February 2011 Volume 36, Number 02 “holotradband” They Called it Jazz Delivers in Capital Fashion Pee Wee Russell At February 20th Monthly Concert Into the Mainstream By Rod Belcher By Hal Smith As steady jobs go these days for musical groups, cornetist-leader In 1963, Pee Wee made an appearance in an avant-garde setting: as a Dave Holo is more fortunate than most. For years he has had two bands guest with Thelonious Monk’s group at the Newport Jazz Festival. Some working at the New Orleans Restaurant in Pioneer Square. critics stated that the combination did not live up to its expectations. (Pee Each Monday he fronts the “New Orleans Quintet.” Come Tuesdays Wee also voiced displeasure with the results after a live recording of the there, he leads the septet he calls “holotradband.” In the style of today’s set was released). But despite the less-than-enthusiastic comments, no computer language, that’s the billing Dave prefers -- one word, all in lower other jazzman could have created the same magic that Pee Wee brought case. But it’s not a minimalist product his outfit delivers to the audience. to “Blue Monk.” Curt Beard, the late devoted member and scribe of our jazz society, Pee Wee had proved that his music was timeless. A Newsweek article wrote in an earlier story about the band: from 1963 included this statement, “Playing with younger, mainstream “What is holotradband? In truth, it swings, it offers drive, energy, and musicians, [Russell] fits in smoothly and sounds like a contemporary a sound that does not overwhelm a listener’s ears. Its harmonies fit just jazzman with a future, not like an aging echo of the past.” Still, Pee Wee right and its variety of tunes cuts a wide swath through the early decades of showed no interest in further appearances with Monk and by the end of jazz It is, in a word, refreshing.” 1963 he severed his ties with Marshall Brown. Referring to Brown’s Holo’s sidemen, all old hands in the jazz business, include names well attempts to closely control the quartet’s music and the musicians, Pee Wee known to PSTJS members. There’s trombonist Dave Loomis, who also said, “I haven’t taken so many orders since military school.” lends both his arranging and vocal talents to the group. There’s clarinetist In 1964, Pee Wee joined Eddie Condon’s All-Stars for a tour of Australia Bruce Hall, who even offers a welcome bass clarinet solo now and then. and New Zealand, followed by a tour of Japan. Pee Wee’s musical genius Lance Haslund is the ultimate rhythm guitarist. Mike Daugherty is the was recognized by fans, musicians and critics alike. Later in the year he enthusiastic drummer who throws in a novelty vocal to spice things up on toured Germany, Switzerland and Denmark with George Wein’s Newport occasion. Alex Guilbert handles the piano duties in melodic fashion, and All Stars, then headed for England, to tour as a single. He appeared with Jeff Norwood is a wonder of facility and accurate pitch on the string bass. top British bands, including the one led by Alex Welsh. As on the previous As for Holo himself, his cornet work reminds some fans of the tours, Pee Wee’s talent was celebrated on the bandstand, in the audience effortless, tone-beautiful work of the legendary Bobby Hackett, though he and in the press. certainly does not set out to be an imitator. Dave has also been known to Back in the States, Pee Wee cut back on the amount of touring, club dates, pitch in with a jazz-oriented vocal. He wants his band to offer something concerts and recordings. He also began painting when Mary decided that enjoyable to both listeners and dancers. he was spending too much time watching television. Pee Wee became He does, and it works. So come and take in the once-a-year session an enthusiastic painter and those who viewed his paintings inevitably holotradband plays for our society. compared them to his clarinet playing. Pee Wee himself noted the similarities and told one interviewer, “...like playing the clarinet.... I play ----------- that way and the same goes for my painting. I’m trying and I’ll get there. I may be taking a roundabout way, and it may take time, and I’ll make WHERE: Ballard Elks Lodge, 6411 Seaview Ave. NW, Seattle mistakes, but I’ll get there somehow. I know my limitations and I know WHEN: Sunday, February 20 -- 12’30 - 4:30 p.m. how far I can stretch out.” ADMISSION: $10 - PSTJS members; $13 - guests. Pay only at door. The relaxed playing schedule allowed more time to paint. The reaction FURTHER INFO: Carol Rippey, 425-776-5072 - or - website: to Pee Wee’s paintings was overwhelmingly positive. An old friend, tenor www.pstjs.org saxophonist Bud Freeman (who was also an art aficionado), helped sell Plenty free parking; great view; fine dance floor. Pee Wee’s paintings to collectors for several hundred dollars each. The Coffee, snacks, other beverages available. admiration for Pee Wee’s music and art was at an all-time high in the Jazz Soundings February 2011 Page 2 Puget Sound Gigs for Local Bands Traditional Jazz Society BELLINGHAM TRADITIONAL JAZZ SOCIETY 1st Saturdays, 2 - 5 pm (except Jul and Aug) 5:30 - 8:30 VFW Hall 625 N. 19031 Ocean Avenue Edmonds, WA 98020-2344 State St. 425-776-5072 www.pstjs.org Feb 5 Gerry Green Cresent Ctiy Band March 5 Combo Deluxe EVENTS Elks Lodge, Ballard, 6411 Seaview Ave N.W., Seattle CASEY MacGILL’s BLUE 4 TRIO Sundays, 5:30 - 8:30 Tutta Bella Pizzeria 4411 Stoneway N 206-633-3800 UPCOMING EVENTS Wednesdays, 8-11. Pink Door Restaurant & Lounge 1919 Post Alley March 20 Grand Dominion Jazz Band (Pike Market) 206-443-3241 April 17 Hume Street May 15 Black Swan Jazz Band FIRST THURSDAY BAND June 19 Ain’t No Heaven Seven 1st Thurs of each month, 7 - 10 p.m., New Orleans Restaurant, 114 1st Ave S., Sept 18 Bob Schulz’s Frisco Jazz Band Seattle, WA October 16 Sidewalk Stompers November 20 Evergreen Classic Jazz Band GLENN CRYTZER’s SYNCOPATORS December 18 Ray Skjelbred’s First Thursday Band 1st Sunday of the Month 9:30-12:30 Century Ballroom 915 East Pine (2nd Floor) 206-324-7263 LEADERSHIP Third Wednesday of the Month (same as above) PRESIDENT: Judy Levy [email protected] 425-890-6605 GRAND DOMINION VICE PRESIDENT: George Swinford [email protected] Feb 10 - 13 2 - 15, Fresno Dixiland Society - Mardi Gras - www.gdjb.com/ 425-869-2780 SECRETARY: Cilla Trush [email protected] holotradband 206-363-9174 Tuesdays, 7 - 10 p.m., New Orleans Restaurant, 114 1st Ave S., Seattle, WA TREASURER: Gloria Kristovich [email protected] 425-776-7816 NEW ORLEANS JAZZ QUINTET Mondays 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. New Orleans Restaurant, 114 1st Ave S., Seattle BOARD OF DIRECTORS Dave Brown: [email protected] 253-752-6525 PEARL DJANGO Colin Dearing: [email protected] 206-937-5476 Feb 4, 5:30 pm, 509 Tasting Room, 1300 N. Northlake Way, Seattle, WA Joanne Hargrave [email protected] 206-550-4664 206 632-7516 Leroy Johnson: [email protected] 206-772-4378 Feb 11, 8 pm North City Bistro, 1520 NE 177th St., Shoreline, WA Jan Lemmon [email protected] 425-778-9763 206 365-4447 Edmund Lewin: 360-297-6633 Ian McKenna: [email protected] 425-771-5479 Feb 12 7:45 pm Bake’s Place, 4135 Providence Point Dr. SE., Issaquah, George Oelrich: [email protected] 360-793-0836 WA 98029, 425 391-3335 Carol Rippey: [email protected] 425-776-5072 Feb 19, 2 pm Highline Vintage Jazz Festival, Highline Performing Arts Center 401 S. 152nd St., Burien, WA MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR Feb 20, 9 pm Belltown Billiards, 90 Blanchard St., Seattle, WA Carol Rippey: [email protected] 425-776-5072 Feb 25, 8 pm Edmonds Unitarian Universalist Church, 8109 224th St. SW, EDITOR Edmonds, WA 425 712 3463 Anita LaFranchi: [email protected] 206-522-7691 Feb 26, 6:30 pm, Wintergrass, Evergreen in the Pines, Bellevue, WA Feb 26, 8:45 pm, Wintergrass, Twisted Cork, Hyaat Regency, 900 Bellevue JAZZ SOUNDINGS Way NE, Bellevue, WA 253 428 8056 Published monthly except July and August by the Puget Sound Tradi- UPTOWN LOWDOWN JB tional Jazz Society. Feb 25-27 Seaside, OR - Oregon Dixieland Jubilee Anita LaFranchi, editor, [email protected] Ads must be submitted in a jpeg or (PDF format) Payment in advance to: Gloria Kristovich, P.O. Box 373, Edmonds, WA 98020-0373 On Your Dial........ Advertising Rates: Saturday Full page $100. 7 1/2” wide by 9 1/2 “ tall 10 a.m. Gospel Jazz, Ted Reed KARI 550 AM. Half Page $60. 7 1/2” wide by 4 1/4 “ tall 7 - 12 p.m. Swing Years and beyond KUOW 94.9 FM Quarter Page $40. 3 5/8 Wide by 4 1/4 “ tall Sunday Deadline is the 10th of the month for the next months issue 3 -6 p.m. Art of Jazz, Ken Wiley, KPLU 88.5 FM Jazz Soundings February 2011 Page 3 mid-to-late ’60s. But the heady atmosphere was tempered by the death of another longtime friend, Henry “Red” Allen, in 1967. Next, Mary’s health went into sudden decline. She had been diagnosed with stomach ulcers, but her condition worsened and she went into a hospital for tests. The test results indicated pancreatic cancer — an incurable disease.