AFCDJS Names New Director JAZZ RAMBLER AFCDJS is excited to announce Published by America’s Finest City Dixieland Jazz Society • San Diego, CA • www.SDjazzfest.org Bill Adams as our new Executive Director. Bill joined our Board of $8.00 Per Issue Spring (May) 2019 Vol. XXXVII No. 2 Directors in 2005 and was elected President in 2010. Since becoming a member of the Board, Bill has been Festival #40 Will integral in expanding our role in the community. He’s worked closely with several local schools’ music programs, Be a Real Swinger! promoted AFCDJS’s monthly workshops, ran booths for local events As the Duke Ellington composition For more traditional-minded and sound for our monthly concerts, says, “It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t Festival patrons, Saturday night and taken on multiple roles in got that swing.” The 40th Annual San festivities will also feature a Trad Jazz producing our annual SD Jazz Fest. Diego Jazz Fest will feature plenty of Showcase, including the Chicago No task is too big for him — as a that musical style. This year, the Cellar Boys, Grand Dominion Jazz member of the Festival Steering Festival, which runs from Nov. 27 – Band, Titanic Jazz Band and the Yerba Committee as well as the “go to” Dec. 1, 2019 at the Town & Country Buena Stompers. Other sets through- operations person for the event, he Hotel on San Diego’s Hotel Circle, will out the weekend will feature multi- helps choose the bands we’ll hear feature swing groups on Friday and instrumentalist Katie Cavera, pianist every year while making vendor Saturday. Featured bands will include John Royen, the Night Blooming selections and other crucial decisions After Midnight, the Holland-Coots Jazzmen, High Society Jazz Band, the for our event. Jazz Quintet, On The Levee Jazz Band, Heliotrope Ragtime Orchestra and No task is too small for him either — the Mad Hat Hucksters, Gino and the more to be announced. he’ll happily answer questions at our Lone Gunmen, Big Butter Jazz Band, To sponsor a band, musician or Information Booth or pick up a phone Dave Bennett Quartet, and Sue Palmer performance venue, please see the and call a member who has a question. and her Motel Swing Orchestra. advertisement on page 5 – which also With Paul Daspit stepping down The Friday night swing session includes instructions for ordering from the Executive Director position will conclude with a Boogie Woogie badges and making hotel reservations and retiring from the Board of Directors Blowout – Carl Sonny Leyland plus at the Town & Country. Also, be sure at the beginning of the year, the Board Sue Palmer! to check our website (sdjazzfest.org) continued on page 3 On Saturday, a swing-infused for updates on the performing artists. lineup will lead up to the nighttime We hope you will swing down to Swing Extravaganza, with dance San Diego this coming November to contests and continuous music join us for a weekend of great music, (bands to be announced). fun and friends at Festival #40!

The AFCDJS Monthly Concert Series Lafayette Hotel May 12 — Royale Garden JB* June 9 — Mad Hat Hucksters* July 28 — Jazz Jammers* *Special Dates See more details on page 3 On The Levee Jazz Band will swing into action at the 2019 Fest. JAZZ RAMBLER Jazz Alive — Here, There, Everywhere SPRING (MAY) 2019 VOL. XXXVII - NO. 2 (To have events included in the Jazz CJ SAMS and KATIE CAVERA The JAZZ RAMBLER is published quarterly Rambler or on the AFCDJS website, Curley’s Café, 1999 E. Willow (at for $20 per year ($25 foreign) by America’s submit updates by the 28th of each Cherry), Signal Hill, CA. Free. Finest City Dixieland Jazz Society. Address all month to Myrna Goodwin at Wednesdays. Best to confirm dates and correspondence to P.O. Box 880387, San [email protected].) times. Free. Info: www.katiecavera.net. Diego, CA 92168-0387. America’s Finest City Dixieland Jazz Society JAZZ JAMMERS ROYALE GARDEN DIXIE BAND is a Non-Profit 501 (c)3 organization. For infor- Fuddruckers, Wednesdays, 6-8pm Every Monday night except 5th mation about the Society, call (619) 297-5277. 5500 Grossmont Center Dr., La Mesa. Monday 7pm, El Patio Restaurant, 1750 Website: www.SDjazzfest.org (619) 561-8236 or [email protected] Single copy price $8.00. Editorial contribu- W. La Palma Ave., Anaheim. More info (951) 898-2174 tions welcome. Contents of Jazz Rambler are SAN DIEGO BANJO BAND copyrighted © (2018) by America’s Finest City VFW Hall #1512 , 6873 Federal Blvd, Dixieland Jazz Society and may not be re- Lemon Grove, Thursdays, 5:30-7:30pm CROWN CITY DIXIELAND BAND printed without permission. Jazz Publications Wednesdays from 6:30-9pm, Burger and Jazz Club Newsletters may reprint articles UPTOWN RHYTHM MAKERS Continental Restaurant, Pasadena (626) provided the following credit is included: “Re- 1st Sunday, Panama 66, Balboa Park, SD 792-6634 printed from the Jazz Rambler, San Diego, 5-7pm. Check website for upcoming gigs. California.” The Jazz Rambler and Society www.facebook.com/URMjazz BALDY MOUNTAIN SWING functions are funded in part by the City of San 1st and 3rd Thursdays, 8-10:30pm, at Diego Commission for Arts and Culture. REY VINOLE’S DIXIELAND The Press, 129 Harvard Ave., Claremont BOARD OF DIRECTORS WORKSHOP Info: (909) 625-4808 Bill Adams, President/Executive Director Tuesdays, 7-9 pm, The Orchard, 4040 Bob Solsbak, Vice President Hancock, San Diego (858) 581-9293 SEAL BEACH, CA Myrna Goodwin, Secretary Tuesdays, 6-9pm, Leisure World Ed Adams, Robert Andersen, Tony THE SAINTS Dixieland Workshop, 13550 Seal Beach St. Paul’s Villa Senior Facility, Connors, Morgan Day, Joe Jensen, Blvd., Club House 3, rm. 8, (562) 594- 2340 4th Ave., San Diego. Friday, 2:30- Ruthe Monteith 5722 4pm, (619) 384-7574. AFCDJS STAFF NEW ORLEANS JAZZ CLUB Hal Smith, Artistic Director HIGH SOCIETY JAZZ BAND OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Crystal Solsbak, Office Manager Check the website schedule for 3rd Sunday, 1pm. Westminster RAMBLER STAFF upcoming gigs. More info Larry (858) Lanes, 6471 Westminster Ave., Editor: Jay F. Levine 277-5294. www.highsocietyjazzband.com Westminster Staff Writers: Myrna Goodwin • Hal Smith • Bob Solsbak MAD HAT HUCKSTERS S. BAY N. ORLEANS JAZZ CLUB Staff Photographers: Dave Long • Alex Check the website schedule. Matthews • Prismatic Sky www.facebook.com/madhathucksters/ 2nd Sunday, 12:30-5pm, Knights of Columbus Hall, 214 Avenue I, Redondo Advertise in the Rambler SUE PALMER Beach. (310) 374-3174 Advertising in the Jazz Rambler is one of Check the website schedule for the best ways to reach a large exclusive audience upcoming gigs at www.suepalmer.com SO CAL HOT JAZZ SOCIETY of Trad Jazz fans. With our circulation of 1st Sunday. American Legion Post approximately 2,000 and an estimated reader- EUPHORIA BRASS BAND 335, Southgate. (323) 566-9128. 1pm ship of 3,500, you will be reaching thousands Check the website schedule at of people who are interested in all aspects of www.euphoriabrassband.com Traditional Jazz. Support live music The Rambler is published quarterly. Dead- LAKESIDE JAZZ CLUB lines are the 5th of the month, prior to the date 1st Sundays (951-245-9504), Lake of issue. Feb. 1, May 1, Aug. 1 and Nov. 1. Elsinore Elks Club, 33700 Mission Trail, in your city. Advertising Rates Wildomar, CA, 1:30-4:30pm (Featured Full page — $275.00 band at 3pm) Keep Jazz Alive! One Half page — 150.00 One Third page — 110.00 RAMONA SENIOR CENTER One Quarter page — 85.00 One Eighth page — 50.00 Fridays, George Newman’s The AFCDJS Board of Directors holds Dixieland, 11:30am-1pm. Musicians its meetings on the second Tuesday of For a rate sheet, write AFCDJS, P.O. Box welcome, 434 Aqua Lane, Ramona, (619) the month. For venue and time, contact 880387, San Diego, CA 92168-0387 or call us at [email protected]. (619) 297-5277. 876-4300 X146

PAGE 2 SPRING (MAY) 2019 JAZZ RAMBLER Director . . . continued from front page Monthly Jazz Concerts voted unanimously at the January Sponsored by America’s Finest City Dixieland Jazz Society meeting to elect Bill Adams the new Executive Director for the SD Jazz Fest. May 12 — Royale Garden Jazz Band* Bill is no stranger to AFCDJS. The June 9 — Mad Hat Hucksters* Festival (and Society) was co-founded by his father, Alan, and Bill has worked July 28 — Jazz Jammers* every year of its existence. A teenager (*Special Dates) at the time of its inception, but already an accomplished sound engineer, he Lafayette Hotel & Suites very quickly took over managing all Mississippi Room • 2223 El Cajon Blvd. • San Diego things audio for the event. No small All Programs: 1-4pm • Admission-$20 • Members-$15 • Under 30 (with photo ID)-$8 feat, to be sure, but over the years he has been instrumental in the evolution PLEASE SUPPORT LIVE TRADITIONAL JAZZ! of the Festival, from not only the sound ATTEND OUR MONTHLY CONCERT/DANCES! design, but contracting vendors, securing sponsorships, managing Check www.sdjazzfest.org for the latest information hotel relations, and all the logistics of where the dance floors go, what type of piano goes on what stage to the Society Members are Generous in storage and transportation of drums, signs, programs... you name it! Supporting Our Mission and Goals As the Executive Director, Bill’s Hot Jazz fans unite! Once again, we bands, and support several local responsibilities will include his role in are asking for your financial support music programs. the Festival Steering Committee, to help continue the work of your In the next few weeks you will coordinating with the Town & Country Resort and Convention Center, and Society. With rising costs, hosting a receive our Annual Appeal letter. No working to ensure that AFCDJS receives quality festival becomes quite a matter the amount of your contribution support from the City of San Diego challenge. Your contribution could be or how it is directed, each response to Commission for Arts and Culture. a general donation to help with those this appeal will directly support our Bill will continue to steer the Board costs, go toward sponsoring a Festival programs. General Appeal contribu- as President, and guide and assist his band or musician, or even help promote tions as well as all donations for the fellow Board members in the areas of our education and youth programs. education funds are fully tax education, promotion, sponsorship Last year’s response was deductible. Stock and other securities and other programs. outstanding, and members’ can also be donated. Furthermore, your Board of contributions helped maintain quality Interested in becoming a sponsor? Directors continues to thrive. At our music programs to further our mission It is easy to sponsor your favorite band March meeting (where we hold annual to help keep the music alive. or musician. The benefits of elections) two new officers were elected. Bob Andersen, longtime As most of you already know, your sponsorship are many and are listed on Society member and leader of the Society is very active. Every year we our website (www.SDjazzfest.org). The Uptown Rhythm Makers as well as send talented young students to youth website also lists the band and musician Tony Connors, also a local musician jazz camps, host monthly workshops line-up for our November Festival. and veteran sound engineer at the SD and concerts, conduct our excellent We sincerely hope you will Jazz Fest, joined our ranks. Adult Jazz Camp every January, and consider making a contribution. Along with Bill, Bob and Tony, produce one of the finest Jazz festivals Please make your check payable to continuing to serve are Bob Solsbak in the country every November. AFCDJS. If you prefer to use your (Vice President), Myrna Goodwin Youth music programs are a credit card, you may do so at (Secretary), Ed Adams, Morgan Day, prominent focus of the Society. Along www.SDjazzfest.org (just be sure to Joe Jensen and Ruthe Monteith. with helping Mission Bay High School indicate the type of donation you Crystal Solsbak will continue on as with its very accomplished Preserva- would like to make). If you have any Office Manager as will Hal Smith in his role as Artistic Director. Any AFCDJS tionists Jazz Band, we contribute to questions, please contact us at member interested in serving on the the San Diego City School District to [email protected] or 619-297- Board should contact us at help keep music in the schools, provide 5277. On behalf of the Society, thank [email protected]. sheet music for school and youth you!

JAZZ RAMBLER SPRING (MAY) 2019 PAGE 3 Upcoming Monthly Concert Series Bands Royale Garden JB — May 12 Special Date The Royale Garden Jazz Band plays traditional New Orleans jazz featuring both popular and jazz favorites from the 1920s through the 1950s. The music is swingy, energetic, both danceable and good listening. Royale Garden is one of the few surviving jazz-club bands in Southern California. It originated over 20 years ago with the Covina-based Society for the Preservation of Dixieland Jazz. In recent years RGJB has made numerous appearances at the New Orleans Jazz Club of Southern California at Westminster, the Lakeside Jazz Club in Elsinore, the South Bay New Orleans Jazz Club in Redondo Beach, and at our monthly concerts in San Diego. Its musicians are seriously committed Mad Hat Hucksters — June 9, 2019: Special Date to the music and to bringing the very The Mad Hat Hucksters was founded by swing dancer Morgan Day in 2015. best of it to its audiences. The lineup Originally starting out as a jam band that played traditional jazz tunes of the will include Jay Rice, trumpet; Wayne 1920s, the band evolved to find its sound in the musical style of small combo Schmuss, clarinet; Bill Fischer, jazz bands of the 1930s swing era. The group has performed at many local San trombone; Jeff Adams, tuba; Dave Diego venues, including the Firehouse Swing Dance, Tio Leo’s, the Hep Spot, Michelson, banjo; and Paul Goldman, and Henry’s Pub, and have been featured at the SD Jazz Fest every year since drums. Ken Dilliard on piano will join 2016. The Hucksters released two albums: “Swing and Jazz Music for Dancing” the band as a special guest. in 2017, and “Night of the Lindy Dead” in 2018, both of which can be found on Bandcamp, iTunes, Amazon, and Spotify. The line-up includes Morgan Day, leader/washboard/drums/ vocals; Lindy Edwards, tenor sax/ vocals; Nightshade Navarro, clarinet/ soprano and alto sax; Anthony Marca, rhythm guitar; Michael Till, guitar; and Jeremy Eikam, bass. continued on page 6

Things To Do Online: • Purchase Fest Badges • Make Hotel Reservations • Sponsor a Band • Join the Society • Read the Jazz Rambler AFCDJS is a member of: • Make an Educ. Donation • Enroll in Jazz Camp • San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce • Get Volunteer Info • San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau PAGE 4 SPRING (MAY) 2019 JAZZ RAMBLER JAZZ RAMBLER SPRING (MAY) 2019 PAGE 5 Concerts . . . Continued from page 4 Jazz Jammers - July 28 Special Date For almost 20 years, John Contreras and his band of merry musicians have played at Fuddruckers in Grossmont Center in La Mesa for enthusiastic hot jazz fans. In addition, the band has performed in Balboa Park at the Twilight in Park Concerts series (Aug. 7 this year), the AFCDJS monthly concerts, countless private parties, and, of course, the San Diego Jazz Fest. Listeners and dancers alike enjoy Jazz Jammers and its interpretation of trad jazz and swing classics. John is the reedman and, together with trombonist Lee Fugal, is one of the featured vocalists. Chuck Hukari SAN DIEGO ADULT (trumpet), Jim Goodwin (banjo/guitar), Mike Whitehead (piano), Fred Allee TRADITIONAL JAZZ CAMP (drums), and John Palmer (tuba) January 16-19, 2020 complete the lineup. Be sure to hear Camp facilities located at the Lafayette Hotel. Instructions include sectionals for front line & this group on July 28 and don’t forget rhythm. Students play music together & with faculty members throughout the weekend. your parasols and “shout rags.” 2020 Camp Faculty Survey Thank You AFCDJS would like to thank all of those attending the 2018 San Diego Jazz Fest who

completed our survey Howard Clint John Katie Steve Dan Marty questions on line. Your Miyata Baker Royen Cavera Apple Levinson Eggers trombone trumpet piano banjo/guitar drums reeds tuba/bass input is sincerely appreciated. Marilyn Tuition: $445 Enrollment is limited (**indicates the class is full) There is a $50 tuition discount for students staying at the Lafayette Hotel for Jassowski from Placer- at least 3 nights, (limit two discounts per room). For reservations, contact the hotel ville, California, was at 1-619-296-2101 or make e-mail requests to [email protected] ĂŶĚĂƐŬĨŽƌƚŚĞ͞ũĂnjnjĐĂŵƉ͟ƌĂƚĞ͘ selected at random Register and pay tuition on-line at www.SDjazzfest.org or complete this form and make your check payable to AFCDJS. Mail to AFCDJS, PO Box 880387, San Diego, CA from the surveys 92168-0387. Please provide your hotel reservation number in the space provided completed and will below or in the comments section on-line. For further information, call 1-619-297-5277 or e-mail: [email protected] receive two all-events badges for the 2019 NAME: INSTRUMENT: STREET: San Diego Jazz Fest. CITY / STATE / ZIP: Thank you again to all PHONE: AMOUNT ENCLOSED: who participated in the EMAIL: survey. LAFAYETTE RESERVATION NUMBER:

PAGE 6 SPRING (MAY) 2019 JAZZ RAMBLER JAZZ RAMBLER SPRING (MAY) 2019 PAGE 7 Jazz Society Continues Education Emphasis

After over 20 years, the 2019 SD Adult Trad Jazz camp with seven instructors and almost 70 campers was once again a great success. The faculty demonstrated vintage instrumental techniques and supervised sessions played by the students. Instruction also included sectionals for front line and rhythm. Additional classes were offered on jazz history, music theory, stage presence, as well as advanced ensemble topics. Don’t miss the 2020 Jazz Camp. See our ad on page 6.

Education Outreach For more info about our youth program including Jazz Camp scholarships, check the Society website under Education.

Education Donors Dawn Club David & Bonnie Austin

PAGE 8 SPRING (MAY) 2019 JAZZ RAMBLER Monthly Concert Highlights — Great Jazz!

Jazz Camp Faculty — January 20

JAZZ RAMBLER SPRING (MAY) 2019 PAGE 9 More Concerts . . .

Heliotrope Ragtime Orch. — February 17

High Society Jazz Band — March17

PAGE 10 SPRING (MAY) 2019 JAZZ RAMBLER JAZZ RAMBLER SPRING (MAY) 2019 PAGE 11 2020 Adult Trad Donate Used Instruments to CCMS AFCDJS and the Council for Music tax deductible. Jazz Camp in the Schools remind members that Dig into your closets, attics, The 2019 San Diego the donation of used instruments is garages or under the bed, to find your old musical instruments — clarinet, not limited to during the Festival. Adult Traditional Jazz guitar, trumpet, sax, trombone, violin, Camp at the Lafayette Anyone wanting to donate during the flute (in high demand), cello, or even year, is welcome to bring the Hotel was another big a drum kit — that may be just collecting instrument(s) to any of our Monthly dust awaiting its next musical maestro. success. Start making your Concerts. Keep the music alive. Pass CCMS will mail each contributor an plans to attend next year’s the torch to the next generation. official letter for tax purposes. If you do not have an instrument to camp. More information is The Community Council for Music contribute but would like to help, a available on our website in the Schools (CCMS), a non-profit donation of any amount can help and on page 6 of this organization, will place the purchase additional needed Rambler. instruments with music teachers in instruments. (Currently, there is a San Diego Unified School District critical need for violins and violas.) (including elementary, middle and high With school budgets as they are, your unused instruments (or schools) for loan to students in school contribution) will allow deserving music classes, bands and orchestras students to enroll in music classes. who cannot afford to buy or rent their Who knows, your trumpet may go to own instruments. All donations are the next Louis Armstrong. AFCDJS PRESENTS FREE 2019 JAZZ WORKSHOPS (2nd Thurs. of month, 7-9 pm) May 9 • June 13 • July 11 Aug. 8 • Sept. 12 • Oct. 10 Nov. 14 • Dec. (Dark) AFCDJS-sponsored workshops are held the second Thursday of every month (except December) from 7 to 9pm at the San Diego Musicians Hall, 1717 Morena Blvd., San Diego.

Requirement: Desire to play Traditional Jazz! Furnished: Drums, piano and a core group of instructors. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ALL AGES & TALENT LEVELS WELCOME! ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ (619) 297-JASS (5277) www.SDjazzfest.org The personnel of many local bands who have appeared at our Festivals have been participants in the AFCDJS free Jazz Workshops.

PAGE 12 SPRING (MAY) 2019 JAZZ RAMBLER JAZZ RAMBLER SPRING (MAY) 2019 PAGE 13 Wally Rose and Kid Ory’s drummer Vivian Boarman (1967); “Clancy Squire . . . Minor Hall. Hayes Day” (1970, 1971) and the In the mid-1950s, Girsback Richard Krause Memorial Party in Continued from back page freelanced with hotel and cruise Berkeley (1976). Orchestra at Sweet’s Ballroom in ship bands and worked with the Girsback played with the Oakland, he was a seasoned original version of the El Dorado Swingin’ A’s (the strolling professional musician and one of Jazz Band. He was playing bass Dixieland band which performed at the best bassists/brass bassists on with the Delta Rhythm Boys in Las Oakland A’s home games) and with the West Coast. Vegas when Louis Armstrong heard the Magnolia Jazz Band in the ’70s, Girsback also played sousaphone him, and invited Girsback to join and picked up yet another moniker: in an early version of Watters’ the All-Stars. Armstrong thoroughly “Salty.” In 1979 he suffered a Yerba Buena Jazz Band but was enjoyed Girsback’s New Orleans debilitating stroke. Unable to play replaced by tubist Dick Lammi, who style bass work, but was unable to string bass, he managed to stay performed with the band at the Dawn remember his last name. Thus, somewhat active by playing a Club in San Francisco and on their “Squire GERSH” became the compact “pea-shooter” tuba with first recording session for Jazzman bassist’s sobriquet. He stayed with one hand. However, his health in December, 1941. However, the the All-Stars for about a year, continued to deteriorate and he group who produced the band’s beginning in the fall of 1956. passed away in San Francisco on first records were unhappy with Girsback can be heard on April 27, 1983. Fortunately, many Dick Lammi’s thunderous sound Armstrong’s “Musical Squire Girsback performances are on the tuba. For the YBJB’s second Autobiography” as well as on some available on CD: Commercial recording session in March, 1942, television appearances and live recordings with Watters, Murphy, they asked Watters to use a less recordings. Bunk Johnson and Armstrong; extroverted brass bassist. Girsback After leaving Armstrong, he commercial and live recordings with made the record and blended freelanced, playing occasionally Scobey, plus live recordings and perfectly with the stomping two- with the El Dorado Jazz Band, the films from Kid Ory’s 1959 European beat rhythm section while playing Bay City Jazz Band and assorted tour. Take the time to listen to this flawless bass lines. great bassist, though it may be During WWII, Girsback played non-jazz groups. Then, in 1959, trombone legend Kid Ory hired necessary to try different spellings in the wartime Yerba Buena Jazz when searching for his music online! Band. Legendary New Orleans Girsback for a European tour. In jazzman Bunk Johnson played the rhythm section, Cedric Haywood trumpet with the band in 1943-44 played cooly understated, swinging and became a profound influence piano. Combined with Girsback’s Update AFCDJS on Girsback’s rhythmic concept. big sound and unerring time feel, Girsback also played Western Swing they helped to counteract the erratic, With New Emails intrusive drumming of Alton Redd. with the Dude Martin band and Some of our members have Back in California, Girsback gained another nickname: “Geezer.” updated or changed their email returned to freelancing. During the After the war, when the Yerba Buena addresses. We are unable to send 1960s he worked with some Jazz Band returned to the Dawn concert notices or even the Jazz excellent traditional groups such as Club, neither Girsback or the band’s Rambler password to those who Turk Murphy’s San Francisco Jazz prewar banjoist Clancy Hayes were have requested it. included in the personnel. Hayes Band and Ted Shafer’s Jelly Roll If you have changed your email organized the “Bay City Boys” to Jazz Band. Later, when Bay Area address within the past year, compete with Watters’ band. jazz fans selected him as their please email the AFCDJS Office Girsback played both string bass favorite bassist in a poll sponsored and tuba with that group at numerous by the New Orleans Jazz Club of Manager, Crystal Solsbak, with rehearsals and on radio auditions, Northern California, Girsback the new e-mail address to crystal but it ultimately failed to catch on. recorded with the NOJCNC All- jazzsociety @gmail.com. However, when Bob Scobey and Stars. In addition to work in If you want to start receiving Turk Murphy left the YBJB to form nightclubs, concerts and dances, the Rambler online, you may their own groups, Girsback played Girsback donated his time to good indicate that as well. numerous engagements and causes such as the Bodega Bay Online subscriptions help to cut recordings with both bandleaders. Benefit Concert at Earthquake postage costs so we can use that He also recorded several ragtime McGoon’s (1964); a benefit for money for promoting “The compositions with YBJB pianist Yerba Buena Music Shop owner Music.” PAGE 14 SPRING (MAY) 2019 JAZZ RAMBLER Welcome New and Renewal Members Jan. - Feb. - March 2019 HELP WANTED: Small Band Ed & Lauren Adams AFCDJS is looking for Music Archives Dick Alderson a part-time bookkeeper AFCDJS maintains an archive of David & Bonnie Austin to fill the position of over 2,600 small band music Treasurer for our arrangements, which we make Cleve Baker organization. CPA status available to school and youth John Barton not mandatory (although bands, community, church, start- preferred), but the up, and non-profit music groups. Les Birdsall candidate must have prior Ask about the Top Thousand John & Tracy Bodenmann bookkeeping experience most-requested small band music and be well versed in arrangements, on a DVD disc. William Boling & Beata Csanadi QuickBooks. This person Go to www.sdjazzfest.org and Vaughn E. Chilcote will oversee bill paying, click “Small Band Music” at the record keeping, and be bottom of the page or contact Bob Duane Eberlein required to attend the Solsbak at archive@ sdjazzfest.org. Jan Gilbert monthly Board of Directors’ meeting. Pablo Gilbert The position will only Paul Goldman require a few hours a Ivan & Leilani Holmes week, so it’s perfect for a retiree or someone Chuck Hukari & Irena Nikolova looking to pick up a little Kevin & Jane Lynch extra work. If you or someone you know is Larry & Betty Miller interested, please send a Jim & Barbara Nagel resume and/or direct your inquiries through email to Carolyn Onken [email protected]. Lee Pernicano David & Dixie Peterson Joseph S. Pribilo MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION/RENEWAL /SUBSCRIPTION FORM Please check the applicable boxes and mail to: Rob Sawyer AMERICA’S FINEST CITY DIXIELAND JAZZ SOCIETY Robert Schaefer P.O. Box 880387 • San Diego, CA 92168-0387 • Phone: (619) 297-5277 Carl & Katherine Shaffer NEW  RENEWAL  George & Richelle Smith Enclosed is  $25.00 for a single membership (includes Jazz Rambler)  $40.00 for a couple membership (includes Jazz Rambler) Fest #40 Badges Now  $20.00 for annual subscription / Jazz Rambler only Available Online!  $25.00 — foreign When you go to our website, SUPPORT THE EDUCATION FUND you can use your credit card  $1,000 Cotton Club  $250 Storyville Club  $100 Dawn Club (Visa/MC/AMX) to purchase  Please contact me regarding volunteer work for the AFC Dixieland Jazz Society Festival badges, become a NAME ______sponsor, join or renew your membership, contribute to the MAILING ADDRESS ______education fund or even enroll in jazz camp. Check it out at CITY ______STATE _____ ZIP ______PHONE______www.SDjazzfest.org. EMAIL ______

JAZZ RAMBLER SPRING (MAY) 2019 PAGE 15 AMERICA’S FINEST CITY NON PROFIT ORG. DIXIELAND JAZZ SOCIETY U.S. POSTAGE Post Office Box 880387 PAID San Diego, California 92168-0387 Permit No. 821 San Diego. CA

Traditional Jazz: A Quick Look Squire Girsback — Top Bassist Any Way You Spell It (This is the eighth mini- online sources mention “William biography in a continuation of Girsback” and also “Squire Gersh.” a series of biographies of great Another site lists the family name traditional jazz musicians. The as “Grasbach.” However, the birth series started with the March/ records for San Francisco County, April 1991 issue and was (and musician-author James Leigh, developed by Rambler founding a close associate) stated the publisher and Board Member, bassist’s correct name and birthplace: Eino William Girsback, the late Len Levine.) born in San Francisco on May 13, 1913. By Hal Smith AFCDJS Artistic Director In addition to playing string bass, Girsback also learned to play When researching the sousaphone and acquired the outstanding bassist Squire nickname “Squire.” By the late Girsback, various sources spell his 1930s, when he joined Lu Watters’ first and last name several different list him as “Elmo,” listing Astoria, ways. At least two published sources Oregon as his birthplace. Multiple continued on page 14

PAGE 16 SPRING (MAY) 2019 JAZZ RAMBLER