lapse and solid construction for per­ manent durability,” he said. Nor is Nash solely concerned with success tn the area of singing. His models in this regard are Harry Bela­ fonte and . “I don't want to become a ‘singing actor’,” he stressed. “Like Belafonte and Sinatra, I want to be an actor who’s also billed as a singer—but in another context entirely. Neither function should affect the other,” he insisted. “I haven’t sung a single song in the two movies I’ve made so far and that’s the way J want it.” What is the role of the personal man­ ager in a burgeoning career such as Johnny Nash’s? In the youngster’s opinion “the very personal relation­ ship” between him and manager Bob Altfeld is crucial to his success. “It’s far beyond the level of manager and client.” he noted thoughtfully. “Almost like father and son, in fact. The most important factor is teamwork. We work Iarmer-golson group things out together. 1 think for myself The new -Benny Galton band rehearses in New York's Roundtable. Personnel of the insofar as urgent decisions are con­ new group, which opened recently at the Village Note in Washington, D.C., isi McCoy Tyner, pianos cerned and what it amounts to is that Art Farmer, trumpet; Addison Farmer (Art's identical twin brother), bass; , tenor sax; Dave Bailey, drums; and , trombone. Band was slated to make their first appearance we work out things together It’s a true in New York City on Nov. 17. relationship.” So far as singers are concerned, how­ The Wages of TV regular members of the NBC staff and ever, Johnny Nash is emphatic on one For 13 years, one of the anchor other sidemen generally considered to point: men on the orchestra has be “in” with the powers that be on “There’s only one guy who can sing been trumpeter-arranger Wes Hensel. the Allen show. Out were drummer anything. I’d call him my favorite When other key sidemen left the band Lloyd Morales and bassist Bob singer. His name’s Sinatra!” following its loss of the Hollywood­ Berteaux. The other sidemen were re­ based radio show five years portedly notified by the leader prior 'Straight with Me' ago, Hensel remained, a bulwark in to the Allen show’s commencement that Thelonious Sphere Monk may mean the organization and an important from now on they were to consider the an odd man with an odd name, addicted factor in breaking in the many new- band an organized orchestra no longer, to wearing odd hats, lo some fans. comers who replaced such veterans as and were free to accept what work But to those tn San Francisco he is drummer Jack Sperling and tenor they could get anywhere they could the very model of a model major jazz saxophonist . get it. artist. For his two weeks at the Black Then, this fall, when the news broke In effect, these men — including Hawk in October, Monk made every on Vine St. that the Brown band was band boy Si Cohen—had been fired. set, was on time every night, signed to handle musical chores on the re­ For those sidemen — including autographs, submitted to interviews, located Steve Allen Show (Allen shifted Hensel—who chose to remain with the and played his heart out. Audience operations to Hollywood after years in band on the Allen show, the word was reaction was great: quiet attention New York), several sidemen who had this: they would alternate with the when Monk was playing and tumultu­ toured regularly with the band over NBC musicians every other week. In ous applause when it was over. the past few years found themselves other words, their work with Brown “Mr. Monk can play my club any­ out of work. They were replaced by would consist of two jobs u month at time,” said Guido Caccienti, owner of television pay scale. the Black Hawk. “He’s a gentleman.” At this point Hensel decided he had Jazz fans on the west coast echoed Watch Those Changes Caccienti’s statement. “Monk, please had it. Faced with the prospect of a Sidelining for the cameras on a meager guarantee of working but two come back.” they urged as he signed shooting session of the television autographs on closing night. Allen shows a month and being left series. Five Fingers, in Hollywood to scuffle for himself in the meantime, Nightly, Monk stood on the side­ recently, drummer Jerry McKenzie walk looking at his watch and waiting he quit the hand and accepted a was approached by one of the lucrative job in a Las Vegas pit band. for his sidemcn when time to go back cameramen during a break. If Hensel felt badly about being cut on drew near. Frequently he was early You know. cameraman out of work with a dance band in for the night’s performances and even confided. “I used to play trumpet which he had served for 13 years, his played the matinees. “I don’t know and that guy over there is playing it fellow trumpeters on regular NBC call what they’re talking about,” Caccienti all wrong.” Why, McKenzie en­ were no less disturbed Most felt that said. “This guy was straight with me.” quired? ‘Because,” replied the it was a raw deal and a sad commentary It should be noted also that San cameraman seriously, “he’s not play­ on a business that forced leaders to give Francisco audiences saw Monk only as ing the right chords.” priority to the guaranteed security of a a soft-spoken, shy man who remained The trumpet man in question was regular television show at the expense quiet until he sat down at the piano. Ray Anthony. And then nobody laughed. of loyal sidemen. December 10, 1959 • 13