http://www.amica.org The Volume 47, Number 4 July/August 2010 AMICA B U L L E T I N Automatic Musical Instrument Collectors’ Association
AMICAns Marty Eggers, Frederick Hodges and Virginia Tichenor, aka The Crown Synchopators in John & Nadine Motto-Ros’ home
John Gill in Concert in Jere DeBacker’s home AMICAns Making Music
ISSN #1533›9726 ThE AMICA B ULLETIN AU ToMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT CoLLECToRS' ASSoCIATIoN
Published by the Automatic Musical Instrument Collectors’ Asso - Visit the AMICA web site at: http://www.amica.org ciation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax exempt group devoted to the to enter the “Members-Only” portal, restoration, distribution and enjoyment of musical instruments Current User Name: AMICA using perforated paper music rolls and perforated music books. Current password: tracker AMICA was founded in San Francisco, California in 1963.
VoLUME 47, Number 4 July/August 2010 AMICA BULLETIN FEATURES DEADLINES Ads and articles must be received Partners in Musical Propagation. . by Stephen Goodman. . . . 222 on or before the 1st of the ODD 1910: A Year of Hope ...... by Thaddeus Kochonny...... 227 months: 2011 Convention...... by Frank Nix ...... 235 January July 2011 Convention ...... by Julian Dyer ...... 236 March September Paderewski Recital . . by Carol Veome & Jim Edwards. . . . . 243 May November New Chapter Formed ...... 246 Bulletins will ordinarily be mailed in the 1st week of the even months, for expected delivery mid-month. COLUMNS Terry Smythe President’s Message...... 220 55 Rowand Avenue Editorial Observations ...... 220 Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3J2N6 204-832-3982 (email preferred) Letters ...... 221 [email protected] Our Published Heritage...... 229 MEMBERSHIP SERVICES Of Interest ...... 230 In The News ...... 233 Membership Dues: USA Bulk Mail ...... $55.00 Nickel Notes ...... by Matthew Jaro ...... 238 USA First Class ...... $70.00 Overseas ...... $70.00 AMICAns On The Road ...... 240 Canada-Mexico ...... $65.00 AMICAns Making Music ...... 241 Renewals – Additional $5.00 due if renewed past the Jan. 31 deadline Chapter News ...... 247 Address changes and corrections AMICAns in the Spotlight ...... 264 Directory information updates Carousels In The News ...... 2 .69 Additional copies of Member Directory . . . $25.00 In Memoriam ...... 2. 73 Single copies of back issues ($10.00 Advertising ...... 2.75 per issue – based upon availability) William Chapman (Bill) 53685 Avenida Bermudas La Quinta, CA 92253-3586 (760) 564-2951 Front Cover: AMICAns Making Music [email protected] Inside Front: Ad by Gold Leaf Galleries To ensure timely delivery of your BULLETIN , please allow 6-weeks Inside Back Cover: Ad by Hanspeter Kyburz advance notice of address change s. outside Back Cover: Ad by Tim Trager
AMICA Publications reserves the right to accept, reject, or edit any and all submitted articles and advertising. While the AMICA Bulletin offers accurate and historic information to its members, the bulletin, its publisher and the AMICA Board cannot be held responsible for contributions that may be considered by some as inaccurate, speculative, or of an OP/ED Format
Entire contents © 2010 AMICA International Printed by Engler Printing Co., Fremont, OH • [email protected] 217 AMICA INTERNATIoNAL - International officers -
PRESIDENT PAST PRESIDENT EDIToR John Motto-Ros Mike Walter Terry Smythe 110 Allen Ranch Road 65 Running Brook Drive 55 Rowand Avenue Sutter Creek, CA 95685 Lancaster, NY 14086-3314 Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3J2N6 209-267-9252 716-656-9583 204-832-3982 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
VICE-PRESIDENT TREASURER Tim Baxter Robbie Tubbs 939 Briarcliff Rd NE 7405 Willow Atlanta, GA 30306-4664 Raytown, MO 64133 404-377-1220 816-313-1075 [email protected] [email protected]
SECRETARY MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY Marlene Beckman William Chapman (Bill) 4046 SE 53rd Street 53685 Avenida Bermudas Berryton, KS 66409-9714 La Quinta, CA 92253-3586 785-862-0128 Phone & Fax: 760-564-2951 [email protected] [email protected]
- Committees -
AMICA ARCHIVES CoNVENTIoN CooRDINAToR Tom Hutchinson Frank Nix 15361 Hopper Road 6030 Oakdale Avenue Sturgeon, MO 65284 Woodland Hills, CA 91367 573-442-6675 818-884-6849 [email protected] [email protected]
AMICA MEMoRIAL FUND HALL oF FAME Ray Dietz Thomas & Donna Stengel 1250 Lanier Road 46 Court St. Martinsville, VA 24112-5212 Lancaster NY 14086-2302 276-638-8563 716-683-5309 [email protected] [email protected]
AUDIo-VISUAL & TECHNICAL WEBSITE MANAGER Harold Malakinian Karl Ellison 2345 Porest Trail Drive 6 Lions Lane Troy, MI 48098 Salem, MA 01970-1784 248-528-3111 978-740-5680 [email protected] [email protected]
218 AMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 AMICA INTERNATIoNAL Chapter officers BoSToN AREA Treas: Maryam Morgan RoCKY MoUNTAIN Pres: Bob Hunt - 207-985-2308 Reporter: Martin "Buzz" Rosa Pres: Jere DeBacker - 303-367-1493 Vice Pres: John VanOpdorp Board Rep:Maryam & Vincent Morgan [email protected] Sec: TBD Newsletter Editor: Bill Maguire Vice Pres: Ken Hodge Treas: Dorothy Bromage Sec: Louise Lucero Reporter: Don Brown LAND oF DIXIE Treas: Barry Weiss Board Rep: Bob Hunt - [email protected] President: Walt Gerber - [email protected] Reporter: Larry Emmons Vice President: Robert Soule Board Rep: TBD CHICAGo AREA Treasurer: Tim Baxter Pres: Jerry Biasella - 708-756-3307 Secretary: Danita Gerber SoWNY (Southern ontario,Western New York) Vice Pres: Richard Van Metre Board Representative: Tim Baxter Pres: Mike Walter - 716-656-9583 Sec: Carol Veome - 773-338-1042 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Vice Pres: Tom Cardinal - Treas: Joe Pekarek MIDWEST (oH, MI, IN, KY) Sec: Garry Lemon Reporter: Curt Clifford Pres: Don Johnson - 248-650-1840 Treas: Holly Walter Board Rep: TBD [email protected] Reporter: Garry & Anne Lemon Vice Pres: Liz Barnhart Board Rep: Glenn Roat - FoUNDING CHAPTER Sec: Hilda Merchant [email protected] Pres: John Ulrich - 510-223-9587 Treas: Alvin Wulfekuhl Photographers: Nancy Group & Anne Lemon [email protected] Reporter: Christy Counterman Vice Pres: Karen Simons Board Rep: Liz Barnhart SoUTHERN CALIFoRNIA Sec: Jack Edwards Pres: Richard Ingram - 760-244-0251 Treas/Bd Rep: Lyle Merithew & Sandy Swirsky NoRTHERN LIGHTS Vice Pres: Mike Choate Reporter: Bonnie and Bob Gonzalez Pres: Paul Watkins - 763-421-0672 Sect/Reporter: Shirley Nix [email protected] Treas: Diane Reidy HEART oF AMERICA Vice Pres: Mark Kraabel Board Rep: Frank Nix Pres: Robbie Tubbs - 816-313-1075 Sec: Michael LuBrant [email protected] Treas: Barbara Watkins TEXAS Vice Pres: Dan Davis Reporter: Jerrilynn Boehland Pres: Rich Clayton - 972-369-0470 Sec: T. Moffett Board Rep: Alan Turner & Paul Watkins richclayton®sbcglobal.net Treas: Brian Graham Vice Pres: Bill Boruff Reporter: HC & Marlene Beckman PACIFIC CAN-AM Treas: Janet Tonnesen Board Rep: Gary Craig Pres: Bill Mote - 360-403-1970 Secretary: Suzanne McCall [email protected] Bulletin Reporter: Ken Long LADY LIBERTY Vice Pres: David Goodwin Board Rep: John & Suzanne McCall - Pres: John Dousmanis Secretary: Judy Mote j-mccall@sbcglobal .net Vice Pres: Vincent Morgan - 718-479-2562 Treas: Mark Smithberg [email protected] Reporter: TBD Sec: Bob Stuhmer Bd. Rep: Dan Brown Affiliated Societies and organizations
American Theatre organ Society (AToS) Friends of Scott Joplin Northwest Player Piano Association President/CEO – Ken Double 1217 St. Croix Ct. Everson Whittle, Secretary 5705 80th Street North Kirkwood, MO 63122-2326 11 Smiths Road, Darcy Lever, St. Petersburg, Florida 33709 website: http//stlouis.missouri.org/fsjoplin Bolton BL3 2PP, Gt. Manchester, England Phone: 281-798-6205 Email: fsjoplin@stlouis.missouri.org Home Phone: 01204 529939 E-mail: [email protected] Business Phone: 01772 208003 THEATRE ORGAN Co-Editors – International Piano Archives at Maryland Email: [email protected] Mike Bryant and Don Feely Performing Arts Library,University of Maryland Editorial Office 2511 Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center Pianola Institute 3111 NE 165th Pl. College Park, MD 20742 Clair Cavanagh, Secretary Vancouver, WA 98682 Phone:301-405-9224 43 Great Percy St., London WC1X 9RA Phone: 206-619-6645 Fax: 301-314-7170 England E-Mail: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Player Piano Group Associazione Italiana Musica Meccanica International Vintage Phono Julian Dyer, Bulletin Editor Villa Silvia - Via Lizzano, 1241 & Mechanical Music Society 5 Richmond Rise, Wokingham, 47023 Cesena (FC), Italy C.G. Nijsen, Secretaire General Berkshire RG41 3XH, United Kingdom Phone: 0039-547-323425 19 Mackaylaan Phone: 0118 977 1057 Fax: 0039-547-661264 5631 NM Eindhoven, Netherlands Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Website: www.ammi-italia.com Musical Box Society of Great Britain Smithsonian Institution Alan Pratt, Editor Division of Musical History Australian Collectors of Mechanical Musical P. O. Box 299 Washington, D.C. 20560 Instruments Waterbeach, Cambridge CB4 4PJ Peter Phillips - Editor England Society For Self-Playing Musical Instruments 26 Alice Street Gesellschaft fur Selbstspielende Padstow, NSW 221, Australia Musical Box Society International Musikinstrumente (GSM) E.V. Phone: (612) 9773-4734 Rosanna Harris, Editor Ralf Smolne email: [email protected] 5815 West 52nd Avenue Emmastr. 56 Denver, CO 80212 D-45130 Essen, Germany Netherlands Pianola Association Phone: 303-431-9033 Phone: **49-201-784927 Nederlandse Pianola Vereniging Fax: 303-431-6978 Fax :**49-201-7266240 Att. Jan van Hulzen, Member of the Board Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Chopinrode 25 2717 BH Zoetermeer, Netherlands Netherlands Mechanical organ Society-KDV email: [email protected] A. T. Meijer Wilgenstraat 24 NL-4462 VS Goes, Netherlands
AMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 219 President’s Message
This is my last President’s Message; and, thinking about the past four years, brings back many pleasant memories. The annual meetings have allowed us to gather and discuss our com - mon interests and to further the goals of AMICA. In 2007, we had the opportunity to visit Ger - many and Holland and learned that their interest in preserving automatic musical instruments is similar to our own. The AMICA Bulletin seems to get better with each issue, but this can only continue if a conscientious effort is made by all of us to contribute articles/information to the Editor. Terry Smythe is a real stabilizing force in AMICA, and the strength of our organization continues to be our excellent Bulletin. A new AMICA Chapter is in the process of being formed in Georgia with hopes of expanding in the Southeast—more to follow. By the time you read this, the Buffalo Convention will be history. If the elections go as expected, you will have a new slate of officers who will continue leading AMICA into the future. My thanks and appreciation to all of you who have been so supportive the past four years, and my best wishes to our new officers.
John Motto-Ros [email protected] Editorial observations
This issue makes a significant departure in its cover story. Members, rather than instru - ments, take center stage. Not many pages, but of great significance. In my nearly 40 year mem - bership in AMICA, I am very much aware that many AMICAns make a significant contribution to the preservation and enjoyment of a most unique slice of our musical heritage. Regrettably, such contributions rarely get recognized. Many members, such as John & Nadine Motto-Ros, Jere DeBacker, Dorothy Bromage, Jim Edwards, Denis Hall and Q. David Bowers, featured in this issue, over the years have made numerous contributions of this nature, which is why their achievements are noteworthy. I know of other AMICAns doing likewise, each in their own way, which I will equally bring to our collective attention. AMICA is indeed much more than instruments and their music. What these and many members do under these circumstances, is very much in support of our goals and objectives. They and other members doing similarly, are to be commended. Matt Jaro once again reaches into his storehouse of knowledge relative to coin pianos and their music, this time reminding us of the contributions made by some of our pioneers over the years, to document and preserve their music. Over the years at our conventions, presentations are made by AMICAns that only those in attendance get to experience. It is very appropriate that some of these presentations emerge in our AMICA Bulletin for all members to enjoy, and very likely learn something new. In this issue, we have Stephen Goodman’s Amer - ica’s First National Music & the American Coin Piano Industry: Partners in Musical Propagation , a presentation he developed for our Los Angeles convention in 2008. Our future convention lineup had a gap in it for 2011. With the initiative and commitment of Julian Dyer, and Shirley & Frank Nix, our 2011 convention will take place in the UK. Frank and Julian have provided us with snapshots of what will be in store for us. And finally, a nice surprise provoked an opportunity for a new column in our AMICA Bulletin - AMICAns On The Road. Bill Chapman, driving to Buffalo, detoured through Winnipeg to visit with AMICAns Alan Turner, Norley Golden and myself. Our journal’s health and survival is dependent on input from our members. It is much more than Chapter Reports. It is an expression of commitment by all members to what AMICA stands for. An appeal is expressed for all members to consider document - ing our favorite convention topic – “The Story Behind…..”, and “A Visit With……..”. A similar appeal is expressed to workshop participants at future conventions to please develop their presentations in such a way that they may be adapted for our AMICA Bul - letin.
Stay tuned......
Terry Smythe [email protected] 220 AMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 Letters From: Stephen K Goodma n members for giving permission regarding the Podolsky roll pro -
Thank you for publishing Gary Rasmussen's outstand - Hi Mel, ing article on the mighty House of WurliTzer. The previously Just wanted to give you a quick update on our recutting efforts unseen photos (at least to me), comprehensive information, et al, with the Podolsky rolls. We are off and running, Sierra Music all made one terrific historically-significant piece that is in Rolls was able to get the original perforator files from the Ton - keeping with the best interests of our hobby. nessen's so perforation is all taken care of. Thanks again to you and the members of the Chicago Chapter for allowing us to Just a minor correction, which may be of help to newer make these rolls available once again. collectors and aficionados; The Pianino and the Pianolin were two separate instruments, the latter having been the product of We will reissue them as a 10-roll set coded to play on both the the North Tonawanda Musical Instrument Works. Note the end - Ampico A or B just as they were first made in 1986. This time they will be perforated by Bob Billings of Sierra Music Rolls . less roll on the instrument in the photograph, something that If you are interested in a set of these historic performances and WurliTzer never employed either on machines it re-sold (such are not on our mailing list, please send an email to as the Whitlock Harp and PianOrchestra), but was commonly [email protected] utilized by the North Tonawanda Musical Instrument Works. I also believe it was the superiority of those North Michael Swanson Tonawanda arrangements that caused WurliTzer to rethink their Ed Note: In 1984, initiated by Bob Taylor, of the Chicago own arranging concepts as well. The Pianino ranged from a Chapter, the legendary Russian pianist Leo Podolsky recorded piano/mandolin combination, to the magnificent Bijou Orches - 10 rolls as an AMICA project. This limited set of the rolls coded tra, playing pipes, xylophone and snare drum, adding a six-roll for the Ampico, was perforated by the Tonnessen's (Custom automatic changer to its specifications! Music Rolls ), first in 1985 and again in 1987. The history of the project, in an article by Bob Taylor, who did the major part of I hope to see more great informative historic pieces like coding these rolls for the Ampico, may be seen on our AMICAZ this one in future issues. web site: Continued Success, http://tinyurl.com/259cbar Stephen Kent Goodman More about Leo Podolsky, in articles written by Emmett Ford , may be found in our AMICA Bulletin for April 1981, Vol 18 No 3, From: Carol Veom e
AMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 221 America’s First National Music & the American Coin Piano Industry: Partners in Musical Propagation by Stephen Kent Goodman
The 1890’s were a decade of explosive growth for the these large self-playing pipe organs Stephen Kent Goodman United States; the wild west was tamed, the Columbian Exposi - for the most part were “orchestras in tion of 1892-93 exhibited technological wonders that the world residence” in the homes of the very rich. They were also used in had never seen, railroads were linking the remotest hamlets of the largest of restaurants and beer gardens to substitute or aug - our country which now reached coast to coast. Cities were ment human bands and orchestras where music was included at springing up like weeds all throughout our 46 states and a new no charge to their patrons. music, ragtime, born of a 1896 was the year of the synthesis of both African birth of what I call “twins”- and Latin American rhythms each independent of each and European melody and other, but as time would harmony appeared. It was prove, influenced and helped the first truly and uniquely each other’s growth. That American music; reflecting year, William Krell’s Missis - the unique combinations of sippi Rag was the first pub - races and ethnic back - lished rag calling itself a rag. grounds that America There were cakewalks attracted, as well as captur - (named after a contest-style ing the hustle and bustle of a dance as performed by the new, more modern lifestyle- Negroes of the time where the city life. best couple was awarded a America was estab - cake), but Mississippi Rag lishing itself on many was truly a rag- and the first fronts. The marches and of thousands to pour forth operettas of John Philip from nearly every popular Sousa; indeed, the musician - composer’s pen for the next ship of the Sousa Band as a burgeoning institution, the emerging twenty-five or so years and represented what would later be recording industry, and of course the development of commer - called America’s first truly national music- a unique cultural con - cially-successful automatic music put the United States “on the tribution which proceeded both “blues” and later jazz.. map” of world leadership in music. This year also saw the introduction of the first coin- Of course America had the large Welte orchestrions and operated musical instrument to be used in various commercial other German manufactured instruments before this era. But locations- the Encore Automatic Banjo, manufactured by the
222 AMICAAMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 Automatic Musical Company of New York. It used a multi-tune In 1899, the year of E.J. Stark publishing Scott Joplin’s paper roll of the “endless” variety- no pause was needed while famed Maple Leaf Rag, The Rudolph WurliTzer Company of the music had to rewind. The banjo went out of tune easily, North Tonawanda, New York, introduced an instrument that music was hard to change when available, and the company soon resembled a keyboard piano but in actuality, the space normally went reserved for the keyboard housed mechanism. This instrument, into bankruptcy (read the fascinating story in Q. David called The Tonophone, was mechanically obsolete the moment it Bowers’ Encyclopedia of Automatic Instruments). Nevertheless, hit the market. It used a slowly rotating pinned-cylinder to per - it opened the floodgate of possibilities for the creation of a new form the music, similar to earlier barrel organs, orchestrions and industry- self-playing musical instruments in public places. For barrel pianos. Tunes were understandably short (around 1 the drop of a nickel, the patron could hear anything from the minute). However, it also had the advantage of individual tune often out-of-tune banjo all the way up to a full concert band or selection and one could hear the same tune over and over and dance orchestra! over ad nauseum- all for the drop of a nickel per play! In The Encore Banjo was a revolutionary and innovative approximately 3 years, WurliTzer would introduce its popular concept that used vacuum pneumatics to “pluck” and finger its’ Pianino; a small, 44-note cabinet player using rewind-type rolls. strings. It led to the development of an automatic endless-roll The Pianino was the longest continual production coin piano ever played coin-operated piano (called The Reliable) by the re-orga - made in America, lasting well into the late 1920’s, although it nized Automatic Musical Company of Binghamton, New York, was technically obsolete with it’s limited 44 note scale after later to become the famous LINK piano and organ company. 1910. Many fine rags are found on Pianino rolls, as with most In 1898, one year before ragtime composer Scott other rolls sold by WurliTzer during the first 15 years of the 20th Joplin’s famed Maple Leaf Rag was published by E.J.Stark, the century. With the exception of its Solo Violin Piano and Paganini firm of Peerless (also of New York) introduced its own endless instruments, marketed to “high-class” establishments that wanted roll piano, the style “D” to the world. This instrument was rapid - more refined music of a classical nature, WurliTzer included rag - ly followed by a parade of instruments ranging from small cabi - time on nearly every style of music machine it produced. In net abbreviated-scale machines of 44 notes to larger keyboard- 1903, a banner year for ragtime publishing, WurliTzer contracted type orchestrions which were given fanciful names such as the the firm of J.D. Philipps of Bockingheim, Germany, for the Wisteria; The Arcadian; the Deluxe and The Elite. Peerless was importing of their large cabinet orchestrions, which WurliTzer so aware of the importance of the quality of music their products sold as Mandolin and Concert Pian Orchestras. Using a small played that they hired one of America’s foremost concert band paper roll, they were impressively instrumentated and could arrangers, C.E. Wheeler, as a staff arranger and supervisor. duplicate the sound of a professional concert band or orchestra.
AAMICAMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 223 side standard songs (which were also dance tunes) was impres - sive- considering ragtime in the classic sense was purely instru - mental music. In actuality, the ragtime or syncopated song was the number one choice for roll producers in the pre-World War I years. The two-step (which ragtime was considered as) slowly gave way to the one-step (a broadly syncopated dance style) and fox-trot (a term coined by the famed Vern and Irene Castle dance duo). By 1914, “Blues” started to appear which in its earliest form was basically a style of ragtime (ex. Some Blues for You All by Theron Bennett- 1914). Occasionally, a firm which only arranged and sold music rolls for commercial instruments (as opposed to instru - ments marketed for use in the home- without the coin operated feature) such as U.S. Music Rolls, would also feature ragtime and related syncopated works that were exclusive to their music rolls and unpublished as sheet music. Generally, ragtime that was proven to be “hit parade” material from “big city” publishers was what found its way on to the rolls for public consumption. And the more the public heard this new music, the more the demand for it- right up to its commercial demise and subsequent replacement by first blues (which in many ways resembled rag - time in those days) and later, jass, or “jazz” as it came to be Although the earliest music for these machines was called. imported from Philipps and was primarily German, WurliTzer Ragtime itself may be found in novelty form all through soon began hiring arrangers to design American music for them the 20‘s in works such as Kitten On the Keys and Nola (Zez and their efforts, like the music on their competitors’ rolls (prin - Confrey), or in various works by Roy Bargy, Charlie Straight and cipally North Tonawands Musical Instrument Works and Peer - others. But of course by the mid to late 20’s the coin piano indus - less) represented the zenith of orchestrion arrangements of rag - try was enjoying its last glimmer of success as electronic speak - time. Automatic musical instrument salesmen always reminded ers were perfected and coin-operated radio and phonographs prospects how the latest, most popular and snappy music meant a caught the public’s coins in commercial locations. As with rag - substantial increase in business, not to mention profits dropped time, these wonderful self-playing acoustical instruments became into their various pianos and orchestrions. And leading this wave relics of a past everyone was in a hurry to quickly forget and both of popularity was the latest rag or ragtime song! the instruments and the music they played passed into history. Other firms such as North Tonawanda Musical Instru - ment Works, Berry-Wood and later, The Marquette Piano Com - Ed. Note..... Stephen Goodman developed this presenta - pany (Cremona), The Operator’s Piano Company (Coinola) and tion for a workshop at the AMICA 2008 Convention in Los of course the J.P.Seeburg Piano Company routinely issued both Angeles. This is the first time it is made available to all all rag rolls as well as variety rolls that had a rag or two (in some AMICAns. ts cases popular ragtime songs) on them. In some cases, as with WurliTzer, rags are to be found which existed solely on rolls for their various styles of instruments, and were not originally pub - lished in sheet music form. This writer must assume that they like later blues numbers, were composed on a “works-for-hire” basis and represent some of the finest examples to survive from Auto- the original ragtime era (1897-1917). Electrola And as ragtime gained prominence and popularity, the 44-note arrangers of music rolls for these machines started including endless more and more ragtime on the rolls to play them. Instruments roll which featured hot rags as part of their programs “got the money”, to use a phrase of the time. Coin-operated automatic musical instruments were fast becoming permanent fixtures in every type of place that the public gathered- from ice-cream par - lors, restaurants and hotel lobbies- to saloons, pool halls and sporting houses. Everywhere the public went; it seemed that there was music in the air, thanks to this burgeoning new indus - try. And of course, ragtime became a mainstay of the instru - ments’ repertoire. The more the public heard it, the greater its demand became. And it also “showed off” the capabilities of the instruments that performed it! Looking at the rolls produced by the various companies, the amount of ragtime included along
224 AMICAAMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 Coin actuated piano on site Wurlitzer Harp on site
AAMICAMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 225 Peerless Wisteria Orchestrion on site
Ed. Note: Author may be contacted at: [email protected] http://www.mechanicalmusicrestoration.com
226 AMICAAMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 1910: A Year of Hope contributed by Thaddeus Kochanny The following extract, reproduced here with permission, is from can was electrified; Joplin memo - “Great Expectations” by Michael Walsh , published in the June rialized the event in his first 2010 “SMITHSONIAN” starting on page 51. This segment begins opera, A Guest of Honor, now on page 52. Mr. Walsh is the author of a biography of Andrew lost, and he based his rag, “The Lloyd Webber. His most recent novel is “Hostile Intent.” See: Strenuous Life” on TR’s landmark http://www.smithsonian.com, Search “Great Expectations” then “A 1899 speech extolling the “life of Year of Hope for Johnson and Joplin,” The complete article may Thaddeus Kochanny be seen at: toil and effort, of labor and strife.” Joplin adhered to the philosophy of Booker T. Washing - http://tinyurl.com/32d5tb5 ton, who traced his rise out of bondage in the celebrated autobi - ography, Up From Slavery and founded the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. …… ….Another African-American was making history on Washington’s message was reflected in Joplin’s opera: the other side of the country. In a boardinghouse at 128 West set in the aftermath of the Civil War in Arkansas, Treemonisha 29th Street in New York City – a block from Tin Pan Alley – told the tale of a wondrous infant girl found under a tree by a Scott Joplin was feverishly pursuing the finishing touches on the newly freed, childless couple named Ned and Monisha. Educat - libretto and score of an opera he was certain would be his master - ed by a white woman, the girl, Treemonisha, rises to lead her piece: Treemonisha. people, defeating evil conjurers who would keep them enslaved A mild by superstition, mannered, self effac - advocating educa - ing man who was in tion and bringing almost every way the her followers tri - opposite of (boxer) umphantly into the Jack Johnson, Joplin light of Reason to had shot to fame in the strains of one of 1899 with the publi - Joplin’s greatest cation of the “Maple numbers, “A Real Leaf Rag,” the first Slow Drag.” million-selling piece Joplin had of instrumental sheet long dreamed of a music in America. grand synthesis of Born in the last half Western and of 1867 near African musical tra - Texarkana, Texas, to ditions, a work that Giles and Florence would announce to Joplin, a freedman white America that and a freeborn Scott Joplin black music had woman, he grew up come of age. With with five siblings on the black side of town. He studied piano Treemonisha, he with a German-born teacher named Julius Weiss, who exposed felt that goal was in his grasp ……. But he could find no one to him to European musical culture. Joplin left home early, kicked stage it. around Texas and the Mississippi River Valley as a saloon and In New York City, Joplin had undertaken a struggle all bordello pianist, spent time in St. Louis and Chicago, and took his own. Although he couldn’t find a publisher or backers to pro - music courses at the George R. Smith College in Sedalia, Mis - duce Treemonisha the composer grew ever more determined to souri, about 90 miles east of Kansas City. In 1907, after a failed see his masterwork fully staged. According to King of Ragtime, marriage and the death of his second wife, Joplin moved to New Edward A. Berlin’s 1994 biography of Joplin, there had been a York. full-cast run-through without orchestra, scenery or costumes Although Joplin did not invent ragtime – his friend Tom some time in 1911 for an audience of 17 people, and in May, Turpin, a saloonkeeper in St. Louis’ Chestnut Valley sporting dis - 1915, Joplin would hear a student orchestra play the Act II ballet, trict in the late 19th century, was one of a few forerunners – he “Frolic of the Bears.” “The only orchestrally performed selec - raised what had been a brothel entertainment into the realm of tion from his opera that Joplin was ever to hear,” Berlin wrote, high art, taking the four-square beat of the traditional march, “was apparently short of success.” adding a touch of African syncopation and throwing in the lyri - In late 1914, his health failing, Joplin moved with his cism of ‘bel canto’ operas and Chopin nocturnes. Joplin, howev - third wife, Lottie Stokes, to a handsome brownstone in Harlem, er wanted more than fame as the “King of Ragtime.” where his output of piano rags dwindled to almost nothing. To When President Theodore Roosevelt received Booker T. make ends meet, Lottie took in borders; in short order, she turned Washington for dinner at the White House in 1901, black Ameri -
AAMICAMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 227 the house over to prostitution. Joplin took himself to a studio isha finally was given its world premier, by conductor Robert apartment on West 138th Street and kept working. While await - Shaw and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, together with the ing his opera’s fate, he wrote the ineffably poignant “Magnetic Rag” of 1914, which stands as his farewell to the genre. In October, 1915, Joplin began to experience memory loss and other symptoms of what would turn out to be tertiary syphilis, most likely contracted during his youth in the Midwest. He had never been a virtuoso at the piano, and now his skills began to fade. A series of piano rolls he made in 1916 record the decline; a version of “Maple Leaf Rag” he performed for the Uni-Record company is almost painful to hear. According to Berlin, Joplin announced the completion of a musical comedy, If, and the start of his Symphony No. 1, but as his mind deteriorated along with his health, he destroyed many manuscripts, fearing they would be stolen after his death. In January, 1917 he was admitted to Bellevue Hospital, music department of Morehouse College. “Warmth seemed to then transferred to the Manhattan State Hospital on Ward’s Island radiate from the stage to the capacity audience and back,” wrote in the East River. He died at age 49 from what his death certifi - Atlanta Journal and Constitution’s music critic Chappel White, cate listed as dementia paralytica on April 1, 1917. He was and while it was clear that Joplin “was an amateur in the literary buried in St. Michael’s Cemetery in Queens. In The New York elements of opera,” his work reflected “remarkable daring and Age, a black newspaper editor Lester Walton attributed his death originality.” Three years later, production by the Houston Grand to the failure of Treemonisha. Opera played for eight weeks on Broadway. And in 1976, 55 He had died too soon. A few years later, Harlem’s artis - years after his death, the Pulitzer Prize Committee awarded Scott tic community reached critical mass; as poets, painters, writers Joplin a posthumous citation for his contributions to American and musicians poured into the area, West 138th Street began to music. be known by new name: Striver’s Row. The Harlem Renais - sance had begun and would bear its full fruit over the next Ed note: Treemonisha is available as a VHS video, and/or a 2 LP decade and into the 1930’s. Says Lewis: “It was a moment audio set, from a variety of sources, such as eBay or Amazon. I missed, and yet at the same time enduring.” have both, and prefer the VHS video. It is excellent and recom - In 1972, at Atlanta’s Memorial Arts Center, Treemon - mended. ts
228 AAMICAMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 our Published Heritage Vocalstyle 1920 roll catalog Ampico 1937 roll catalog With this issue, we are pleased to report that AMICA has acquired a significant collection of original literature from Universal undated roll catalog historian Mike Montgomery , well known is ragtime and jazz piano circles. It was made possible by significant contributions US 1927 roll catalog from a couple of members, with AMICA making up a small dif - ference. Details will emerge in annual Treasurer's Report in the When digital archiving is complete, all will be returned to Ran - Sep-Oct issue. The collection comprises: dolph. The gift of this loan is very much appreciated.
The Music Trades: 1925 complete The task of digital archiving of original literatureis growing ever larger, well beyond the capacity of one poerson. Members Music Trade Review: 1925 complete interested in participating in this very workwhile initiative are invited to contact me personally. Phonograph and Talking Machine Weekly: Jan-June 1920 (bound) Terry Smythe [email protected] Phonograph and Talking Machine Weekly: Jan-June 1923 (bound)
Phonograph and Talking Machine Weekly: July-Dec 1923 (bound)
Phonograph and Talking Machine Weekly: July-Dec 1924 (bound)
Phonograph and Talking Machine Weekly: July-Dec 1926 (bound)
Talking Machine & Radio Weekly: July-Dec 1931 (bound)
Also a number of QRS related products, advertising and con - sumer literature.
A beginning has been made at scanning the 1925 Music Trades for January 1925, which is now available on our web site. Over the next few months, it will all gradually get scanned and made available. When the scanning is completed, the collec - tion will be disposed of, and hopefully the proceeds will help to acquire more of the same at some unknown future opportunity.
AMICAn Randolph herr recently acquired a collec - tion of original literature. He has kindly loaned it to AMICA for the same digital archiving process. The collection has within it a number of encouraging documents:
QRS Classified Catalog 1925
QRS miscellaneous periodic bulletins
QRS German rolls bulletin 1926
Connorized undated Italian rolls catalog
Connorized 1922 roll catalog
AMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 229 of Interest San Francisco Chronicle Piedmont High in 1975, he got seniority, though he is the only San Francisco, CA one of eight Callahan kids who didn't take piano lessons. 9 October 2009 Each instrument that comes into the shop is named after its owner. For the McGowan piano, the laminated hardwood case Loving restoration of a piano is revarnished and the cast iron plate regilded. Everything else is junked, most actively by Patricia Callahan, who is seen vigorous - captured on film ly ripping out the hammer, shank and flange assembly and throw - by Sam Whiting ing it in the garbage. Chronicle Staff Writer "Pretty [email protected] much every moving part in The documentary " Miracle in a Box/A Piano Reborn " that piano has culminates with a farewell gala - tablecloths, food, wine, toasts, been replaced," human emotion - in honor of an object, a 1927 Steinway Model says her brother, M Grand. who puts on the This ending was the beginning for Academy Award- finishing touch - winning filmmaker John Korty. When Korty heard about the cel - es by tuning it, ebratory send-off for any special instrument refurbished at Calla - 230 new strings, han Piano Service in Alameda, he came over from his Point many of them Reyes Station studio to capture the transformation of a woodshop custom-made of into a dining room. One party was filmed before it was agreed copper wire. that a more compelling story line had to develop. The ivory keys, "We needed the right piano," says shop owner John worn away by Callahan. "A good piano in bad shape," adds Korty. So they shut 80 years of fin - down production of the documentary and waited several months gers, are until along it came. replaced with a In early 2008, Callahan was approached about tuning a composite mate - Steinway that had been willed by Berkeley piano teacher Leone rial. Callahan McGowan to the department of music at UC Berkeley. The will could make a stipulated that the winner of a student competition be awarded joke about the piano. Callahan was warned that the instrument "needed a lit - "tickling the tle work," which he correctly took to mean it was "a dead piano" plastic," but he resists. that had to be gutted, a $30,000 job, for which there was no Nine people worked on the McGowan piano for nine money. months, and 50 hours of footage later, Korty was still there with This was a barrier to Callahan but not to Korty, who is his camera rolling when the farewell gala - the event that had 70 and has been working in West Marin long enough that he attracted him in the first place - was held. The shop was dusted claims to have convinced George Lucas and Francis Ford Coppo - and polished, as were the artisans who work there - Rhys McKay, la that films could be made in Northern California. He found a Koa Stevens, Rachel Down, Douglas Braak, Dan Nieses, Steve way to build a piano repair fund into the budget as a production Willis and three Callahans. expense. Korty made 50 or 60 round trips of 100 miles for a fin - "If we use somebody's house, we pay them for the use," ished product that runs 56 minutes. At the end, the crowd quiets says Korty, who won his Oscar in 1978 for the documentary fea - as Davitt Moroney, professor of musicology at UC Berkeley, ture "Who Are the DeBolts (and Where Did They Get 19 makes his remarks before announcing the winner of the First Kids?)." He was there, camera rolling, the day the unplayable Berkeley Piano Competition. The contestants are Dinah Lu, piano was unloaded at the Callahan shop in a converted jet- Richard Zhu, Percy Liang, Tony Linn, Jared Redmond and engine-testing facility at the old Alameda Naval Air Station. Pheaross Graham. In the film, the Callahan crew kicks into gear like a The good-as-new piano, now worth $50,000, is on its MASH unit. The patient is rolled into the back room and seven way to back to New York, where it was built. The winning stu - surgeons go to work, swinging mallets. Everything has to be cat - dent loads it up and hauls it away at the end of " Miracle in a aloged on the way out and on the way back in, which takes some Box, " which has its world premiere Saturday at the Mill Valley doing because there are more than 10,000 parts. They open up Film Festival. the hood, cut the strings and the 600-pound cast-iron frame, which they call "the belly of the piano," is lifted out with an Ed Note: I have acquired a copy of this video, like it muchly, and recommend it. It may be acquired from: ts engine hoist, as in an auto shop. "Just to take it apart takes a couple of weeks," says Callahan, who was born in 1957, the year his father opened http://www.miracleinabox.com/ Callahan Piano. Because he went to work there straight out of
230 AAMICAMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 Calgary Herald Virtuoso Calgary, Alberta, Canada 1 May 2010 The olga Samaroff Story In our last issue of the AMICA Bulletin, there appeared a story about a DVD documentary about Olga Samaroff, a reproducing piano recording artist. For whatever unknown reason, the inter - net link to acquire a copy did not appear in the printed copy that went out to members. The missing URL is: http://www.olgasamaroff.com/
Buddha of the Piano Leopold Godowsky In the previous issue of our AMICA Bulletin , we carried a story about a new DVD video about Leopold Godowsky . The spon - sor of that was Advanced Collaborative Team Solutions Inc . Their new web site is now available and contact with them is possible through: Henry Beaumont plays jazz piano among the works of art in the living room of his condo in Mission http://www.act-solutions.org/ Advanced Collaborative Team Solutions, Inc. 829 Sonoma Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95404 Ed. Note: On 1 May 2010, The Calgary Herald carried a human 707.523.0570 x135 Voice • 707.570.1437 Fax interest story about retired lawyer Henry Beaumont and a bit www.act-solutions.org about his art collection. The reason for this photo is the lamp on [email protected] the piano. Anybody know where it can be acquired? Web Sites of Interest
CLARENCE N. HICKMAN Portland International Piano Festival 2010 THE FATHER oF http://www.portlandpiano.org/ SCIENTIFIC ARCHERY Library of Congress Newspapers on-line 1690-1922 by http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/ MARYANNE M. SCHUMM, Ed. D. An absolutely charming opera performance AMICAn Kieth Bigger (contributed by Dave Bowers) http://tinyurl.com/27u86cf reported finding this interesting book about Conn Factory 1911 Clarence Hickman, who (contributed by Thad Kochanny) had much to do with sci - http://tinyurl.com/23uwhjt entific research that helped to make the Pachabel's Canon unlike ever performed before Ampico system success - (contributed by Thad Kochanny) ful. While the book http://tinyurl.com/2d5hbso focuses of archery and its companion science, it Sanfilippo Foundation -- 2010 Summer Concert Series does include a section http://tinyurl.com/2ewhjtj about Clarence while John Wolff's Web Museum employed with the http://home.vicnet.net.au/~wolff/ American Piano Co. Keith recommends the Central Pennsylvania Ragtime Festival performances book. http://tinyurl.com/2dynepu
Glen Echo Carousel and Wurlitzer 165 band organ Ed Note: Copies of this book may be acquired from a number of http://tinyurl.com/2cbn5rs sources. I found several copies available from ABE (Associated (also click on” Glen Echo Band Organ ”) Book Exchange) Bob Berkman Pumping a Lithuanian roll http://tinyurl.com/2cafbd5 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EHtEL_7brg
AAMICAMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 231 contributed by Keith Bigger
232 AMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 In The News Columbia Daily Tribune Boone’s home, piano and the Boone County Historical Society Columbia, MO also will be offered. 30 May 2010 This year’s festival will, more or less, bear an artistic resemblance to past events, but faithful followers will notice a In a giant’s footsteps change in what’s more and what’s less. Scheduling issues short - ened the festival from its typical three days to two; a lesser By Aarik Danielsen amount of time will, paradoxically, mean more exposure for the [email protected] fest’s prominent performers. To accommodate scores of artists Theirs is a gospel both practiced and preached with full- interested in performing and ensure a first-rate experience for bodied fervor. It’s a dogma delivered down through the ages, audiences, Salerno — the fest’s mastermind — scheduled two orally and aurally, by imperfect but charismatic evangelists, sin - formal concerts each evening instead of the usually prescribed ners and saints, who travel the countryside sharing their faith in once-daily dose. the redemptive powers of this thing they call ragtime. Although the festival gives fair treatment to a wide swath of composers, compositions and styles — taking excur - sions into musical cousins such as jazz and stride — it is clear Boone gives the festival not only its name but its identity. Scott “Joplin is standing on his shoulders,” Salerno said, qualifying the greatness of the man who solidified the sound. “Really, it’s Boone’s compositions that show musicologists where ragtime came from,” she added. “It can be said that it is a marriage of romantic strains and American folk strains but melded into new forms with African polyrhythms. “It could only have happened here because that’s where, living side by side, were the slaves with the tradition and the music that they both heard and were asked to perform as slaves — the folk music, the European Romantic themes — they played them, but then, for themselves, they replayed them with an African rhythm,” she added. Existing in the heartland of the country, Missouri provided the heartbeat of the upbeat style and cultivated some of its most recognizable names — Boone, Joplin, Arthur Marshall, Louis Chauvin, Clarence Woods and others.
A CUTTING-EDGE PAST
Today, ragtime might be viewed as quaint, but Salerno said the form should be treasured, if for no other reason, than for the creative evolution it catalyzed. “Because of the true Ameri - canism of it, there should be a kind of pride in this creation because it really underwrote all that came after it, like jazz,” she said. Ironically, ragtime artists were originally viewed as instiga - tors; as a 2006 Boston Globe article pointed out, the form occu - pies a place alongside hip-hop, “heavy metal, disco … and jazz” as controversial sounds that had “a bout with the culture police.” In its day, the music of artists such as Boone and Joplin was “cut - J.W. "Blind' Boone ting-edge, it was exciting, it was new, it was funky; the parents “We’re really missionaries,” Lucille Salerno said. hated it,” festival volunteer Nancy Harter affirmed. “We’re keeping alive a music that really is 140 years old and try - Ragtime is added proof that just like with jazz, rhythm ing to keep it out there, trying to show its greatness.” and blues — which evolved into rock — and hip-hop, “young For local missionaries of ragtime, or “Raggies,” the African-Americans have continually been on the cutting edge of spirit and sound come in power nowhere as much as at their music,” as Harter said. Returning to these older sounds might annual big-tent revival meeting, which takes place June 9 and 10. seem a step backward for younger listeners: “It’s interesting to The J.W. “Blind” Boone Ragtime & Early Jazz Festival will see what is actually going to happen with ragtime, whether it will focus ragtime fever through an emphasis on one of its giants, just be museum pieces or will it continue in the culture because Columbia treasure Boone. Attendees will be treated to numerous there are devotees and younger musicians that are carrying it concerts, seminars, a locally produced play on Boone and a pre - on?” she added. But she and others hope increased exposure and view of an in-progress documentary on the genre’s history; encouragement can span those gaps and suggest that steps toward opportunities to tour living breathing history lessons such as ragtime are actually steps forward.
AAMICAMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 233 * Reginald Robinson has a triumphant biography; the per - LET YOUR BODY FEEL IT former has lived what Salerno called a “rags-to-riches” or, per - haps, rags-to-ragtime, story. Growing up poor, Robinson learned It’s clear “Raggies” view themselves as a ragamuffin musical composition from library books and applied his new - band able to repair those bridges — “to call us ragtimers is a little found knowledge to his mother’s ironing board. The board acted too sophisticated,” Salerno said. They “get down home” and get “as a stand-in for a piano he didn’t have,” Salerno said, but utiliz - down to the infectious, syncopated rhythms of the style. Synco - ing his perfect pitch, Robinson could compose tunes while mim - pation is a way of playing that accentuates offbeats or weak icking the motions of playing a piano on the domestic device. beats, bringing verve and passion to the music; it “doesn’t let you Robinson now is a MacArthur grant winner and is working on a sit still,” Salerno said. “Your body’s into it, too.” Salerno has so documentary that puts the history of ragtime on film, passed much faith in these fascinating rhythms that she said “if you down orally from those who lived it. He will share part of the allow an immersion,” a baptism, if you will, into ragtime’s fiery film at this year’s festival. personality and rhythms over multiple concerts, you can’t help * Perhaps ragtime’s freshest face — and one of its brightest but “come away a convert.” hopes — is Adam Swanson, “a 17-year-old who plays like a 47- The intimacy of each concert encourages fitting in with year-old — he’s really good,” Salerno said. Swanson already was little distance between the audience and performers — who a three-time junior champion at the World Championship of Old- explain much of what they’re doing and why they’re doing it Time Piano Playing Contest before recently being anointed win - from the stage — and even less space between the previously ner in the competition’s adult division. In Columbia, he will per - agnostic and the already converted, who lovingly encourage new - form with Hodges, one of his heroes, and the two will present comers to participate. Can Salerno get a witness? She can, as she duets from their brand-new recording. points to festival artists past and present who had their spirits * This year also will feature the debut of an ensemble that revived by ragtime in much the same fashion she hopes audi - formed, rather spontaneously, around the thrill of collaboration ences will experience. and their delight in discovering new, unexplored aspects of early 20th century music. The Virtuosi String Trio will see bassist A BEVY OF MUSICIANS BITTEN BY BOONE BUG Svein Aarbostad and banjo player Johnnie Harper — two mem - bers of The Ophelia Orchestra — join forces with San Francisco- * Salerno sees evidence of conversion in performers who, like based guitarist Craig Ventresco. The three will play an exciting Boone, possess a classical pedigree; indeed, much of ragtime was “new incarnation — string ragtime,” Salerno said. a “permutation of” blacks who were “good musicians and … classical pianists,” as Harter said. At this year’s festival, longtime DON’T FORGET ThE MAN fixture John Davis and first-time attendee Richard Dowling are among those who are more known in classical circles but were Although each festival is a grand undertaking, Salerno’s “bitten by the” ragtime “bug,” she said. Dowling will duet with hopes continue to be modest, simply that Boone “gets recog - Frederick Hodges, performing variations on classic American art nized.” Those were her hopes as she and fellow enthusiasts music. “They guarantee to set you on fire because there is such encouraged the renovation of Boone’s home at Fourth and Wal - intensity in the performers,” Salerno said. “In a sense, they have nut streets — a project with one phase complete and a capital to present with a classical background to be able to do the campaign begun in service of its second. “For 13 years, we tried pyrotechnics that they’re doing. But, they’re syncopating these to get to where we are,” she said. She hopes the momentum built compositions that we’ve known and that have a real classical through the rebuilding of the home and the building up of the fes - determinant. It becomes really exciting. You see it in a new tival will simply continue on, spurring others to see the greatness light.” in a man who is one of our state’s proudest sons. * That same spirit is manifest in performers from other coun - “We love Joplin, we love those outstanding fathers of tries who have embraced this distinctly American art form and new genres of American music, and yet Boone is quietly articulated an artistic philosophy that says, “we are all raggies unsung,” Salerno said. “His grave hadn’t even been marked until now.” They include longtime fest favorite Morten Gunnar 1972.” Salerno and company continue to right those wrongs, Larsen, who will bring his Oslo, Norway-based Ophelia Orches - preaching to the choir, those in the pews, those outside the tra to Columbia. Larsen first discovered ragtime and related gen - church and anyone else who will listen. res while visiting New Orleans “and brought this incredible music to the old world — we are the new world,” where its popu - Ed Notes: Full article and program may be viewed at: larity has exploded, Salerno said. Swedish television producer http://tinyurl.com/2fzzj97 and director Peter Lundberg fell in love with ragtime as an ado - lescent and visited the United States in 1964, accompanied by his See more about "Blind" Boone at: mother, interviewing those with a connection to ragtime’s history, http://tinyurl.com/2ebh8ks including students of Scott Joplin. Lundberg will relate those experiences as this year’s festival. A past performer, Montreal Reginald Robinson, who is developing a DVD video history of ragtime, musician Mimi Blais, “was so turned on by Scott Joplin’s com - tells me that he is not yet ready to release it. However, he will keep me positions that she delved into the history of Canada in the same informed as to its future availability. In the meantime, to learn more period and found wonderful Canadian composers of ragtime,” about him, see: Salerno said. http://reginaldrrobinson.com/ continued on page 265
234 AAMICAMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 AMICA 2011 Convention - UK 2011 Convention What I’m trying to say is if you have the time to go to the Convention go to London a few days early, get over the jet 28 Aug to 4 Sep 2011 lag and explore London. It’s easy to get around via public trans - portation, and when you get home and start thinking about it by Frank Nix you’ll wonder how you ever squeezed in so many great experi - Next year will find us once ences. again going international. We are going to jolly old England! Our friends in England, headed up by Julian Dyer, are planning a wonderful experience for us. Frank Nix You won’t want to miss this. Julian is really working hard to make this a fantastic visit. The tour will focus around the Great Dorset Steam Fair, probably the largest Fair in Europe if not the world, with steam tractors and engines and lots of wonderful fairground organs and entertainment of all kinds, blending nostalgia and entertainment. It has been going on for 43 years It is a Heritage Event, showing how people lived in another time period. It will be a fascinating visit, and almost more fun than should be legal. Some of the other things we’ll see are Kew Gardens, a truly magnificent place featuring all types of flowers and archi - tectural wonders from Pagodas to Cottages. You can take the Treetop Walk, some 59 feet above the ground for a look at trees and landscapes as you don’t usually see them. This is a don’t miss type of garden. Great Dorset Steam Fair We may visit the seashore at Minehead. We’ll see the won - ders of Bath, the original Roman Spa. There are museums and great places to see. We’ll visit the mysterious and timeless Stonehenge. We’ll visit Wales and go to the “Big Pit”, coal mine where you can go underground wearing miner gear and see just how the miners worked. If underground isn’t for you, there are Kew museums and attractions above the ground, and they will keep Gardens your attention. . There will be visits to various collections along the way, and much, much more. Photo - It’s a trip you won’t want to miss, so start planning now. RBGKew, Heather There will be more information later, of course, but think of the Angel/ fun of doing England with a group of your friends, with all the Natural planning done for you. Visions For those who want to spend more time, London is a great city. We were first there in 1968 with our kids ages 9 & 11 after winning two round trip tickets to London at an English- American club we belonged to. We bought 2 more tickets and packed up our boys and away we went. We spent five weeks total in England and on the Continent. (No, we aren’t from Eng - land, but we liked the dances and had English friends.) We spent a lot of time in London, using public transportation and our feet to get around. There are so many places to visit, and we tried to do them all….Picadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace, Harrod’s Department Store, and to the musical theater, where we saw the Original Cast Performance of “Man of La Stonhenge Mancha”, which was amazing. (It cost us twelve pounds each) It’s a great place to explore, and the Museums there are like no others. The Tower is a must place to visit, with it’s histo - ry and pageantry, and the Thames River has many interesting sights and attractions. You can find the Olde Curiosity Shoppe, and so much more. This is Dickens Country.
AAMICAMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 235 AMICA 2011 Convention coal mine where underground tours are conducted by real miners, who give a rare insight into a hidden and vanishing job that once London, England powered the entire nation. Later we’ll tour Bristol, including a by Julian Dyer visit to the SS Great Britain – utterly revolutionary when built in Come and enjoy a week or two in 1843, the word’s first iron-hulled ship and the first screw pro - England next year! peller, now beautifully preserved in the very dock in which it was built. We’ve put together a superb For our final day we’ll call into the world-famous city week of visits for you, based around a of Bath to visit the baths the Romans built over the natural hot full day at the Great Dorset Steam Fair, Julian Dyer springs starting in around 70 AD and continuing for the next 300 which is the greatest heritage event on years – the water still runs through their plumbing! We’ll also see Earth! It offers a square mile packed with every kind of heritage: the Grand Pump Room, added in 1790 for the ultra-fashionable steam engines of every type, the finest organs, cars and tractors, society of the day. After this we’ll have time to wander around an agricultural show, a fairground, the finest real ale selections this beautiful city. We’ll then head on to London, where the con - you’ll ever see … and shopping of every type. We’ll do a full day vention tour will end. here, with the opportunity to stay late to see its famous line of So, you’ll have seen pianos and organs of all types, showman’s engines all lit up after dark, giving us time to listen to steam in most of its guises, sites from pre-history, roman, medi - lots of music on the many fairground organs, ride on a steam- aeval and the industrial revolution, and all in the very best com - powered carousel – all of them working outdoors in the English pany. What better way could there be to spend a week? summer, come rain or shine! For those wanting something more, we are organising a Our organized portion will be 28th August to 4th Sep - post-convention optional tour for a few days that will visit many tember. We’ll start our week in London, – but we’ll strongly of the Mechanical Music collections in East Anglia, to the north- encourage you to arrive good and early and spend a few days east of London, including the superb Thursford collection and tasting the delights of this fascinating city. You need a lifetime to much more, all based around Norwich. More details will be do this properly, of course, but we’ll help you make a good start given of this soon, it’s just too late to make the deadline for this by offering plenty of suggestions. bulletin… The tour proper will start with a visit to the Musical So, we hope that you’ll want to come join us on this Museum at Brentford, which is now fully open in its brand-new wonderful trip. It’s got loads of my favourite places in it, and I’m purpose-built home. It has a huge collection of pianos, orchestri - sure you’ll like them just as much as I do! ons and organs, including a superb Wurlitzer theatre organ, and is the spiritual home of the player piano hobby in the UK thanks to its founder Frank Holland and the enthusiasm he inspired in many others. We’ll also visit the nearby Kew Bridge Steam Museum, which is a preserved water pumping station with its massive original beam engines and a fine collection of other restored engines operating on live steam. We’ll then do a day in and around London, see the sights, maybe take in a show… After this we’ll head west, calling in at the enigmatic prehistoric monument, Stonehenge, before our next hotel in Sal - isbury. The world’s first fully-planned town (laid out on a grid in 1220, complete with running water) and home to the Cathedral, which was the world’s tallest building for several hundred years, and still has its clock from 1386 running for all to see. We’ll have a chance to take in evensong and maybe hear the cathedral organ, or simply enjoy wandering round. Then we’ll spend our day at the Great Dorset Steam Musical Museum, Brentford: Fair. Those who don’t want too long a day will have the opportu - nity to return to Salisbury earlier. http://www.musicalmuseum.co.uk/ After this, we’ll head further west and take a trip on the West Somerset Railway, which is a complete preserved country branch line railway, running through the beautiful Quantock hills to the quaint port town of Watchet and the seaside holiday resort of Minehead, where there will be plenty of time to enjoy all the traditional amusements or just paddle in the sea. We’ll then head towards the great city of Bristol, taking in a private collection on our way where a newly-installed Aeolian residence organ should be playing for us. From Bristol we’ll head over the border from England Another view of Kew Gardens into Wales, to visit the wonderful Big Pit museum, a preserved Photo - RBGKew, Heather Angel/Natural Visions
236 AAMICAMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 The Great Dorset Steam Fair: http://www.gdsf.co.uk/
Tower of London
Salisbury Cathedral
S.S. Great Briatain
AAMICAMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 237 Nickel Notes by Matthew Jaro There are two types of nickelodeon collectors --- those ed to be able to identify rolls with that love the machines and those that both love the machines and missing labels by knowing some of the are crazy about the music. I fall into the second category. I tunes. I wanted to know what was on a LOVE the music. If you really love the music, then you have to roll if I had the roll number but no compile information about the rolls. I’ve been working on a data - labels. I wanted to catalog my roll col - Matthew Jaro base of “A”, “G” and “4X” rolls for about four years. It’s not lection and know if I had a particular song. easy because the information is so difficult to obtain. But most importantly, I felt that the information would get lost if no one undertook to create an exhaustive rollography. Seeburg Rolls This would be a tragedy since there is a wonderful legacy of music available to us. It all started with the 3x5 cards. Before 1965, Alan Lightcap went to the New York Public Library, looked at the Mills Violano Rolls music trade magazines and other sources and began the catalog of “A”, “G” and “4X” rolls. The “A” rolls play on a large variety Dave Junchen and of machines including the Seeburg “K” and “E”; the “G” rolls Art Reblitz were students at play on the Seeburg “G” and “KT Special”; and the “4X” rolls the University of Illinois were intended for the Nelson-Wiggin “4X” and “5X” machines. when the idea struck to com - He started a file of 3x5 cards and typed the roll number, title and pile a database of Mills list of songs. Violano rolls. Alden Scott When Alan Lightcap had filled in as many rolls as pos - Boyer was one of the pio - sible, he sent the cards to Dave Junchen , who added a number of neer collectors and had the entries. Following this, Dave Junchen sent the cards to Art Mills Catalog No. 1. Inci - Reblitz who went to a copy service to make Xerox copies. The dentally, Al Svoboda bought person doing the copies got cards out of order, omitted some, got many of his first machines some upside down, etc. A copy I got years later was in this state. Art Reblitz playing Gilberto Serna's Una- from Boyer. From this cata - Art sent copies to friends in order to try to complete the list. Fon in the old Deagan building, Chicago log, Art Sanders of Deans - Dick howe had many original coin-op catalogs which boro, NY started a typed helped to com - Violano roll list. Art and Dave created punched cards from this plete the infor - list and processed them on the university’s ILIAC III computer in mation. He 1966. Art obtained other catalogs, but could never find Catalog bequeathed these No. 2 until recently. catalogs to the With Dave's access to "ILIAC III," a punch-card-operat - International ed computer at the university that took up a major building on Piano Archives at campus, he created a simple database program which not only the University of printed out roll and song information in alphabetical order but Maryland. How - also printed a list of roll numbers for which information was still ever, copies were needed. (This was still more than 15 years before personal com - made and I bor - puters were affordable to the average individual). rowed a copy Dave then taught Art how to run a punch-card machine, from Bob Dick Howe and between them, they accumulated three big boxes of punched Billings . cards created from hand-written notes that they each kept as they Rob DeLand compiled a list of Columbia and Capitol separately visited collectors around the country. ILIAC provided “A” rolls. These rolls are important because there is a quantity of up-to-date printouts until one day it figured out that the rollogra - blues and jazz numbers that were not available elsewhere and the phy wasn't a genuine study or research project and left them performances were from some of the best Black pianists of the hanging with the message "further access denied.” At about the day, like Jimmy Blythe. Some of the numbers weren’t even avail - same time, Dave bowed out of the project, leaving it to Art. able on record, and the rolls remain the only performances Each time Art visited a collection which included a extant. Mills Violano, it seemed that he gathered data for at least five or I took all of this information and compiled a database ten more rolls that hadn’t been listed previously. Everywhere he using Microsoft Access. I spent a long time in the design of the went, collectors shared information graciously. database so that alternate roll numbers, recuts, etc. could be Art had no further access to a computer. So, after having included. The database takes advantage of the Relational Data - hand-entered all that data into a punch-card machine, he typed it base Model so that no redundant information is stored and vari - again on his trusty Smith Corona manual typewriter and threw ous queries could be designed. I also decided to look-up the com - away the boxes of punch cards! posers and publication dates of all the songs. Why did I embark on about four years of work? I want - Now the scene changes to Jack Breen.
238 AAMICAMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 Roger Miller and Paul McCoy both of whom combed through Shortly thousands of rolls and catalogs for this project; and Dick howe , after buying his Rob DeLand and Larry Sitsky , who donated copies of hard-to- Violano, he inno - find QRS Monthly Bulletins. Rob DeLand also compiled infor - cently asked if any - mation on the QRS Autograph series. one knew how many Ginny started in 1969 with 3x5 cards. Later they used different rolls were dBase II on an IBM PC. Once they were set up on dBase, people ever made for these sent material. harvey Roehl went to the QRS factory; Ginny machines. The uni - spent a week in the factory and talked with Rudy Martin . versal answer he got Selmer Nielson of Racine, Wisconsin had a large collection of was that Art Reblitz rolls and helped gather information. had tried to pull a The first phase was the QRS word rolls to 1934; then rollography together the Recordo rolls and then an artist list. They stayed on dBase more than 30 years until 2003 and then migrated to Microsoft Access. earlier, and that the Jack Breen One of the most interesting aspects was the compilation project had been of a Tel-Electric roll list from 1907 to 1917. Ginny and Bob visit - shelved after publilshing a few work-in-progress lists. After a ed the railroad museum in Chama, Colorado. A drug store had number of e-mails, Art graciously sent Jack all of his original three rolls in the window and they found a local man who (typewritten) research and the project was off and running again. repaired player pianos. He had 100 Tel-Electric rolls and a piano. Jack decided that if this project was going to be started For $750 they had it delivered to their home in Belmont, Califor - up again, it should be expanded to include any and all informa - nia. The Tel-Electric rolls are interesting because they are made tion that appeared on the roll labels, tune cards and catalogs. The out of sheet brass. result is the updated rollography that is currently available. For a Ginny and Bob tracked down the grandson of the long time information about rolls 1000-1800 was missing. The founder of Tel-Electric in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. The old data were supplied by a catalog purchased recently on eBay. The building still existed when they went there. They published an ad project took ten years and comprises 3121 rolls. There are only in the local paper and found people with catalogs. Six months 190 rolls currently missing. Incidentally, Jack has scanned over ago they bought another Tel-Electric in excellent condition with a 1250 rolls. collection of rolls. This is a wonderful story that shows that information (The information for this section was provided by Art about a very rare instrument can be found. Bob and Ginny made Reblitz and Jack Breen .) their monumental six volume rollography available to all AMICA members. Player Piano Rolls Wurlitzer Rolls Player Piano rolls are important to nickelodeon lovers because they provided the basis for most of the coin-op rolls. The Matthew Caulfield has compiled a comprehensive most ambitious project to catalog player piano rolls was made by database of Wurlitzer Style 150 and 165 Band Organ rolls. Bob and Ginny Billing s. They started on QRS rolls because of Matthew was working for George Long at Seabreeze Park in interactions they had while publishing the AMICA Bulletin. Rochester, New York when he was in college. He wanted to iden - The tify songs on rolls with no labels, and know what rolls were listing the available. After Billings used college, Matthew was an 88-Note went to work for QRS Word Roll the Library of listing begun Congress. years ago by Gary Mike Mont - Watkins of Sun gomery , who Valley, Ca. com - originally piled an extensive intended to pub - list of band organ lish a complete rolls based largely book of pho - on Ross Davis’ tographs of the Ginny & Bob Billings extensive collec - labels of every roll. His research forms the backbone of this list. tion. Warren Matthew Caulfield Bill Bonner joined the quest and died shortly thereafter. Mike Deasey , who ran went on to other things. But Bob and Ginny pushed on, adding the Griffith Park Carousel, also helped. Matthew pooled all of the composers to the list, and filling in most of the remaining blanks. information and typed a list on an automatic typewriter. Dick Many collectors have contributed a great deal along the way. howe had a lot of original catalogs and original Wurlitzer bul - Included among them are Ed Sprankle , who inherited Bill Bon - letins up to the late 1920s. ner's research and did much of his own; Mike Schwimmer , Matthew sent free copies of the catalog to those interest - whose auction lists have provided a wealth of information; ed. After Matthew retired from the Library of Congress, Mark
AAMICAMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 239 Chester helped to put the catalog online in HTML format. Mike AMICAns on The Road Grant compiled a list of Wurlitzer Style 125 rolls. Terry hathaway , a co-founder of the famous Hathaway and Bowers compiled lists of all the Mandolin PianOrchestra Bill Chapman in Winnipeg rolls, Concert PianOrchestra rolls and Wurlitzer Concert Organ rolls. He’s been spending months entering Wurlitzer coin piano Bill Chapman this year chose to drive to Buffalo and and orchestrion data into a database to be added to the Mechani - turn the trip into a great vacation. Much of his route to him off cal Music Press website soon. the main freeways, into many interesting places and people. Part Rollapalooza of his trip took him to Winnipeg, where he visited with AMI - CAns Alan Turner, Terry Smythe and Morley Golden. The award for the largest database goes to Frank himpsl. He has compiled a database of over 500,000 entries including 88 and 65 note player piano rolls, all Nickelodeon and orchestrion rolls, band organ rolls, etc. If it moves, Frank has cat - aloged it. Frank started in 1995 with his first computer. He used Microsoft Access to create a database of 15,000 88/65 note player piano rolls. He met Don Neilson in 1998 and went to work for Don to Alan Turner & Bill Chapman admiring make a database of Alan's 1936 Chickering Ampico "B" Don’s extensive roll collection. Frank has a real passion for creating data - bases. Of course, the usual sources Frank Himpsl helped supply infor - mation: Alan Lightcap , Ed Sprankel , Art Reblitz , Mike Mon - togmery and Dick howe . Frank has also scanned thousands of rolls, and using Don Neilson’s laser perforator, Frank can make rolls for any machine on demand.
Additional Information
The Mechanical Music Digest website has many rollo - graphies available. The link to this site is: Terry Smythe, Bill Chapman and Alan Turner admiring and list - ing to Terr’s Cremona 3 nickelodeon. Note this instrument’s http://tinyurl.com/28h6ncg original clear beveled lower window. A demo unit in its day?
The Mechanical Music Press website has Terry hathaway’s rollographies. This link is http://tinyurl.com/24z7mr4
Please feel free to email me at [email protected] if you would like any information about style “A”, “G”, “4X” or “H” rolls. Also, comments and suggestions for this column will be appreciated.
Morley Golden, Bill Chapman and Alan Turner admiring and listening to Morley’s 1930 Mason & Risch Duo-Art
240 AAMICAMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 AMICAns Making Music John & Nadine Motto-Ros Crown Syn - copators at work with Frederick at John's 1909 Mason & Hamlin piano.
Marty Eggers, Frederick Hodges and Virginia Tichenor, Dorothy Bromage aka The Crown Synchopators
Sunday, June 13, 2010, was a beautiful day in Sutter Creek, California, in the heart of the gold country. About forty people gathered at the lovely home of John and Nadine Motto- Ro s to enjoy an afternoon concert of ragtime music performed by the Crown Syncopators. Based in the San Francisco Bay area, the “Crowns” are a trio of AMICA members dedicated to the per - formance of ragtime. All three trio members are pianists who play solo rag - time engagements. But when they appear as the Crowns, Fred - erick hodges leads on piano, with Virginia Tichenor on drums “Lexington Concerts in the Park” and her husband Marty Eggers on tuba. They are experts in the Hastings Park Bandstand, Lexington, MA ragtime music world, each playing authentic ragtime piano since Thursday Nights at 7:30 pm on July 8, 15, 22, 29, 2010 the beginning of their careers. Collectively they have an Lewis, J. Buckley, Music Director extremely large collection of sheet music and piano rolls from the period. The two hour long concert of 25 pieces included the rarely heard Who Let The Cows Out? and Trilby Rag. Marty replaced Frederick on piano during vocals of Oceana Roll and Dinah. The Crowns also played my personal favorite, a one-step arrangement by Marty Eggers of the James Scott Ophelia Rag. The encore piece was the exciting Lion Tamer Rag. During the intermission, the audience enjoyed refresh - ments on John’s lovely outdoor patio and later had the opportuni - ty to listen to some of his instruments including a Seeburg G, Encore Banjo and Wurlitzer Pianino. I wish you all could have been there.
Bob Gonzalez Founding Chapter
View of the audience and part of the Motto Ed. Note - Dorothy may be contacted at: Ros living room. [email protected]
AAMICAMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 241 Jere DeBacker Q. David Bowers
It was a warm Fourth of July in Wolfeboro this year. This town of about 7,000 residents in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire becomes a focal point when its annual parade gets underway, and people come from long distances to watch the fes - tivities. Long-time participants Dave Bowers and his wife Christie and guests were an attraction with their 53-note National calliope. An estimated 10,000 to 15,000 people were on hand, coming from all directions, quite possibly a record, Dave noted. Built in 1921 and using type “A” rolls, the National was restored by Tim Westman. The music program comprised a six- tune selection of patriotic airs arranged some years ago for Dave by Art Reblitz, of Reblitz Restorations (Colorado Springs, CO), who also gave a copy to Bob Gilson, the owner of a similar instrument. Special long perforations showcase and extend the bass notes. Of the vintage calliopes that still exist, most are of the Tangley CA-43 model, also using “A” rolls, but of a shorter com - pass, lacking the bass register of the National. Only a handful of John Gill In Concert the Nationals still survive. While “A” piano rolls can be used on the National, the Reblitz custom arrangements utilize the full John Gill from Perth Australia delighted the audience at potential. The sound carries a long distance and created the ideal the home of Jere DeBacker again this year. John was born and atmosphere for the patriotic celebration. raised in London, England and moved to Perth, Western Australia The car is a Cadillac Eldorado 1972. The Wolfeboro more than 25 years ago. He has been described in the Bulletin parade is always a prime regional attraction on the Fourth. This Magazine, as the "Greatest Stride Pianist in the Land". It would year appeared to set a record attendance, great exposure. be fair to say that John Gill is one of the finest Ragtime, stride and early Jazz piano players in the world. John performed com - positions of Scott Joplin, Eubie Blake, Willie "The Lion" Smith, Joseph Lamb, James P. Johnson and Fats Waller. He even played a magnificent rendition of "Oklahoma" by Rogers and Hammerstein. It was all recorded on the Digital Disc system, which was installed in the Mason & Hamlin model A grand piano by Chris Finger Pianos in 2003, when the 1965 piano was also com - pletely rebuilt. Born in 1954, John became interested in pianos at an early age. He began piano studies at the age of six, but dis - agreed with his teacher on the improvisation of Bach. John got the last laugh. Home concerts are a wonderful tradition, and a wonder - ful way to introduce some of the best music to friends and family - besides providing an intimate setting for old fans. I've been hosting them for more than 30 years now, and it's exciting to have artists and guests returning time after time. If you have a nice piano and a good piano technician to prepare the instrument, it's fun, and exciting and enjoyable for everyone.
Jere DeBacker Denver, Colorado [email protected]
See also:
http://tinyurl.com/3xh9ucd
http://tinyurl.com/2ujn6pb The two photos above, courtesy of Tom Beeler, editor,Granite State News, Wolfeboro, NH USA
242 AAMICAMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 Paderewski Recital by Carol Veome and Jim Edwards On May 16, 2010, about 25 mechani - as well that plays rare piano rolls that cal music aficionados joined many sound as if the original pianist is play - Carol Veome others for a delightful afternoon con - ing live. There were less than 200 of Jim Edwards cert at the The Polish Museum of America, 984 N Milwaukee my type of piano ever made and only a handful exist today in Avenue, in Chicago. This very special concert was put together like-new playing condition. by Rex Lawson and Denis Hall, founders of the Pianola Institute "My owner, who lives in Batavia, wishes to remain in London and was dedicated to the memory of the late Polish anonymous. He has lived in Batavia for years, first off Deerpath President Lech Kaczynski and his wife, Maria who recently per - and now in the downtown area. I am proud of the fact that ished in an airplane crash in Russia. The museum itself was nowhere in the world is there to be such a concert given this year, established in 1935 and is a treasure. It is one of the oldest eth - by one of my kind, not even in Poland, where this pianist is nic museums in America and has a special room filled with revered. I like to think that this great pianist will be here touching Paderewski memorabilia. my keyboard in perfect harmony with his piano roll recording." A beautiful brown mahogany seven foot Steinway The piano will play at the Polish Museum of America, Model AR manufactured in 1925 was provided for this concert 984 N. Milwaukee Ave. (only a block off the Kennedy Express - by Jim and Wynette Edwards. The featured piano rolls were the way), on May 16 from 2 to 4 p.m. Rex Lawson of the Pianola work of Ignacy Jan Paderewski playing his own creations as well Institute in London will narrate during the concert. Tickets are as the works of Chopin, Liszt, Schubert, Debussy and Schelling. $15 for general seating, $25 for VIP seating. In the Great Hall of the Museum the piano resounded impressive - This piano recital is dedicated to all those who perished ly and provided a thoroughly enjoyable listening experience for in the tragic plane crash in Smolensk, Russia, on April 10. The all. concert hall at the Polish Museum holds 300 people. Our appreciation and thanks go out to Jim Edwards for For reservations, call 773-384-3352 or visit www.Pol - arranging for this concert, to Rex Lawson and Denis Hall for ishMuseumofAmerica.org traveling so far and for putting together a really superb program of rolls, to the Polish Museum for providing a superb venue and to Mary Persky for providing notice to our chapter for this event.
Geneva Sun Aurora, IL 5 May 2010 Batavia piano to 'play' concert in Chicago By JIM EDWARDS
2010 marks the 150th birth year of an extraordinary pianist. He also was a diplomat, a prime minister of Poland and owned a California winery. He traveled across the United States on 20 tours (1,500 concerts) in his own railroad train. At his home was a pet parrot who, when the man played the piano, stood at his feet and said, "Oh lord, how beautiful! How beautiful!" over and over. Ignacy Jan Paderewski was a prime minister of Poland Denis Hall, Jim Edwards and Rex Lawson who was also an accomplished pianist. SUBMITTED PHOTO For full photo slide show of this event, see: Denis Hall of the Pianola Institute of London examines the Steinway reproducing piano in preparation for the May 16 concert at the Polish Museum in Chicago. SUBMITTED PHOTO http://tinyurl.com/26gj2hq This man's name was Ignacy Jan Paderewski. The parrot was called Cockey Roberts. For more about the Pianola Society, see: How is it possible for the "piano" itself to play a Paderewski concert? Let's let the piano speak for itself: "Hi. I am a totally restored 1925 AR Steinway Grand http://www.pianola.org/ Piano. I'm not only a vintage Steinway but a reproducing piano
AAMICAMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 243 244 AAMICAMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 The Paderewski Room, dominated by "Pulaski at Savannah" by Stefan Batowski. See: http://tinyurl.com/39khxpq http://tinyurl.com/37wwcex
Rich Kujawa, Operations Manager, opening the program
Museum President Maria Ciesla introducing Photos courtesy of the Polish Museum of America Denis Hall and Rex Lawson of the Pianola Society
Bennet Leedy, Rob Deland, Art Reblitz and Rex Lawson
AAMICAMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 245 New Chapter Formed
On 26 June 2010, 12 AMICAns formed a new Chapter, repre - senting AMICA members in the South-East area of the USA. They have chosen "Land of Dixie" as their name. Through the magic of tele-conferencing, members voted to adaopt new by- laws, their Chapter name, and their theme song, "Dixie", as it played on Robert and Laqueta Soule's 1923 Weber Duo-Art grand piano. Stay tuned for more info and pics in next issue. Their slate of officers:
President: Walt Gerber Vice President: Robert Soule Treasurer: Tim Baxter Secretary: Danita Gerber Board Representative: Tim Baxter Walt Gerber and Robert Soule taking notes and exchanging views and details on the speaker phone.
Danita Gerber on the left taking notes and Walt on the right talking on a speaker phone. Laqueta Soule and their 1923 Weber Duo-Art reproducing grand piano
246 AAMICAMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 Chapter News Founding Chapter David Moreno President - John Ulrich demon - Reporter - Bonnie and Bob Gonzalez strates the Tangley Cir - On Sunday, May 19, 2010, the Founding Chapter met in cus Calliope. the large, new music room of Wendell Jacob in Davis, California. Wendell looks on as Wendell is a long time collector of a wide range of vin - other mem - tage objects from musical instruments to silent film gear. bers cover Approximately forty members and guests enjoyed an afternoon their ears. of good food and great music. We heard from a 1923 Style 146 Wurlitzer Band Organ, a Tangley Circus steam calliope (now using compressed air), an old upright player piano especially prepared to be “rinky-tink” Wendell shows the which was located for years in a Cattlemen’s Restaurant, a Fend - "Cattlemen's er Rhodes Stage Piano using tuning forks with magnetic pickups Restaurant" to create piano sound, a Hammond B3 organ and a seven foot K. piano playing a tune with the Pianocorder system.
Bruce Grimes (foreground) keeps a respectful dis - tance while lis - tening to the Wurlitzer Style 146 Band Organ. David plays the Hammond B-3. The Moller lobby organ waits its turn to accompany the upcoming silent film.
Kawai grand piano midi equipped. All these instruments were played. The focus of the room and center of attention is the magnificent Moller three manual theater organ, originally the lobby organ of the San Francisco Fox Theater on Market Street. The organ was installed by popular Bay Area organist David Moreno, who regaled us with tunes requested by the audience. David also demonstrated a broad range of organ sound effects. The instrument may be hand played, roll played or played from midi files. After lunch, Wendell screened a silent Buster Keaton comedy beautifully accompanied by David Moreno on the Moller. During the business meeting, everyone viewed the DVD View of the Conn Organ, a reed organ, presentation for the July Buffalo convention. and the door leading to the pipe chambers.
AAMICAMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 247 CHICAGo AREA SUNDAY – JUNE 6, 2010 Regina President - Jerry Biasella 1950 Style Reporter - Curt Clifford 50 Music Box Fifteen people attended our Sunday afternoon meeting at the home of Margaret Bisberg and Vice President Richard Van - Metre in Park Ridge. On the program was as a lot of music, good food and great conversation with our fellow members. Richard and Margaret have magnificent collection of music boxes includ - ing a Regina Style 50 and a New Century disc shifter, 6000 series. They also have a 1926, 6’1” Steinway Duo Art XR. Our President Jerry Biasella called a short business meeting to order where the minutes of the December 2009 meet - ing were read and approved. Margaret Topics for discussion included the Nipper dog table Bisberg favors and Nathan Bello 88 note piano rolls left over from the demon - 2006 convention. Jerry Biasella and Marty Persky suggested they strates the put some of the Nipper dogs up for sale in their booth at the New Cen - antique phonograph sale in Union, IL. Bennett Leedy has indi - tury Disc cated to Jerry that he is willing to post the remaining piano rolls Changer to Wayne for sale on his piano roll auction list. All agreed to these plans. Wolf Mel Septon advised that he and Bob Taylor were approached by Mike Swanson and Dean Howe regarding the possibility of reissuing the Leo Podolsky rolls made in the 1980s (Midi to Perforator project) for the Ampico player system. The idea is to combine some of the smaller rolls to make a set of 4 larger ones to be reproduced. Bob Taylor had advised Mel that he had no objection to this idea. By unanimous vote the group President agreed to allow Mike and Dean to continue on with their plans. Jerry Biasella Mel will forward our permission to the guys to proceed with their relaxes project of reproducing and selling the Podolsky rolls. before start - ing our busi - As an FYI, Jerry Biasella advised us that The Polish ness meeting Museum of America in Chicago would like to have a donated player piano on which they could play their collection of 88 note Polish piano rolls. The group agreed that if anyone knows or hears of an available free player piano with a simple, restorable operating system like a Standard or Aeolian, we could discuss passing along the information to the museum. Our Vice President Richard Van Metre broached the subject of future meetings and outings. The suggested possibili - ties from the group were as follows:
- Holiday 2010 at the Sanfilippo estate - A tour of the Chicago Theatre once the organ has been restored. It is currently inoperable, but is being restored. - Future meetings may be hosted by the Meyers, Wolfs and other families who have offered in the past. - Another silent film outing, we all had a great time at our last Secretary one. Carol - Attending a concert in the area such as at Orchestra Hall on Veome Michigan Avenue in the city. reads the minutes President Biasella advised us of the summer concert from our last series at the Sanfilippo estate. Details are available at www.san - meeting filippofoundation.org Tickets are $65 per event or $220 for all four concerts.
248 AAMICAMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 Heart of America
President - Robbie Tubbs Reporter - HC & Marlene Beckman
On Saturday, June 5, 2010, Heart of America members brought street organs, accordions, and a calliope to Gage Park in Topeka, Kansas. Despite the hot, dry weather, grinders enjoyed providing entertainment at the carousel, with the Wurlitzer band organ recently restored by AMICA member, Damian Mayes of Wichita, KS. Grinders also played in different locations around the park. Tom McAuley was on hand to serenade a bride and groom whose wedding had taken place in the rose garden and they were taking photographs at the carousel. We enjoyed a picnic lunch in the air conditioned party room. After a buffet dinner we returned to the park amphitheater for a “show and tell” session. Mel Septon Sunday morning was spent at the Beckman’s for brunch and business meeting. Tom Hutchinson, Gary Craig, Greg and Trudy Moffitt, and H. C. and Marlene Beckman will attend the Buffalo conven - tion in July. On September 18 we will meet at the Deanna Rose Children’s Farm in Overland Park, KS. The farm has many visi - tors on weekends and is a great place for an organ rally.
Yousuf and Mary Wil - son with the organ made by Yousuf. Note the ivory inlay.
A group gathers around the Steinway to hear a selection of rolls from Chopin to Bumble Boogie
Dee Tyler waves to the crowd..
Our Hosts Margaret Bisberg and Richard Van Metre
AAMICAMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 249 The AMICA banner welcomes visitors to the carousel. The John Smith Universal built by H. C. Beckman draws a crowd.
Dan and Carol Davis looking for photo opportunities. H.C. Beckman and Mike Schoeppner discuss calliopes.
Bill Klinger demon - strates his 20 note home made organ.
The group enjoyed a train ride around the park.
Tom McAuley and his Pell organ entertain visitors.
The carousel in Gage Park.
250 AAMICAMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 Mike Schoeppner plays his Castlewood organ.
Yousuf Wilson and H. C. Beckman discuss O roll build up problems
Gary Craig and his music draw an audi - ence.
Charlie Tyler and H. C. Beckman Marlene Beckman adds food to the table at the for Harold Engelhaupt. "Show and Tell" on Satur - day evening.
The Wurlitzer (De Kleist) band organ recently rebuilt by Damian Mayes of Wichita, Danell and Doug Mauldin enjoy lunch in the party room. KS.
AAMICAMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 251 defined for each particular tune. Technological enhancements Texas have incorporated much of the mechanical complexity of the President – Rich Clayton original pinning machine with standard components; the comput - Reporter – Ken Long er, stepper motor and headless pinner. For complete information please read New Music For Old Roller Organs by Charles and Seventeen members and three guests attended the North Walter Moore, Journal of Mechanical Music, MBSI, Winter Edi - Texas Chapter AMICA meeting on May 23rd at the home of Wal - tion, 2003, pages 34-40; or Carousel Organ, Issue # 13, October ter and Jessie Moore and son Charles in Dallas, Texas. The 2002. Moore’s home is practically a museum with various instruments Next on the meeting agenda was a business meeting. throughout the residence. They have a Duo-Art upright piano We viewed a DVD presentation on the 2010 AMICA convention with the majority of their fine collection consisting of reed in Buffalo and then discussed chapter general business. Four organs, cob organs, and music boxes. NTC AMICA members are confirmed to be attending the con - vention: Rich Clayton, John and Suzanne McCall, and Dick Merchant. As a bonus at the close of the meeting, Jessie Moore gave various members an educational tour of her beautiful doll collection. Jessie’s daughter is a former editor of a doll magazine and is an acclaimed doll costume designer. Our most gracious thanks to an educational and enjoyable afternoon with the Moore’s.
Our hosts, Walter and Jessie Moore
We toured the collection with a brief history and impor - tant information shared about each instrument. The music room displayed many music boxes and organs. An instrument of awe, a Melodeaux piano, was demonstrated that played from a large cardboard folded sheet of music. Then a beautiful Aeolian Orchestrelle, Model V, played “The Hallelujah Chorus” to a round of great applause. The meeting commenced with Charlie’s presentation on his computerized process of making new rollers for the 20-note Charlie Moore shows the Cob organ and Gem Roller Organ. He gave a history of the Gem Roller Organ demonstrates how it plays the roller and demonstrated playing a roll on the roller organ describing how it worked and how he decided to make new cob rollers. Charlie designed a pinning machine and demonstrated the pneu - matic “headless pinner” by inserting pins into a smooth birch roller according to the arranged midi file on his computer. Char - lie wrote all of computer programs for this process and he described some of the challenges of adapting a new tune to the 20 note scale of the Gem Roller Organ. The automated pinning machine was designed and built in 2002. The basic idea of the pinner is similar to the original. A blank roller is rotated with a lead screw so that pins can be installed along a continuous spiral path. The new pinner utilizes a modern pneumatic tool to install copper plated headless pins whereas the original pinner used a complicated mechanism to sequence the cutting and insertion of pins from a spool of steel wire. The original pinner used a step and repeat process to copy a master pattern. The new pinner is computer controlled using a stepper motor and a miniature gear box stepper motor to precise - ly position pins at any point along the spiral path. Charlie shows a newly pinned music roller for the Cob organ The new master pattern is a data file with pin positions
252 AAMICAMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 Boston Area
President - Phil Konop Reporter - Phil Konop Photo - Bill Koenigsberg
The Spring meeting of the Chapter was held April 11 at the home of Bob Hunt in Kennebunk, Maine. The social hour took place before and after the business meeting. Bob’s daughter Tracey set out a nice spread of refreshments. Chapter President Phil Konop called the meeting to order, with proceedings fairly routine. Candidates were proposed for the 2010 year. A lot of interest was generated concerning the Buffalo Convention; Kirk Russell, Bill Koenigsberg, and Bob Hunt said they plan to go. Bob Hunt has a fine workshop where he does restora - tions. His prototype Franklin Ampico is quite interesting. Rather Charlie designed the machine that "shoots" than a wind motor to drive the rolls, it has a wind-up spring dri - the headless pins into the birch roller. ven motor. The spring is wound by linkages that couple it to the pedals that pump the piano. Members also enjoyed the late Behr Bros. piano with Kohler Autopiano Recordo, recently restored, and the Jacob Brothers Oak upright with Pianocorder and Mark Fontana MIDI interface software. Bob’s invention, the VirtualRoll e-valve system was the subject of a manufacturing tour and demonstrations.
Charlie playing the "New American Musical Box"
Bob Hunt describing the evolution of his VirtualRoll e-valve system.
Bill Flynt looks on and Charlie gets his workout as he plays "The Hallelujah Chorus" on the Aeolian Orchestrelle Model V
Ed Note: MBSI members may wish to view the full repinning arti - cle at: ts Franklin Ampico with Virtual Roll e-valve system. Both piano and Virtual http://tinyurl.com/2bo8ex9 Roll are prototypes. The piano was made in 1922, the Virtual Roll is serial #1, built in 2001. Chapter President Phil Konop checks it out.
AAMICAMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 253 from Joe’s high level of knowledge about each instrument. A partial list includes: Lampograph, American Fotoplayer, Bruder band organ, Wurlitzer carousel organ, Double Mills Violano, Tel- Electric player, Marshall & Wendell Ampico reproducing piano. During the business meeting, several items were given special consideration; one was what to do about the player piano the chapter restored and donated to the Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation in November 2009. The museum is located in a mill next to the Charles River, and mid-March this year brought heavy rains to all of New England, with the piano suffering a 13 inch depth of water. A volunteer will examine the instrument and recommend what needs to be done. Discussion also centered on possible new projects that could be undertaken, but getting the museum piano back in busi - ness requires attention first. In connection with setting the loca - Bob Hunt and Behr Bros. Recordo. tion of the fall meeting, there was a review of former venues. On May 30, 2010, the chapter lost a former member and good friend of mechanical music. It was Dr. Mark P. Malkovich III, in his capacity as Artistic Director of the Newport Music Fes - tival, who arranged to feature the Mason and Hamlin upright Welte-Mignon of Bob Bowerman in the July 2008 Festival. Considerable exposure and publicity for AMICA was generated at that time. The Newport Music Festival is a 16-day series of chamber music concerts in the Newport, Rhode Island mansions. Mark met his death in a single vehicle automobile accident while out-of-state helping a relative move. He had been Artistic Direc - tor of the Festival for 35 years, and the whole Rhode Island com - munity is in a state of shock, with the current year’s Festival opening July 9.
Behr Bros. Recordo– pump and expression. Among the Lavacchia col - lections are four popcorn machines, of which this is an example
Roll on a computer playing piano on the other side of the room (the Franklin)
BoSToN AREA
President - Phil Konop Reporter: Dorothy Bromage Photographers: Bill Koenigsberg and Phyllis Konop Lampograph
The summer meeting of the Chapter was held June 13 at the home of Joe and Pat Lavacchia in Woburn, MA. The two of them helped found the Boston Area Chapter and over the years have been host to a number of successful meetings. Their collec - tions are extraordinary, with members and guests benefitting
254 AAMICAMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 Tom Ahearn, Kirk Russell, Paul Lehrman, and Phyllis Konop in front of the Tel-Electric piano. Tiffany style lights cover the whole ceiling.
Chapter President Phil Konop asked Joe Lavacchia to tell about collecting.
Joe demonstrates the American Fotoplayer. Paul Lehrman and Jack Breen are attentive.
Mills Double Chris Christiansen, Norm Daly, Joe Lavacchia, Gerry Patrick, Violano Allan Jayne, and Tom Ahearn.
Jack Breen, Bob Hunt, and Paul Lehrman
AAMICAMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 255 Rocky Mountain President - Jere DeBacker Occasional Reporter: Art Reblitz Photos: Bill Decker and Art Reblitz Our hosts, Ed, Kathy, About 15 chapter members met at the home of Ed and and Karen Karen Zimmerman in Denver on Saturday, June 26, 2010. As Zimmerman guests arrived, we had a bit of unanticipated excitement as six large fire engines occupied most of the block, with the fire crew dousing a large pine tree that had been struck by lightning in a neighbor's yard. Once we assembled inside, Ed gave us a detailed tour of their fascinating and diverse collection, sharing collecting stories and the history of many rare clocks, music boxes and other auto - matic instruments, antique gambling machines, firearms, carousel animals, Meissen porcelain figurines, automata, and historic Col - orado artifacts. A few of these are described and pictured here. Several of the Zimmerman's antiques, including an upright slot machine, originally came from the Keystone Hotel, built by Ed's great-grandfa - ther, John Ed demonstrating Zimmerman. a Symphonion John was a Style 37St clock Colorado pio - playing 11¾" neer who built discs. the hotel in Poudre Canyon west of Fort Collins in 1896. His The Keystone Hotel , built by Ed Zimmerman's great hand work grandfather John, brick by brick, in 1896. In the extended as far 1940s, the Zimmerman family sold the property to the state of Colorado to be used as a fish hatchery. The as making his hotel building was to be preserved and used as game own bricks for warden school, but the state razed it within a year. this ornate structure! After Ed's tour, Jere DeBacker presided over a business Magician meeting. We discussed possible future meetings at the sites of automaton two of Colorado's carousels - Burlington, near the Kansas border made by on the eastern plains, and Nederland, in the mountains west of Lambert. Denver. Ken Hodge described a performance that he and his friend Pat Moore gave, cranking his Verbeeck organ at the entrance to the Colorado Governor's Mansion during a celebra - tion promoting Eastern Colorado tourism in early June. The organ was a big hit, giving AMICA and automatic music some excellent exposure to the public. The meeting was adjourned and we all enjoyed a great meal prepared by the Zimmermans, with pot luck side dishes. Denver and surrounding communities are located in one Rare, early of the most beautiful regions of North America. If you plan on model #3 traveling to this area, be sure to check our meeting schedule NCR wood - because guests are always welcome at our chapter meetings! en cash We wish to thank the Zimmerman family for hosting our register. meeting and sharing the history of many items in their collection with us.
Art Reblitz
256 AAMICAMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 Seeburg H orchestri - on, previ - ously in the Milhous Collection.
Carousel Cockerel from the turn of the last century, carved by Frederick Savage.
Westminster Abby Cathedral skeleton clock.
Ed describing several mystery clocks, automata and antique gambling devices displayed on the ornate back bar.
The Mills Hi-Boy, the first selective jukebox produced by the Mills Novelty Jere DeBacker and Company in the Ed Zimmerman late 1920s. with a 15½" Regina disc-changing music box.
Marilyn and Bill Decker, Ed Zimmerman as Jere DeBacker conducts the business meeting, with the beautiful flower garden in the back - Ed Zimmerman and the Seeburg H restoration team: ground. Art Reblitz, Kathy Zimmerman and Bob Grunow.
AAMICAMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 257 and motorcycles, in wonderful condition. We were also given a Southern California tour of Mary’s workshop, where she readies the items she takes to her antique shop in Pasadena. President - Richard Ingram Mary put on a spread of food for us with the help of a Reporter - Shirley Nix friend, and we all left there a few pounds heavier than when we Photos – Lowell Boehland and Shirley Nix arrived. Richard is a really good narrator, and his stories of how he Our May 1 meeting was held at the lovely home of obtained the items he has kept us amused and interested. It was a Richard and Mary Thomas in Leona Valley. The trip was beauti - wonderful day, and we thank Richard and Mary for their warm ful with poppies and lilacs growing along the road. They built a hospitality. huge “storage room”, with very high ceilings and a great place When we were ready to go Richard had available a map for the collections. of the poppy fields for anyone who wished to take a detour on the way home. We decided to take a look, but we left a little late in the afternoon when many of the flowers had closed we started to think perhaps it wasn’t the right time to see wildflowers. However, when we got up to the actual poppy fields it was an amazing sight….whole hillsides and meadows of the bright orange of the California poppies. A wonderful show of one of Mother Nature’s most beautiful tableaus. It was well worth the detour and made a good finish to a great day..
The Thomas family, Utomi (daughter-in-law), Maia (granddaughter), Mary and Richard
Richard and Mary are true collectors, with a love of things unusual. In fact, Richard showed us some things of which he had no idea of their intended use, but they were interesting and he had to have them. They have old typewriters, medical oddities, bookends, watches, pens, and too many more fascinat - ing things to mention. The focal point of the meeting was their large 1925 View of the great room from the balcony DeCap organ in a beautiful classic case, which is very unusual. This instrument had just been restored by Johnny Verbeeck and his son, and was the star of the show. They bought this organ Maia from Hathaway and Bowers for what was a huge sum at that Thomas entertains time, having never regretted it. They have moved it several times us with a from place to place, and now it resides in their huge music room. piano Actually, perhaps I spoke too soon, since the star of the concert. show had to be their granddaughter, Maia, who played a Debussy number for us on the Welte upright piano. That was the true highlight of the day. She is a real beauty, and has the personality to match, along with being a very good pianist. Other musical instruments include a Phillips, with xylo - phone, which played nicely for us with a good sound. A North Tonawanda Circus Wagon, a specially made beautiful wooden case Tangley Calliope home model, a really nice Western Electric with piano and mandolin playing “A” rolls, an Aeolian Grand Reed Organ, Mira and Regina Music Boxes, two rare jukeboxes, Frank and a few other goodies. Nix holds Richard played a special demonstration CD he got when the busi - he installed his home theater system. It was a really fantastic dis - ness play of “mechanical music” gone wild. That was a big hit with meeting everyone. In the garage we were treated to the sight of hot rods
258 AAMICAMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 Group picture in front of the DeCap
Marietta Guzzo, Dave Bernstein, Lloyd Osmundson and Maria Poitras enjoy looking at the race cars and motorcycles. Jack Conway and Robin Biggins admire the Antique Popcorn Machine
One of the race cars...a real beauty
This gorgeous carpet of orange is one of the poppy fields.
AAMICAMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 259 The DeCap organ in an unusual classic case
260 AAMICAMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 We were free to wander the grounds after the meeting, Southern California while in the background the Lovely Limonaire played for us, and President - Richard Ingram some of the plants on display found new homes right then. The Reporter - Shirley Nix variety of cacti and succulents is amazing, and here in Southern Photos - Ed Cooley California where we face drought conditions the water-misers are becoming more popular all the time. Well, we here in Southern California usually have our We really thank Dave for his gracious invitation and for meetings in member’s homes or at some other appropriate loca - opening up the nursery for us after he closed for the day. tion, but our June 6th meeting was unusual, to say the least. We were lucky enough to have Dave Bernstein, owner of The Cali - fornia Nursery Specialties, Cactus Garden, invite us to have a potluck meal and meeting at his fascinating place.
Shirley Nix, Frank Nix, Dave Bernstein - "Did that dinosaur move?" Bill Blair seated, not worried about a dinosaur. Where else would you be told “you can’t miss it, just watch for the Dinosaurs in the front yard”? That’s just what we looked for this time, and sure enough, there was a HUGE Tyran - nosaurus Rex there to watch us as we came in loaded with our offerings for the potluck dinner. At one point a strange noise sounded, and we wondered if the monster had decided to have his own potluck dinner, with us as the main dish? From the entrance we proceeded on to the tables set up for us, and there was Dave’s newest addition, a beautiful Regina 15 ½” Music Box which he bought at a great price, since it was - Just one row of the wonderful displays at the Cactus Garden n’t working, but just a little oil and some tweaking by Robin Big - gin’s magic hands and it works just fine. It’s a lovely box and Dave is justifiably proud of it. Behind the Regina stood his Limonaire Fairground Organ, which is a beautiful instrument just to look at, and it sounds beautiful. It has a different case for a Fairground Organ, as you can see by the accompanying picture. We started off the evening with dinner, which was really a grand affair. The club furnished chicken and everyone brought the side dishes, salads, and desserts, and everyone used their imagination and culinary skills to make it a memorable meal. After dinner came the short business meeting, and then Dave told us how he got hooked on succulents and cacti when he did a project in school. He decided then and there that he wanted to be involved with them for his lifetime career. He found a piece of property large enough to hold a good-sized nursery, bought the property and never looked back. He was lucky Cacti - large and small enough to have an income-producing business involving things he loved, and his wholesale business has thrived all these years.
AAMICAMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 261 Lady Liberty
President - John Dousmanis Reporter- Martin “Buzz” Rosa
Our chapter was devastated by the death of Marvin Polan in January and he has already been missed at the meetings. Dianne still requested that we hold a meeting in her home as soon as possible. That came about on May 22nd. For Dianne to request a meeting in her home so soon after Marvin’s passing was astounding. We of the Lady Liberty Chapter commend her. Following a wonderful lunch Vincent Morgan, chapter Vice President brought the meeting to order as the chapter Presi - dent was held up in traffic trying to get out of Manhattan. Pre - One thing AMICANs can do is eat sent were several former members and some new guests as well. Jere Ryder took Marvin’s place in demonstrating the many instruments in the Polan collection. Chapter VP, Vincent and Treasurer, Maryam remembered that the very first meeting that they attended was also held in the Polan house ten years ago.
Dave thanks Noel Burndahl for making the Limonaire the great instrument it is
Bob Stuhmer entertains the Amica members and Vince Morgan on Dianne Polan's Hofbauer Street Organ
Steve Ryder demon - strates a Mira box to Myra, who had never Diane Minzey, Jerry Pell and Kelly Peters seen one before.
262 AAMICAMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 Vince brings the meeting to order after the lunch.
Jerry Maler enjoys a tune played on the Orchestrelle Myra Ruiz gets a Orchestrelle lesson from Richard Karlson as Allen Dreyfuss pumps away as Dale Rowe waits his turn.
AAMICAMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 263 AMICAns in the Spotlight Liz & Mike Barnhart
Dayton Daily News Dayton, OH 15 May 2010
A World A'Fair: A popular reminder of the Miami Valley's cultural diversity
DAYTON, OH — For some, it's about exotic foods from many lands. For others, it's about lively entertainment and colorful costumes. But mostly, A World A'Fair is about the variety of peo - ple who live in our Miami Valley and the fascinating cultures they represent. In its 35th year, the Dayton International Festival typi - cally attracts 20,000 men, women and children, including 4,000 volunteers and entertainers. The popular event is scheduled for Friday, May 16, through Sunday, May 18, at the Dayton Conven - Liz Barnhart with their chimp and draaiorgel. tion Center. Larry Karp The Daily Page Madison, WI 9 June 2010
The Ragtime Fool by Larry Karp
This is the final book in Karp's trilogy (following The Ragtime Kid and The King of Ragtime). We first met Brun Campbell in 1899, when he was a 16-year-old whose hero was Scott Joplin. The year is now 1951 and the setting is a Scott Joplin festival in Sedalia, Missouri. Here, Campbell meets a 17-year- old ragtime fan, Alan Chandler, and they're mutually fascinated by Joplin's recently discovered journal. But the journal is in the possession of Joplin's widow, who is failing both physically and mentally. The Klan also makes an appearance in this portrait of the 1950's South. TREVERIS plays in the role of a Dutch Street Organ to a crowd of 20,000 attendees and 4000 participants in the Dayton World A'Fair. The ribbon is the President's Award presented to the Netherlands booth display. The open back of TREVERIS drew as much attention as the front. Liz (with her chimp and Larry draaiorgel) and Mike were honorary Dutch for the occasion. Karp at a book sign - ing.
264 AAMICAMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 continued from page 234 Queens Gazette Some might consider a cemetery as a strange location Long Island City, NY for a concert, with the graves of so many standing just a few feet 26 May 2010 away from the swanky ragtime tunes. “We are here today to remember the dead with love and Ragtime Composer Joplin Celebrated affection,” Horn said. “Most people associate a cemetery with At Final Resting Place death, sadness and being depressed, however we feel that doing a concert like this is a way of showing that a cemetery can also be BY JASON D. ANTOS a celebration of life.” It was ironic that Joplin’s music should be played within COLUMBIA, MO - The music of ragtime legend Scott earshot of his grave a hundred yards away, considering that his Joplin was celebrated at his final resting place on May 23 at St. wife would not allow his famous “Maple Leaf Rag” to be played Michael’s Cemetery in East Elmhurst. Joplin was an African at the funeral. It was Joplin’s final request. Joplin died on April 1, American composer and pianist, born near Texarkana, Texas in 1917 in Manhattan at age 49 as a pauper. He is buried at St. 1868. He achieved fame for his unique ragtime compositions and Michael’s in a community grave in between two women. The was dubbed tombstone only bears his name. the “King of During his brief career, Joplin wrote 44 original ragtime Ragtime”. pieces, one ragtime ballet and two operas. One of his first pieces, The “The Maple Leaf Rag” became ragtime’s first and most influen - annual celebra - tial hit. tion and barbe - “He composed music unlike any ever before written,” cue, now in its Joplin biographer Edward Berlin said. Berlin, author of King of fifth year, Ragtime: Scott Joplin and His Era was on hand to enjoy the allowed fans of music and teach ragtime enthusiasts about Joplin’s life. Joplin and rag - Joplin’s music was rediscovered in the early 1970s with time the oppor - the release of a million-selling album of Joplin’s rags recorded by tunity to wit - Joshua Rifkin, followed by the Oscar winning movie “The Sting” ness and enjoy in 1973 which featured several of his compositions, such as “The a live musical Entertainer”. In 1976, Joplin was posthumously awarded the performance. Pulitzer Prize. “Today’s concert was [a] wonderful celebration of a “Every year it great composer and a great American,” Congressmember Car - keeps getting olyn B. Maloney said. Maloney then danced with ballroom more and more dancer James Lake to the tune of “42nd Street”. popular,” St. The event and food for the barbecue was sponsored in Michael’s part by Celeste Beatty & Harlem Brewing Company, Gus Cemetery Antonopoulos of Farenga & Sons Funeral Home, Kevin Mack of Director of The final resting place of Scott Joplin at St. Michael’s Cemetery in East Elmhurst. Thomas M. Quinn & Sons Funeral Home, John Golden of Glea - Community Photo Jason D. Antos son Funeral Home and George L. Stamatiades of David Funeral Relations Ed Home and Thomas M. Quinn & Sons Funeral Home. Horn said. “We anticipate this year to have the largest turnout.” St. Michael’s Cemetery, located at 72-02 Astoria Blvd., The music of Joplin and his contemporaries was per - was established in 1852 and is one of the oldest religious, non - formed by the world renowned Vince Giordano and the profit cemeteries in the metropolitan area. Owned and operated Nighthawks Orchestra. The audience marveled to the live sounds by St. Michael’s Church, an Episcopal congregation located on of the piano, bass, banjo, clarinet, trumpet and rare instruments the Upper West Side of Manhattan, it is open to people of all like the phono-fiddle, a violin with an attached horn. faiths. “It is so important to support all types of live music,” Aside from the Joplin musical tribute, St. Michael’s Giordano told the Gazette. “Especially this genre of music Cemetery also features a Valentine’s Day concert in February and because it is so rarely seen.” a lasting tribute to the firefighters from Queens firehouses who The Brooklyn born Giordano joined the musicians’ perished on September 11, 2001. The centerpiece is a monument union at age 14 and started playing with Dixieland banjo bands dedicated to fallen firefighter Christopher Santora. around Long Island. In 1976, Vince Giordano and the “This cemetery is an affirmation of life,” Christopher’s Nighthawks Orchestra were formed. The band has performed at mother Maureen Santora said. the Smithsonian, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and jazz festivals For more information about Vince Giordano and the around the world. They also provided music for Francis Ford Nighthawks Orchestra call 718-376- 3489 or email vincegior - Coppola’s film “The Cotton Club” and worked with Dick [email protected] Hyman’s Orchestra on several soundtracks for Woody Allen. For more information about St. Michael’s Cemetery Other films include “Finding Forrester” and Martin Scorsese’s contact Ed Horn via email [email protected] or by “The Aviator”. Giordano has more than 40,000 scores in his col - phone 718-278-3240 or visit www.stmichaelscemetery.com lection.
AAMICAMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 265 South Shore News Tribune for each scene. Tampa, FL She once said she memorized the main themes and 15 May 2010 would improvise as the movie played. Sometimes she injected snippets of modern pop music such as slipping The Beatles' "Yel - Rosa Rio, beloved Tampa Theatre low Submarine" during a "The Phantom of the Opera" scene in organist, dies at 107 which the phantom is hiding under the water. She studied music at Oberlin College and silent film By WALT BELCHER accompaniment at The Eastman School of Music. Rio accompa - nied silent films in movie palaces in New York and New Orleans. TAMPA, FL - Rosa Rio, the beloved Tampa Theatre During the 1930s, she was hired by NBC to play in the organist whose professional career spanned more than 90 years, all-male studio orchestra. She was supposed to be a temporary died Thursday at age 107. replacement while they searched for a man. She stayed for 22 years and even had her own radio show, "Rosa Rio Rhythms," which was broadcast coast to coast and to troops overseas during World War II. According to the Tampa Theatre website, since 1996, Rosa has performed for more than 30 silent film presentations for full houses. Her last performance was in August 2009.
Ed Note: Contributed by Lee Lanier
Herald Tribune Sarasota, FL 3 June 2010 Rosa Rio, Theatre Organist, dies at 107 The Mighty Wurlitzer "She went peacefully and I miss her already," said Bill Yeoman, her husband and manager. will play its final song "She had been fighting intestinal flu and it just wore her By Christopher O'Donnell out. She told me, 'Daddy, I want to go. Don't stop me.' "But she was a trooper and she loved show business." ELLENTON, FL - When the show starts at the Roaring "She will be missed. It's like I lost my best friend," says 20s Pizza and Pipes restaurant, an organist behind a sea of key - Tara Schroeder, Tampa Theatre's director of programming and a boards rises slowly from beneath the floor. close friend of Rio. He sits like a god, surrounded by a cathedral of 3,000 The theater is planning a memorial celebration of her pipes that jut high into the air. life, possibly on June 2, which is Rio's birthday. A child prodigy, Rio began playing music for silent films for a movie theater in her hometown of New Orleans when she was 10. She played piano and organ for most of her life in a career that took her to Manhattan in the 1930s and '40s, when she became "Queen of the Soaps." She played organ accompaniment for dozens of soap operas and radio dramas, including "The Shadow" with Orson Welles and "The Bob and Ray Show," "Cavalcade of America," "My True Story" and "The Goldbergs." Rio had played Tampa Theatre's 1,400-pipe Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Organ since 1996, shortly after she and Yeo - man moved to Tampa to escape the cold winters of Connecticut. She once said she was fortunate to have been able to bounce back from the end of the silent film era, the end of radio dramas and end of the big band era. "I love to work, I love to play the organ and I had to Staff organist Dwight Thomas plays the Wurlitzer, a theater pipe eat," she joked in a 1998 Tampa Tribune article. organ, at Roaring 20s restaurant on Wednesday. She was known for her charm, her energy and her sense The walls around him are filled with dozens of instru - of humor. ments -- marimbas, xylophones, a full horn section -- linked by She would meticulously prepare for each performance 26 miles of wires. by watching the silent film several times and planning for sound effects and the right mood music
266 AAMICAMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 The music starts and patrons dining on pizza or sipping Yet customers were sparse on a recent afternoon as a draft beer are surrounded by music, full and rich and orchestral, organist Bill Vlasak played "Crazy," a song made famous by led by the pipes and rounded out by the automated instruments Patsy Cline. With his left foot, Vlasak pressed floor pedals that that chime in at the organist's touch. produced almost sub-sonic bass notes while his hands played the For 11 years, the experience has made the Roaring 20s a song's melody and held down chords that swelled out of the local landmark. pipes, the largest of which are 16 feet high and 14 inches in But keeping the restaurant open has become impossible diameter. in an economy devastated by the recession and the collapse of the Seated on one of the restaurant's long benches, Ruth and housing market. Jack Byerts listened as they ate french fries. Faced with declining revenues and the possible loss of Spending Tuesdays at the restaurant is a routine for the his home, owner Bill Dickerson is closing. On Sunday, the organ Manatee couple. He would write five or six song requests on a that in 1931 entertained moviegoers in a movie theater in Oak - card that the organist would almost always play. land, Calif., will rise from the floor one last time. "Stars and Stripes Forever," "Oklahoma" and "In the By rights, the music should have stopped three years Mood" are among his favorites. ago, when a downturn in business led to a $700,000 drop in The Byertses don't know what they will do on Tuesdays annual sales. now. But until now, Dickerson could not face silencing the "For nine years we've been coming here," said Ruth Mighty Wurlitzer. Byerts. "I'll miss this place so much." Hopeful to the last, Dickerson is still trying to find a new home for the organ, perhaps at a new Tampa Bay Rays stadi - Dayton Daily News um if one is built. Dayton, OH But unless he can find a buyer or someone to take it, the 30 May 2010 organ will be the property of his lender. Dickerson is in a race to sell the restaurant so he can Carillon’s Heritage Festival makes avoid going into foreclosure on his home. The price: $3 million history by featuring new bell system for the building and land, and $200,000 for the organ. And yet, despite everything, there is no regret in the 49- By Meredith Moss year-old's blue eyes. Staff Writer "People came in in a bad mood -- they left dancing," Dickerson said. "I've done my job." DAYTON, OH - For the first time in its 68-year-history, Dickerson's organ was originally purchased by the own - the largest carillon in Ohio was awash in red, white and blue, ers of the Paramount Theatre in Oakland for $20,000 in 1931. greens and purples. The Wurlitzer Company manufactured them for theater As part of the all-day 2010 Dayton Heritage Festival on owners who wanted to save money by using automated orches - Sunday, May 30, Deeds Carillon presented its first public concert tral instruments instead of paying pit orchestras. using a new performance system, also coordinating its famous But the end of silent movies spelled the end for the bells with a light and fireworks show. organs in theaters. An estimated 12,000 people came to enjoy the picture- Dickerson found the organ for sale in Indianapolis, perfect day and a variety of free family activities at Carillon His - where it had been a feature of the Paramount Music Palace until torical Park. it closed in 1995. By midafternoon, Jaye Mullins and her mom had toured It took more than 2,500 hours to rebuild and another the historic exhibits, enjoyed the music of the Classic Jazz Stom - 1,700 hours to install. pers, and settled into their collapsible chairs for the Dayton Phil - Organ buffs classify the organ as a 4/42, meaning it has harmonic Orchestra’s rehearsal. four keyboards and 42 sets of pipes, making it one of the largest “We come at noon so we can get shady spots,” said organs in the United States, said Ken Double, president of the Mullins who is from Springboro and planned to stay for the American Theatre Organ Society. evening concert and fireworks. “This place makes you proud that Double, who played the organ when it was in Indianapo - so many intelligent people came out of Dayton — like Kettering, lis, said the number of pizza restaurants with pipe organs in the Deeds, the Wright brothers. We come back every year because United States has dwindled from around 70 to a handful. there’s always something new and different to learn from the "I was around in Indianapolis when that restaurant guides in each of the buildings. closed and the organ found a home here," he said. "Now here we That’s precisely what organizers of the annual event are for the second time -- it's a sad moment." have in mind. The size of the Mighty Wurlitzer meant Dickerson had Brady Kress, Dayton History president and chief execu - to dream big. tive officer, said the festival provides an opportunity to focus on To house the organ, the restaurant needed to be 10,500 the stories at the park and highlight its 35 buildings and exhibits. square feet. Construction alone cost about $3 million. In addition to the historic demonstrations — from hearth For a while, the Roaring 20s did a bustling trade. cooking and kite making to log hewing and musket firing — the Close to sprawling mobile home parks such as Colony big news this year was the late-night sound-and-light extravagan - Cove, with its roughly 2,200 homes, it was a weekly treat for za. The new mechanical system, which plays the carillon key - many residents. board to ring the bells, is actuated by a computer-based selection
AAMICAMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 267 and scheduling program and is one of the first completed compo - talked to each other. He thought a piano might help bring people nents in a Carillon Park master plan. together in places like that. Woodcarver Tim Gorka, using chisels and gouges to The results in other cities have been surprising and life- carve a princess carousel horse, is another part of the future plan. changing, he said in an interview. A woman in Sao Paulo heard The hope is to have a full-sized wooden carousel where folks can her daughter play for the first time on one of Jer-ram's pianos in a “ride” Dayton’s history on everything from a cash register and train station. The mother had worked to pay for lessons for four soap box derby car to a Gerstner tool box and a Wright Flyer. years, but the family had no piano at home. Seven-year-old Ella Florkey of Centerville kept stop - In Sydney, a couple met at a piano and are now married, Jer - ping back to check on the progress of the candles being dipped ram said. on a candle wheel by costumed intern Ashley Laker. The Univer - On Thursday, Bloomberg and other city officials unveiled a sity of Dayton senior is an education major who decided the piano in a waterfront park in Queens, where passersby welcomed hands-on internship was an innovative way to approach educa - the art installation. tion. "It seems like a good idea that brings a sense of fun and play - Ella agreed. She’d already learned that the candles fulness to the city," said David Rosenfeld, who was riding his smelled like honey because they were made from beeswax, and bike in the area. that it took 70-80 dips to get a good-sized candle. Most pianos will be open for song until 10 p.m. Explained the little girl: “I’ve always wanted to experi - After the art installation concludes, the pianos will be donated ence the olden days.” to schools and hospitals, according to Sing for Hope, a non-profit that co-ordinated the New York project. Globe and Mail Toronto, ON, Canada 19 June 2010 Hey New York, Sit and Play A while BY SARA KUGLER FRAZIER Associated Press Consider them keys to the city: Anyone who gets a sudden itch to tickle the ivories will be able to play free public pianos in 50 places throughout New York, from the Coney Island board - walk to the Metropolitan Museum. An art installation touring the world is making its first stop in the United States beginning Monday. For two weeks, players can play tunes on pianos all over New York, at famous landmarks like the Lincoln Center, the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge, the Staten Island ferry terminal and Central Park's bandshell. The concept, devised by British artist Luke Jerram, has put more than 130 pianos in parks, squares and bus stations since 2008 in cities including London, Sydney and Sao Paulo. And now it's New York's turn to play, Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced Thursday. "There's going to be a huge amount of talent here," Jerram said in an interview. "The piano's actually a blank canvas for Carolyn Enger, from Englewood, N.J., plays a piano in Brooklyn everyone's creativity, really, so I just hope that the city enjoys it." Bridge Park in the Brooklyn borough of New York, Monday, June The New York installation will be the largest in the project. It 21, 2010. The piano, one of 60, is part of an art installation tour - is double the size of the previous largest - 30 pianos in London ing the world that makes its first U.S. stop in New York. The con - cept has put more than 130 pianos in parks, squares and bus last year. stations in cities from London to Sydney, Australia. Each of the 60 pianos to be installed throughout New York (AP Photo/Richard Drew) has its own attendants responsible for its care. That involves unlocking the keyboard at 9 a.m. every day and deploying a heavy tarp over the instrument if it rains. The pianos were donated for the cause and have been painted and decorated by artists. They will be delivered to 27 locations in Manhattan, 10 in Brooklyn, five in Queens and four each in Staten Island and the Bronx. Jerram got the idea at his local coin-operated laundry, accord - ing to a website about the project (www.streetpianos.com). He saw the same people there every weekend, but none of them
268 AAMICAMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 Adirondack Daily Register people to help us the rest of the way." Saranac Lake, NY Supporters of the carousel said they felt people would 16 June 2010 come forward with in-kind support and more donations once the project breaks ground. Carousel organizers poised "I think you're going to see the community rally when to break ground they know this is going to happen," said Emily Fogarty. By CHRIS KNIGHT, Why a carousel? Enterprise Senior Staff Writer Adirondack Carousel board member Webster Parker SARANAC LAKE, NY - A project that's been nearly a delivered a pre - decade in the making could finally break ground in August. sentation on the Adirondack Carousel board members will meet tonight background of to make that decision after hosting a pair of public meetings in the project, high - the last two weeks on the $1 million project, which involves con - lighting the rea - structing a 3,500-square-foot building in William Morris Park to sons why orga - house an Adirondack-themed carousel. nizers feel the The all-volunteer group behind the project had asked carousel will be a local residents to weigh in on the fate of the carousel which, after benefit to nine years of development and several stops and starts, is at a Saranac Lake. He make or break point. said it will "If it doesn't happen this August, it's not going to hap - strengthen the pen," said Marge Glowa of Onchiota, chair of the carousel board, community, help Adirondack Carousel board member Web - during Tuesday's meeting held in the Saranac Lake Free Library's promote the arts, ster Parker talks about the potential benefits Cantwell Community Room. the carousel could bring to Saranac Lake at foster education a public meeting on the project Tuesday at About 40 people showed up, and those who spoke through children's offered nothing but support for the carousel. the Saranac Lake Free Library. nature and sci - (Enterprise photo — Chris Knight) "Everyone I've talked to about this project, which is a ence workshops, significant amount of people, is in favor of it," said the Rev. provide entertainment and give a boost to the economy by Randy Cross of Adirondack Alliance Church. becoming "a new tourist attraction in the Adirondacks." "I think it will be really good for the merchants," said Parker admitted, however, that the carousel board can't Carla Sternberg, of Two Horse Trade Company on Broadway. "It project just what kind of an economic impact the project will will be another draw, another thing to keep people downtown." have for hotel, motel, restaurant and other business owners. Keith Wells, president of the Saranac Lake Area Cham - "We can't project that with any detail into the future," he ber of Commerce, said the project could be "an icon" for the said. "But we can say that we're pretty sure the carousel will not area. result in less of that. We can also say this is one more item for Petrova Elementary School Principal Josh Dann offered people to come to this community and stay in this community. to raise awareness about the carousel in the school district We believe it will have economic implications." through faculty meetings and other events. When the meeting came to a close, carousel board mem - Location bers said they got the feedback they were hoping for. "We threw it out to the community to ask 'Is this what After a three year search for a suitable site, the village Saranac Lake wants?'" Glowa said. "Clearly you can see it is. I agreed to allow the carousel to be built in William Morris Park. think we have a very strong sense that there is the support to go In December 2006, the village approved an operating agreement forward." with the carousel's board. The village Planning Board approved Karen Loffler, who first proposed building the carousel the project in November of that year. in the village in 2001, acknowledged that those who may have The carousel would be housed in a 3,500-square-foot concerns about the project likely didn't show up for Tuesday's pavilion building that includes an area for lectures, meetings and meeting or the one held last week. displays, along with offices, storage space and restrooms. The "We know we're definitely preaching to the people who carousel itself will be made up of 23 hand-carved and hand- believe in the carousel," she said. "We wish some of those other painted Adirondack-themed animals, like a salamander, raccoon, people would come here and see what we're doing or invite us to black fly and a loon. their group to see what we're doing for the community." New playground equipment will be added to the park as Carousel board members weren't just seeking vocal sup - part of the project. The playground will be located on the site of port for the project Tuesday, they were also looking for volun - the existing basketball court. Several of the swing sets in the park teers to help shepherd the carousel through to completion. More will remain. than $800,000 in donations, grants and in-kind services have been collected so far, and another $265,000 is needed. Operation "A small group of us in the community has gotten 75 percent of the way," Glowa said. "We need commitments from The carousel would be run by a full-time executive
AAMICAMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 269 director who would also be responsible for marketing, promoting and coordinating carousel events. Part-time help would be hired seasonally. The Flying The current plan is to run the carousel 85 days in its first Horses in year, then ramp up operations to as many as 175 days over the Oak Bluffs is next four to five years. the oldest "We have a vision of starting slowly and then expanding still-operating it," Parker said. "We're taking a conservative approach here." carousel in The total operating cost of the carousel in its first year is the United States. estimated at $88,200, with $60,000 in projected revenue through ticket and merchandise sales. Parker said the difference would have to be made up through funding from foundations, grants, memberships, an endowment and other sources. "Local taxes are not part of the equation," he said.
Groundbreaking
The final decision on whether groundbreaking for the project will take place in August will be made when the carousel board meets tonight. Glowa said work has to begin by mid- August in order for the structure to be closed in for winter. "It appears like we're leaning towards that," Loffler said. Mary got a "I'm excited to see that even after this amount of time, some of bunch of the real prominent community members are saying 'let's make rings but this happen.' I'm optimistic and I'm excited." unfortunately, not a brass Post-Intelligencer one. Seattle, WA 15 June 2010
The Flying Horses of Martha's Vineyard
On Saturday we went back to Oak Bluffs on the island of Martha's Vineyard specifically to experience the Flying Hors - es. It was closed when were there on Thursday. Of course, Mary had to actually ride one of them! The News Herald The carousel was built in 1876 and moved to Martha's Willoughby, Ohio Vineyard in 1884. The original carousel horses had real horsehair 30 April 2010 manes and tales, and their oxide eyes each contained a tiny hand- carved animal - traditions carried over to the current horses. The current carousel has been well cared for and is in excellent condi - Historical Society marches into tion. Good for another 100 years! summer with band organs, festival I did not ride them as I've done so several times in the By Janet Podolak past. Besides, I had to take Mary's picture for you to see her in [email protected] action! I love Mary's exuberance of life. In many she's still a child and still gets excited over the many things we share togeth - Lake County Historical Society moved mountains in er. I hope she'll always remain that way. 2009 and is now on the verge of making miracles, Kathie Purmal, the agency’s executive director said. The occasion for her message was the society’s annual meeting, a dinner this week, that took place in its Heritage Hall and drew board members, politicians and Historical Society It's so members. old the horses Its Painesville Township headquarters in the century-old do not go former Lake County Home is still a work in progress, but last up and year included the moving of its Living History Village from its down. former site in Kirtland Hills to the new grounds at 415 Riverside Drive. “It was a $60,000 project to move the village those 12
270 AAMICAMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 miles,” Purmal said. “But children’s education director Carrie downtown Nederland. Plummer didn’t miss a beat. Not only did she oversee the move, Rides will be available from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 29-30. but once the village was in place we saw 2,500 school children There also will be free live music and entertainment. Rides on the come through the village and the Pioneer School.” carousel are $1. Rides will continue to be offered from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily through Sept. 6 Its Lake County History Museum was able to get four The grand opening will be the culmination of Harrison's 24 exhibit rooms open for the holiday season, when it offered the years carving the animals, lovingly restoring the carousel, and a fund community a Victorian Christmas, complete with tearoom, gift drive that generated $650,000. shop, 100-year-old toys and a huge doll house. That season-long In 1986, he purchased what was left of the infrastructure of a event drew about 3,000 people — many for the first time — and 1910 carousel in Utah and refurbished it to hold his animals. In spite of was pronounced a success. having no formal training in carving, Harrison's menagerie of 58 whim - “Now we’ve formed a History Alliance with like-mind - sical animals include a donkey bearing two chimpanzees in baskets, an ed groups throughout the county,” Purmal said. “We’ll be work - alpaca in toe shoes (the "Ballet Llama"), and a giant but friendly gorilla ing with them on a project to put an entire workbook of local his - that especially welcomes riders who use wheelchairs. The Carousel of Happiness has been specially designed for people with disabilities. tory into our third- and fourth-grade classrooms. By next year Twelve years ago, Harrison saw a 3-year-old girl dancing at a children in Willoughby, Mentor, Painesville, Perry, Madison and fair, seemingly oblivious to the fact that she had club feet. Scott took her other school districts will be learning about the history of their picture and used that as a pattern to carve a little girl in a red dress that own backyards.” will stand on top of the merry-go-round, orchestrating all of the action. A major focus this year is getting the building’s elevator The roof of the carousel is adorned with the original, restored installed — a project for which $250,000 has already been allo - paintings typical of the golden age of carousels and embellished with cated by the state. “Now we’re urging people to write letters of more of Harrison's carvings. support for the elevator to state Reps. (Lorraine) Fende and Harrison found a 1913 Wurlitzer calliope in Buffalo, N.Y. It (Mark) Schneider and state Sen. (Tim) Grendell,” Purmal said. has 12 player rolls with 88 instruments that start to play when the carousel begins to turn. Work has begun on the foundation for the build - The society is also trying to raise another $25,000 for the eleva - ing that will house the carousel on land donated by Will Guercio. tor project. The carousel's first rotation will be riderless, dedicated to The elevator is needed not only to make the entire build - deceased family members and friends in whose names donations were ing accessible to those with disabilities but to move the society’s made, along with two U.S. Marines killed in a Vietnam War battle that books and collections from the basement and lower level to the Harrison survived. upper floor. "I have found such great joy in bringing this old carousel back This year’s Heritage Festival, set for July 24 and 25, from what appeared to be the end of its story and then populating it with will continue its festivities into the night. such a friendly collection of wooden companions to endlessly parade A week later, on July 30 and 31, the Mid America Band around it," Harrison said. "The frosting on the cake has been to work with so many friends and community volunteers to put together the Organ Rally will bring 25 truck-sized band organs to the 8-acre building and then the carousel itself. I think this town is poised to make grounds. a lot of its visitors smile uncontrollably. No harm in that." “This is really huge for us and all of Lake County,” Pur - mal said. “These mechanical music machines are cousins to the music boxes we have on display, and people will be coming from 10 states to see and hear them.” This year the society loses 11 percent of its budget because of cuts in discretionary spending by Lake County Com - missioners, so local support of its programming and events is vital, she said. See video: Scott Harrison of Nederland http://tinyurl.com/2w7sufe hand-carves a coyote in a workshop in The Coloradoan his Nederland Fort Collins, CO 16 May 2010 home. The coyote is one of more than Vietnam vet carves carousel 30 animals he made especially for disabled has carved as part of a BY ANNA AUGHENBAUGH carousel he is Scott Harrison of Nederland is a Vietnam veteran who, to restoring. calm his nerves as a machine gunner in Vietnam in 1967, listened to a (Courtesy of music box and dreamed of a carousel in a meadow. Jon Hatch) He has made his dream a reality for himself as well as others by painstakingly carving the animals that now grace Nederland's Carousel of Happiness. The grand opening of the 100-year-old merry- go-round will be 10 a.m. May 29 in the Caribou Shopping Center in
AAMICAMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 271 272 AMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 In Memoriam Rutland Herald Anything that interested Doyle usually interested him Rutland, VT enough to acquire an encyclopedic knowledge. He had a love for 17 June 2010 machinery and a passion for investigating how things worked. He is survived by his wife, Patricia McWilliams, whom he mar - ried in l996, and two daughters from his previous marriage: Ali - Doyle Lane son Lane, her husband Gordon Rowe, and their two sons Gil and Simon of Huntington, Vt.; and Hilary Lester, her husband William Lester, and their children Hannah and Wyatt of Portland, Oregon. Survivors also include his sister Theran and her hus - band Doug Balmain of Coulterville, California; his former wife Priscilla (Follows) Lane of Burlington, Vt.; and an enormous cir - cle of devoted cousins, in-laws, friends, colleagues, and pets. Cremation was private. A celebration of Doyle’s life will be held at a later date. Donations may be sent to: “In Memory of Doyle Lane,” Stone Valley Community Market, c/o Citizens Bank, 177 Main Street, Poultney, VT 05764. Doyle, along with his wife Patricia McWilliams, are two of the founding Steering Committee mem - bers of the Stone Valley Community Market, a non-profit natural and local foods market expected to open the Fall of 2010. Or, to the Rutland Area Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice, 7 Albert Cree Dr., Rutland Vermont, 05701. The family is very grateful to the attending hospice nurses for all their knowledge and extraordinary care.
LANE - Doyle h ., 70, died Monday, June 14th, at his home in Middletown Springs, Vermont. The cause of death was cancer. Tribute by George Karpel Doyle Lane was known world-wide for his magnificent collection of beautifully restored antique music machines, his The headline read: "The happiest store in town soon to wealth of knowledge, and entrepreneurial endeavors. A creative be empty." The news article referred to Doyle Lane's Player and inventive man, Doyle managed to make it all look easy, and Piano and Museum in Vancouver, BC. to generously, even joyfully, share his knowledge with others. I first met Doyle in 1971 shortly after I moved from Doyle Lane was born March 3, 1940, in Detroit, Michigan, the New York City to beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia. Hav - son of Walter and Laural Lane. He graduated from Whittier Col - ing lived in Coney Island for 26 years, I was well-addicted to lege in California in 1960 and then joined his family to help his carousels and band organs, so you can imagine how overjoyed I parents create a successful summer resort on Kooteney Lake, was when I discovered Doyle Lane's museum. British Columbia. He then moved to Vancouver, BC, where he Each weekend I would frequent his museum with a "ton worked at the Children’s Aid Society, Shell Oil, and Xerox. of quarters" just so I could listen to the many mechanical musical The Lane ancestors had been builders and wood work - instruments that Doyle had on display. My favorites were always ers, clever with their hands. Doyle Lane inevitably left the cor - the nickelodeons that Doyle had on display, as well as at least porate world and started something more appropriate to his own five that he had in ice cream parlors around the city of Vancou - unique talents: a player piano business in the basement of his ver. house. His interest in finding, fixing, restoring and tuning player I can recall how happy Doyle was when he convinced a pianos turned into a life-long passion for mechanical music local amusement park to sell him a Wurlitzer 146 Band organ machines. In the mid-1970s he opened The Player Piano Center which was in complete disrepair. I believe that he paid only in Vancouver, BC. In 1978 he moved his business to Hillsbor - $700.00 and, after moving it to his work shop, he was able to ough, North Carolina, where it became the Antique Music and restore it to its former glory and subsequently sell it for many Wheels, a AAA attraction. times what he had paid. In l985 Doyle Lane and his then wife Priscilla moved to I can also recall how for many years Doyle tried to Middletown Springs, Vt., where they turned an old Victorian obtain a Weber Maesto Orchestrion, which he considered to be mansion into Priscilla’s Victorian Inn. In Vermont his business the Rolls Royce of orchestrions. When one became available, he became Doyle Lane Restorations, which was featured in a 1995 didn't hesitate for one moment to purchase it. production of “Points North” on Vermont ETV. His world-wide Another outstanding instrument in his collection was the clients included the City of Holland, Michigan, and their Dutch Welte Brisgovia Orchestrion, originally built as a special order Street Organ, given to the city by the people of the Netherlands for James Ward Packard, founder of the Packard Auto Company. after World War II. These were some of the outstanding instruments to be found in
AAMICAMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 273 his museum. At this time, Ed Sprankle, to create an Excel spreadsheet and HTML file Doyle sold a record entitled "Those Magnificent Music of10,000 known Wurlitzer APP roll titles. Machines" on which was recorded many of his instruments. I Matt then sent on all the papers I scanned to Terry was fortunate to have bought a copy of this record. Smythe for inclusion in the master archive that he is working on. In addition to collecting these instruments, in 1975 This is a thankless effort because as soon as I had all this infor - Doyle purchased all the remaining Wurlitzer roll perforating mation entered I was given an additional collection of APP roll machinery and master rolls along with numerous Wurlitzer parts labels which now need to be added to the APP database. I men - from T.R.T. Manufacturing. In his catalogue, Doyle advertised tion this only after spending some full, uninterrupted weeks last any style Wurlitzer roll for the amazing low price of $12.50 each. August entering data, so can I appreciate the task it took to make Because of the difficulties of carrying on a mail-order these catalogs available to the world. business across the USA-Canada border, as well as his difficulty Help is still needed to proofread this 4.8 megabyte elec - in finding a larger building to accommodate his ever-growing tronic database, which is not quite ready for publication. Without collection, Doyle decided in 1977 to leave Canada for Hillsbor - Doyle I never would have started on this Sisyphean task, where ough, North Carolina, where he would open his new museum to the more one learns, the more there is to learn! be contained within the Daniel Boone Complex. In July of 1978, after having made many friends and Doyle, you will be missed. loyal customers, not only in the Vancouver area but also around the world, Doyle Lane set out on his long journey with his wife Priscilla and two daughters to begin a business in the U.S.A. Tribute by Steve Bentley As a final note, I was lucky enough to have known Doyle Lane. He was always willing to impart his knowledge I was new in the player piano world and heard about concerning the restoration of his instruments. In addition, he Doyle in the early 1970's through a friend. My intention was to hosted numerous meetings of the Musical Box Society, where make my piano into a 'player' using pistons to operate the action. members came from as far away as Portland, Oregon. Doyle supplied me with a roll frame, governor and air motor, all Just before Doyle left Vancouver, I was able to convince made by Gulbransen. Then I used the valves he designed., him to sell me one of his original Seeburg style "A" nick - He was always jovial and would help you beyond the elodeons, which to this day I enjoy immensely. Over the years, I normal limits of business. I came to know him well whilst he have kept in contact with Doyle who was able to answer ques - was in Vancouver and thereafter. In 1978 or so he left for the tions when I needed to restore my nickelodeon. USA, and around that time asked me to stand in for him at a So it was with sadness that I read about Doyle's passing, Musical Box Society convention in Seattle as he could not make and I send my deepest condolences to his family at this difficult it. I gave a 'workshop' on my then-new perforator and making time. rolls. In the middle 1970's, Doyle took all his music machines Tribute by Julie Porter and displayed them at the Pacific National Exhibition -- a huge undertaking, and to 'work' for the two weeks there would be very demanding. My condolences to the family and friends of Doyle lane. It is sad to hear of his passing and I could hardly believe He will surely be missed. Even as recently as last fall 2009 I was it. Yes, Doyle will be missed greatly. able to order some parts I needed for a Wurlitzer roll frame I am restoring. He was there to answer questions about the history of my own passion. I owe a great debt to Doyle who, along with Tribute by Fritz Gellerman Mike Kitner, Steve Lanick, Ken Smith, and Marc Elbasani were all able to supply information, materials and support for my own When Doyle was in Vancouver and making music rolls I work. managed to buy one of every Caliola roll on his list. I visited Doyle's efforts in preserving surviving Wurlitzer roll him in North Carolina later on; also, his wife who had a tea shop masters and catalogs have made it so that the music will never next door to Doyle's shop. be forgotten. More important was the preservation of the Wurl - Among his many contributions to mechanical music I itzer pipe scales. I wore out my first copy of this little booklet especially value his pneumatic valves, of which I have used a making the pipes for my own Caliola. great many. He produced a handy booklet of hints on using the Doyle succeeded in reaching beyond the small Midwest valves in various configurations. They are a real boon for the do- world of band organ collectors. Through the Vestal Press he pro - it-yourselfer. I hope someone will continue to make them avail - duced enough copies of these works that there are several able to the hobby. instances where I have seen these items offered for sale on eBay. Those lucky enough to attend the AMICA convention in Ed. Note - The above tributes first appeared in the Mechanical Buffalo, New York, will have the opportunity to visit the Hershel Music Digest on 21, 23 and 24 June 2010, and are reproduced Carousel Museum and see first-hand the perforators along with here with permission of both the authors and Robbie Rhodes, MMD Editor, with thanks and appreciation. ts the roll masters Doyle saved through the Player Piano Center. I spent several weeks last August with the assistance of Matt Ed. Note: See also: Caulfield, and Doug Hershberger and others, scanning to com - AMICA Bulletin october 1975, Vol 12, No 10, p 183 puter files this catalog along with the catalogs of Ray Siou and ts
274 AAMICAMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 ADVERTISING FoR SALE
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT ALL ADVERTISING IN ThE GOLDEN AGE of AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS ThE AMICA BULLETIN Art Reblitz' award-winning reference that brings history, musical and technical information to life with hundreds of spectacular All advertising should be directed to: color photos. 448 oversize pages. Get your copy today! $120 plus Terry Smythe $5 S/H (single copy USA ground shipment). MEChANICAL 55 Rowand Avenue MUSIC PRESS -W, 70 Wild Ammonoosuc Rd., Woodsville, NH Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3J2N6 03785. 603-747-2636. http://www.mechanicalmusicpress.com (4-10) Phone: (204) 832-3982 (email preferred) e-mail:: [email protected] Purchased PIANO STORE AND COLLECTION LIQUIDATION . Ad copy must contain text directly related to the product/service being Offering: roll cabinets. Rare early pianos: bookcase, harpsicord, offered. Extraneous text will be deleted at the Editor's discretion. All clavicord. Organs: Estey model IV, Packard Chapel. Delivery advertising must be accompanied by payment in U.S. funds. Telephone logistics provided.
We recommend that display advertisers supply camera-ready copy. Copy that is oversized or undersized will be changed to correct size at your cost. We ordinarily do not prepare advertisements from suggested layout.
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AAMICAMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 275 AMICA CD/DVD’s for sale:
* AMICA Bulletins to date * AMICA On-Line Library to date * AMICA Technicalities * Obenchain Ampico catalog * Purple Welte Book * Billings Rollography * William B. White’s 2 books * John McTammany’s 2 books
Most of this is already on our website, freely available to all members. For most, these discs will be more of a convenience for those not inclined to spend many hours of downloading time. And of course, for those with dial-up or no internet access at all. And even if they do not have a computer, there is always a friendly neighborhood Office Depot type service center than can print PDF files off the discs.
Each of these discs are priced at $25 (US), postage included. Purchasers will be invoiced. Proceeds to AMICA
Contact: Terry Smythe 55 Rowand Avenue Winnipeg, MB Canada R3J2N6 email preferred: [email protected]
WANTED AMICA Advertising Manager
To contact businesses or individuals who would benefit by advertising in the AMICA Bulletin. This position will receive a percentage payment of advertisements sold. The AMICA Executive Committee of the Board of Directors will set the per - centage to be paid.
Please contact:
Past-President John Motto-Ros, [email protected] 209-267-9252
276 AAMICAMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 AAMICAMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 277 278 AAMICAMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 PLEASE VISIT THESE SUPPLIERS oF RoLLS
Brian Stahl: Piano Ticklers Music Rolls David Saul: Precision Music Rolls P.O. Box 220, Elizabethville, PA 17023 1043 Eastside Road, El Cajon, CA 92020-1414 [email protected] [email protected] www.pianoticklers.com Phone: (717) 599-1369 Joyce Brite: Player Piano and Mechanical Music Exchange Rob Deland: Blues Tone Rolls http://www.mmdigest.com/Exchange/ www.bluesrolls.com http://www.mmdigest.com/Exchange/rollpage.htm [email protected] [email protected] Phone: (847) 548-6416 Dick Hack: Hack Mechanical Music Bob & Ginny Billings: Sierra Music Rolls 2051 Chesapeake Road, Annapolis, MD 21409 14010 Rim Rock Drive, Reno, NV 89521 [email protected] [email protected] (410) 279-5859 Cell Days Phone: (775) 853-4659 (410) 757-2164 Home Evenings
Leedy Brothers Music Rolls Frank L. Himpsl: 4660 Hagar Shore Road, Coloma, MI 49038 Valley Forge Music Roll Company www.leedyrolls.com 604 Linnet Road, Audubon, PA 19403 Phone: (269) 468-5986 - Fax: (269) 468-0019 (484)-250-7046 roll shop (610)-291-1841 my cell Larry Norman: Rollertunes http://www.valleyforgemusicroll.com www.home.earthlink.net/~rollertunes [email protected] Kukral Collection: Phone: (540) 721-7188 Welte-Mignon and 88-Note Rolls 216 Madison Blvd., Terre Haute, IN 47803 Don Teach: Shreveport Music Co. Phone: (812) 238-9656 1815 E. 70th Street, Shreveport, LA 71105 [email protected] [email protected] Phone: (318) 798-6000 - Fax: (318) 797-4572 Julian Dyer 5 Richmond Rise, Wokingham RG41 3XH, Robin Pratt: Artists' Choice Music Rolls United Kingdom [email protected] www.pianorolls.co.uk Phone: (419) 626-1903 [email protected] 516 Pierce Street, Sandusky, OH 44870-4725 John Motto-Ros Steve Bentley, SB-"o" Rolls series. “Nickelodeon Rolls” Play-Rite Music Rolls “A” “G” “o” Rolls & Boxes 1536 N. Palm St., 110 Allen Ranch Road, Sutter Creek, CA 95685 Turlock. CA 95380. U.S.A. 209-267-9252 Phone. (209) 632-5784. www.johnnysmusicrolls.com Fax. 209) 667-8241. e-mail: [email protected] [email protected] Keystone Music Rolls QRS Music Technologies, Inc. P.O. Box 650, Bethlehem, PA 18016 1026 Niagara Street, Buffalo, NY 14213 Phone: 1-800-247-6557 - Fax: 1-716-885-7510 Gnaw-Vol-ty Rolls www.qrsmusic.com Stephen Kent Goodman www.gnaw-vol-ty.com Magic Melodies 360 Lawless Road, Jamestown, KY 42629 Phone: (270) 343-2061
AAMICAAAMICAMICAMICA Bulletin Bulletin ›› May/JunJul/Aug 20102010 279 AAMICAMICA Bulletin › Jul/Aug 2010 280