October 2016 Volume 41, Number 08

BLACK SWAN RETURNS TO PSTJS ON OCTOBER 16!

Alan Phillips, the banjoist, was originally a French horn player who then moved on to tuning and restoration. He has played with a variety of Oregon groups, including the Eugene Symphony. That was probably not a banjo gig, but who knows? Ask Alan. The versatile drummer, Ron Leach, is a lifelong student of percussion. He has performed in Latin, , , bluegrass, symphonic and theater groups throughout Oregon and was for three years music director aboard the Queen Of The West. Finally, there’s Marilyn Keller, the band’s crowd-pleasing singer. With her flawless vocal styling audiences can well imagine her as one of the stars of the original Black Swan recordings. Marilyn by George Swinford has recently returned from an extended The Black Swan band we’ll be hearing performing tour of northern Europe. The Black Swan Classic Jazz Band, last in October declares itself “dedicated to the Continued on page 4 heard on our stage in 2014, returns for our preservation and performance of , October 16th concert. This fine group hails old-time gospel, early jazz and ragtime Editor’s note: See page 4 for more complete bios from Oregon’s Willamette Valley. music”. Here are the musicians who will of Black Swan. The band takes its name from Black demonstrate all that dedication: Swan Records, a Harlem-based company First, Kit Johnson, founder of the band, WHERE: founded in 1921. It was a black-owned and as he points out, owner (and operator) of Ballard Elks Lodge company and the first widely distributed the . 6411 Seaview Ave. NW, Seattle label to be marketed to an African-American On , Rick Holzgrafe, a twenty- WHEN: audience. The company was founded by year member of the Mission Gold Jazz Band, 1 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. October 16 Harry Pace; just after his music publishing before he moved to Oregon. Playing , ADMISSION: partnership with W. C. Handy had dissolved. Andy Hall, familiar to us as a regular in the $12 PSTJS members By 1924 the company had foundered and was Uptown Lowdown and Hume Street bands. $15 non-members. Pay only at door. sold to , another legendary On , Steve Matthes, former director of FURTHER INFO: label. In the short span of its existence Black the OSU Concert Band; now he’s the director Carol Rippey 425-776-5072. Swan created a lasting jazz legacy, having of the Corvallis Community Band. On piano, Or - website: www.pstjs.org. Plenty of issued recordings by such well-remembered John Bennett, Playing piano in a burlesque free parking; great view & dance floor, vocalists as , , theater helped John pay his college tuition. snacks, coffee, and other beverages , Eva Taylor and their best seller, He claims to be the only pit pianist who available. the wonderful . never looked up. Jazz Soundings October 2016 Page 2

Puget Sound Traditional Jazz Society Gigs for Local Bands

19031 Ocean Avenue BELLINGHAM TRADITIONAL JAZZ SOCIETY Edmonds, WA 98020-2344 425-776-5072 www.pstjs.org 1st Saturday, 2-5 pm VFW Hall 625 N. State St., Bellingham, WA Oct. 1 Uptown Lowdown Jazz Band (6 pcs.) UPCOMING EVENTS Nov. 5 Market Street Jass Band & Silent Auction Elks Lodge, Ballard, 6411 Seaview Ave N.W., Seattle Dec. 3 Crescent City Shakers /AGM & Jewelry Party Oct. 16 Black Swan Classic Jazz Band Nov. 20 Evergreen Classic Jazz Band BOURBON STREET ALL STARS Dec. 18 Ray Skjelbred & the Yeti Chasers Jan. 15 Uptown Lowdown Jazz Band 1st Tuesday, 5-9pm at McCloud’s Grillhouse 2901 Perry Ave, Feb. 19 Jacob Zimmerman and His Pals Bremerton, WA 98310 Res: 360-373-3093 Mar. 19 Gerry Green’s Crescent City Shakers PRESIDENT Judy Levy [email protected] DAVE HOLO TRIO 425-890-6605 Salty’s on Alki 1936 Harbor Avenue. SW Seattle, WA 98126 VICE PRESIDENT Jack Temp 425-242-0683 206-937-1600 http://saltys.com/seattle SECRETARY Cilla Trush [email protected] 206-363-9174 Oct. 7 5-8pm TREASURER Gloria Kristovich [email protected] Oct. 21 5-8pm 425-776-7816 BOARD OF DIRECTORS GREATER OLYMPIA DIXIELAND JAZZ SOCIETY Keith Baker [email protected] Verna Eriks [email protected] 206-363-6171 2nd Sundays 1-4:30pm Elks Lodge. 1818 Fourth Ave E., Olympia, WA Joanne Hargrave [email protected] 206-550-4664 Oct. 9 Gerry Green’s Crescent City Shakers John Heinz [email protected] 425-412-0590 Edmunde Lewin 360-297-6633 George Peterson [email protected] 425-453-5218 PEARL DJANGO Carol Rippey [email protected] 425-776-5072 Oct. 1 8pm North City Bistro We love this place! Reservations George Swinford [email protected] 425-869-2780 recommended. Tickets and reservations made directly MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR through the Bistro will be required to guarantee seating. Carol Rippey [email protected] 425-776-5072 Call (206) 365-4447 Or email [email protected] for EDITOR reservations. 1520 NE 177th St; Shoreline, WA Anita LaFranchi [email protected] 206-522-7691 Oct. 14 7:30pm Water Music Festival. Joining us will be Gail Pettis. Inn at Harbour Village 120 Williams Ave, Ilwaco, WA 98624 WEBMASTER (360) 642-0087 George Peterson [email protected] 425-453-5218 Oct. 15 8pm The Old Stone We will also feature accordianist David Lange 157 Franklin Ave, Bend OR 97701; 541-322-7273

JAZZ SOUNDINGS Gigs continue on page 5 Published monthly except July and August by the Puget Sound Traditional Jazz Society. Anita LaFranchi, Editor, [email protected] Ads must be submitted in a jpeg or PDF format Payment in advance to: Gloria Kristovich, P.O. Box 373, Edmonds, WA 98020-0373 Advertising Rates: Full page $100. 7 1/2” wide by 9 1/2 “ tall On Your Dial...... Half Page $60. 7 1/2” wide by 4 1/4 “ tall Saturday Quarter Page $40. 3 5/8 Wide by 4 1/4 “ tall 7 - 12 pm Swing Years and Beyond KUOW 94.9 FM Sunday Deadline is the 10th of the month for the next month’s issue 3 -6 pm Art of Jazz, Ken Wiley, KPLU 88.5 FM Jazz Soundings October 2016 Page 3

JAZZ STORY by Ray King

My exposure to traditional jazz started his first child when he was 67. Recently, I In the early 1980s, I had Dick Knutson in the late 1940s and early 1950s. My had the great pleasure to spend the day and with his Desert City Six and Vince Saunders brother, 7 years my senior, started bringing have dinner with Ory’s daughter Babette. with his South Frisco Jazz Band play at a home 78s and the love of traditional jazz has party I hosted. lasted a lifetime. Here is a picture of Babette and me in Those were the days! Damn, I love I had a nightly ritual, with my mother and May 2016. this music. brother, of listening to Frank Bull and Vice President Benson Curtis’ “Dixieland Jazz, Barrel House, Boogie & the Blues” program Below - is a photo from on KFWB radio in . It started 1953 of ’s band at and ended with a great Panama Rag. the Beverly Cavern. I still see my mom doing housework Names are: and cooking to , , Teddy Buckner, Minor and later to Claire Austin and Kid Ory. Hall, Joe Darensbourg, Ed The first record I purchased was in Garland, Kid Ory, Harvey 1951, a 45 RPM of Kid Ory from the Jazz Brooks (Photo: Louisiana Man Record Shop in Hollywood - it’s still State Museum) playable! It has 3 songs: Ory’s Boogie, Blues for Jimmie Noone, and St. Louis Blues. First live concert: the 1953 Frank Bull and Gene Norman “Dixieland Jubilee” in L.A. Great bands played that night: Kid Ory, Bob Scobey, George Lewis, Red Nichols, Pete Daily, Firehouse Five Plus Two, Castle Jazz Band and more. The special guest for the night was . Forever etched in my soul was a darkened stage with a single spotlight focused on the bell of Bechet’s I spent a lot of time horn which stuck out between the curtains (and money) at the Beverly on the stage. As Bechet began to play Cavern in L.A. I got to know “Summertime”, the curtains slowly opened the Firehouse Five Plus Two and gradually the spotlight encompassed members well. One evening Bechet - a memory was made! Don Kinch and When I recall the “greats” I have came in with the band. Bruns seen in person, I am grateful for my had his horn - Kinch didn’t. good fortune: Armstrong, Ory, Buckner, tossed me his car keys and My son asked me what my 5 “Desert Island Wingy Manone, Firehouse Five Plus Two, asked me to get the tuba from his car for Discs” would be. Here they are: Barney Bigard, Turk Murphy, Scobey, Don. I got about halfway to the door, turned 1. & His Hot Five The Pollack, Red Nichols, Matlock, St. Cyr, back and asked Ward which car was his. Louis Armstrong Story - Vol. 1 - Hackett, Teagarden, Billie & DeDe Pierce, He answered with his dry wit: “It’s the one Columbia - CL 851 Willie Humphrey, George Lewis, Marsala with the tuba in the back seat.” I found it. 2. George Lewis the “Red Record” - Brothers and more. I went to San Francisco with a friend American Music - 639 I had the opportunity to sit and talk who had played with Monte Ballou in 3. Kid Ory & His Creole Jazz Band in with some of my heroes. One memorable the 1930s. The reunion took place at Concert - Good Time Jazz - EPG 1006 evening I spent with Kid Ory and his wife, Earthquake McGoons. While there, Monte 4. Lu Watters & the Yerba Buena Jazz Barbara, after hours in his club “On the asked me if I wanted to smoke some “Sweet Band Good Time Jazz - L 12007 Levee” in San Francisco. He told me that Lotus Blossom” since his doctor told him 5. Firehouse Five Plus Two - Dixieland Barbara was his second wife. They had a in the 1940s that cigarettes were bad for Favorites - Good Time Jazz - M 12040 daughter, Babette, who was born in 1954 - him but didn’t mention the former. I did. Just remember: “Do What Ory Say” Jazz Soundings October 2016 Page 4

and keeps active in the live music scene clarinet. Career highlights include clarinet BLACK SWAN with band and solo work. soloist performances with a host of Dixieland Andy Hall, trombone ensembles, symphonic bands and orchestras. BIOS Hailing from the upper Midwest, Andy Ron Leach, drums brought his music talents to our region Ron has performed in Latin, blues, several decades ago, regularly performing jazz, bluegrass, symphonic and theater Black Swan will delight you with a with Uptown Lowdown and Hume Street groups throughout Oregon. A lifelong stu- good-time mix of music from the heydays in Washington. In addition to his fine, Turk- dent of drums and percussion, Ron has of blues and ragtime, the Roaring Twenties style trombone artistry, corner Andy for studied Latin rhythms in Havana, Cuba and and the revivalist jazz period. With their hilarious imitations of Marx Brothers and joined Black Swan in 2000. Ron previous- new recording, “Hoagy, Heart & Soul” in Monty Python characters. ly spent three years as music director on the tow, this versatile group will feature sev- Kit Johnson, tuba Queen of the West before returning to shore eral cuts from that American master that Kit is founder of Black Swan and owns to become active in land-based gigs. dancers and listeners alike will love. the tuba. Rick Holzgrafe, cornet Marilyn Keller, vocals Alan Phillips, banjo Rick played with the Fink Street Five Marilyn brings a special magic to the Alan originally joined the band back in Orange County for seven years, and stage with her mesmerizing presence and in 1990 and has become a favorite for his then the Apex Jass Band in San Jose in the flawless vocal stylings. Diversity is one solid rhythm playing, musicality and vocal early 1980s. He was a 20-year member of of her greatest assets and she displays it talents. Originally a French horn player, the Mission Gold Jazz Band before mov- by appearing with Black Swan and a wide Alan eventually moved on to study piano ing to Oregon, and has appeared with the variety of other performance groups and tuning and restoration in Boston. This com- Churchill Street Rhythm and Ted Shafer’s styles: The Don Latarski Group, Tall Jazz, bined his love of music with a more practi- Jelly Roll Jazz Band. Tom Grant, Michael Allen Harrison and cal approach to making a living. Alan has the Augustana Jazz Quartet to name a few. performed with the Eugene Symphony and Black Swan continued from page 4 Marilyn has recently returned from an ex- the Oregon Festival of American Music. The Black Swan band has a solid tended performing tour in northern Europe. He was a member of the Misty Water Drift- reputation and has charmed our audience in John Bennett, piano ers, the Drag Kings, the Hackers and the Em- previous appearances. Kit Johnson promises One of Portland’s most beloved and erald City Jazz Kings, as well as leading the that they will feature several tunes from their hard-working jazz pianists, John helped Eugene-based string/swing band SWANG. recent recording, “Hoagy, Heart and Soul”, pay his Lewis and Clark College tuition by Steve Matthes, clarinet which should delight dancers and listeners playing in a burlesque theater (he claims A versatile musician from Corvallis, alike. I presume we will have the opportunity to be the only pit piano player who never Oregon. Steve is Director of the Corvallis to purchase that recording. Please join your looked up from the keyboard). He has Community Band and past Director of the PSTJS friends at the Ballard Elks on October taught public and private school music in OSU Concert Band, makes guest solo and 16th, where once again we’ll enjoy the music The Dalles, Warm Springs and Portland conducting appearances, and teaches sax and of the Black Swan Classic Jazz Band.

New pricing for CDs

We’ve had a nice source of some revenue from the donated CDs - first from Curt Beard’s collection, then from all you other generous members. We even recently had a donation of brand-new wrapped CDs, which will be priced at $10 each.

The new prices: CDs with flag stickers $10 each (these are the new ones) CDs without stickers $5 each CDs with colored circle stickers $1 each (there’s lots and lots of these)

Thank you and don’t forget us when you come across CDs that you no longer use. Jazz Soundings October 2016 Page 5

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

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

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

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

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

Gigs continued from page 2 Gigs for Local Bands PLEASE SHARE YOUR FAVORITE JAZZ MEMORY WITH US!

You may put your memories down on paper and mail to RAY SKJELBRED AND THE YETI CHASERS P S T J S 19031 Ocean Ave, Edmonds, WA. 98020, or email Oct. 15 5-7:30 pm Royal Room (Seattle, WA) For more info visit: your stories to: [email protected]. http://theroyalroomseattle.com/ THE WASHBOARD CUT-UPS 1st Thursday, 7:30-10:30pm J&M Café 201 1st Ave S, Seattle - Pioneer Square UPTOWN LOWDOWN JAZZ BAND Oct. 1 2-5pm Bellingham Trad Jazz Society Bellingham Vets Hall ULJB 6pc band. Oct 2. 11am-1pm Jubilee Farm - Carnation 11am - 1pm Double Barrs Oct. 8 11:30am-2pm Confluence Park in Winthrop, WA Oct. 9 11am-1pm Jubilee Farm - Carnation Double Barrs Oct. 15 9-1pm J&M Cafe, Seattle Bert w/The Washboard Cutups Oct. 16 11am-1pm Jubilee Farm - Carnation 11am - 1pm Double Barrs We’re looking for new Oct. 21 7-9pm Third Place Commons - Lake forest Park Oct. 23 11am-1pm Jubilee Farm - Carnation 11am - 1pm Double Barrs Oct. 26 6-9pm Pike Place Bar & Grill w/Washboard Cutups Members

YOU can help with little effort and that’s by bringing just one of your friends or family members into our club. If WE ALL do that, our membership will double. Puget Sound Non-profit Org Traditional Jazz Society U..S. Postage 19031 Ocean Ave. Paid Edmonds, WA 98020-2344 Seattle, WA Permit 1375 Address service requested

Red X on your Jazz Soundings mailing address label with your name on it - means it’s time to renew your membership. TWO red XX means last chance to Renew Now!

BANDS, CONTACTS AIN’T NO HEAVEN SEVEN Leader: Terry Rogers JAZZ UNLIMITED BAND Leader: Duane Wright [email protected] 206-465-6601 [email protected] 206-930-9998 BOURBON STREET ALL STARS JAZZ STRINGS Bookings: Candace Brown Leader: Jeff Winslow (360) 731 0322 [email protected] [email protected] 253-752-6525 COAL CREEK JAZZ BAND Leader: Judy Logen, 425-641-1692 LOUISIANA JOYMAKERS! Leader: Leigh Smith Bookings: [email protected] [email protected] 604-294-9464 COMBO DE LUXE Bookings: Candace Brown THE BARRELHOUSE JIVE CATS Leader: James Walls 206- www.combodeluxe.net [email protected] 253-752-6525 280-1581 email:[email protected] www.barrelhousejive- CORNUCOPIA CONCERT BAND Leader: Allan Rustad cats.com www.comband.org 425-744-4575 THE MARKET STREET DIXIELAND JASS BAND DUKES OF DABOB Bookings: Mark Holman, 360-779-6357, Ansgar Duemchen: 425-286-5703 Tim Sherman 206-547-1772 [email protected]. www.marketstreetjazz.com DUWAMISH JAZZ BAND Bookings: Carol Johnston MIGHTY APHRODITE Co-leaders: Bria Skonberg, Claire McK- [email protected] 206-932-7632 enna [email protected] 405-613-0568 EVERGREEN CLASSIC JAZZ BAND Leader: Tom Jacobus NEW ORLEANS QUINTET Jake Powel 206- 725-3514 email: [email protected] ph: 253-852-6596 or cell 253-709-3013 [email protected] FIRST THURSDAY BAND Leader: Ray Skjelbred, RAINIER JAZZ BAND Manager: Randy Keller [email protected] 206-420-8535 [email protected] 206-437-1568 FOGGY BOTTOM JAZZ BAND Leader: Bruce Cosacchi RAY SKJELBRED 360-638-2074 [email protected] 206-420-8535 GRAND DOMINION JAZZ BAND Bookings: Bob Pelland RONNIE PIERCE JAZZ ENSEMBLE [email protected] 360-387-2500 [email protected], 206-467-9365 holotradband Leader: Dave Holo email: [email protected] UPTOWN LOWDOWN JAZZ BAND Leader: Bert Barr www.holotradband.com [email protected] 425-898-4288 HOT CLUB SANDWICH Contact: James Schneider WILD CARDS JAZZ Leader: Randy Keller www.hotclubsandwich.com 206-561-1137 [email protected] 206-437-1568 HUME STREET PRESERVATION JAZZ BAND Bookings: Karla West 406-862-3814