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Home , Bass clarinet, George Wein, Kenny Davern, List of jazz biographies, Pee Wee Russell, Tommy Gwaltney

February 2011 Volume 36, Number 02

“holotradband” They Called it Delivers in Capital Fashion At February 20th Monthly Concert Into the Mainstream

By Rod Belcher By Hal Smith As steady jobs go these days for musical groups, cornetist-leader In 1963, Pee Wee made an appearance in an avant-garde setting: as a Dave Holo is more fortunate than most. For years he has had two bands guest with ’s group at the . Some working at the Restaurant in Pioneer Square. critics stated that the combination did not live up to its expectations. (Pee Each Monday he fronts the “New Orleans Quintet.” Come Tuesdays Wee also voiced displeasure with the results after a live recording of the there, he leads the he calls “holotradband.” In the style of today’s set was released). But despite the less-than-enthusiastic comments, no computer language, that’s the billing Dave prefers -- one word, all in lower other jazzman could have created the same magic that Pee Wee brought case. But it’s not a minimalist product his outfit delivers to the audience. to “Blue Monk.” Curt Beard, the late devoted member and scribe of our jazz society, Pee Wee had proved that his music was timeless. A Newsweek article wrote in an earlier story about the band: from 1963 included this statement, “Playing with younger, mainstream “What is holotradband? In truth, it swings, it offers drive, energy, and musicians, [Russell] fits in smoothly and sounds like a contemporary a sound that does not overwhelm a listener’s ears. Its harmonies fit just jazzman with a future, not like an aging echo of the past.” Still, Pee Wee right and its variety of tunes cuts a wide swath through the early decades of showed no interest in further appearances with Monk and by the end of jazz It is, in a word, refreshing.” 1963 he severed his ties with Marshall Brown. Referring to Brown’s Holo’s sidemen, all old hands in the jazz business, include names well attempts to closely control the quartet’s music and the musicians, Pee Wee known to PSTJS members. There’s trombonist Dave Loomis, who also said, “I haven’t taken so many orders since military school.” lends both his arranging and vocal talents to the group. There’s clarinetist In 1964, Pee Wee joined ’s All-Stars for a tour of Australia Bruce Hall, who even offers a welcome now and then. and New Zealand, followed by a tour of Japan. Pee Wee’s musical genius Lance Haslund is the ultimate rhythm guitarist. Mike Daugherty is the was recognized by fans, musicians and critics alike. Later in the year he enthusiastic drummer who throws in a novelty vocal to spice things up on toured Germany, Switzerland and Denmark with ’s Newport occasion. Alex Guilbert handles the duties in melodic fashion, and All Stars, then headed for England, to tour as a single. He appeared with Jeff Norwood is a wonder of facility and accurate pitch on the string bass. top British bands, including the one led by . As on the previous As for Holo himself, his cornet work reminds some fans of the tours, Pee Wee’s talent was celebrated on the bandstand, in the audience effortless, tone-beautiful work of the legendary , though he and in the press. certainly does not set out to be an imitator. Dave has also been known to Back in the States, Pee Wee cut back on the amount of touring, club dates, pitch in with a jazz-oriented vocal. He wants his band to offer something concerts and recordings. He also began painting when Mary decided that enjoyable to both listeners and dancers. he was spending too much time watching television. Pee Wee became He does, and it works. So come and take in the once-a-year session an enthusiastic painter and those who viewed his paintings inevitably holotradband plays for our society. compared them to his clarinet playing. Pee Wee himself noted the similarities and told one interviewer, “...like playing the clarinet.... I play ------that way and the same goes for my painting. I’m trying and I’ll get there. I may be taking a roundabout way, and it may take time, and I’ll make WHERE: Ballard Elks Lodge, 6411 Seaview Ave. NW, Seattle mistakes, but I’ll get there somehow. I know my limitations and I know WHEN: Sunday, February 20 -- 12’30 - 4:30 p.m. how far I can stretch out.” ADMISSION: $10 - PSTJS members; $13 - guests. Pay only at door. The relaxed playing schedule allowed more time to paint. The reaction FURTHER INFO: Carol Rippey, 425-776-5072 - or - website: to Pee Wee’s paintings was overwhelmingly positive. An old friend, tenor www.pstjs.org saxophonist (who was also an art aficionado), helped sell Plenty free parking; great view; fine dance floor. Pee Wee’s paintings to collectors for several hundred dollars each. The Coffee, snacks, other beverages available. admiration for Pee Wee’s music and art was at an all-time high in the

Jazz February 2011 Page 2 Puget Sound Gigs for Local Bands Traditional Jazz Society BELLINGHAM TRADITIONAL JAZZ SOCIETY 1st Saturdays, 2 - 5 pm (except Jul and Aug) 5:30 - 8:30 VFW Hall 625 N. 19031 Ocean Avenue Edmonds, WA 98020-2344 State St. 425-776-5072 www.pstjs.org Feb 5 Gerry Green Cresent Ctiy Band March 5 Combo Deluxe EVENTS Elks Lodge, Ballard, 6411 Seaview Ave N.W., Seattle CASEY MacGILL’s BLUE 4 TRIO Sundays, 5:30 - 8:30 Tutta Bella Pizzeria 4411 Stoneway N 206-633-3800 UPCOMING EVENTS Wednesdays, 8-11. Pink Door Restaurant & Lounge 1919 Post Alley March 20 Grand Dominion Jazz Band (Pike Market) 206-443-3241 April 17 Hume Street May 15 Black Swan Jazz Band FIRST THURSDAY BAND June 19 Ain’t No Heaven Seven 1st Thurs of each month, 7 - 10 p.m., New Orleans Restaurant, 114 1st Ave S., Sept 18 Bob Schulz’s Frisco Jazz Band Seattle, WA 16 Sidewalk Stompers November 20 Evergreen Classic Jazz Band GLENN CRYTZER’s SYNCOPATORS December 18 Ray Skjelbred’s First Thursday Band 1st Sunday of the Month 9:30-12:30 Century Ballroom 915 East Pine (2nd Floor) 206-324-7263 LEADERSHIP Third Wednesday of the Month (same as above) PRESIDENT: Judy Levy [email protected] 425-890-6605 GRAND DOMINION VICE PRESIDENT: George Swinford [email protected] Feb 10 - 13 2 - 15, Fresno Dixiland Society - Mardi Gras - www.gdjb.com/ 425-869-2780 SECRETARY: Cilla Trush [email protected] holotradband 206-363-9174 Tuesdays, 7 - 10 p.m., New Orleans Restaurant, 114 1st Ave S., Seattle, WA TREASURER: Gloria Kristovich [email protected] 425-776-7816 NEW ORLEANS JAZZ QUINTET

Mondays 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. New Orleans Restaurant, 114 1st Ave S., Seattle BOARD OF DIRECTORS Dave Brown: [email protected] 253-752-6525 PEARL DJANGO Colin Dearing: [email protected] 206-937-5476 Feb 4, 5:30 pm, 509 Tasting Room, 1300 N. Northlake Way, Seattle, WA Joanne Hargrave [email protected] 206-550-4664 206 632-7516 Leroy Johnson: [email protected] 206-772-4378 Feb 11, 8 pm North City Bistro, 1520 NE 177th St., Shoreline, WA Jan Lemmon [email protected] 425-778-9763 206 365-4447 Edmund Lewin: 360-297-6633 Ian McKenna: [email protected] 425-771-5479 Feb 12 7:45 pm Bake’s Place, 4135 Providence Point Dr. SE., Issaquah, George Oelrich: [email protected] 360-793-0836 WA 98029, 425 391-3335 Carol Rippey: [email protected] 425-776-5072 Feb 19, 2 pm Highline Vintage Jazz Festival, Highline Performing Arts Center 401 S. 152nd St., Burien, WA MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR Feb 20, 9 pm Belltown Billiards, 90 Blanchard St., Seattle, WA Carol Rippey: [email protected] 425-776-5072 Feb 25, 8 pm Edmonds Unitarian Universalist Church, 8109 224th St. SW, EDITOR Edmonds, WA 425 712 3463 Anita LaFranchi: [email protected] 206-522-7691 Feb 26, 6:30 pm, Wintergrass, Evergreen in the Pines, Bellevue, WA Feb 26, 8:45 pm, Wintergrass, Twisted Cork, Hyaat Regency, 900 Bellevue JAZZ SOUNDINGS Way NE, Bellevue, WA 253 428 8056 Published monthly except July and August by the Puget Sound Tradi- UPTOWN LOWDOWN JB tional Jazz Society. Feb 25-27 Seaside, OR - Oregon Jubilee Anita LaFranchi, editor, [email protected] Ads must be submitted in a jpeg or (PDF format) Payment in advance to: Gloria Kristovich, P.O. Box 373, Edmonds, WA 98020-0373 On Your Dial...... Advertising Rates: Saturday Full page $100. 7 1/2” wide by 9 1/2 “ tall 10 a.m. Gospel Jazz, Ted KARI 550 AM. Half Page $60. 7 1/2” wide by 4 1/4 “ tall 7 - 12 p.m. Swing Years and beyond KUOW 94.9 FM Quarter Page $40. 3 5/8 Wide by 4 1/4 “ tall Sunday Deadline is the 10th of the month for the next months issue 3 -6 p.m. Art of Jazz, Ken Wiley, KPLU 88.5 FM Jazz Soundings February 2011 Page 3 mid-to-late ’60s. But the heady atmosphere was tempered by the death of another longtime friend, Henry “Red” Allen, in 1967. Next, Mary’s health went into sudden decline. She had been diagnosed with stomach ulcers, but her condition worsened and she went into a hospital for tests. The test results indicated pancreatic cancer — an incurable disease. She was diagnosed in May and passed away on June 7, 1967. When Mary died, he began drinking more than ever. The engagements he was committed to play could not blot out the loss. He made new friends, including Washington D.C. clarinetist and SUBSCRIBE TODAY New York clarinetist , and renewed his acquaintance with News You Can Use About Traditional Jazz and Ragtime Daisy Decker, a female friend from earlier days. But nothing stopped the U.S. One Year: $26 -:- Canadian $39 U.S. Funds* obsessive drinking. U.S. Two Years: $48 -:- Canadian $74 U.S. Funds* Pee Wee continued to impress listeners and critics whenever he (*) Includes Airmail Delivery played, but his own health was on a downward trajectory, hastened by the relentless consumption of vodka. In January of 1969 Pee Wee played Make check payable to: The American Rag his last job, in Washington D.C., when George Wein’s Newport All-Stars 20137 Skyline Ranch Dr., Apple Valley, CA 92308-5035 performed at an inaugural ball for President . Following the Phone/Fax: 760-247-5145 engagement, Pee Wee stayed with Daisy Decker in Washington. Tommy Name ______Gwaltney asked Pee Wee to play with his own group at Gwaltney’s “ Alley” nightclub, but Pee Wee was not well enough to even sit in. Address ______Pee Wee had talked with Gwaltney about the idea of checking into City ______State ______a hospital, but would not make the first move. Finally, Gwaltney got him admitted to Alexandria Hospital in . But his health deteriorated Phone ______Zip + 4 ______rapidly and Pee Wee died on Feb. 15, 1969. Though his death was a tragedy, when Pee Wee Russell died he Puget Sound Traditional Jazz Society was a legendary performer, with a devoted following among musicians, listeners and writers. The recordings he made spanned the history of jazz and he was the only musician to have recorded with and Thelonious Monk. His artwork has been the subject of many gallery Pee - Wee Cont shows. The lucky owners of Pee Wee’s art consider the paintings to be played their own interpretations of Pee Wee’s unique sound. The list of prized possessions. His compositions are still performed. Best of all, Pee Pee Wee-inspired reedmen includes, among others, Kenny Davern, Frank Wee Russell has directly influenced many clarinetists who, in turn, have Chace, Bobby Gordon, the late Frank Powers, Tommy Gwaltney, Ron Cont - next column Hockett, Jimmy Hamilton (not the clarinetist), Richard Hadlock and Ham Carson. Pee Wee’s influence was also felt overseas, as can be heard in the work of Archie Semple and Sandy Brown. Thankfully, one of the greatest instrumentalists in the history of jazz will be with us forever through records, films and the contemporary interpretations of his music played by the aforementioned clarinetists as well as younger musicians such as Matthias Seuffert (Germany), Robert Veen (The Netherlands), Tom Fischer (New Orleans) and multi- instrumentalist Chris Tyle. Pee Wee Russell’s emotionally-charged, idiosyncratic clarinet style, with more loops and whirls than a mutant fingerprint, is immortal. This multi-chapter biography was written in celebration of Pee Wee Russell’s Centennial

Ways to Enhance the Treasury

By Gloria Kristovich

I have an idea that might possibly enhance our treasury a little. I imagine, like me, most of you have some foreign currency left over from a trip abroad just stuck in a desk drawer somewhere. I have found out from our bank (Key Bank) that there would only be a fee of $10 to exchange it all.

So if any of you have (PAPER CURRENCY ONLY) money from Australia, Britain, China, Czech. Rep., Denmark, Euros, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Japan, Norway, Russia, S. Korea, Sweden, or Switzerland ---- you could bring it in on a jazz Sunday or mail it to me at P. O. Box 373, Edmonds WA 98020-0373. Jazz Soundings February 2011 Page 4 Jazz Soundings February 2011 Page 5

Puget Sound Traditional Jazz Society 19031 Ocean Ave., Edmonds, WA 98020-2344

Please (enroll) (renew) (me) (us) as a member or members

Name Address City, State Zip Code E-Mail Phone Check when renewing if your address label is correct

Dues for 12 months: Single $25 Couple $40 Lifetime single $200 Lifetime Couple $350 Patron $500 (One or two lifetime membership) Please enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

The Puget Sound Traditional Jazz Society is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization dedicated to the performance and preservation of traditional jazz. Your membership and contributions are tax-deductible. Thank you.

The New Orleans Restaurant

Proudly presents Ain’t No Heaven 7 Saturday, Feb 19th 4 - 7 p.m. 114 1st Ave. S., Seattle, WA

Mardi Gras Sunday Brunch Dave Holo and Friends Sunday, March 6th 10:00-2:00 Brunch & Music $15.00 Followed by the Denny Middle School Jazz Band

New Orleans Quintet Monday 6:30 - 9:30 holotradband Tuesdays 7:00 - 10:00 p, First Thursday Band Every first Thursday Ham Carson Quintet Thursdays 7 - 10 pm Puget Sound Non-profit Org Traditional Jazz Society U..S. Postage 19031 Ocean Ave. Paid Edmonds, WA 98020-2344 Seattle, WA Permit 1375 Address service requested

Your invitation 7KLVLQYLWDWLRQLV0$1'$725< IRUWKH3XJHW6RXQG7UDGLWLRQDO-D]] 6RFLHW\HYHQWWKLVPRQWK

BANDS, CONTACTS AIN’T NO HEAVEN SEVEN Leader: Terry Rogers HOT CLUB SANDWICH Contact: James Schneider [email protected] 206-465-6601 www.hotclubsandwich.com 206-561-1137 CASEY MacGILL’s BLUE 4 TRIO HUME STREET PRESERVATION JAZZ BAND Contact: Mike Daugherty [email protected] 206- Bookings: Karla West 406-862-3814 832-5372 www.blue4trio.com JAZZ UNLIMITED BAND Leader: Duane Wright COAL CREEK JAZZ BAND Leader: Arny Robbins [email protected] 866-337-2111 206-499-2719 [email protected] JAZZ STRINGS Bookings: Candace Brown COMBO DE LUXE Bookings: Candace Brown [email protected] 253-752-6525 www.combodeluxe.net [email protected] LOUISIANA JOYMAKERS! Leader: Leigh Smith 253-752-6525 [email protected] 604-294-9464 CORNUCOPIA Leader: Allan Rustad MIGHTY APHRODITE Co-leaders: Bria Skonberg, www.comband.org 425-744-4575 Claire McKenna DR. D AND THE DIXIE DOGS Leader: Ansgar Duemchen [email protected] 405-613-0568 [email protected] www.dr-d-dixiedogs.com NEW ORLEANS QUINTET Leader: Dave Holo 425-337-1740 www.neworleansquintet.com 253-875-6932 DUKES OF DABOB Bookings: Ernie Landes NO INHIBITIONS JAZZ BAND 360-437-9588 [email protected] 360-981-7412 www.noinhibitionsjazz.com DUWAMISH JAZZ BAND Bookings: Carol Johnston RAINIER JAZZ BAND Manager: Randy Keller [email protected] 206-932-7632 [email protected] 206-782-1521 FIRST THURSDAY BAND Leader: Ray Skjelbred, RAY SKJELBRED [email protected] 206-420-8535 [email protected] 206-420-8535 FOGGY BOTTOM JAZZ BAND Leader: Bruce Cosacchi RONNIE PIERCE JAZZ ENSEMBLE www.foggybottomjazz.com 360-638-2074 [email protected], 206-467-9365 GRAND DOMINION JAZZ BAND Bookings: Bob Pelland UPTOWN LOWDOWN JAZZ BAND Leader: Bert Barr [email protected] 360-387-2500 [email protected] 425-898-4288 holotradband Leader: Dave Holo WILD CARDS JAZZ Leader: Randy Keller www.holotradband.com 253-875-6932 [email protected] 206-782-1521