www.SacramentoRagtime.com GaleD@arc.losrios.edu

530-758-6697

NEXT MEETING

The February SRS meeting will be held the last Sunday of

February on February 26, 2012

in J.B.’s Lounge at the Red Lion Sacramento Inn

1401 Arden Way, Sacramento from 1:00 to 4:00 pm

See Newletter in color: www.sacramentoragtime.com Enjoying Joyful Julia ......……..…. 1 January 29

th SRS Session ….…. 2

Sacramento Music Festival ……. 3 Julia Riley …………………………. 4 Ragtime In Chico …...…...……….. 6 Online Music Events ………….…. 6

When I first joined the Sacramento Ragtime Society several years ago, certain performers immediately caught my attention: Tom Bier, Elliott Adams, Al Mariano and The Porcupine Ragtime Ensemble. Whenever I heard the Porcupines, Julia Riley’s flute and piccolo provided such wonderful accents to their music. I was, at that time, playing in collaboration fairly regularly with Nan Bostick and Tom Brier. Subsequently, Julia joined Nan, Tom and me for some special concerts, and the more I listened to how versatile she is, and what a wonderful instinct she has for exactly how best to contribute in an ensemble, I became increasingly impressed with Julia’s musicianship. Having now played in groups with Julia for over 10 years, I appreciate both her musical and her administrative ability even more.

First of all, like me, Julia is just basically a happy person. Her life itself has often been far from easy, but there’s a resiliency about Julia’s personality which, combined with her absolute love of music, seems to have been able to sustain her, and she’s nearly always upbeat and cheerful. That’s really important in any musical group because the “mix of temperaments” can become pretty crucial. Julia loves to explore music from various decades and traditions, and is never at a loss for suggestions of pieces we should consider adding to our repertoire. She has no need, however, to dictate or dominate the decision making, and encourages her collaborators to express their ideas and choices, and to suggest “roadmaps” for how we should arrange and play the pieces, passing the lead and harmony lines around, equitably.

Still, Julia is never hesitant to kick off the discussions, because she has well-grounded confidence in her own ear, and her sense of how a piece should sound. What’s always seemed to me particularly effective about Julia’s musical leadership is this balance of musical self-confidence, and true respect and appreciation for the talents of everyone with whom she’s playing. The rest of us look forward to rehearsals with Julia because she establishes such a welcoming, enthusiastic ambiance, while still keeping things moving along on time and on task.

Julia’s Pillow Photo From Kitty Wilson

While Julia is certainly a very accomplished, serious musician, she has this wonderful whimsical side that has led her to add kazoos, slide whistles, Groucho Marx glasses & noses, customized lyrics and other impromptu accents to the music we play so that audiences can enjoy a little surprise, and we performers all have fun also! Just the group names she selected: Saloon Sweeties (now named The Sweeties ‘n Swells), See Joyful Julia | Page 6

IN THIS ISSUE

Deborah Gale, Editor February 2012

Enjoying Joyful Julia By Kitty Wilson

Billie Menz (Bonnie Gonzalez, vocal) I Can’t Believe That You’re In Love With Me 1926 Clarence Gashell & Jimmy McHugh Georgia On My Mind 1930 Hoagy Carmichael & Stuart Gorrell Ida, Sweet as Apple Cider 1903 Eddie Munson & Eddie Leonard Has Anybody Seen My Gal 1914 Percy Wenrich & Jack Mahoney Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue 1925 Sam Lewis, Joe Young, Ray Henderson NOTE: Because early songs were often performed without being recorded, there are conflicting sources regarding who originally composed "Has Anybody Seen My Gal?", as the song was often adjusted and had lyrics and verses added or removed several times. Some sources credit Percy Weinrich (music) and Jack Mahoney (lyrics) as writing the song during 1914. But for the song in its most popular form, credit is given to Ray Henderson (music) and Sam M. Lewis and Joseph Widow Young (lyrics). It was this version that was recorded by The California Ramblers during 1925. Petra Sullivan (piano), Bub Sullivan (mandolin & vocal) Rosalia 1919 Querino Mendoza La Entrerriana 1918 Alfredo Cobbi Hula Lou (Bub vocal) 1915 Neil Moret

Elliott Adams Maple Leaf Rag 1899 Scott Joplin Roseleaf Rag 1907 Scott Joplin Something Doing 1903 Scott Joplin & Scott Hayden Ski Doo Rag 1906 Alfred Gasdorf Pianoflage 1922 Roy Bargy Porcupine Ragtime Ensemble Elliott Adams (piano), Susan Despair (flute), Bonnie Gonzalez (violin), Bub Sullivan (mandolin), Petra Sullivan (violin) Harmony Rag 1911 Hal Nichols Eli Greene’s Cake Walk 1898 Sadie Konensky Pigeon Walk 1925 (Bub vocal) Jimmy Monaco Tobasco Charles L. Johnson I Don’t Understand Ragtime 1899 (Elliott vocal) Irving Jones arranged by W. H. Tyers Elliott Adams (guess this tune!) Skylark 1942 Hoagy Carmichael

Page 2 Sacramento ragtime society February 2012

January 29, 2012 SRS Session

♫ ♫ ♫

The Sacramento Ragtime Society met on January 29, 2012 at the Red Lion. We experienced the lowest attendance at this session for both musicians and listeners that we have had for many years. “Sugar” Willie came early but had to leave before he could perform. Fortunately, a sufficient number of members of the Porcupine Ragtime Ensemble attended the meeting and the group performed. The WCRS Board continued their meeting past 1:00pm when the SRS meeting was to begin and Billie Menz and vocals by Bonnie Gonzalez) generously agreed to perform while the sound system was being set up. For our February meeting: Musicians and listeners – call a friend and bring them to the meeting.

February 2012 Sacramento ragtime society Page 3

28 th annual

Ragtime

Corner Golden State Room

Hyatt Hotel – 1209 L Street

at the

39 th annual

Sacramento Music Festival

May 25-27, 2012 Call for Musicians & Volunteers

Contact: Deborah Gale at galed@arc.losrios.edu

Page 4 Sacramento ragtime society February 2012

Julia Riley By Deborah Gale

Julia Elaine Root was born in Newton, Kansas on August 6, 1942 as the second child of Kathlyn Thurston Root and Samuel Root. Julia had a sister Nancy (7 years older), a sister Beth (9 years younger), and a brother David (12 years younger). The Root

Julia Elaine Root

family moved frequently during and after World War II including Texas but finally settled in Hutchinson, Kansas where Julia started piano lessons at age 5. It was a musical family, with Dad who sang and played violin, and Mother who sang and played piano. All of the children took piano lessons and played at least one other musical instrument. Julia started playing the flute in 3rd grade at school. During summer vacation between 6th and 7th grade, she played in summer band where she made remarkable progress. When she started junior high school in the 7th grade, there were two bands, a B- level band and an A-level (highest) band. Her band director, who had been absent during the summer and had not observed her progress, placed her in the B-level band where she was 1st flute chair. Second semester she was promoted to the A- level band where there was a competition for placement for 1st, 2nd,

Julia at Age 3

and 3rd flute chair positions. The A-level band teacher had the students assemble behind a screen where the competitors were judged solely on how well they played rather than who they were. Although Julia was only beginning junior high school, she immediately was selected for the 3rd flute chair. Always competitive Julia, heard the competition and understood the practicing she needed to do to gain 1st flute chair in junior high school and she accomplished that goal a few months after obtaining third chair. Once she was in high school, she auditioned for and got 1

st flute chair in

the concert band, played in a flute trio and woodwind quintet, performed on TV as a soloist, and participated in competitions. She also played in the Wichita Youth Symphony in her sophomore year of high school and in her junior year was 3

rd chair in the

Wichita Symphony. She took private flute lessons throughout high school. Julia took a total of 13 years of piano lessons (no Ragtime), sang in the chorus at Easter in the Messiah, later played the piano part in the Messiah and finally played in the Messiah orchestra.

When Julia graduated from high school, she was offered a full four-year music scholarship at the State University in Emporia, Kansas.

Julia In High School

However, her parents opposed her leaving home to study music and she enrolled in the local junior college to take courses that would lead to a job. Not being interested in the music program at the junior college, she stopped her music lessons and performances. In 1960, she married her high school sweetheart Darrell Prilliman. They moved to Memphis where she worked as a grocery store checker and where her oldest son, Jack, was born in 1961. When Jack was two, they returned to Hutchison, Kansas where she worked in a dairy doing accounting and clerical work. Her second son, Jeff, was born in Hutchinson, Kansas in 1964. Later that year, she separated from her husband, moved to Wichita to attend Schweiter College where she received certification in June 1965 as a medical record administrator (an intensive 9 month course requiring 8 hours a day commitment). She then went to work at Catholic Hospital in Dodge City. She married Richard Riley in 1965, and moved to Memphis, Tennessee where he received military schooling. They subsequently moved to Florida where her daughters Melinda (1966) and Amy (1969) were born.

From 1965 to 1983 Julia and Richard, lived in Memphis, Tennessee, Jacksonville, Florida, Pt. Mugu Navy Base in California, Camarillo, California, Greenwood, California, Sunnyvale, California, and Garden Valley, California. They were both charter members of AMICA (Automatic Musical Instrument Collectors of America). They collected many nickelodeons and player pianos as well as music for those instruments. At various times they also collected clocks, lightening-rod balls, paperweights, hand-made marbles, ink bottles, and other various and sundry items. In 1983, the Rileys moved to Garden Valley, California in the foothills of the Sierra Mountains. Julia returned to school taking beginning and intermediate accounting classes. They opened an accounting practice in Georgetown, California in addition to the one they owned in Sunnyvale, California with Julia working full time and managing that business.

Julia Riley

In 1989, Julia and Richard divorced and Julia moved to Auburn, CA, where she still lives today. She has been controller for various businesses – construction, cable TV corporation, a manufacturer of jewelry, and two golf courses. Her last job before

retiring was as a manager for a private golf course. Once her children were grown, Julia returned to her primary interest, music, performing with the Porcupine Ragtime Ensemble (from 1983-1995), the Nevada County Concert Band, the Auburn Concert Band and many small ensembles playing everything from classical music to

jazz. In 1995, the Raspberry Jam Band (RJB) began when she and Tom Brier visited some friends from the Auburn Concert Band and had a New Year’s Day jam session. In addition to the RJB, Julia and Tom have played in the Saloon Sweeties and its current-day equivalent, the Sweeties and Swells as well as many other collaborations with other performers and as a duo.

February 2012 Sacramento ragtime society Page 5

Raspberry Jam Band

Kitty Wilson, Doug Davies

Shawn McCoy, Julia Riley, Tom Brier, Cheryl Woldseth

Flutecakes

Cathy Harding, Kirsti Powell, Anne Callaway, Julia Riley

Joyful Julia | Page 1 Rubber Chicken Flute Quartet, Attitude Adjustment Wind Quintet, the Flutecakes, and the Raspberry Jam Band are all indicative of this playful part of her nature. Julia has really expanded her performance range in recent years. After many ragtime years in The Porcupine Ragtime Ensemble and playing classical music in the Auburn Concert Band, she decided to move on and form these new groups. She is now learning and playing both alto and bass flute, and does both beautifully, again always sharing the musical harmony and spotlight happily and collaboratively with the others in her groups. And oh: did you know she has also written one entire murder mystery novel, and is halfway through a second one?

♫ ♫ ♫

Ragtime Is Alive In Chico, CA

by Bernie LoFaso

Have you been wondering what is happening here in Chico, CA? I have spent most of my time composing works for my fourth folio of ragtime compositions. The first three folio reviews by Jack Rummel are at: www.ragtimers.org/reviews/. Continuing event: Chico Ragtime / Tin Pan Alley Open Mic is the 2

nd

Friday at 6:30pm, monthly. There is no charge to attend or participate in this “ever changing” evening of music that has become a special place for networking, sharing and showcasing talent. We welcome fans, families, students and the curious to join us at The Terraces, 2750 Sierra Sunrise Terrace in Chico. Contact: Bob and Bernie LoFaso, PO Box 8521, Chico 95927, 530 894-6854, or email at b_lofaso@hotmail.com. 2012 Currently Scheduled: February 24

th – Mimi Blais, The

Queen Of Ragtime” will give a house concert at 7pm, 1269 Marvin Way in

Chico. $25 cash or check payable to Mimi Blais. Reservations required. Contact Mary Wittenberg (530) 966-0595 bamamary1@gmail.com. March 9

th & 10

th -

Chico Silent Film

Fest at The Chico’s Women’s Club, 592 E. 3

rd Street. Cost: $1 Laugh

Shows; $8 per film or $45 for all festival pass. Frederick Hodges will perform live accompaniment. Contact: Friends Of The Arts 530 228-2860. For more information on Chico events contact Bernie: ragtimeandtinpanalley@hotmail.com.

♫ ♫ ♫

Straw Hat Pizza Wednesdays 6:30 to 9:00 p.m

2929 Mather Field Road Rancho Cordova

March:

7 Jim Maihack 14 Jay Paulus Society Band 21 Crescent Club Kats 28 Cell Block 7 March 28, 2012 will be the last Straw Hat Pizza event generously sponsored by Bill Schoening.

Pier 23 Tuesdays 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Embarcadero (at Filbert) San Francisco

February

21 Marty Eggers 28 Crown Syncopators

March

6 Virginia Tichenor 13 Crown Syncopators 20 Marty Eggers 27 Frederick Hodges

Tom Brier March: 10 Mother Lode Ragtime Society Sutter Creek at 7:00pm April: 12 Dr. Bach & Jazz Practitioners

Lake Wildwood in Grass Valley

14-15 Banjo-Rama, Red Lion Get latest updates for music events:

www.sacramentoragtime.com Look in “Events” tab.

Mimi Blais March: 3 Temple di Musica, 3:00pm Nevada City (Bill Trabucco) 10-11 Richard Reutlinger, 2:00pm San Francisco

Page 6 Sacramento ragtime society February 2012

26th

West Coast Ragtime Festival

November 16-18, 2012

Red Lion Sacramento Inn 1401 Arden Way, Sacramento, CA

www.westcoastragtime.com

The Sacramento Ragtime Society www.SacramentoRagtime.com

If you would like to receive the monthly newsletter, the subscription rate is $16 per year. Payments should be made payable to Sacramento Ragtime Society. Contact: Merv Graham, PO Box 2286, Grass Valley CA 95945. Info: 530-273-0487 or mgraham&funkyfiddler.org

14th

Sutter Creek Ragtime Festival

August 10-12, 2012

Sutter Creek, CA

www.suttercreekragtime.com

February 2012 Sacramento ragtime society Page 7

Ragtime Calendar

Sacramento Ragtime Society events are starred (*) and up to date information can always be obtained from the

society’s web site at www.SacramentoRagtime.com.

Please let us know as soon as possible about upcoming ragtime or ragtime related events so we can list them.

SPECIAL EVENTS

FEBRUARY 2012

21 Marty Eggers, Pier 23 (5:00pm-8:00pm) Embarcadero at Filbert, San Francisco. See Page 6. 24 Mimi Blais, House Concert, 1269 Marvin Way, Chico, $25, Contact Mary Wittenberg, 530 966-0595 or

bamamary1@gmail.com. 26* Sacramento Ragtime Society Session, Red Lion Sacramento Inn, 1401 Arden Way, Sacramento,

1:00-4:00 PM, Free, Info: 530-758-6697 or www.SacramentoRagtime.com 28 Crown Syncopators, Pier 23 (5:00pm-8:00pm) Embarcadero at Filbert, San Francisco. See Page 6.

MARCH 2012

3 Mimi Blais, Temple di Musica, 3:00pm, Nevada City, Contact: billtrabucco@saber.net. 6 Virginia Tichenor, Pier 23 (5:00pm-8:00pm) Embarcadero at Filbert, San Francisco. See Page 6 9-10 Chico Silent Film Festival with Frederick Hodges, Contact 530 228-2860. See page 6. 10 Tom Brier, Mother Lode Ragtime Society, Sutter Creek, 7:00pm. 10-11 Mimi Blais, House Concert, Richard Reutlinger, 824 Grove St., San Francisco, CA 94117, 2:00pm. Contact:

Richard at 415 346-8669, or Nan Bostick at 650 328-5792 rtnan@earthlink.net. 13 Crown Syncopators, Pier 23 (5:00pm-8:00pm) Embarcadero at Filbert, San Francisco. See Page 6. 20 Marty Eggers, Pier 23 (5:00pm-8:00pm) Embarcadero at Filbert, San Francisco. See Page 6 25* Sacramento Ragtime Society Session, Red Lion Sacramento Inn, 1401 Arden Way, Sacramento,

1:00-4:00 PM, Free, Info: 530-758-6697 or www.SacramentoRagtime.com 27 Frederick Hodges, Pier 23 (5:00pm-8:00pm) Embarcadero at Filbert, San Francisco. See Page 6

REGULAR EVENTS

1

st & 3

rd Sunday Sacramento Banjo Band, Straw Hat Pizza, 2929 Mather Field Rd, Rancho Cordova, 2:00-4:00 pm.

1st Sunday Pacific Coast Ragtime Orchestra, Casa de Flores, 737 Walnut St., San Carlos, 4:00-6:00pm, $10 donation at

door, Info: 650-355-1731 or 650-593-2284, [Feb, Apr, Oct, Dec only]. Price includes light refreshments. 1

st Sunday Portland Ragtime Society, Elevated Coffee, 5261 Northeast M. L. King Blvd., Portland, OR, 3:00-6:00 pm.

1st Sunday Friends of Scott Joplin-Ragtime Rendezvous, The Pub Above at Dressel’s, 419 N Euclid St., St. Louis, MO,

5:30-8:30 pm. 1

st Sunday Classic Ratgime Society of Indiana, [Even-numbered months only] Info: Josi Beeler 317-359-6452,

josibee@sbcglobal.net or Irene Weinberg 317-578-7883 or turtleindy@aol.com. Last Sunday Rose Leaf Ragtime Club, Aztex Hotel’s Mayan Restaurant, 311 W. Foothill Blvd., Monrovia, 2:00-5:00 pm,

Donation, participating musicians free. Info: 626-358-3231 or 818-766-2384. Sunday Devine’s Jug Band, On the Corner Café, Divisadero & Oak, San Francisco, 2:00-4:00 pm. Tuesday Ragtime & Vintage Piano Music, Pier 23, San Francisco, 5:00-8:00 pm (See separate listing). Tuesday Victorian Dancers, Lake Merritt Dance Center Lounge-Oakland Veterans Bldg., 200 Grand Ave., Oakland, 7:00

pm. Beginning & Intermediate classes, $8. Info: 530-759-9278 or www.wintagewaltz.com. 2

nd Wednesday Marty Eggers & Virginia Tichenor-Hot Ragtime & Classic Jazz Piano, The Belrose Theater, 1415 5

th Ave.,

San Rafael, 5:30-8:00 pm, Info: 415-454-6422 or 510-655-6728, no cover charge. Wine bar, beer & light food. Wednesday Happy Time Banjos, Soprano’s Pizza, 373 Main St., Redwood City, 7:00 pm, Info: 408-253-3676. Wednesday Peninsula Banjo Band, Harry’s Hofbrau, 390 Saratoga Ave, San Jose, 7:00 pm, Info: 4008-993-2263. Wednesday Craig Ventresco & Meredith Axelrod, Café Devine, 1600 Stockton St. (across from Washington Square), San

Francisco, 7:30-9:30 pm, Info: 415-986-3414. Wednesday East Bay Banjo Band, Round Table Pizza, 1938 Oak Park Blvd, Pleasant Hill, 7:30-8:30 pm, Info 925-372-0553. Wednesday Ragtime & Vintage Music, Straw Hat Pizza, 2929 Mather Field Road, Rancho Cordova, 6:30-9:00 pm,

Info: 916-987-7434 or email Bs25ss28@aol.com.

c/o Deborah Gale 2028 East 8th St Davis, CA 95618

REGULAR EVENTS - Continued

Thursday Oakland Banjo Band, Porky’s Pizza Palace, 1221 Manor Blvd. (corner of Farnsworth) San Leandro, 7:30-9:30 pm

Info: 510-357-4323 2

nd Friday Chico’s Ragtime/Tin Pan Alley Sessions, The Terraces, 2750 Sierra Sunrise Terrace, Chico, 6:30-8:30 pm

Info: Bernie or Bob LoFaso 530-894-6854, b_lofaso@hotmail.com 4

th Friday Vintage Dance & Waltz Lessons, Finnish Hall, 1970 Chestnut, Berkeley, Lesson 8:00 p., Dance 9:00 pm to midnight,

$6 for dance; $8 for lesson, Info: 530-759-9278 or vintagewaltz.com Friday Friday Night Waltz, 1

st United Methodist Church, 625 Hamilton St. (& Cowper), Palo Alto, Lessons: 7:00-9:00pm,

Dancing 9:00pm-12 am, Info: 650-326-6265, web site to confirm time and location: www.fridaynightwaltz.com Friday Keith Taylor, Mad Matilda’s, 1917 Main St., Baker City, OR, Info: 541-519-4072 1

st Saturday San Francisco Banjo Band, Malloy’s, 1655 Mission Road, Colma, 7:30 pm, Info: 650-692-7878

2nd

Saturday San Francisco Starlight Orchestra, Little Switzerland, 19080 Riverside Drive, Sonoma, 2:00-5:00 pm, Feb Thru Oct,

Info: www.sanfranciscostarlightorchestra.com 2

nd Saturday The Valley Ragtime Stomp, Henri’s Restaurant, 21601 Sherman Way, Canoga Park, 1:00-4:00 pm,

Info: 818-766-2384 or www.valleyragtimestomp.blogspot.com 2

nd Saturday East Bay Waltz, Veterans bldg., 200 Grand Ave (at Harrison), Oakland, 7:00 pm-Midnight, Info: eastbaywaltz.com

3rd

Saturday Cascade Ragtime Society-Ragtime Jam, Noah’s Ark, Winston, OR, Info: 541-784-1261 [Even numbered months only] 3

rd Saturday Mother Lode Ragtime Society, Sutter Creek Ice Cream Emporium, 51 Main St. (Hwy49), Sutter Creek, 7:00-9:30pm,

Info: 209-405-1563 motherloderagtime@comcast.net . Odd numbered months only-please check website for up-to-date Information at www.suttercreekragtime.com.

RADIO Sundays Syncopation Station, KDHX 88.1 FM, St. Louis, Missouri, 4:00-5:30pm Host: Vann Ford, www.kdlhx.org Thursdays Ragtime America, KGNU, 88.5 FM, Boulder, Colorado, 8:00-9:00 pm, Host: Jack Rummel, www.kgnu.org Continuous Elite Syncopations Radio, All Ragtime 24 hours a day, www.ragtimerradio.org Continuous Rocky Mountain Ragtime, Ragtime 24 hours a day, www.live365.com/stations/rmragtime

January 2012

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