Letter From the Exec. Director JAZZ RAMBLER By Bill Adams Published by America’s Finest City Jazz Society • San Diego, CA • www.SDjazzfest.org President/Executive Director $8.00 Per Issue Summer (August) 2020 Vol. XXXVIII No. 2 As summer rolls on and autumn quickly approaches, the reality of this pandemic affects our daily lives with All Options on the Table too much uncertainty. We are all inconvenienced and troubled by the coronavirus and the changes it has For Annual Jazz Fest #41 forced on our lives. But with time and AFCDJS is currently reviewing its patience changes will be coming. options, watching the news, keeping Restaurants are continuing to open up on all CDC guidelines, and under safe conditions; hotels are cautiously optimistic that the Festival starting to book rooms and people are will take place Nov. 25 – 29, 2020 at the slowly starting to travel. Town & Country Hotel — 500 Hotel The Society, which runs our annual Circle North, San Diego. Thanksgiving Festival, is working with See the President’s Message on state and county health officials as this page for details regarding the well as the Town & Country Hotel on precautions that AFCDJS and the existing and future guidelines for Town & Country have in mind to ensure producing events. Some of the rules our patrons’ well-being, should we be will change as fewer people are able to move forward as planned. diagnosed with COVID-19 and case Just prior to the Covid-19 situation, numbers lower. When this happens, Pianist John Royen (the subject of a we can evaluate how to safely bring in John Royen at the piano recent article in the Syncopated Times groups of people, manage band Cavera, Marty Eggers and Hal Smith. and several posts on Michael movement, and provide a festive, Also returning to the program are The Steinman’s JAZZ LIVES blog), was entertaining event without risking Regulators, performing the music of invited to return to the San Diego Jazz anyone’s health. Johnny Cash with John Gill on guitar Fest in 2020. Royen, who recently re- The Society, Board of Directors and vocals. Both of these groups were certified as a Merchant Mariner, will and Steering Committee are committed well-received at the 40th Annual San be leading Capt. John Royen’s New to and working on the 2020 San Diego Diego Jazz Fest, and AFCDJS is Orleans Rhythm – featuring Chicago Jazz Fest & Swing Extravaganza. The clarinetist Kim Cusack, plus Katie continued on page 3 details of how many venues and bands, how to access food and bars, and safely moving between venues are all hold our regular monthly concerts. making a final decision on SD Jazz under consideration. Some of these Our first few were rousing successes, Fest #41 no later than Sept. 1. issues we have control over, some are and still available for viewing at Please stay safe, keep healthy and being dictated by the county of San facebook.com/afcdjs/live. enjoy all the online music and Diego and the state of California. We The Board of Directors appreciates entertainment that is available. ask for your patience as we move your continued support as we work We look forward to seeing you through these obstacles and discover through this very strange time in our soon. and develop new ways of putting on a lives. Rest assured, as of this writing, Festival (something we’ve done a few the 2020 Thanksgiving Festival is still The AFCDJS times in the past!) and work with the on the table, and we will continue to Monthly Concert Series hotel and the county to put together update everyone as plans develop. a plan of action for hosting our event. Just like everyone else, we are being • See Jazz Alive on p.2 for In the meantime, while we are all at extremely cautious, but are also very info on who is playing home, our first priority is staying safe eager to provide a safe and healthy and keeping healthy. When we are environment to provide enter- where! able to start hosting events again, we tainment… but more time is needed. • See the Virtual Reality want all of you healthy, able and ready As we navigate these uncharted to join us for music and dancing. As waters, we recognize that Thanks- story to catch some most of you know we’ve been hosting giving weekend plans need to be made. streaming live jazz. online events due to our inability to To that end, the Board is committed to JAZZ RAMBLER Jazz Alive — Here, There, Everywhere SUMMER (AUGUST) 2020 VOL. XXXVIII - NO. 2 (To have events included in the Jazz SUE PALMER The JAZZ RAMBLER is published quar- Rambler or on the AFCDJS website, Check out KSUE Radio & other terly for $20 per year ($25 foreign) by submit updates by the 28th of each new content at: suepalmer.com America’s Finest City Dixieland Jazz So- month to [email protected].) ciety. Address all correspondence to P.O. UPTOWN RHYTHM MAKERS Box 880387, San Diego, CA 92168-0387. THE BIG BUTTER JAZZ BAND Busking Sundays on the America’s Finest City Dixieland Jazz bigbutterjazzband.com Embarcadero (by the Midway) Society is a Non-Profit 501 (c)3 organiza- CJ SAMS and KATIE CAVERA Check Facebook page for more info: tion. For information about the Society, facebook.com/URMjazz call (619) 297-5277. katiecavera.com Website: www.SDjazzfest.org CROWN CITY DIXIELAND BAND Single copy price $8.00. Editorial con- CROWN CITY DIXIELAND BAND AFCDJS PRESENTS tributions welcome. Contents of Jazz crowncitydixielandband.com/ Rambler are copyrighted © (2020) by upcoming-performances/ FREE 2020 America’s Finest City Dixieland Jazz So- ciety and may not be reprinted without STUCKEY & HOT HOUSE GANG JAZZ WORKSHOPS permission. Jazz Publications and Jazz Weekly Facebook Live show (“Ten Tentative Schedule Club Newsletters may reprint articles pro- Tunes on Tuesday at Two”): vided the following credit is included: “Re- https://www.facebook.com/hothouse See website for details printed from the Jazz Rambler, San Di- gang/ (2nd Thurs. of month, 7-9 pm) ego, California.” The Jazz Rambler and Aug. 13* • Sept. 10* Society functions are funded in part by the EUPHORIA BRASS BAND Oct. 8* • Nov. 12* • Dec. (Dark) City of San Diego Commission for Arts euphoriabrassband.com and Culture. * Current CDC guidelines GINO & THE LONE GUNMEN regarding COVID-19 prevention BOARD OF DIRECTORS Check Facebook for upcoming will determine the ability to hold Bill Adams, President/Executive Director events and “Gino’s Live Home Bob Solsbak, Vice President workshops, and will be decided Show!”: Ed Adams, Bob Andersen, Tony on a month-to-month basis. Connors, Morgan Day, Claudia Gomez, https://www.facebook.com/ Joe Jensen, Dean Turney, Susan Turney GinoandtheLoneGunmen/ AFCDJS-sponsored workshops AFCDJS STAFF HIGH SOCIETY JAZZ BAND are held the second Thursday of Hal Smith, Artistic Director More info: Larry (858) 277-5294 every month (except December) Crystal Solsbak, Office Manager from 7 to 9pm at the San Diego Kristin Schulte, Treasurer JAZZ JAMMERS Musicians Hall, 1717 Morena RAMBLER STAFF facebook.com/Jazz-Jammers- Blvd., San Diego. Editor: Jay F. Levine 382089555263254/ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Staff Writers: Hal Smith • Bob Solsbak More info: (619) 561-8236 or Requirement: Staff Photographer: Alex Matthews [email protected] Desire to play Traditional Jazz! Advertise in the Rambler MAD HAT HUCKSTERS ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Check Facebook page for lots of Advertising in the Jazz Rambler is one of Furnished: new virtual content: the best ways to reach a large exclusive audience Drums, piano and a core of Trad Jazz fans. With our circulation of facebook.com/madhathucksters/ group of instructors. approximately 2,000 and an estimated reader- ship of 3,500, you will be reaching thousands JAZZ CLUB ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ of people who are interested in all aspects of OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ALL AGES & TALENT Traditional Jazz. facebook.com/New-Orleans-Jazz- LEVELS WELCOME! The Rambler is published quarterly. Dead- Club-of-Southern-California- ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ lines are the 5th of the month, prior to the date 570161196333038/ (619) 297-JASS (5277) of issue. Feb. 1, May 1, Aug. 1 and Nov. 1. ROYALE GARDEN DIXIE BAND www.SDjazzfest.org Advertising Rates Full page — $275.00 angelfire.com/ca3/rgdb/ One Half page — 150.00 upcoming.html The personnel of many local One Third page — 110.00 More info: (760) 585-8899 bands who have appeared at One Quarter page — 85.00 our Festivals have been One Eighth page — 50.00 For a rate sheet, write AFCDJS, P.O. Box S. BAY N. ORLEANS JAZZ CLUB participants in the AFCDJS free 880387, San Diego, CA 92168-0387 or call facebook.com/groups/ Jazz Workshops. (619) 297-5277. 895900660746780/

PAGE 2 SUMMER (AUGUST) 2020 JAZZ RAMBLER Virtual Reality By Kayla Solsbak Monthly ‘Virtual’Jazz Concerts

Let’s just get right out and say it — • Refer to Jazz Alive on p. 2 for bands and websites to get we miss concerts! The surprising up-to-date information on who is playing where and when. solos, the wall-to-wall energy, our beloved friends, all of it. But while • See Virtual Reality story on this page to see where to stream there’s no replacement for the particular thrill of the dance floor, our live Jazz! Upcoming concert dates: Aug. 16 • Sept. 20 • Oct. 18 favorite artists are working hard to Tune in online at www.facebook.com/afcdjs/live tide us over. We checked in with some of our 2020 Jazz Fest lineup to see what they’ve been up to in quarantine. 41st Still on . . . promises that all of the construction Dave Stuckey of Dave Stuckey & continued from front page on-site will be finished long before The Hot House Gang admits the rug the Festival weekend. Also, the was pulled out beneath him. But the delighted to include them in the ballrooms utilized in the past will be financial loss is only part of the story. program for 2020. available for our use, and there will be “What you do in life is be around a lot Longtime leader of the JazzSea more parking spaces for our patrons. of people,” he said. Since we entered Jams, Dick Williams, has announced For a complete list of the quarantine, it has been “weird to not his retirement. Everyone who listened performers at Festival #41, get that fix.” But while he may miss the to (or participated in) these organized instructions for ordering badges, crowds, Dave is certainly keeping jam sessions will miss Dick’s information regarding sponsorship busy. He hosts and plays his own presence. However, we plan on having opportunities and reservations at the weekly Facebook Live show entitled, the jams continue at Festival #41, led Town & Country – please see the ad “Ten Tunes on Tuesday at Two,” by sousaphonist CJ Sams. Rest on page 5. Also be sure to check our which is exactly what it sounds like. A assured that the “audience website: sdjazzfest.org for status mix of Western Swing, beloved participation” portion of the Festival updates on Festival #41 as well as standards, original songs and a few weekend will be as enjoyable as ever information concerning AFCDJS requests along the way, Dave’s show with CJ Sams’ Jammers! monthly concerts, educational garners viewers from around the globe. In addition to the bands mentioned programs, small band archives and “It’s a different experience, but there’s above, Stephanie Trick and Paolo more. a connection there,” he said. He loves Alderighi, Cornet Chop Suey, Dave Fingers crossed, we will see you the opportunity to discuss the music Stuckey and the Hot House Gang, and all in November for a Thanksgiving more deeply, free from the structure of many other first-class bands and weekend full of outstanding a traditional concert. You can find the musicians are scheduled to appear at Traditional Jazz, Swing, Piano Jazz, show each week at www.facebook. the Festival. Hotel management Ragtime, Rockabilly, Boogie Woogie com/dave.stuckey. and more! For “The Queen of Boogie Woogie” Facebook page, www.facebook.com/ Sue Palmer, quarantine has meant more GinoAndTheLoneGunmen. Frontman time for her podcast, “The Motel Swing Gino Meregillano plays regular Happy Hour,” with Radio KSUE San Facebook Live shows from home, but Diego. She has used the show, in part, the band has also started to livestream to explore the music she might have performances together. It’s just the played at canceled shows throughout kind of high energy fun we’re starved the spring. Episodes of her radio show for these days. usually center on a theme, from early Though we are excited to venture ’30s cabaret and ’70s rock to the best back to our favorite clubs and venues, songs for dog-walking. Like Dave, Sue for some musicians, live streaming may uses the online medium to dive deeper become a longtime habit. “I think that into the people behind the music, an element of that is going to stay,” particularly local jazz and blues artists. Dave Stuckey said, reflecting on how You can find the podcast at fun it has been to connect with faraway www.suepalmer.com as well as Spotify, friends. There may be opportunity here Google Play and Apple Podcasts. — for accessibility, global If it’s Rock n’ Roll you’re after, connections or deeper explorations of Gino & The Lone Gunmen have a music history. After all, jazz thrives on steady stream of content on their experimentation. CJ Sams to continue Jazz Jams JAZZ RAMBLER SUMMER (AUGUST) 2020 PAGE 3 AFCDJS Elects New Fest #41 Can’t Happen Board of Directors America’s Finest City Dixieland Without Your Help Jazz Society elected its 2020 Board of Directors at its March meeting. Thanksgiving and SD Jazz Fest #41 • Web and Program listing Claudia Gomez and Dean and Susan are sooner than you think, and we ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Turney will be joining the Board for need your help. Our Festival continues • One-year AFCDJS membership the first time. Returning members to be one of the most popular in the include Bill Adams (President/ The $600 level includes two All country, thanks in no small part to all Executive Director), Bob Solsbak Events badges and selection of two of you who have chosen to be band or (Vice-President), Ed Adams, Bob bands or musicians plus the other musician sponsors in previous years, Andersen, Tony Connors, Morgan perks listed above. as your support has helped to bring in Day and Joe Jensen. Current Society Start the process now by deciding some of the best musicians in the staff consists of Crystal Solsbak as which band(s) or musician(s) you world. Office Manager, Kristin Schulte as want to sponsor, decide on one badge We’re very excited about our 41st Treasurer and Hal Smith as Artistic ($300) or two badges ($600), and send event and have a jam-packed lineup Director. Board of Director meetings a check to AFCDJS, P.O. Box 880387, for you. Cornet Chop Suey will be are held the second Tuesday of the San Diego, CA 92168-0387 with your making its long-awaited return along month (location TBD), and AFCDJS name/address and the name of the with favorites like High Society and members are welcome to attend. For band(s) or musician(s) you would like the Memphis Speed Kings as well as more information contact us at to sponsor. You can also do this online popular acts from last year, like the [email protected]. at www.SDjazzfest.org . Big Butter Jazz Band. As usual we’ll Note: In order to have your have plenty of Trad Jazz, Boogie sponsorship acknowledged on our Education Outreach Woogie, Rockabilly as well as website, in the Festival program and For more info about our something for dancers at our Swing on the band signs, we must receive youth program including Dance Extravaganza. your sponsorship by October 31, It is easy to become a sponsor, Jazz Camp scholarships, 2020. Also, we understand these are with the following perks available. At check the Society website trying times, and this year’s Festival the $300 level you receive: under Education. is still very much in flux. Rest ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ assured that if this year’s event • 5-Day All Events badge & Sponsor doesn’t happen, for any reason, that AFCDJS is a member of: ribbon (The difference of the badge your donation will be fully refunded • San Diego Regional and sponsorship is tax deductible!) or applied to the 2021 Festival, should ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Chamber of Commerce you so choose. • Invitation to the Sponsors’ Thank you so much, and we hope • San Diego Convention & Reception Visitors Bureau ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ to see you in November! • Reserved seating in all venues

Things To Do Online: • Make Hotel Reservations • Sponsor a Band • Join the Society • Read the Jazz Rambler • Make an Educ. Donation • Enroll in Jazz Camp • Get Volunteer Info

PAGE 4 SUMMER (AUGUST) 2020 JAZZ RAMBLER JAZZ RAMBLER SUMMER (AUGUST) 2020 PAGE 5 Welcome New Society Board Members: Claudia Gomez and Dean & Susan Turney As if all of that does not keep her her love for the activity (and the music) Claudia Gomez busy enough, Claudia also lends her to the ever-popular Lindy Hop. Adding to our ever-growing Board extensive skills to the theater world. She Dean is a California native, born and of Directors is San Diego native Claudia is an accomplished choreo-grapher, raised in the town of Porterville, just Gomez. Claudia has attended the SD Jazz having leant those talents as well as her west of the Sequoia National Forest. His Fest for years, and having been a dancer acting chops to the role of “Tiuana” in love for dance came early, while spending since age five, particularly enjoys our Richard Montoya’s “The Federal Jazz many of his high school and junior Saturday Night Swing Dance Project” with acclaimed jazz trumpeter, college years in a ballroom dance Extravaganza! and local hero, Gilbert Castellanos. The performance group. Claudia’s roots within the San Diego vintage jazz cabaret show “The Cherries Serving in the U.S. Navy brought Dean community run deep. She starts her day Jubilee” and “Olio the Show” (about the to San Diego, where he decided to put as a K-8 performing arts dance teacher at evolution of jazz music and dance in down roots. After graduating from SDSU Keiller Leadership Academy, a charter America) also has the benefit of having with an art degree, he spent the next 30 school in South East San Diego where Claudia as itsartistic director, years in the aerospace engineering she has had the pleasure of being on choreographer and producer. industry. In 1996, upon seeing an ad for staff since 2013. As a professional jazz With all this activity you must be swing classes at a local bar, he decided tap dancer, she has been a teacher and wondering where Claudia gets all her to rekindle his love for dancing, and has performer both nationally and energy! To keep herself centered she kept up with it ever since. internationally. actively practices yoga and is not only Dean and Susan first attended SD She also literally dances to the beat an instructor but a reiki/energy therapist. Jazz Fest in 2002 and have danced up a of her own drum as she is currently the She is in the process of opening “Tap storm at every one since. When not drummer and tap dancer for local artists, Into Yoga & Reiki by Claudia Gomez” in dancing (or helping us plan Festival the Besos Jazz Trio. She also performs the North Park community of San Diego, #41!) they both keep busy with multiple regularly with the Django Rheinhardt where she will host live, unplugged jazz hobbies. Susan enjoys her sewing… inspired band, Trio Gadjo. For anyone performances as well as yoga, dance Dean loves his plants. The recent wanting to take a listen, check out her and art classes. These will be live quarantine sees them enjoying these tap and percussion work with the streamed for anyone to see over social things as well as binging on Netflix popular, eclectic, world jazz band Besos media and her website shows and cueing up their favorite tunes de Coco on their eponymously titled (tapintoyogaandreiki.com). while cutting a rug on the living room album, available on Spotify and iTunes. As busy as she is, Claudia has floor! decided to join our Board of Directors The Society is honored to welcome and help make AFCDJS and the SD Jazz Susan and Dean to the Board, and we Fest the best it can be. Please join us in hope you’ll take the time to say hello to welcoming her aboard! them at the next Festival. Dean & Susan Turney AFCDJS is delighted to welcome husband and wife team Dean and Susan Turney to its Board of Directors. Lifelong swing dancers and longtime attendees of SD Jazz Fest, we look forward to what they’ll bring to your Society’s leadership. Susan hails from New York State, born in Brooklyn and grew up on Long Island. She spent her career in finance and sales as a small, independent business owner as well as working for tech giant Hewlett Packard. Today she’s still active in the business world, serving as a freelance consultant. As mentioned, she’s an avid swing dancer, attributing

PAGE 6 SUMMER (AUGUST) 2020 JAZZ RAMBLER JAZZ RAMBLER SUMMER (AUGUST) 2020 PAGE 7 Jazz Society Continues Education Emphasis Trad Camp Once Again a Rousing Success The 2020 Adult Traditional Jazz included sectionals for front line and Education Donors Camp was once again a rousing rhythm, and additional classes were success. Our faculty of seven offered on jazz history, music theory, instructors demonstrated vintage stage presence, as well as advanced Dawn Club instrumental techniques and ensemble topics. See our ad on page Frank & Jane Sigona supervised sessions played by close 11 to secure your spot at the 2021 Jazz to 70 students. Instruction also Camp!

NAMM awards Mission Bay High School with prestigious award!

The Support Music Merit Award (SMMA), given to schools across the country that have made a commitment to music education, was awarded this year to San Diego’s very own Mission Bay High School. The SD Jazz Fest favorites were one of only 148 schools to receive this award, given every year by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM). A full list of winners for the 2020 Best Communities For Music Education Districts can be seen at www.nammfoundation.org/ articles/bcme-2020-schools. Also, see the full SD Union-Tribune article at www.sandiegouniontribune.com/north- county-community-news/story/2020-04-16/namm-foundation-honors-districts-schools “Mission Bay High School is honored to have received this recognition! We could not have done it without the amazing support of our community, parents and staff at MBHS. We have always known that we have something special in our community but now the rest of the country will see it as well!” PAGE 8 SUMMER (AUGUST) 2020 JAZZ RAMBLER February Concert Review Heliotrope Ragtime Orchestra - Feb. 16 Seems like ages ago, but live music was played and enjoyed earlier this year! As many of our members and patrons will recall, our first monthly concert at popular hot spot Tio Leo’s occurred in February. Heliotrope Ragtime Orchestra was the featured band, and a good time was had by all. A new venue is always a scary proposition. Although the Lafayette Hotel (still home for the annual Adult Jazz Camp) took good care of us, we felt a need to expand and a need to ensure a better level of continuity. Tio Leo’s gives us this with better food options and a full bar as well as the security of locking in the third Sunday of the month time slot we so enjoy. How was the show? A rousing success! Concerns over location, parking, accessibility, food, etc., were quickly quelled. The staff was great, the dance floor hopping, and of course, the music was great. Heliotrope played its inimitable style of Ragtime and 1920s favorites, putting a tap in everyone’s step and a smile on their faces. The band seemed to enjoy themselves, with leader Bob Pinsker even commenting on the quality of the brand new house piano. Despite the strong start in a new location, world events put our monthly concert series on hold… sort of. ** Thanks to modern technology we’ve managed to continue on with our wildly popular “virtual” series (if you haven’t had the pleasure, check them out at www.facebook.com/afcdjs/live). We’ve had a blast putting them on (thanks to the Baker family, The Mad Hat Hucksters and others for participating), but are definitely looking forward to getting back to our new home, seeing all of your smiling faces in person and getting back on the dance floor! Tio Leo’s Mexican Restaurant (Morena District) is located at 5302 Napa St., San Diego, CA 92110. Check them out online at www.tioleos.com.

JAZZ RAMBLER SUMMER (AUGUST) 2020 PAGE 9 Jazz Camp Faculty — January 19

Jazz Jammers— July 28

Clint Baker & Family — May 24

Holy Crow Jazz Band— August 18 Mad Hat Hucksters — June 28

PAGE 10 SUMMER (AUGUST) 2020 JAZZ RAMBLER JAZZ RAMBLER SUMMER (AUGUST) 2020 PAGE 11 Answers are on page 15

The AFCDJS Board of Directors holds its meetings on the second Tuesday of the month. For venue and time, contact us: [email protected].

PAGE 12 SUMMER (AUGUST) 2020 JAZZ RAMBLER 2020 Festival Survey Small Band Winner Announced Music Archives AFCDJS would like to thank all of AFCDJS maintains an archive those who attended the 2019 San Diego of over 2,600 small band music Jazz Fest and completed our survey arrangements, which we make questions online. Your input is sincerely available to school and youth appreciated. Ira Meislik from La Jolla, bands, community, church, California, was selected at random from the surveys completed and will receive start-up, and non-profit music two all-events badges for the 2020 San groups. Diego Jazz Fest. Thank you again to all Ask about the Top Thousand who participated in the survey! most-requested small band music arrangements, on a DVD disc. the bottom of the page or Go to www.sdjazzfest.org contact Bob Solsbak at Updated Website! and click “Small Band Music” at archive@ sdjazzfest.org. If you haven’t been on our website lately, it’s time to take a look. A more streamlined design, with better function- ality and a more visually appealing look are what you’ll find. Direct links to everything you need, from membership and education programs to Festival info and concert itineraries can be found on the home page. Be sure to check out our new and improved look at www.sdjazzfest.org. Update AFCDJS With New Emails Some of our members have updated or changed their email addresses. We are unable to send concert notices or even the Jazz Rambler password to those who have requested it. If you have changed your email address within the past year, please email the AFCDJS Office Manager, Crystal Solsbak, with the new e- mail address to crystal jazzsociety @gmail.com. If you want to start receiving the Rambler online, you may indicate that as well. Online subscriptions help to cut postage costs so we can use that money for promoting “The Music.”

JAZZ RAMBLER SUMMER (AUGUST) 2020 PAGE 13 State a try. He recorded with Bob Pollack and Darensbourg; performed Warren Smith . . . Anderson’s Oshkosh Serenaders for with a Bob Cats reunion group for Continued from back page the JUMP label, and worked with Pete Snader Telescriptions; made studio Daily’s Jazzmen – one of the most recordings with Bob Scobey and Phil most important association of his popular groups of the Dixieland Gomez and played on the soundtrack career when he joined the Bob Crosby Revival. He also played with Jess of the Elvis Presley movie “King Orchestra. In addition to the Stacy’s combo at the Hangover Club Creole.” Orchestra, Smith also played and (no relation to Club Hangover in San When Rock‘n’Roll became the recorded with the Bob Cats – the octet Francisco). Smith’s abilities as an dominant music in American culture, drawn from the larger group. The Bob ensemble player caught the ear of work for jazz musicians was drastically Cats soon came to be recognized as bandleader Lu Watters, and in 1950 reduced. Still, Smith played some “The Best Dixieland Band in the Land.” Smith journeyed to the Bay Area for a desirable engagements – such as a Their DECCA recordings became short stint with Watters’ band at tour of Japan with Red Nichols in instant classics, and Warren Smith’s Hambone Kelly’s in El Cerrito. 1964. He was often heard at concerts trombone playing was an important Fortunately, Smith recorded several presented by the New Orleans Jazz part of the Bob Cats sound. He was a sides with the Watters band for the Club of California and played private skilled part-player in the ensembles, MERCURY label. It is delightful to parties in Del Mar during race season. using “tailgate” phrasing at just the hear his strong playing in the front “Smitty” was a much-admired member right times. On solos, the Jack line together with Watters on trumpet of the jazz community when he passed Teagarden influence is readily and Bob Helm on . away in Santa Barbara on Aug. 28, apparent – but Smith still had a distinct Southern California was a hotbed 1975. Almost all of his recordings are style of his own. of Traditional Jazz activity in the 1950s available on compact disc and many When the Crosby Orchestra shifted and early ’60s. After returning to Los can also be found on YouTube. It is its operations to California in 1940, Angeles, Smith played with many of definitely worth a listener’s time to Smith handed in his notice. He worked the best groups of the era – continuing check out his fine ensemble playing around Chicago with bands led by his association with Pete Daily and and hearty solos on such recordings Wingy Manone and Bud Jacobsen also working with bands led by Red as the Bob Cats’ “March of the Bob and put in a stint with the Glenn Miller Nichols, Ben Pollack, Nappy Lamare, Cats,” “Coquette” and “Who’s Sorry Orchestra. (He was in the trombone Joe Darensbourg and Wild Bill Now” and Watters’ “Shake That section on one of Miller’s most famous Davison (who lived in California off Thing.” recordings: “String of Pearls”). In and on for several years). Smith 1945, Smith decided to give the Golden appeared on television with Davison, Attention Volunteers Are you interested in being a Donate Used Instruments to CCMS volunteer for the 41st San Diego Jazz AFCDJS and the Council for Dig into your closets, attics, garages Fest, held over Thanksgiving weekend (Nov. 25th – Nov. 29th)? We will be or under the bed, to find your old Music in the Schools remind mailing out letters and begin members that the donation of used musical instruments — clarinet, guitar, accepting applications the first week instruments is not limited to during trumpet, sax, trombone, violin, flute (in of September. Current world the Festival. Anyone wanting to high demand), cello, or even a drum kit circumstances may alter how we use donate during the year, is welcome — that may be just collecting dust volunteers this year, but that will be to bring the instrument(s) to any of awaiting its next musical maestro. made clearer as we get closer to our Monthly Concerts. Keep the CCMS will mail each contributor an Festival time. Finalized assignments music alive. Pass the torch to the official letter for tax purposes. and volunteer schedules will be mailed next generation. If you do not have an instrument by November 1st. We sincerely thank The Community Council for Music to contribute but would like to help, a those who have volunteered in the in the Schools (CCMS), a non-profit donation of any amount can help past and hope you will be able to join organization, will place the purchase additional needed instru- us again this year. If you do not receive a letter, please check our website ments. (Currently, there is a critical instruments with music teachers in at www.SDjazzfest.org. For more San Diego Unified School District need for violins and violas.) information contact Crystal Solsbak (including elementary, middle and With school budgets as they are, at 619-316-3393 or send an email to her high schools) for loan to students in your unused instruments (or at [email protected]. school music classes, bands and contribution) will allow deserving New volunteers are always welcome, orchestras who cannot afford to buy students to enroll in music classes. so talk to friends who might or rent their own instruments. All Who knows, your trumpet may go to be interested in making our 41st SD donations are tax deductible. the next . Jazz Fest an event to remember!

PAGE 14 SUMMER (AUGUST) 2020 JAZZ RAMBLER Welcome New and Renewal Members January-May 2020 Bob & Sally Marsteller Traditional Fun Answers David & Bonnie Austin Dennis& Heidi McKinley Michelle Bolden Jim & Barbara Nagel ACROSS: John Barton Estela Olivas 4. Gino John & Tracy Bodenmann Christine Ohrmund 5. High Society Margaret Burton Carolyn Onken 8. Jam Jane Crews Joseph S. Pribilo 10. Sue Palmer 11. T.N.T. Duane Eberlein Marie Puma 13. Boa Diane Erk Ted & Mary Ellen Raskin 14. Cavera Cynthia Farley & Phoebe Robin & Janine Ryder 17. Champagne Dixie Anderson Rob Sawyer 21. Dance Barbara Feldman Charles Schroeder 22. Tap Norma Froschauer Carl & Katherine Shaffer 23. Trad Jan Gilbert Norm Shoemaker 25. Octet Pablo Gilbert Frank & Jane Sigona 27. Sonny Stuart Gross & Nikki George & Richelle Smith 29. AFCDJS Schweitzer Robert Smothers 30. Cornet Chop Suey Tom & Ursula Jennings Bev & Wally Turner Steve & Donna Kreinick Carl Warren DOWN: John Luxenburg Maureen Wilson 1. NBJ 2. Royen MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION/RENEWAL /SUBSCRIPTION FORM 3. Gill Please check the applicable boxes and mail to: 4. Grand Dominion AMERICA’S FINEST CITY DIXIELAND JAZZ SOCIETY P.O. Box 880387 • San Diego, CA 92168-0387 • Phone: (619) 297-5277 5. Hot NEW  RENEWAL  6. Stephanie And Paolo Enclosed is  $25.00 for a single membership (includes Jazz Rambler) 7. Yerba Buena Stompers  $40.00 for a couple membership (includes Jazz Rambler) 9. Mad Hat Hucksters  $20.00 for annual subscription / Jazz Rambler only 12. Titanic  $25.00 — foreign 13. Baker SUPPORT THE EDUCATION FUND 15. Jazz Jammers  $1,000 Cotton Club  $250 Storyville Club  $100 Dawn Club 16. Big Butter  Please contact me regarding volunteer work for the AFC Dixieland Jazz Society 18. Bennett NAME ______19. Hearts 20. Uptown MAILING ADDRESS ______24. Dance CITY ______STATE _____ ZIP ______PHONE______26. Tio 28. Yes EMAIL ______JAZZ RAMBLER SUMMER (AUGUST) 2020 PAGE 15 AMERICA’S FINEST CITY NON PROFIT ORG. DIXIELAND JAZZ SOCIETY U.S. POSTAGE Post Office Box 880387 PAID San Diego, California 92168-0387 Permit No. 821 San Diego. CA

Warren Smith – Trombonist for All Seasons

Traditional Jazz: A Quick Look Warren Smith — Trombonist for All Seasons (This is the 12th mini-biography Teagarden and Georg Brunis.” Jazz writers have not been as in a continuation of a series of complimentary, but Warren Smith’s biographies of great traditional playing worked well for just about jazz musicians. The series every style of jazz. Born in West started with the March/April Virginia in May of 1908, Smith was tutored on cornet and piano by his 1991 issue and was developed father, and also learned to play by Rambler founding publisher . He doubled on trombone and Board Member, the late Len and sax with the Harris Bros. Texans, Levine.) then spent some time in Chicago where he recorded with Thelma Terry and her Playboys. From the late ’20s By Hal Smith through the mid-’30s, he concentrated AFCDJS Artistic Director on trombone as his main instrument Clarinetist Joe Darensbourg and worked with Abe Lyman’s described trombonist Warren Smith really play, just as good as any of Orchestra. In 1936 Smith began the as “an underrated player. He could them. I put him up there with Jack continued on page14 PAGE 16 SUMMER (AUGUST) 2020 JAZZ RAMBLER