“Best of South Jersey” 2008 & 2009!

The Strutter VOLUME 20 NUMBER 6 Traditional Jazz in the Philadelphia Tri-State Area DECEMBER 2009

Our Next Concert societies and prestigious jazz festivals in Florida, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania. This Ben Mauger’s past June they performed at the Hot Steamed Jazz Festival in Connecticut. For those who Vintage Jazz Band have not heard the VJB in live performance, the small excerpt from the review of its last TSJS concert on November, 2008 will give you some idea…

“…[Ben Mauger‟s Vintage Jazz Band] provided a great delectation for our loyal following throughout the afternoon….A tom-tom beat started things off to introduce “I Found A New Baby” in the first set of the afternoon. From that moment on, the Vintage Jazz Band was airborne. Mauger‟s fat cornet sound contrasted Ben Mauger - Cornet / Leader nicely alongside Doug Lasala‟s cool, swing era Ray Skalski - Trombone clarinet…” Doug Lasala - Clarinet Directions to St Andrews on Page 7

Tom Pontz - Piano Mike Kuehn - Banjo/ Guitar CONCERT ADMISSION $20 ADMISSION Bruce Campbell - String Bass $15 MEMBERS $10 STUDENTS Jeff Clinton – Drums $10 FIRST TIME MEMBER GUESTS Pay At the Door - No Advance Sales

Sunday, December 13th, 2009 At 2PM In This Issue… St. Andrews United Methodist Looking Ahead ...... Page 2 Church American Rag ...... Page 2 327 Marlton Pike, Route 70 West BMQ Review...... Pages 2-3 Cherry Hill, NJ Recalling music ...... Page 4 Coots/Gillespie ...... Page 4-5 The Vintage Jazz Band, based in Central Upcoming Events ...... Pages 5-6 Pennsylvania, returns to perform hot Jazz for

TSJS. The VJB has played for other jazz

The Strutter is published by Tri-State Jazz Society, Inc. - P.O. Box 896 - Mt. Laurel, NJ 08002 1

L KING AHEAD TO JANUARY ne of the selling features of several Big Bands O during the Swing Era was the addition of a oming up in January, Ed Wise will bring his “band within a band” This created a diversion for C New Orleans Jazz Band “Lite” with Ed on string the band‟s following, and a venue for the more Jazz bass, Stan Slotter on trumpet; Joe Midiri, on hungry sidemen, who may have found the large clarinet and soprano saxophone; Pat Mercuri on ensemble limited in producing Jazz soli of great guitar revisiting the music of Sidney Bechet‟s Big length. Each small group had a gimmick; Four and Django Reinhardt‟s American Quartet on Goodman‟s Trios, Quartets mirrored the big band, January 17, 2010 at Brooklawn American Legion only swung with more force. Tommy Dorsey‟s Hall, Brooklawn, NJ at 2PM Clambake Seven advocated Dixieland Jazz but with a more-than-subtle nod to vaudeville comedy. AMERICAN RAG WINNERS Johnny Guarneri performed on harpsichord with Artie Shaw‟s Grammercy Five. Then there was a very month, TSJS selects from its membership flautist named Wayman Carver, who would E a winner of a free four month subscription to perform with drummer Chick Webb‟s Little Chicks. the American Rag. The winner for December, 2009 The Barnhart-Midiri Quartet, with flute, is John Lawrence. New members of Tri-State Jazz reeds, percussion and piano paid tribute to Webb‟s Society automatically receive a two-month trial chamber Jazz group, as well as putting together subscription to American Rag, the country‟s largest original interpretations of classic Dixieland traditional jazz and ragtime newspaper. standards, with a sampling of standards by Gershwin, Berlin, and Porter. Jeff Barnhart performed stride piano with gusto; his enthusiasm transmitted to his wife Anne and the Midiri Brothers, making for one of the most unique concerts held by TSJS. Anne Barnhart on flute proved, like Carver‟s efforts from an earlier time, that the flute is welcomed in a pre-modern Jazz setting. One would never know that she entered the Jazz world not too long ago, having come from a classical background. The Midiri Brothers, away from their working sextet, seemed freer, less constrained in this ensemble, despite the fact that group played “complicated, intricate arrangements.” Both brothers introduced new instrumentation to add to their tonal palette; Paul, while predominately in the drummer role, was featured on xylophone as well as BMQ Swings Webb, Gershwin, Porter at the expected vibraphone and Joe made extensive First Unitarian use of the bass clarinet. The concert began with Irving Berlin‟s “Blue The Time: Sunday, November 1st, 2009, 2pm – Skies, taken at a swinging gait, with Paul Midiri 5:30pm having a grand old time on drums throughout, The Place: First Unitarian Church, 730 Halstead inserting rim shots and splash cymbal accents. Ave, Wilmington, DE Anne Barnhart flauted through a chromatic run The Band: The Barnhart-Midiri Quartet with Jeff during her initial chorus. Jeff Barnhart‟s stride was Barnhart, leader, piano and vocals; Anne Barnhart, direct and two fisted. “Sweet Sue” began with a flute; Joe Midiri, clarinet, alto sax, bass clarinet and Goodmanesque riff, which was used as a transition vocals; Paul Midiri, drums, xylophone and between choruses. Jeff Barnhart inserted a little of vibraphone Fats Waller‟s technique, while Paul Midiri enjoyed 2

producing a drum solo backed by woodwinds. created an interesting musical effect: hunched “Avalon” is quoted in the closing chorus, capped by under the lid of the grand piano, Anne performed a trade-off ending. her flute solo while Jeff pressed on the damper The xylophone was introduced for the next pedals of the piano. The results caused the piano selection; “I Don‟t Stand A Ghost of A Chance with strings to resonate, adding a wistful echo. You” Paul Midiri introduced the -Ned “Sent For You Yesterday and Here You Washington tune unaccompanied before the band Come Today” was a vehicle for Joe Midiri‟s Louis introduced the first chorus. After a key change, Armstrong vocal, with added lyrics arguing the Midiri performed a beautiful xylophone solo with correct way to address the locals: “Delawareans” or subtle woodwind backing. With the woodwinds “Del-a-Ware-ians.” Alec Wilder‟s “I‟ll Be Around” is taking five, Midiri remained to perform a duet with taken at a slow tempo, and finishing up the set was Barnhart on piano, xylophone advocate George the Gershwin war horse, “I Got Rhythm,” using the Hamilton Green‟s “Chromatic Fox Trot” Little Chicks arrangement, highlighted by a cutting Joe Midiri‟s only turn on alto sax was on contest between Anne Barnhart and Joe Midiri. “I‟m Gettin‟ Sentimental Over You” Midiri played Rodgers and Hart‟s “Blue Moon” opened the the melody, while Jeff Barnhart mixing stride and third set, backed by Paul Midiri‟s Latin beats. Joe classical with a dramatic flair, and throwing in a Midiri‟s bass clarinet croaks, like a mate-less male familiar swing riff. Barnhart then performed A. J. bullfrog in a lonely pond, grumbling at the full Piron‟s “High Society” as a solo stride piano piece, moon in disgust. Anne Barnhart‟s flute, in contrast, taking all of the orchestral parts, including the is a Viceroy Butterfly jumping from Thistle to traditional clarinet solo, which Barnhart played on Thistle. A Paul Midiri original, “Elizabethian the high treble keys. Dreams” featured long flute and clarinet lines, and Following a straight interpretation of Cole a modern touch. Barnhart produced some relaxed, Porter‟s “So In Love,” the trio with Joe Midiri, unrestrained stride on this one, and Midiri quotes taking on the Omer Simeon clarinet role, Paul “High Society” in his clarinet solo. Midiri taking on the Baby Dodds drum chair, and “The World Is Waiting For the Sunrise” is Barnhart filling in for Jelly Roll Morton, everything taken in a typical Goodman small group fashion – was set for Morton‟s “Shreveport Stomp” Paul aka frenetic swing, fiery clarinet, barrelhouse piano. Baby Dodds, had the time of his drumming life on “Japanese Sandman” is taken at a brisk, walking this one. speed. Jeff Barnhart has a field day, quoting Before the beginning of the second set, Jeff “Jersey Bounce”, “Louise”, and finishing off with Barnhart dazzled the audience with a speedway “Chinatown, My Chinatown.” Joe Midiri is at his version of Fats Waller‟s “Handful of Keys.” After the most relaxed, and Paul‟s brushes swinging like rest of the quartet assembled, “Jitterbug Waltz” mad. underwent a modern-classical-chamber Jazz- For those of you who remember the scenes arrangement, with Paul Midiri taking his only turn at Washington Heights Orphanage scenes in Leo on vibraphone, with a Prez-like Joe Midiri on bass McCarey‟s film, “Love Affair,” will recall the song clarinet. Another interesting arrangement was “Wishing Will Make It So.” Performed “a la Fats “Cornet Chop Suey” – interesting for the fact that Waller”, it featured unison woodwind playing there was no brass, but lines created by the Hot throughout, and Barnhart half-talking on the Five were more than sufficient for woodwind second refrain. For an encore, the quartet interpretation. Barnhart captured the period flavor concluded with George Hamilton Green‟s on piano, and Midiri reflected clarinet stylings of xylophone exercise, “Triplets” Buster Bailey and Jimmy Dorsey. Like Marty Grosz‟s‟ Hot Winds and Aaron Anne Barnhart was featured on two Weinstein‟s Quartet, the Barnhart-Midiri Quartet is somewhat contrasting pieces: Raymond Burke‟s a departure from the Dixieland Jazz which TSJS “Blue Goose Rag” from 1915 and George Gershwin‟s features regularly, but is welcome. It would be nice “Summertime.” The former is a bright, peppy rag of to see this foursome perform for us again in the the period, while on the latter, the Barnharts future. – Jim McGann 3

On the last tune of the group, there are two RECALLING MUSIC OF THE PAST trumpet solos; I‟d say the first solo is positively Nichols: Cameo 969 “School Day y “Small Change” column in the May 1971 Sweethearts” c. 7/26 M RECORD RESEARCH featured a large So, is this the end of the list? - Woody photo given to me by Joe Tarto in 1970. It dealt Backensto with the BAKER‟S CHOCOLATE RADIO PROGRAM, 1930-2, which featured the Boswell J. FRED COOTS & Sisters with the BOB HARING ORCHESTRA. The photo had the following personnel on the back of ecognize those names? You should because the picture: l to r--- kneeling George Steiner(vi), R you hear one of their songs every year at this Eddie Lang(g) --- standing – Arnold Brilhart(sax), time. They are also responsible for one of the most Frank Chase(sax), Frank Perriro(vi), unknown(vi), enduring standards of all time. Yet few people Teddy Lassoft, Harry Hamner, Joe Lindwurm, know the men behind the music. Harry Merker, Lloyd (Wa-Hoo) Turner, Vet was born in , Boswell, Joe Tarto(tuba), unknown, Connie on May 2, 1897. His mother taught him Boswell, Izzy Faberman, Martha Boswell, radio piano, and after high school pursued a career in the announcer, Bob Haring. banking industry. He changed careers when he You no doubt have heard recordings by the heard a song plugger in a music shop performing BOB HARING ORCH. He was the recording new songs for sale. In 1917, he had his first of 700 director at the Cameo Record Corporation of New songs published. Performed in vaudeville, and York from 1925 to 1928, at which time he moved to wrote music for singer Sophie Tucker. During most Brunswick in a similar position. of the 1920‟s wrote music for Broadway shows. At I had a most delightful chat with Haring in the end of the decade, Coots left New York to work on July 17, 1963. During that visit in Hollywood. he told me he used Red Nichols on a few DIXIE In addition to collaborating with Haven DAISIES dates, probably the early ones. He Gillespie, Coots worked with other lyricists. Benny recalled that Red Nichols was too much in demand Davis wrote the words to “I Still Get A Thrill and commanded above scale, Haring only paid (Thinking of You)”, the romantic “For All We scale. Leo McConville was Haring‟s main trumpet Know” with Sam M. Lewis, and “Love Letters In the man --- he used Earl Oliver quite a bit --- also Sand” with lyrics by Nick and Charles Kenny. Davis Tommy Gott and Bob Effros, on the DIXIE and Coots would collaborate on three Cotton Club DAISIES dates. It must be realized, of course, that Revues in 1936, 1938 and 1939. this group was a house name also assigned to other Haven Gillespie, born in 1887, in Covington, groups occasionally. Kentucky, left school at age sixteen to work in the This article tries to locate tunes where Red newspaper field as a typesetter. By his early 20‟s, Nichols recorded with the Bob Haring group. Three he moved to New York to pursue a career in DIXIE DAISIES were listed as Red Nichols journalism, working at and possibilities, but two were ruled out. This leaves other newspapers. During this time, Gillespie only one known that fits --- Cameo 834 “Paddlin‟ worked as a song plugger on , and Madelin Home”, recorded about November 1925. composing songs for vaudeville acts. In 1911, he Four tunes released as BOB HARING AND HIS had his first song published, and a contract with ORCH. are worthy of consideration: music publisher , Inc. Cameo 824 “Roll „Em Girls” c. 11/25 Like Coots, Gillespie worked a variety of The next two recorded about March 1926 sound composers, and shared some hit songs with them. typical of a Nichols-styled group: “Breezin Along With the Breeze” was written by Cameo 892 “Tie Me To Your Apron Strings Gillespie, and Richard A. Whiting. Again” & Beasley Smith, composer of “The Sheik of Araby”, Cameo 893 “In The Spring” 4

helped Gillespie pen the latter day classic, “That Feb 21 Capitol Focus Jazz Band, Brooklawn Lucky Old Sun.” American Legion Hall, Post 72, Browning Road and It was 1934. Gillespie met with a 11 Railroad Ave, Brooklawn, NJ representative of his music publisher, Leo Feist, Mar 21 Midiri Brothers Septet, Saint Matthew Inc. It was not the best of days for the lyricist, for Lutheran Church, 318 Chester Ave, Moorestown, he had just returned from his brother‟s funeral. NJ The publisher wanted Gillespie to compose a April 25 Drew Nugent & the Midnight children‟s song. Gillespie met with J. Fred Coots, Society, First Unitarian Church, 730 Halstead and in the course of a fifteen minute train ride, Road, Wilmington, DE May 23 Fête Manouche with Dan Levinson, completed the song. The song debuted on the Brooklawn American Legion Hall, Post 72, radio show and became an immediate Browning Road and 11 Railroad Ave, Brooklawn, success, with sales up to 25,000 copies per day! NJ For Gillespie, however, the song‟s success was bittersweet for it was a reminder of a sad time in his OTHER VENUES life. The song? Santa Claus Is Coming To

Town. PENNSYLVANIA JAZZ SOCIETY It was Gillespie‟s love for alcohol that www.pajazzsociety.org, provided the inspiration for the enduring standard 610-740-9698, 610-258-2082 mentioned earlier. After a long bender in a local Concerts are at 2 PM (except July) at Easton speakeasy, Gillespie wrote the words for what was Moose: Route 22 to Route 248 and go north to to become a jazz standard: .– right on Van Buren in Palmer OR at American Jim McGann Legion Hall, 217 North Broadway, Wind Gap, PA 18091. Take 22 to 33 north to Wind Gap exit, to Bibliography main road east. $20, $18 members, $5 students Unknown author. “J Fred Coots” Songwriters Hall of Feb 14 Mardi Gras Party w/Ed Wise Fame. 2002-2009. n.p., November 4, 2009. < http://www.songwritershalloffame.org/exhibits/C45> NEW JERSEY JAZZ SOCIETY www.njjs.org, 1-800-303-NJJS Unknown author. “Haven Gillespie” Songwriters Hall of For events co-sponsored by NJJS, check the Fame. 2002-2009. n.p., November 4, 2009. Bickford Theater and Ocean County College http://www.songwritershalloffame.org/exhibits/C26 listings.

UPCOMING EVENTS LUTHERAN CHURCH OF HOLY COMMUNION

http://www.lc-hc.org/drupal/jazz Third Sundays 2110 Chestnut St., Phila., PA Monthly Jazz Vespers at 5 PM. 215-567-3668. Ed Dennis is JV leader.

CAPE MAY TRADITIONAL JAZZ SOCIETY www.capemaytraditionaljazzsociety.com www.tristatejazz.org PO Box 113, Stone Harbor, NJ 08247 [email protected], Dues $10

Dec 10 6PM Atlantic City Jazz Band CONCERT SCHEDULE Jan 31 2-4PM Al Harrison‟s Jazz Band (All Concerts start at 2PM unless otherwise noted)

Jan 17 Ed Wise and his New Orleans Jazz BICKFORD THEATRE, MORRISTOWN, NJ Band “Lite”, Brooklawn American Legion Hall, Columbia Turnpike (Route 510), 8-9:30 PM Post 72, Browning Road and 11 Railroad Ave $15(advance), $18 (at the door), 973-971-3706. Brooklawn, NJ Jan 25 Diva Jazz Trio

5

Feb 1 Great Groundhog Day Jam, with Herb ATLANTIC CITY JAZZ BAND Gardner and his Underground All Stars http://www.myspace.com/atlanticcityjazzband Feb 8 Rio Clemente Dec 10 West Cape May VFW, West Cape May NJ Dec 16 7PM Villa Fazzolari, Buena, NJ OCEAN COUNTY COLLEGE (At Ocean County Library) FATHER JOHN D’AMICO www.ocean.edu, [email protected]., 732-255- Tues nights Jazz Jam Session at the 23rd Street 0500 $13 advance/ $15 at the door. All concerts Café, 223 N. 23rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130 start at 8PM. Concerts temporarily at Toms River 215-561-2488 (NJ) Library, 101 Washington Street 08753 Dec 16 Warren Vache Trio VINCE GIORDANO AND HIS NIGHTHAWKS Jan 20 Midiri Brothers with guest stars www.myspace.com/vincegiordanothenighthawks Every Monday, Sofia‟s Restaurant, 221 W 46th EAR INN St, Edison Hotel, NYC 212-719-5799. 8 and 11 PM: www.earinn.com, 326 Spring St. near West Side $15 cover (May through September 2009) Hwy, Washington St., and Greenwich St., NYC Sundays 8-11 PM: EarRegulars with Jon-Erik DAN LEVINSON Kellso, Matt Munisteri, and more. Good food, bar www.danlevinson.com and parking. Dec 13 with Drew Nugent, piano at the Historic Hotel Bethlehem, 437 Main St. Bethlehem, PA JAZZ AND BLUES SHOWCASE 18018 (610) 625-5000 (SAT) 7:30 TO 10 PM (Usually first Sat.) $20 ($15 seniors and students) Memorial Hall, Across from HERB GARDNER Cathedral of the Woods, 100 Stokes Road, Medford www.herb-gardner.com Lakes, NJ, 609-654-4220. or Mondays Leader of Stan Rubin‟s All Stars, 8:30- [email protected] 11:30 PM, Charley O‟s Times Square Grille, Broadway and 49th St, NYC POTOMAC RIVER JAZZ CLUB Tuesdays 8:30 -11 PM, Other Charley O‟s, 8th and www.prjc.org 45th St, Dec 13 PRJC Holiday-Dixieland-Big Band Bash, Wednesdays with Stan Rubin Orch., Swing 46, with Dixieland Direct and the Olney Big Band, Kena 349 W 46th, NYC Temple, Fairfax, VA. Advance tickets $18.00 Sundays Noon to 4 PM, Olde Stone Mill Restaurant, 2 Scarsdale Road, Tuckahoe, NY 10707 BAND SCHEDULES Sol Yaged Quartet 914-771-7661

MIDIRI BROTHERS ABOUT TRI-STATE JAZZ SOCIETY www.midiribros.com Check TSJS and Ocean County College listings BOARD OF DIRECTORS Dec 31-Jan 1 New Years Eve Weekend, Golden Sanford Catz, President, 10, Inn, Avalon, NJ [email protected], Jan 16 Tribute To Benny Goodman, Theater of the [email protected] Somerset County Vo-Tech Schools, 14 Vogt Drive, Fred Weber, Vice President, Publicity 11, Bridgewater, NJ. For tickets, call 908-237-1238 [email protected] Bill Wallace, Band Liaison, Asst. Editor TSJS JOE HOLT Strutter, 11, [email protected] http://www.joeholtsnotes.com/ George Hunt, Secretary, 12, Dec 17 2PM Downs Cultural Center, Wilmington, [email protected] DE. Free concert. Reservations are requested Mike Mudry, Treasurer, 10, 302-575-0250 x2244 [email protected] Woody Backensto, 10, [email protected]

6

Ed Wise, 11, Education, PLEASE SEND TSJS [email protected] YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS! Jim McGann, 12, Strutter Editor, Send an email to [email protected] [email protected] telling us to add you to our list for email newsletter

delivery, TSJS concert notices, area traditional jazz VOLUNTEERS events (not TSJS), or all three lists. John Membrino, Database Mgr, Send questions about membership and general [email protected] information to [email protected] Lou (Raffle Mgr.) and Jay (Membership Mgr.) Schultz [email protected] ATTENTION STRUTTER Chic Bach, Sound, [email protected] CONTRIBUTORS! Donald Neal Delaware Rep. Deadline to contribute reviews, literature, and [email protected] schedule changes for the January Strutter is: Roy A. Rogers III, Administration, Tuesday, January 5th, 2009 miscellaneous assignments VISIT OUR WEB SITE: MEMBER’S EWORLD CONVERSATION PAGES www.tristatejazz.org www.myspace.com/tristatejazzsociety www.facebook.com/tristatejazzsociety www.myspace.com/edwisemusician STRUTTER INPUT: www.myspace.com:sc/vincegiordanothenighthawks How are we doing? Is there something you http://myspace.com/danlevinson like/don‟t like in the Strutter? Something you www.myspace.com/barbonestreetjazzband would like to see in the Strutter? Send us your www.myspace.com/AtlanticCityJazzBand comments to:[email protected] Do you have one? DIRECTIONS TO ST ANDREWS HEAVENLY STRUTTERS From Trenton and points north: Take I295 south to Route 70-Cherry Hill exit. After 2nd traffic THE SOCIETY NEEDS light, take the JCT 41 to South 154 Haddonfield- AND WELCOMES YOUR GIFTS! Maple Shade exit ramp on right (Famous Daves July 2009- June 2010: Gladys and Woody BBQ and CitiBank landmarks on right visible from Backensto, Steve Barbone, Flora Becker, Doris and the ramp), make left at traffic light onto Kings Charles Bitterli, Walt Brenner, Sandy Catz and Highway. 1st traffic light will be Route 70. Stay Paula Ingram, Lois and George Hines, Louis straight and make right at next light (Connector Kaplan, Mike Mudry, Frank Nissel, Peter Parisi, Road). Make right at light, then make left at first DeWitt Peterson, Anita and Joe Pew, Herb Roselle, street (Missouri Ave). Rita and Harry Schmoll, Lou and Jay Schultz, From Pennsylvania and points west: Take Katherine Smith, Kay and Bob Troxell, Ann Ben Franklin Bridge to Cherry Hill Route 30 East Uniman, Sally and Bill Wallace. (merge into left lanes when exiting bridge). Take Route 30 (Admiral Wilson Blvd) to Route 38 & 70 TSJS CONTACT INFORMATION exit ramp on left. Take ramp, take left lanes at top Mailing Address: PO Box 896, Mount Laurel, NJ of ramp. When exiting ramp, merge right. Right 08054 lanes will put you on Route 70. Take Route 70 for 7 Email: [email protected] traffic lights. St Andrews will be on your right. Phone: NJ: (856) 232-1463 PA: (610) 268-5930 Take 1st exit ramp after Ponzios. Make right on DE: (302) 762-3335 Missouri Ave. From Delaware and points south: Take either Commodore Barry Bridge or Delaware Memorial Bridge to I295 north to Route 70-Cherry Hill exit. Follow Trenton directions from that point.

7

Membership Application/Renewal Form TRI-STATE JAZZ SOCIETY, INC. P.O. Box 896, Mount Laurel, NJ 08054

New Renewal Annual Membership is valid through June 30, 2010. Single ($15) Couple ($20)

E-mail and Newsletter Options: (Check All Boxes That Apply) TSJS concert and membership notices Newsletter by E-mail Newsletter by U.S. mail (paid members only) Other traditional jazz event notices (not sponsored by TSJS) First and Last Name(s) ______Street______City______State______Zip______Phone (_____)______E-mail ______Date______Check No.______Mail with check payable to Tri-State Jazz Society, Inc.

TRADITIONAL JAZZ IN THE PHILADELPHIA, SOUTH JERSEY, DELAWARE AREA New Orleans, Dixieland, Swing, Boogie-Woogie, Stride

TRI-STATE JAZZ SOCIETY, INC PO BOX 896 MOUNT LAUREL, NJ 08054

8