by the Tarnished 6 which has been Ry Cooder's Jazz is a good humored playing in and around the State College record by a remarkable group of folk, rock, Pa., area for about 10 years, but and soul musicians augmented by a couple branched out earlier this month to of jazzmen. Cooder surprisingly exhibits participate in the St Louis amid a good grasp of jazz. rumors that it was the PRJC northern But Jazz is not jazz despite some branch entry. This band plays a hard highly interesting material. The best cuts driving upbeat kind of music with a are three gospel songs played with relish LARGE number of novelty tunes, e.g.: by a band which includes a cymbalum and a Who Walks In When I Walk Out, and I pump organ and other less exotic axes. Love to go Swimming With Women; some Earl Hines is present on one cut, a lovely real stompers including Louisiana, 1880 composition attributed to Jack the Oriental Strut, and Yama Yama Man, Bear, and titled The Dream. It glows, and and enough hard-core traditional to shows us where Jelly Roll Morton may keep that wing of the party pacified. have gotten the Spanish Tinge. Tributes (I am open to suggestions as to how to to Jelly and to Bix are included with an classify a number called "Down Home in especially nice small band transcription Pasadena.) of In a Mist. The members of this band have This makes a nice companion to Too great fun as they make their sound. Much Mustard by the New Sunshine JB, They nearly all sing- on key and often. reviewed here last month. A considerable, The affair was a sellout - weeks in pleasant surprise - thoughtful and witty - advance I am told. Perhaps the but not, one hastens to repeat, jazz. engineers in our group could help us to get the Commonwealth Room to float. Serious Ellingtonians should rush Jay Dee to get the sound tracks release on Bio­ graph. Others can bypass it. PIANO TUNING & REPAIR: PRJCer Jim There is some of the lowest fi ever DeRocher offers discount to fellow placed on record, particularly on Black members. Additional Service: Will and Tan, which was recorded in 1929. The inspect used pianos for buyers, inspect crackling soundtrack may be a blessing in and certify for sellers. Further info disguise. It nearly blots out some highly prices, other services: (703) 280-^398 embarrassing racial stereotype material - The Potomac River Jazz Club Proudly Presents AUSTRALIAN DIXIELAND As Performed By The I JAZZ BAND

from Sydney, Australia Potomac Room Friday, August 4 Marriott Twin Bridges 9 p.m. - 1 a.m. So. end of 14th Street Bridge No Reservations Admission $5 - PRJC Members $7 - Non-Members

Tor more information on this and other area jazz activity call 513-TRAD JAZZ IN PARIS drummer, Kaiser Marshall worked around unexpectedly large, and more tickets Montmartre for a long time. had been sold than there were seats. Dilettantism is the great danger facing all the stu­ * * * The music began while ticket-hoiders dents who make the pilgrimage to Paris with the hope of To prove that his knowledge of jazz were still trying to locate their acquiring no matter how small an amount of what is common­ was really advanced, it was the duty seats. ^hen the band started to play ly referred to as higher learning. The temptations are of the young Parisian to acquire a a very fast number, tension was real­ so many, and take such irresistibly seductive shapes and more or less complete vocabulary of ly high, and fights began here and forms, that the time left for serious studying dwindles fashionable expressions used by Amer­ there in the hall betwe&n people who and has disappeared without one being aware of it. For ican musicians. At the right time, had tickets to the same seat. One me, one of these temptations, though by no means the these enthusiastic listeners were able especially stubborn young man had his strongest, was jazz. to shout such things as 'Yes, man’ or nose broken while fighting for his * * * ‘Take another’ or 'Come on, come on’ rights, and was taken to the hospital, One of the most popular tea-rooms in the Latin Quarter, or ‘Wonderful.’ That, for most, was his face full of blood. The musicians where students of many nationalities would indulge in the the extent of their knowledge of the seemed to enjoy the atmosphere and By Nesuhi Ertegun time-honored Parisian custom of discussing for hours and English language. But there was no from then on the session was a big hours at the slightest provocation questioning the sincerity of the Pari­ success. ^out anything from the decadence of disagreeing with Panassie, the only sian jazz lovers. Their thirst for * * * surrealism to the merits of Maurice example 1 know of such a flagrant jazz was of incredible intensity. The Quintet of the Hot Club of Chevalier, was owned by a jazz connai- violation of accepted ethical rules: Once, during the intermission of a France, with its two stars Django sseur having a rather erratic taste; “ Nowadays Andy Kirk has a trombone concert the Quintet of the Hot Club of Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelly, but one could not afford to be too with a very powerful attack,who should France was giving at the Salle Gaveau, occupied a very special place in the choosy in Paris. That respectable be placed on the same rank as Sandy the announcer, with a trembling voice, hearts of the jazz-conscious people of gentleman was especially fond of Milt Williams, a little below Higginbotham, said it was very possible that Fats Paris. Here was a band of French Herth’a records; and each time the Teagarden and Benny Morton, and above taller would soon come and play in musicians, which they had helped in guitar player on those records started Lawrence Brown, whem I would not place Paris. The thought that they would its rise to fame with their enthusi­ playing his solos, many of the youth­ as high as does Kuguea Psnnassie." perhaps hear Fats Waller in person was astic support, and they knew it was ful intelligentsia would stop talking * * * so overwhelming to the spectators that the only European jazz-group which had in order to listen with great concen­ Between 1937 and 1939, many famous there was violent applause for several attracted the attention of American tration and appropriate bodily move­ Harlem musicians made the trip to minutes. To people for whom famous listeners. All the visiting Negro ments to this dangerous rival of Paris. They were all so successful, jazs names were merely something writ­ musicians told them how wonderful the Django Reinhardt. His name was a that with one or two exceptions they ten on record labels, the possibility Quintet was, what a great guitarist mystery until a learned member of the are much better known in Europe of seeing some of these famous musi­ Django was, and this they prized more Hot Club of France announced it was than they are here. As race prejudice cians in the flesh was a great exper­ highly than anything else. I was not Teddy Bunn. The question as to who was naturally unknown in France, and ience. Their eagerness was under­ surprising, therefore, than many pro­ was really greater, Django or Teddy, as the Parisians hsve had a tradition­ standable. found essays and many lyrical poems meant that endless debating was to al r e j e c t for artists, the Negro * * * were written about Django and his follow and the time had come to go musicians were always treated as such, Duke Ellington gave two concerts in guitar playing. around to the corner for a glass of and they never encountered any of the Paris on successive nights in April * * * Pernod. Billie Holiday, that myster­ humiliations which they suffer here 1939. A tremendous, publicity campaign Jazz was taken seriously in Paris; ious singer with a man's name and a all too frequently. In Paris, they swept the city during the weeks pre­ it was considered as one of the most woman’s voice, was another favorite were ail great artists, living in an ceding his arrival. A new, very im­ important fomii of modern music by topic of discussion. The young men ot atmosphere of esteem and admiration. pressive concert-hall had been built several modern French composers. The France were discovering jazz. * * * for the Paris World’s Fair, a hugh big names for them were Armstrong and * * I The most colorful among the Amer­ place seating over 5,000 people, and Ellington. Very few knew anything Panassie was the prophet. He knew. ican musicians in Faris was undoubtedly Duke was going to play there. When about an earlier jazz, because none of No one had the effrontery of question­ the pianist, Garland Wilson. Big, the band arrived, the headlines in the early records were available and ing his wisdom. To challenge anyone handsome, always dressed in extremely several Paris newspapers forgot all Panassie wrote more about Lur.ceford of his verdicts as to the respective fancy clothes, always surrounded by a about Neville Chamberlain and Adolph and Ellington than he did about King merits of jazz musicians would have host of young admirers, he was like a Hitler, and the space was devoted to Oliver and Jelly-Roll Morton. In been sacrilege end was unthinkable. king, with an ever-present court that Sonny Greer and the nine big cases it spite of that, Parisians were sur­ His magazine Le JQZZ Hot was read with followed him into all the night-clubs took him to carry his drums. On the prisingly well-informed about jazz religious care. A cult had been where he played. In the summer of first night the immense auditorium was matters, and their taste, though far formed, with all its essential char­ 1938 the famous ‘Boeuf sur ie Toit' of almost sold out* the crowd was very from being impeccable, was as good as acteristics. The dominant trait of Paris opened a summer night club bear­ elegant, the orchestra seats having it could be under the circumstances. the cult was a passion for the United ing the same name in St. Tropes on the many people dressed in white ties and After all, how many of the famous States. Hollywood films were scrutin­ Riviera. The band was composed of black ties and smart Parisiennes in American critics and collectors of ized attentively, and the Parisian Garland Wilson, Tommy Beuford on evening dresses. The band was some­ today were writing about or collecting jazz lovers would try^to copy as drums, Teddy Brock playing alto and what nervous at first, but after a Oliver and Morton in the middle closely as possible the way the movie baritone saxes and a bass player whose shaky beginning settled down to play thirties? actors dressed and the way they walked. name I cannot remember. Garland Wil­ in the usual Ellington manner. After Long, wide coats and trousers with son’s piano playing became one of the several numbers the time came for an narrow cuffs appeared in Paris shortly sensations of the summer season, and Ivie Anderson vocal. She walked to before the war: Harlem musicians were people would come to hear him all the the center of the stage while the band beginning to have greater influence way from Cannes and Nice. was playing and grew uneasy, looking than Hollywood actors. * * * all around the big stage trying to ♦ * * The two best known American musi­ discover where the microphone was. But The French mind is famous for its cians in Faris were Benny Carter and there was no microphone! And she sang, clarity and for its genius at classi­ Coleman Hawkins, the 4 two Masters’, as or rather tried to shout as loudly as fying knowledge. Certainty, even if the French jazz lovers called them. she could; no one in the hugh hall who it causes subsequent contradiction, is Carter, especially was very popular was sitting behind the third row could always preferred to doubt. Panassie, with the crowds and played only in the hear her voice. Fortunately, they a typical product of French rational­ swankiest night-clubs. There were gave her a microphone on the second ism, showed the way with his perfectly many others, some of whom p-layed in night. coordinated dogmatism. His disciples the band of the inimitable Willy * * * naturally followed in his steps. Here Lewis, like Dicky Wells and Bill Cole­ Every now and then, when some musi­ is an example. This quotation, taken man. The trumpet player Arthur Briggs, cian of note happened to be in Paris, from an analysis of the Andy Kirk band a powerful but erratic musician, had the Hot Club of France organized a by Joost Van Pragg (JQZZ hot, April- been among the first expatriate musi­ session at the small auditorium of the May 1938), is also most unusual in cians and was still in Paris when last Fcole Normale de Musique. The star of that Van Praag has the audacity of heard of. Fletcher Henderson’s old one of these affairs was the violin player, Eddie South. The crowd was liams, reviewing some Bud Freeman records in Jazz Information, referred chn . ^ ussel1 playing chase to the tired quality of the music as choruses with only the mouthpieces of 5 # i “ Nicksieland,” Nick grabbed the tag nr"for Billy Butterfield and began using it in his posters and SHERIDAN SQUARE REQUIEM n ,' <£eagL.ardeS st°PP“ ir in for a i * * advertising. Few people realize today set, or Sharkey Bonano leading the that the word, as coined by Williams, parade o n High Society, or George was a derogatory term. Brun.es (whose band at Ryan’s h S By George Avakian Nick’s has become a Place To Go, I which Nick appreciated deeply, al­ revived Sharkey's custom) Ivin-, on though the oldtimers still harbor a front °of V “pnSht P^os in selfish longing for the pre-war days front of Nicks bandstand and playing © That was a crew known as Muggsy Nick Rongetti’s death is going to tertainment world; of course at the when you could walk in the place and trombone with his foot while a 175? Spanier’s Ragtime Band, and they bring the cover off a lot of other peo­ same time Eddie built his own name know half the customers. The music is pound man stood on his stomach bowled over Bud Freeman’s Summa ple’s typewriters, too. Some of them to the point where he could take off no longer as lively as it once was, al­ And, of course, Nick himself, al­ Laude guys pretty badly, but nobody will probably tell you about Nick's de­ on his own. Judging from the business though Pee Wee and Muggsy and a ways on the go, wearing a big smile, enjoyed Muggsy's band more than gree from Fordham Law School, and done at both Nick’s and Condon’s, no­ good bunch are there, because years and more often than not sitting on one B u d ’s gang. maybe they’ll add that it probably body got hurt in the long run. and years of playing seven nights a ot the pianos during intermission The Chicago crowd and their later came in handy during the first decade N ick ’s is know n to jazz fans all week have dulled their urge to play, adherents were almost always on hand ro .d d ? 0 ' tiW -Vick did i( «> ^ of his operations, when running a sa­ over the country, but it took the eager so at Nick’s (and Condon’s, too) you WlS (S at Nick’s, although the first band I ™“'d fac' bartenders and make loon was considered not quite in the pilgrims in the uniforms of the United find the boys smoking cigarettes be­ sure the drinks were being rung up heard at Nick’s was Sharkey Bona- spirit of the Volstead Act. One thing Nations to indicate the world-wide tween numbers :nstead of knocking m no's New Orleans boys, across the v L I* L r,e* isters' but actually they'll all say, though, is that Nick scope of Nick’s fame. In Australia, them off with quick enthusiasm *as street from the current location, with larhJ k ‘ k P y and his fesounding wasn't the easiest guy in the world for Nick finished eleventh in a poll con­ they did years ago. barber-shop bass was the joy or de? Buck Scott on trombone and Bill a musician to deal with, but he liked ducted by Jazz \ o t e s to determine the spatr of his regular customers Before Bourjois on clarinet. Benny Carter’s Still, you can’t take away the per­ IS jazz and even though it cost him ten individuals who had done the most big band, freshly organized after his manent contributions of the past, like mro ,et,a"3*ody teH you Nick was money for long periods of time he al­ for jazz. (The Australians’ gratitude corny, play That s a P len ty in M uggsy © <1 return from Europe early in 1939, Tin Roof Blues at the beginning and ways hired a pretty fair jazz band. for the phonograph record is indi­ bpamer s aibum which is sold over The was a brief visitor at Nick’s band­ end of every set, or the “ Nick’s end­ Don’t think the musicians weren't cated by the fact that Milt Gabler fin­ bar at Nick’s. I don’t think Pee Wee © stand, and I remember Joe Marsala ing”— four-bar dram break and four grateful. For years Nick's was the ished fifth and Thomas A Edison fif­ had a large band in for a while, too. bars ensemble at the end of a fast rko k! m,nd if 1 the piano only jazz spot in the world. teenth, although it seems doubtful that chorus is better than the clarinet solo. i Touv Almerico’s and Sherry Magee’s number. Or memories like the, time I knew Nick's for ten years and the Menlo Park inventor had jazz in Johnny Mendell blew in from Chicago Nick for eight, and the closest he got Dixielanders were a couple of other mind when he whipped up the talking New Orleans bands that Nick brought on a Sunday afternoon in V37, and away from jazz in his place during machine.) For all his widespread rep­ * somebody asked Red Mci nzie to that time was a quartet led by an ac­ up, too, but always he went back to utation, however. Nick’s last name sing Friar's Point Shuffle an 1 he did, cordion player. The clarinetist in the the Chicago crowd. had remained a mystery, which indeed Playing at Nick’s had an informal or the surprise strangers got when group was Charlie Russell, better it has been to most American admir­ known as Pee Wee, the unchallenged quality about it which was typified by Jack Russell led Nick’s • .ormous landmark, who in the past decade has the frequent changes in personnel, all ers of his place. Which reminds me blue-ribbon bcxer, Duchess, through never been off the bandstand at Nick’s within a small nucleus of talent, and that I still don’t know if Nick stands I for more than a couple of months at a sometimes changes in leaders which for Dominick as in LaRocca or time, even with excursions to Chicago, involved no changes whatever as to Nicholas as in Albert. Boston, and his own band on 52nd who was playing. There was often so Nick got where he did by his almost Street. (Remember the Little Club, little concern over who was leader exclusive devotion to the kind of Pee Wee, with Max Kaminsky and that once Nick couldn’t get anyone to music he enjoyed— yes, Nick genu­ George Troup, that fine trombone accept the responsibility, so he billed inely enjoyed listening to the bands he player who died before many people the band as “The Chicago All-Stars.” hired, even when it cost him money got to know him— and weren’t Bush- Nick’s steadiest employees and biggest week after week. During those days kin and Wettling in the band, too? drawing cards in the pa^t ten years, the free p u b lic ity he got from writers Some blonde gal ran the place, and I Eddie Condon and Pee Wee Russell, like Charles Edward Smith, Fred didn't catch the band because I was have never been "leaders.” Both often Ramsey, George Frazier, and myself out of town that wreek.) left Nick’s ‘‘forever.” but Pee Wee is didn’t mean the difference between Nick's place was home at one time still there md Eddie made the break going into the red and coming out or another— and usually for long pe­ only when he had his own place in the alive. But Nick realized, evidently, riods— for practically all the old Chi­ V illage. that it meant that the wolf was going cago gang that m igrated t.) N ew Y ork Condon owes most of his success to to take smaller bites out of the front in the thirties, including the latecom­ Nick's. The record speaks for itself. door. We were among his steadiest ers like Wild Bill Davison, who didn’t Nick's was his steady job through the customers and were bringing our show until 1942. The relief bands last 'naif o f the depression and the friends in, too, in addition to reach­ were sometimes good and sometimes music headquarters for the activities ing a reading public, so we found that there was just a piano, or two pianos, which put Eddie on the big time road: we never had to pay a minimum if or even three, and once there was a record dates for Commodore, the Fri­ we wanted to sit down for a minute, pleasant guy who played the Ham­ day Gub jam sessions which grew and we never got the bad eye for mond electric organ that Nick had into Town Hall concerts, and above scooting in and out with the musicians there in 1938. and whom Eddie Con­ all the incessant process of making without buying so much as a beer dur­ don would bring on at the end of a friends over the tables at Nick's. Con­ ing the time when it was customary to set bv making some sort of wisecrack don was and still is a smooth talker leave Nick’s between sets and get your involving the John Henry, Jr., of the whose conversation made him remem­ drinks a Julius’s, the bar across the same name. The low point, I guess, bered by minor tycoons and celebrities street. who spread the name of Condon fur­ Julius’s, which is really down Tenth was the sister trio during Jimmy Mac- ther afield. The number of sets Eddie Street and on the other side (I always Partland’s reign in ’41; they even had missed during the years at Nick’s is worry that people are going to think a little hand cymbal for rhythm num­ surpassed only by the times he got on I mean Julius Lombardi’s restaurant bers, just like Barris, Rinker, and the bandstand late, and although Nick which is actually on the corner diag­ Crosby. But there were compensations invariably groused about it, he knew onally opposite Nick’s on Seventh like Meade Lux Lewis, whose first that Eddie was just as valuable to him Avenue and Tenth Street, and has an New York job was relief pianist at sitting at a producer’s or publisher's awning out front which omits the Nick’s, or Sidney Bechet’s quartet table, so Eddie never got fired more “Lombardi” ), is a story by itself, but during most of the winter of 1938-39, often than once a month. Eventually, suffice it to say that Nick referred to and Zutty Singleton's trio, which in­ Nick signed him to a separate con­ the place as “The Annex,” and he ac­ troduced Edmond Hall to the jazz tract which called for Eddie to stay cepted the situation with good grace, fans who hadn’t caught him with no m atter if the rest o f '.he band w ere although I could never understand Frankie Newton at the Br.ttwood or Mellow-Lips' Jaxon was in the studio on this recording date -if you listen closely fired en masse. Eddie was a major why, inasmuch as it definitely cost with Claude Hopkins before that. And fa ctor in building N ick ’s up to its him money. Maybe Nick figured every you can hear him sneeze during the third chorus!" once there was a relief band which present well-known place in the en­ knock was a boost. When Gene Wil­ ove-w helmed the regular bunch. ...NOISES, SOUNDS, AND SWEET AIRS THAT BRING DELIGHT... "Here we will sit, and let the sounds of music creep in our ears....." - The Merchant of Venice -

PRJC HOTLINE - 573-TRAD Regular Gigs

Federal Jazz Commission 8:30-11:3° Bratwursthaus, Arlington, Va. Tuesdays S+nmille 7 8:30-11 s30 Bratwursthaus „ ,r „ JT.J „ _ ^ The Tired Businessmen 9 00 on. Dutch Mill Supper Club 6615 Harford Rd. Balto. Jimmy Hamilton's Night Blooming Jazzmen 9 1I5-1 2 O 5 Frank Condon’s Rest. N. Washington St., Rockville, Md. Wednesdays^ Festival Jazzers 8:30-11:30 Bratwursthaus (Aug. 9, PRJC Open Jam at the B'haus) rp Vi T i "V S Riverside Ramblers 8:30-11:30 Bratwursthaus Bill Potts' Big Band 9-1:30 Frank Condon's Supper Club, Rockville

^Washington Channel JB 8 130-12.30 Crystal City Howard Johnson's, Rt. 1, Va. Southern Comfort 8:30-12 Shakey's, Rockville Pike, Rockville, Md. o+1]+7 Bearcat JB 8-12 Shakey's in Fairfax, w. of Fairfax Circle Dick Wolters' Trio 7-11 pm Devil's Fork Rest. l6l6 R.I. Ave NW, Washington Orig. Crabtowne Stompers 9-1 Pm Buzzy's, West St., Annapolis, Md. Saturdays . Orig. Crabtowne Stompers Buzzy's m Annapolis

SUnTheSJohn Skillman Trio - Jazz Brunch Buffet 11 am-3:30 pm Devil's Fork

OTHER GIGS OF NOTE

Aug. 4 THE BOB BARNARD BAND FROM AUSTRALIA -^Monthly PRJC Special 9-1 , Marriott Twin Bridges A up- 4 Sept, 1 - Tex Wyndham's Red Lion JB, Green Rm., Hotel DuPont, _ ^ Wilmington, Del. (Reservations strongly advised.) Aug 4 Sept. 1 - Va. Shy Jam, home of Frank McPherson, 2619 E. Meredith St. Vienna (938-4461) Aug. 18 DC, Mdo Shy Jam, home of Dave Littlefield, 6809 5th St. NW ^.^3-9527) Aug. 22 Alexandria shy jam home of Webb Ivy, Alexandria,, 7:30-10:3° (370 894 Aug, 19-20 The New Black Eagles (19th -8pm; 20th 4pm) Mount Gretna, Pa A g ^ (Tickets - Music at Gretna, Box 356, 17064, $5.00) And remember: The Jazz Band Ball Sundays 6-7:30, WPFW-FM (89.3) Fat Cat's Jazz Corner Sundays 10-midnite WAMU (8 8 ,3 ) Yale Lewis's Jazz Plus Saturday nites 8-3 WETA (90.9)

Folklore Society Hotline - 281-2228 Left Bank Jazz Soc. Hotline - 945-2266 WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!

Robert Hippert Eleanor & Geo. Hilbert Brian McGill Alexandria, Va Margate, N.J. Annandale, Va, Vernon Foster Mary & Joseph Cochran Helena Speicher Alexandria, Va. Chevy Chase, Md. Baltimore, Md. Karen Woods Richard Andelfinger George Hines Rockville, Md. Gaithersburg, Md. Philadelphia, Pa. Benjamin Astley Dorothy & John Tierney Peg Paul Arlington, Va, Columbia, Md. Washington, D.C. William Busch Pat & Arunas Dirvianskis Morton Klasmer Laurel, Md. Arlington, Va. Baltimore, Md. Jerry Horton Diana & John Fisher Victoria Borland Princeton, N.J. Lorton, Va. Arlington, Va. Paul Dougherty Elizabeth & Frank Guldseth Bud Allred Gaithersburg, Md. Arlington, Va. West Durham, N.C. Gilbert Douglas Midge Nolin Bob Milne Arlington, Va. Hyattsville, Md. Lake Orion, Mich. Karen Terninko Leonore & Larry Robinson Kendall Burrough Arlington, Va. Takoma Park, Md. Washington, D.C. Fred Newton Sharon Wheeler & Steve Olcott Deming Fairfax, Va. Hancoff - Takoma Park, Md. Washington, D.C. Mr/Mrs Allen Knowles Barbara & Edwin Pilchard Terry Hartzell Rockville, Md. Silver Spring, Md. Alexandria, Va.

Ted Chandler, Editor Tailgate Ramblings 7160 Talisman Lane Columbia, Md. 21045

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