BLACK SWAN RETURNS TO PSTJS ON OCTOBER 16!
6
Alan Phillips, the banjoist, was originally a French horn player who then moved on to piano 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, blues, jazz, 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 has recently returned from an extended performing tour of northern Europe. WHERE: Ballard Elks Lodge 6411 Seaview Ave. NW, Seattle WHEN: 1 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. October 16 ADMISSION: $12 PSTJS members $15 non-members. Pay only at door. FURTHER INFO: Carol Rippey 425-776-5072. Or - website: www.pstjs.org. Plenty of free parking; great view & dance floor, snacks, coffee, and other beverages available. BLACK SWAN RETURNS TO PSTJS ON OCTOBER 16! October 2016 Volume 41, Number 08 The Black Swan band we’ll be hearing in October declares itself “dedicated to the preservation and performance of Dixieland, old-time gospel, early jazz and ragtime music”. Here are the musicians who will demonstrate all that dedication: First, Kit Johnson, founder of the band, and as he points out, owner (and operator) of the tuba. On cornet, Rick Holzgrafe, a twenty- year member of the Mission Gold Jazz Band, before he moved to Oregon. Playing trombone, Andy Hall, familiar to us as a regular in the Uptown Lowdown and Hume Street bands. On clarinet, Steve Matthes, former director of the OSU Concert Band; now he’s the director of the Corvallis Community Band. On piano, John Bennett, Playing piano in a burlesque theater helped John pay his college tuition. He claims to be the only pit pianist who never looked up. The Black Swan Classic Jazz Band, last heard on our stage in 2014, returns for our October 16th concert. This fine group hails from Oregon’s Willamette Valley. The band takes its name from Black Swan Records, a Harlem-based company founded in 1921. It was a black-owned company and the first widely distributed label to be marketed to an African-American audience. The company was founded by Harry Pace; just after his music publishing partnership with W. C. Handy had dissolved. By 1924 the company had foundered and was sold to Paramount Records, another legendary label. In the short span of its existence Black Swan created a lasting jazz legacy, having issued recordings by such well-remembered vocalists as Lucille Hegamin, Alberta Hunter, Trixie Smith, Eva Taylor and their best seller, the wonderful Ethel Waters. Continued on page 4 by George Swinford Editor’s note: See page 4 for more complete bios of Black Swan.
Transcript of BLACK SWAN RETURNS TO PSTJS ON OCTOBER 16!
Alan Phillips, the banjoist, was originally a French horn player who then moved on to piano 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, blues, jazz, 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 has recently returned from an extended performing tour of northern Europe.
WHERE: Ballard Elks Lodge 6411 Seaview Ave. NW, SeattleWHEN: 1 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. October 16ADMISSION: $12 PSTJS members $15 non-members. Pay only at door.FURTHER INFO: Carol Rippey 425-776-5072. Or - website: www.pstjs.org. Plenty of free parking; great view & dance floor, snacks, coffee, and other beverages available.
BLACK SWAN RETURNS TO PSTJS ON OCTOBER 16!
October 2016 Volume 41, Number 08
The Black Swan band we’ll be hearing in October declares itself “dedicated to the preservation and performance of Dixieland, old-time gospel, early jazz and ragtime music”. Here are the musicians who will demonstrate all that dedication:
First, Kit Johnson, founder of the band, and as he points out, owner (and operator) of the tuba.
On cornet, Rick Holzgrafe, a twenty-year member of the Mission Gold Jazz Band, before he moved to Oregon. Playing trombone, Andy Hall, familiar to us as a regular in the Uptown Lowdown and Hume Street bands. On clarinet, Steve Matthes, former director of the OSU Concert Band; now he’s the director of the Corvallis Community Band. On piano, John Bennett, Playing piano in a burlesque theater helped John pay his college tuition. He claims to be the only pit pianist who never looked up.
The Black Swan Classic Jazz Band, last heard on our stage in 2014, returns for our October 16th concert. This fine group hails from Oregon’s Willamette Valley.
The band takes its name from Black Swan Records, a Harlem-based company founded in 1921. It was a black-owned company and the first widely distributed label to be marketed to an African-American audience. The company was founded by Harry Pace; just after his music publishing partnership with W. C. Handy had dissolved. By 1924 the company had foundered and was sold to Paramount Records, another legendary label. In the short span of its existence Black Swan created a lasting jazz legacy, having issued recordings by such well-remembered vocalists as Lucille Hegamin, Alberta Hunter, Trixie Smith, Eva Taylor and their best seller, the wonderful Ethel Waters.
Continued on page 4
by George Swinford
Editor’s note: See page 4 for more complete bios of Black Swan.
Jazz Soundings Page 2
Puget Sound Traditional Jazz Society
19031 Ocean AvenueEdmonds, WA 98020-2344
425-776-5072 www.pstjs.org
UPCOMING EVENTSElks Lodge, Ballard, 6411 Seaview Ave N.W., Seattle
Oct. 16 Black Swan Classic Jazz BandNov. 20 Evergreen Classic Jazz BandDec. 18 Ray Skjelbred & the Yeti Chasers Jan. 15 Uptown Lowdown Jazz BandFeb. 19 Jacob Zimmerman and His PalsMar. 19 Gerry Green’s Crescent City Shakers
PRESIDENT Judy Levy [email protected] 425-890-6605VICE PRESIDENT Jack Temp 425-242-0683SECRETARY Cilla Trush [email protected] 206-363-9174TREASURER Gloria Kristovich [email protected] 425-776-7816BOARD OF DIRECTORS Keith Baker [email protected] Eriks [email protected] 206-363-6171Joanne Hargrave [email protected] 206-550-4664John Heinz [email protected] 425-412-0590Edmunde Lewin 360-297-6633George Peterson [email protected] 425-453-5218Carol Rippey [email protected] 425-776-5072George Swinford [email protected] 425-869-2780
MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR Carol Rippey [email protected] 425-776-5072
EDITORAnita LaFranchi [email protected] 206-522-7691
WEBMASTERGeorge Peterson [email protected] 425-453-5218
Gigs for Local Bands
On Your Dial........Saturday7 - 12 pm Swing Years and Beyond KUOW 94.9 FMSunday3 -6 pm Art of Jazz, Ken Wiley, KPLU 88.5 FM
JAZZ SOUNDINGS
Published monthly except July and August by the Puget Sound Traditional Jazz Society.Anita LaFranchi, Editor, [email protected] 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 “ tallHalf Page $60. 7 1/2” wide by 4 1/4 “ tall Quarter Page $40. 3 5/8 Wide by 4 1/4 “ tall Deadline is the 10th of the month for the next month’s issue
October 2016
BELLINGHAM TRADITIONAL JAZZ SOCIETY1st Saturday, 2-5 pm VFW Hall 625 N. State St., Bellingham, WAOct. 1 Uptown Lowdown Jazz Band (6 pcs.)Nov. 5 Market Street Jass Band & Silent AuctionDec. 3 Crescent City Shakers /AGM & Jewelry Party
BOURBON STREET ALL STARS1st Tuesday, 5-9pm at McCloud’s Grillhouse 2901 Perry Ave, Bremerton, WA 98310 Res: 360-373-3093
DAVE HOLO TRIOSalty’s on Alki 1936 Harbor Avenue. SW Seattle, WA 98126 206-937-1600 http://saltys.com/seattle Oct. 7 5-8pmOct. 21 5-8pm
GREATER OLYMPIA DIXIELAND JAZZ SOCIETY2nd Sundays 1-4:30pm Elks Lodge. 1818 Fourth Ave E., Olympia, WA Oct. 9 Gerry Green’s Crescent City Shakers
PEARL DJANGO Oct. 1 8pm North City Bistro We love this place! Reservations recommended. Tickets and reservations made directly through the Bistro will be required to guarantee seating. Call (206) 365-4447 Or email [email protected] for reservations. 1520 NE 177th St; Shoreline, WAOct. 14 7:30pm Water Music Festival. Joining us will be Gail Pettis. Inn at Harbour Village 120 Williams Ave, Ilwaco, WA 98624 (360) 642-0087Oct. 15 8pm The Old Stone We will also feature accordianist David Lange 157 Franklin Ave, Bend OR 97701; 541-322-7273 Gigs continue on page 5
Jazz Soundings October 2016 Page 3
JAZZ STORY
by Ray King
My exposure to traditional jazz started in the late 1940s and early 1950s. My brother, 7 years my senior, started bringing home 78s and the love of traditional jazz has lasted a lifetime.
I had a nightly ritual, with my mother and brother, of listening to Frank Bull and Vice President Benson Curtis’ “Dixieland Jazz, Barrel House, Boogie & the Blues” program on KFWB radio in Los Angeles. It started and ended with a great Panama Rag.
I still see my mom doing housework and cooking to Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, and later to Claire Austin and Kid Ory.
The first record I purchased was in 1951, a 45 RPM of Kid Ory from the Jazz Man Record Shop in Hollywood - it’s still 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 Sidney Bechet. Forever etched in my soul was a darkened stage with a single spotlight focused on the bell of Bechet’s horn which stuck out between the curtains on the stage. As Bechet began to play “Summertime”, the curtains slowly opened and gradually the spotlight encompassed Bechet - a memory was made!
When I recall the “greats” I have seen in person, I am grateful for my good fortune: Armstrong, Ory, Buckner, Wingy Manone, Firehouse Five Plus Two, Barney Bigard, Turk Murphy, Scobey, Pollack, Red Nichols, Matlock, St. Cyr, Hackett, Teagarden, Billie & DeDe Pierce, Willie Humphrey, George Lewis, Marsala Brothers and more.
I had the opportunity to sit and talk with some of my heroes. One memorable evening I spent with Kid Ory and his wife, Barbara, after hours in his club “On the Levee” in San Francisco. He told me that Barbara was his second wife. They had a daughter, Babette, who was born in 1954 -
his first child when he was 67. Recently, I had the great pleasure to spend the day and have dinner with Ory’s daughter Babette.
Here is a picture of Babette and me in May 2016.
I spent a lot of time (and money) at the Beverly Cavern in L.A. I got to know the Firehouse Five Plus Two members well. One evening Don Kinch and George Bruns came in with the band. Bruns had his horn - Kinch didn’t. Ward Kimball tossed me his car keys and asked me to get the tuba from his car for Don. I got about halfway to the door, turned back and asked Ward which car was his. He answered with his dry wit: “It’s the one with the tuba in the back seat.” I found it.
I went to San Francisco with a friend who had played with Monte Ballou in the 1930s. The reunion took place at Earthquake McGoons. While there, Monte asked me if I wanted to smoke some “Sweet Lotus Blossom” since his doctor told him in the 1940s that cigarettes were bad for him but didn’t mention the former. I did.
In the early 1980s, I had Dick Knutson with his Desert City Six and Vince Saunders with his South Frisco Jazz Band play at a party I hosted.
Those were the days! Damn, I love this music.
My son asked me what my 5 “Desert Island Discs” would be. Here they are:1. Louis Armstrong & His Hot Five The Louis Armstrong Story - Vol. 1 - Columbia - CL 8512. George Lewis the “Red Record” - American Music - 6393. Kid Ory & His Creole Jazz Band in Concert - Good Time Jazz - EPG 10064. Lu Watters & the Yerba Buena Jazz Band Good Time Jazz - L 120075. Firehouse Five Plus Two - Dixieland Favorites - Good Time Jazz - M 12040Just remember: “Do What Ory Say”
Below - is a photo from 1953 of Kid Ory’s band at the Beverly Cavern. Names are: Teddy Buckner, Minor Hall, Joe Darensbourg, Ed Garland, Kid Ory, Harvey Brooks (Photo: Louisiana State Museum)
Jazz Soundings Page 4October 2016
The Black Swan band has a solid reputation and has charmed our audience in previous appearances. Kit Johnson promises that they will feature several tunes from their recent recording, “Hoagy, Heart and Soul”, which should delight dancers and listeners alike. I presume we will have the opportunity to purchase that recording. Please join your PSTJS friends at the Ballard Elks on October 16th, where once again we’ll enjoy the music 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.
Black Swan will delight you with a good-time mix of music from the heydays of blues and ragtime, the Roaring Twenties and the revivalist jazz period. With their new recording, “Hoagy, Heart & Soul” in tow, this versatile group will feature sev-eral cuts from that American master that dancers and listeners alike will love. Marilyn Keller, vocals
Marilyn brings a special magic to the stage with her mesmerizing presence and flawless vocal stylings. Diversity is one of her greatest assets and she displays it by appearing with Black Swan and a wide variety of other performance groups and styles: The Don Latarski Group, Tall Jazz, Tom Grant, Michael Allen Harrison and the Augustana Jazz Quartet to name a few. Marilyn has recently returned from an ex-tended performing tour in northern Europe. John Bennett, piano
One of Portland’s most beloved and hard-working jazz pianists, John helped pay his Lewis and Clark College tuition by playing in a burlesque theater (he claims to be the only pit piano player who never looked up from the keyboard). He has taught public and private school music in The Dalles, Warm Springs and Portland
and keeps active in the live music scene with band and solo work. Andy Hall, tromboneHailing from the upper Midwest, Andy brought his music talents to our region several decades ago, regularly performing with Uptown Lowdown and Hume Street in Washington. In addition to his fine, Turk-style trombone artistry, corner Andy for hilarious imitations of Marx Brothers and Monty Python characters. Kit Johnson, tuba
Kit is founder of Black Swan and owns the tuba. Alan Phillips, banjo
Alan originally joined the band back in 1990 and has become a favorite for his solid rhythm playing, musicality and vocal talents. Originally a French horn player, Alan eventually moved on to study piano tuning and restoration in Boston. This com-bined his love of music with a more practi-cal approach to making a living. Alan has performed with the Eugene Symphony and the Oregon Festival of American Music. He was a member of the Misty Water Drift-ers, the Drag Kings, the Hackers and the Em-erald City Jazz Kings, as well as leading the Eugene-based string/swing band SWANG. Steve Matthes, clarinet
A versatile musician from Corvallis, Oregon. Steve is Director of the Corvallis Community Band and past Director of the OSU Concert Band, makes guest solo and conducting appearances, and teaches sax and
clarinet. Career highlights include clarinet soloist performances with a host of Dixieland ensembles, symphonic bands and orchestras.Ron Leach, drums
Ron has performed in Latin, blues, jazz, bluegrass, symphonic and theater groups throughout Oregon. A lifelong stu-dent of drums and percussion, Ron has studied Latin rhythms in Havana, Cuba and joined Black Swan in 2000. Ron previous-ly spent three years as music director on the Queen of the West before returning to shore to become active in land-based gigs. Rick Holzgrafe, cornet
Rick played with the Fink Street Five in Orange County for seven years, and then the Apex Jass Band in San Jose in the early 1980s. He was a 20-year member of the Mission Gold Jazz Band before mov-ing to Oregon, and has appeared with the Churchill Street Rhythm and Ted Shafer’s Jelly Roll Jazz Band.
BLACK SWAN BIOS
Black Swan continued from page 4
Jazz Soundings Page 5October 2016
Dues for 12 months: Single $25 Couple $40 Lifetime single $200 Lifetime Couple $350Patron $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.
Puget Sound Traditional Jazz Society19031 Ocean Ave., Edmonds, WA 98020-2344
Please (enroll) (renew) (me) (us) as a member or members
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We’re looking for new
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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.
RAY SKJELBRED AND THE YETI CHASERSOct. 15 5-7:30 pm Royal Room (Seattle, WA) For more info visit: http://theroyalroomseattle.com/THE WASHBOARD CUT-UPS1st Thursday, 7:30-10:30pm J&M Café 201 1st Ave S, Seattle - Pioneer SquareUPTOWN LOWDOWN JAZZ BANDOct. 1 2-5pm Bellingham Trad Jazz Society Bellingham Vets Hall ULJB 6pc band.Oct 2. 11am-1pm Jubilee Farm - Carnation 11am - 1pm Double BarrsOct. 8 11:30am-2pm Confluence Park in Winthrop, WA Oct. 9 11am-1pm Jubilee Farm - Carnation Double BarrsOct. 15 9-1pm J&M Cafe, Seattle Bert w/The Washboard CutupsOct. 16 11am-1pm Jubilee Farm - Carnation 11am - 1pm Double BarrsOct. 21 7-9pm Third Place Commons - Lake forest ParkOct. 23 11am-1pm Jubilee Farm - Carnation 11am - 1pm Double BarrsOct. 26 6-9pm Pike Place Bar & Grill w/Washboard Cutups
PLEASE SHARE YOUR FAVORITE JAZZ MEMORY WITH US!
Gigs for Local BandsGigs continued from page 2
You may put your memories down on paper and mail to P S T J S 19031 Ocean Ave, Edmonds, WA. 98020, or email
your stories to: [email protected].
AIN’T NO HEAVEN SEVEN Leader: Terry [email protected] 206-465-6601 BOURBON STREET ALL STARSLeader: Jeff Winslow (360) 731 0322 [email protected] CREEK JAZZ BAND Leader: Judy Logen, 425-641-1692 Bookings: [email protected] DE LUXE Bookings: Candace Brownwww.combodeluxe.net [email protected] 253-752-6525CORNUCOPIA CONCERT BAND Leader: Allan Rustadwww.comband.org 425-744-4575DUKES OF DABOB Bookings: Mark Holman, 360-779-6357, [email protected]. DUWAMISH JAZZ BAND Bookings: Carol [email protected] 206-932-7632EVERGREEN CLASSIC JAZZ BAND Leader: Tom Jacobusemail: [email protected] ph: 253-852-6596 or cell 253-709-3013FIRST THURSDAY BAND Leader: Ray Skjelbred,[email protected] 206-420-8535FOGGY BOTTOM JAZZ BAND Leader: Bruce Cosacchi360-638-2074GRAND DOMINION JAZZ BAND Bookings: Bob [email protected] 360-387-2500 holotradband Leader: Dave Holo email: [email protected] HOT CLUB SANDWICH Contact: James Schneiderwww.hotclubsandwich.com 206-561-1137 HUME STREET PRESERVATION JAZZ BANDBookings: Karla West 406-862-3814
JAZZ UNLIMITED BAND Leader: Duane [email protected] 206-930-9998JAZZ STRINGS Bookings: Candace [email protected] 253-752-6525LOUISIANA JOYMAKERS! Leader: Leigh [email protected] 604-294-9464THE BARRELHOUSE JIVE CATS Leader: James Walls 206-280-1581 email:[email protected] www.barrelhousejive-cats.comTHE MARKET STREET DIXIELAND JASS BANDAnsgar Duemchen: 425-286-5703 Tim Sherman 206-547-1772www.marketstreetjazz.com MIGHTY APHRODITE Co-leaders: Bria Skonberg, Claire McK-enna [email protected] 405-613-0568NEW ORLEANS QUINTET Jake Powel 206- 725-3514 [email protected] JAZZ BAND Manager: Randy [email protected] 206-437-1568RAY [email protected] 206-420-8535RONNIE PIERCE JAZZ [email protected], 206-467-9365UPTOWN LOWDOWN JAZZ BAND Leader: Bert [email protected] 425-898-4288WILD CARDS JAZZ Leader: Randy [email protected] 206-437-1568
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