JAZZ RAMBLER. Published by America s Finest City Dixieland Jazz Society San Diego, CA

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1 JAZZ RAMBLER Published by America s Finest City Dixieland Jazz Society San Diego, CA $8.00 Per Issue Winter (February) 2018 Vol. XXXVI No. 1 New Chicago, New Orleans, Rockabilly Bands at Fest # 39 Two new groups will be featured at the 39th Annual San Diego Jazz Fest and Swing X The Chicago Cellar Boys and the On The Levee Jazz Band. The Chicago group, led by multiinstrumentalist Andy Schumm, includes several musicians from the Fat Babies Classic Jazz Band. The band s repertoire covers the hot jazz spectrum from Jimmy McPartland to Jabbo Smith. The On The Levee Jazz Band (named for Kid Ory s San Francisco nightclub) pays tribute to trombonist Ory and his Creole Jazz Band. Led by drummer Hal Smith, the personnel includes Clint Baker on trombone, Kris Tokarski on piano and some of the finest traditional jazz musicians currently active in New Orleans. Also new to the Festival will be Gino and the Lone Gunmen. Guitarist/ vocalist Gino Meregillano s rocking trio has amassed quite a following in Southern California as well as festivals in Fresno, Medford and elsewhere. They play exciting Rockabilly music from 50s standards to contemporary originals. Gino will also bring his Cash In Hand Band to the Festival. That group played to a full house and a standing ovation at Festival #38. Other groups returning to the Festival in 2018 include the spectacular Cornet Chop Suey; Uptown Lowdown Jazz Band (greatly missed last year) and, after a long absence, the Black Swan Classic Jazz Band. In addition, Festival patrons will enjoy hearing the Original Cornell Syncopators (whose debut last year was a smash hit); High Sierra Jazz Band; Yerba Buena Stompers; Grand Dominion Jazz Band; Dave Bennett Quartet; Big Butter Jazz Band; Night Blooming Jazzmen; Titanic Jazz Band; Sue Palmer and her Motel Swing Orchestra; High Society Jazz Band; and the Mad Hat Hucksters. Guest artists for 2018 include Festival favorites Katie Cavera, Stephanie Trick and Paolo Alderighi and Carl Sonny Leyland. The weekend schedule will also include the Pianorama, special sets, dance lessons continued on page 3 Hal Smith, drummer, will lead the On the Levee Band at Fest #39 State of the Society Although we lost a few long-time members this year, America s Finest City Dixieland Jazz Society continues to thrive and offer good variety of events focused on Traditional Jazz. In addition to the SDjazzfest which will in fact be held next year (see article on p. 11), your Society once again hosted an Adult Traditional Jazz Camp (January) attended by 70 students from around the United States. In 2017, your Society continued its emphasis on jazz music education by providing four scholarships to promising young musicians attending the Teagarden Youth Jazz Camp in Sacramento, CA. After 10 years at the same rate, we did feel the need to increase the Society membership fee starting in January. Your Society currently has about 600 members and the Board of Directors and staff are proud to represent you and will continue to provide meaningful Society events. Contact me or any Board member if you would like to increase your participation in Society activities. Paul Daspit, Executive Director Thanks to Fest Volunteers A big THANK YOU VERY MUCH goes out to all of the 2017 San Diego Jazz Fest volunteers. Whether you worked 2 hours or 15 hours, we sincerely appreciate your help! Many of you were new this year or took on new tasks. We truly value your contribution to make our Festival successful. Please check our website at for additional information concerning how Volunteers for the 2018 Festival will be selected. New volunteers are welcome to apply, so talk to friends who may be interested in helping us make the 39th Fest one of the best ever. The AFCDJS Monthly Concert Series Feb Uptown Rhythm Makers March 18 - High Society Jazz Band April 15 - Titanic Jazz Band All concerts are from 1-4pm

2 JAZZ RAMBLER WINTER (FEB) 2018 VOL. XXXVI - NO. 1 The JAZZ RAMBLER is published quarterly for $20 per year ($25 foreign) by America s Finest City Dixieland Jazz Society. Address all correspondence to P.O. Box , San Diego, CA America s Finest City Dixieland Jazz Society is a Non-Profit 501 (c)3 organization. For information about the Society, call (619) Website: Single copy price $8.00. Editorial contributions welcome. Contents of Jazz Rambler are copyrighted (2018) by America s Finest City Dixieland Jazz Society and may not be reprinted without permission. Jazz Publications and Jazz Club Newsletters may reprint articles provided the following credit is included: Reprinted from the Jazz Rambler, San Diego, California. The Jazz Rambler and Society functions are funded in part by the City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Bill Adams, President Jim McNaughton, Vice President Myrna Goodwin, Secretary Ed Adams, Paul Daspit, Joe Jensen, Dan Kitchen, Ruthe Monteith, Bob Solsbak, Carey Thoza. AFCDJS STAFF Paul Daspit, Executive Director Hal Smith, Artistic Advisor Gretchen Haugen, Treasurer Crystal Solsbak, Office Manager RAMBLER STAFF Editor: Jay F. Levine Staff Writers: Paul Daspit Myrna Goodwin Hal Smith Jim McNaughton Staff Photographers: Jerry Jones Dave Long Alex Matthews Advertise in the Rambler Advertising in the Jazz Rambler is one of the best ways to reach a large exclusive audience of Trad Jazz fans. With our circulation of approximately 2,000 and an estimated readership of 3,500, you will be reaching thousands of people who are interested in all aspects of Traditional Jazz. The Rambler is published quarterly. Deadlines are the 5th of the month, prior to the date of issue. Feb. 1, May 1, Aug. 1 and Nov. 1. Advertising Rates Full page $ One Half page One Third page One Quarter page One Eighth page For a rate sheet, write AFCDJS, P.O. Box , San Diego, CA or call (619) The AFCDJS Board of Directors holds its meetings on the second Tuesday of the month. For venue and time, contact us at jazzinfo@sdjazzfest.org. Jazz Alive Here, There, Everywhere (To have events included in the Jazz Rambler or on the AFCDJS website, submit updates by the 28th of each month to Myrna Goodwin at goodwinhawkins@cox.net.) CHAMPAGNE DIXIE Welk Resorts, Festival under the Lights, 8830 Lawrence Welk Rd., Escondido, Tuesdays during February, 5:30-8:00pm. No Cover. Dance floor, food & beverages available. JAZZ JAMMERS Fuddruckers, Wednesdays, 6-8pm 5500 Grossmont Center Dr., La Mesa. (619) or jandacontreras@cox.net SAN DIEGO BANJO BAND VFW Hall #1512, 6873 Federal Blvd, Lemon Grove, Thursdays, 5:30-7:30pm UPTOWN RHYTHM MAKERS Check website for upcoming gigs. SOUTH BAY JAZZ RAMBLERS First Monday of each month, 6-8pm, Grossmont Fuddruckers, 5500 Grossmont Center Dr., La Mesa REY VINOLE S DIXIELAND WORKSHOP Tuesdays, 7-9 pm, The Orchard, 4040 Hancock, San Diego (858) THE SAINTS St. Paul s Villa Senior Facility, th Ave., San Diego. Friday, 2:30-4pm, (619) HIGH SOCIETY JAZZ BAND Check the website schedule for upcoming gigs. More info Larry (858) MAD HAT HUCKSTERS Check the website schedule. SUE PALMER Check the website schedule for upcoming gigs at EUPHORIA BRASS BAND Check the website schedule at JAZZ ASSOCIATION OF GREATER SAN DIEGO Concert Schedule: or or LAKESIDE JAZZ CLUB 1st Sundays ( ), Lake Elsinore Elks Club, Mission Trail, Wildomar, CA, 1:30-4:30pm (Featured band at 3pm) For more information, call Lonnie at (951) RAMONA SENIOR CENTER Fridays, George Newman s Dixieland, 11:30am-1pm. Musicians welcome, 434 Aqua Lane, Ramona, (619) X146 CJ SAMS and KATIE CAVERA Curley s Café, 1999 E. Willow (at Cherry), Signal Hill, CA. Free. Wednesdays. Best to confirm dates and times. Free. Info: ROYALE GARDEN DIXIE BAND Every Monday night except 5th Monday 7pm, El Patio Restaurant, 1750 W. La Palma Ave., Anaheim. More info (951) CROWN CITY DIXIELAND BAND Wednesdays from 6:30-9pm, Burger Continental Restaurant, Pasadena (626) BALDY MOUNTAIN SWING 1st and 3rd Thursdays, 8-10:30pm, at The Press, 129 Harvard Ave., Claremont Info: (909) SEAL BEACH, CA Tuesdays, 6-9pm, Leisure World Dixieland Workshop, Seal Beach Blvd., Club House 3, rm. 8, (562) NEW ORLEANS JAZZ CLUB OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 3rd Sunday, 1pm. Westminster Lanes, 6471 Westminster Ave., Westminster S. BAY N. ORLEANS JAZZ CLUB 2nd Sunday, 12:30-5pm, Knights of Columbus Hall, 214 Avenue I, Redondo Beach. (310) SO CAL HOT JAZZ SOCIETY 1st Sunday. American Legion Post 335, Southgate. (323) pm PAGE 2 WINTER (FEBRUARY) 2018 JAZZ RAMBLER

3 2017 Education Drawing Winners America s Finest City Dixieland Jazz Society extends a sincere Thank you to all guests at the 2017 Festival who purchased tickets for our Education Drawing. Proceeds from the drawing will help to fund our education programs throughout the year. First prize, a new Goodtime Plectrum Banjo from Deering Banjo, was won by Jerome Paquette of San Diego. Second prize, two 5-Day All Events Badges for the 2018 Festival, were won by Dan Kitchen from Jamul. A gift basket of ten CDs from the 2017 Festival bands was won by Peter Felthousen of Templeton, CA. All winners will also receive a-one year membership to AFCDJS. Fest #39 Badges Now Available Online! When you go to our web site, you can use your credit card (Visa/ MC/AMX) to purchase Festival badges, become a sponsor, join or renew your membership, contribute to the education fund or even enroll in jazz camp. Check it out at Festival... Continued from page 1 and of course the Saturday Night Swing Extravaganza. Festival # 39 will take place Nov , 2018 at the Town & Country Resort, 500 Hotel Circle North, San Diego. We encourage you to order badges and make hotel reservations as soon as possible. See the advertisement on page 5 for pricing, how to order, plus information on how you can sponsor a room, a band, and/ or an individual musician. Please make plans now to join AFCDJS at the Town & Country for a weekend of amazing music! Monthly Jazz Concerts Sponsored by America s Finest City Dixieland Jazz Society Feb. 18 Uptown Rhythm Makers March 18 High Society Jazz Band April 15 Titanic Jazz Band Lafayette Hotel & Suites Mississippi Room 2223 El Cajon Blvd. San Diego All Programs: 1-4pm Admission-$15 Members-$10 Under 30 (with photo ID)-$5 PLEASE SUPPORT LIVE TRADITIONAL JAZZ! ATTEND OUR MONTHLY CONCERT/DANCES! Check for the latest information Society Membership Update Effective January 1, 2018, the AFCDJS Board increased the annual membership dues. A Single Membership went up by $5 to $25 and a Couple s Membership increased by $10 to $40. (This is the first dues increase in approximately 10 years.) In addition, for 10 months throughout the year our Jazz Society has featured a Monthly Concert at the Lafayette Hotel and Swim Club, usually on the 3rd Sunday of the month. During the summer we often have lower attendance because of conflicts with holidays, limited parking due to the popularity of the Lafayette pool, and our patrons being on vacation. With that in mind, we will go dark: at the Mississippi Room during June and July this year. We will keep you informed of our concert dates in our Jazz Rambler, with our monthly s, and with our fliers and bookmarks. We sincerely appreciate your continued support and know that you understand our desire to keep our Society financially strong. Editor s note: It is a tribute to the Society Officers and Board, that while many long-time Festivals have ceased to exist, your organization has tightened its financial belt without compromising the high quality of benefits it offers its members. Having stated this, challenges still exist, and costs are rising. If you are so moved, any donations or sponsorships for the Society or the 39th Annual Festival will be appreciated and put to good use. Chicago Cellar Boys to appear at 2018 Jazz Festival JAZZ RAMBLER WINTER (FEBRUARY) 2018 PAGE 3

4 In Memoriam Alice Contreras ( ) Alice Lucille Contreras was born in Quincy, MA but her family moved from Massachusetts to Arizona during the war years. Alice met John Contreras during grade school and they married in They moved to San Diego where John was stationed with the US Navy. Alice became involved with traditional jazz in 1989 when she and John began attending jazz festivals along the west coast. As John became more involved with local San Diego bands as a clarinet and sax player, Alice became more involved with AFCDJS. Her experience in recordkeeping at UCSD managing the Revelle bookstore made her vital to the Society as its Treasurer from 2001 to Over the years she has been an integral part of the Board taking on different tasks at different times registration for our Adult Jazz Camp, coordinating our monthly concerts, organizing the hospitality room at the Festival, scheduling volunteers, and setting up promotional gigs. Alice never lost her love for trad jazz and attended not only AFCDJS events but countless concerts where one of John s bands was playing. For 17 years Dixie Express and now Jazz Jammers have played at Fuddruckers in La Mesa. When not attending area music events or working on projects for AFCDJS, Alice spent time following the activities of her grandchildren, researching family genealogy, going on jazz cruises, knitting and photography. Alice is survived by her husband, John, her son John Contreras Jr. of Poway, her daughters, Dee Salazar of El Cajon and Kristina Woolson of Livermore, CA, as well as her grandchildren, Brittani, Sarah, Emily, Austin, and Brooke. Alice had a special grace, a special kindness, a special generosity, a special smile. She will be remembered by all who knew and loved her. In lieu of flowers please make a tribute gift to Rady Children s Cancer Center San Diego. Update AFCDJS With New s Some of our members have updated or changed their addresses. We are unable to send concert notices or even the Jazz Rambler password to those who have requested it. If you have changed your address within the past year, please, the AFCDJS Office Manager, Crystal Solsbak, with the new address to crystal If you want to start receiving the Rambler on line, you may indicate that as well. Online subscriptions help to cut postage costs so we can use that money for promoting The Music. Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017 Concert with Sue Palmer and Her Motel Swing PAGE 4 WINTER (FEBRUARY) 2018 JAZZ RAMBLER

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6 Upcoming Monthly Concert Series Uptown Rhythm Makers - Feb. 18 These rhythm makers are traditional in their approach to the music, with a preference for the sounds of early New Orleans and Chicago Jazz. However, the band is very popular with the dance scene in San Diego where they are often featured at the Black Cat, Tio Leo s and Panama 66 in Balboa Park. Since 2010 the group has performed at the San Diego Jazz Fest. Lineup includes Bob Andersen, trombone/ leader; Bruce Vermazen, cornet and vocals; Jim Fiedler, clarinet; Armand Frigon, guitar; Bob Bowman, bass; Ed Ducharme, drums. Don t miss Uptown Rhythm Makers at the Mississippi Room. High Society Jazz Band - March 18 The High Society Jazz Band puts a great twist on the lively sounds of traditional jazz. All audiences are bound to be pleased with a variety of styles and arrangements New Orleans and Chicago-style jazz and Dixieland, swing, big band, Latin and even oldies rock n roll. High Society has entertained around San Diego and beyond for nearly 30 years, performing concerts, at jazz festivals, dances, night clubs and at private events. HSJB consists of Larry Okmin, clarinet and leader; Rick Evans, trumpet; Billy Hawkins, trombone; Jay Berman, piano and vocals; Joe Meza, bass; and Don Kuhli, drums. Titanic Jazz Band April 15 For over 20 years, Titanic Jazz Band has been one of the top traditional jazz bands in the U.S.! Organized in 1993, the band has performed at nearly every festival, concert series and jazz club on the West Coast. Interestingly, both the personnel and the repertoire of the Titanic Jazz Band have remained stable throughout most of the group s existence a remarkable tribute to the dedication of Titanic s musicians. Cornetist Dan Comins leads the band, which also includes Keith Elliott, trombone; Mike Baird, reeds; Robbie Rhodes, piano; Vince Saunders, banjo; Ray Cadd, tuba; and Larry Wright, drums. Come to the Mississippi Room on April 15 for a Trad experience you are sure to enjoy. PAGE 6 WINTER (FEBRUARY) 2018 JAZZ RAMBLER

7 Jazz Society Continues Education Emphasis Summer 2018 Youth Camp Scholarships America s Finest City Dixieland Jazz Society will once again offer a limited number of full or partial scholarships for San Diego City and County students who want to attend the Teagarden Jazz Camp in Sacramento in summer The Camp began accepting applications on January 1. Camp applications are available on the Teagarden website: camp.org/. Applicants are asked not to send payment to the Camp until after being notified of acceptance. The camp is open to young musicians, between the ages of 12 and 20, who play trumpet/cornet, trombone, clarinet, saxophone, piano, bass/tuba, drums,or banjo/guitar, or are vocalists. Ten of each instrument a total of 90 campers per week will be accepted for each week of camp. Preference is given to campers who are Education Donors sponsored by their local jazz society. The deadline for camp applications is April 15, and campers will be notified of their acceptance on May 1. The Camp will continue to accept applications until all slots are full, so unless you play saxophone or trumpet, there may still be an opportunity to apply, and attend, after May 1. The Camp will offer a choice of two sessions: July 29 to August 4, and August The camp fee is $675. Direct Camp questions to Camp Director Bill Dendle, (916) or bdendle@comcast.net. Scholarship applications will be available on the AFCDJS website on or about February 1. For more information, contact Dan Kitchen at d.kitchen@cox.net or (619) The deadline for scholarship applications is April 1. It should be noted that first time campers will be given priority. Storyville Paul & June Daspit Frank & Gladys Highly Dawn Club James Kersey Michael & Sherrie Laver Todd & Mary Marizabel Hargraves Martin Bob Lois & Mulcahey Olga Ritter Godfrey Deanna & Solomonsen Lolli Stevens Donald Ward JAZZ RAMBLER WINTER (FEBRUARY) 2018 PAGE 7

8 2017 Festival Highlights Great Jazz...

9 ... Great Swing Bands and Dancers... JAZZ RAMBLER WINTER (FEBRUARY) 2018 PAGE 9

10 ... and Great Patrons and Sponsors!!! PAGE 10 WINTER (FEBRUARY) 2018 JAZZ RAMBLER

11 We Couldn't Do it Without You! The 38th SDJazz Fest was as successful as always. Attendance figures were at or above those of the previous year. With the guidance of Executive Director Paul Daspit and the Board of Directors, we were able to significantly reduce expenses without major impact to the program. Jazz fans enjoyed the comparable number of musical presentations of the 30 bands and musicians as in Festival 37 last year. In the past month, four festivals have announced they are closing Sacramento Jubilee (44 years); America s Festival, Lacey, Washington (27 years); Southern Oregon (Medford) and the Cleveland Classic. One of our stated goals has been to preserve the music and keep it alive. We depend on all of you who purchase tickets, donate, volunteer and sponsor bands. We could not keep going without you! Our Festival, Adult Jazz Camp, Youth Educational program and jazz workshops are alive and well. Bands are currently being invited for the 2018 Fest. We have a number of sponsor renewals already. Our contract with the Town and Country for 2018 and beyond is solid. Yes, the 2018 Festival is well under way. Thanks to all of you for your outstanding support. We plan to bring you another great Festival in 2018! I hope you will consider sponsoring your favorite band, musician or room for the 39th Annual SD Jazz Fest. To discuss details and perks of sponsorship, please contact Jim McNaughton at (619) or mmcnaughton@sbcglobal.net. You can also get information about all of the activities and events of the Society at Adult Trad Jazz Camp The 2019 San Diego Adult Traditional Jazz Camp is set for January 17-20, 2019, at the Lafayette Hotel, 2223 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego. Start making your plans to attend. More information will be available soon on our website and in the Jazz Rambler. Hotel Challenges: While the music at the 2017 Festival was simply wonderful, we did have some challenges. First and foremost, there were too many rumors going around about the hotel s renovation plans, and the future of the Festival. Spread the word. The 39 th SDjazzfest will in fact be held at the Town & Country hotel no ifs, ands or buts! Make it a point to bring someone new to the Festival this year and share the fun! As of this date, the City of San Diego has yet to grant any permits for most of the hotel s large-scale redevelopment. The current assessment is that 2019 will be the earliest anything of major proportions might take place, and it could be even later. However, there are some things that will be improved upon in the meantime. For example, lack of seating in the Atlas Foyer did not evoke a friendly feeling. We ve been assured there will be more seating in Restaurant hours, always a challenge, will hopefully be remedied by a number of interior renovation projects planned in 2018: Terrace Café will continue to be available for buffet-style meals Market/Deli will offer both hot and cold menu items with seating both inside and outside on the patio Charlie s will be expanded and converted from a Sports Bar to full restaurant-style table service dining, Trellises will be remodeled and will reopen as a Sports bar/lounge. All convention areas will have new carpet. The Royal Palm Tower redo with new furniture, bedding and décor is complete and similar upgrades to the Regency Tower rooms will take place this year. We are working with the hotel to get discounted pricing for the Thanksgiving Buffet for those making early reservations. More details on this later. And last but not least, remember for 2018, no rumors, please. JAZZ RAMBLER WINTER (FEBRUARY) 2018 PAGE 11

12 AFCDJS PRESENTS FREE JAZZ WORKSHOPS (2nd Thurs. of month, 7-9 pm) 2018 Dates: Feb. 8 March 8 April 12 May 10 June 14 July 12 Aug. 9 Sept. 13 Oct. 11 Nov. 8 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 Dixieland Jazz! Furnished: Drums, piano and a core group of instructors. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ALL AGES & TALENT LEVELS WELCOME! ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ (619) 297-JASS (5277) The personnel of many local bands that have appeared at our Festivals have been participants in the AFCDJS free Jazz Workshops. HELP WANTED! Your Society has an immediate need for a volunteer to help with advertising. Time required is 2-5 hours per week. Contact Myrna Goodwin by phone at (619) or at Get involved and see how you can help keep your favorite music alive in San Diego. You'll be happy you did! Small Band Music Archives AFCDJS maintains an archive of over 2,400 small band music arrangements, which we make available to school and youth bands, community, church, startup, and non-profit professional music groups. Ask about the Top Thousand mostrequested small band music arrangements, on a DVD disc. Go to and click Small Band Music at the bottom of the page or contact Bob Solsbak at archive@ sdjazzfest.org. PAGE 12 WINTER (FEBRUARY) 2018 JAZZ RAMBLER

13 San Diego Unified School District Instrumental Honor Concerts Spring 2018 America s Finest City Dixieland Jazz Society is a major sponsor of these concerts. There is no charge to the public, so we hope you will attend. Support music education in our schools. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Saturday, March 3, :00 PM Middle School Instrumental Honor Concert Brown Chapel, Point Loma Nazarene University Honor Orchestra, Honor Band ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Sunday, April 29, 2018, 3:00 PM High School Instrumental Honor Concert Jacobs Music Center, Copley Symphony Hall 7th & B Streets Honor Orchestra, Honor Band ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Thursday, May 10, :00 PM Elementary Instrumental & Coral Honor Concert Brown Chapel, Point Loma Nazarene University Honor Orchestra, Honor Band, Honor Choir ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ For more information contact: The San Diego Unified Visual & Performing Arts Office Russ Sperling, VAPA Director (858) Mark Nicholson, Instrumental Music Specialist (858) Margaret Lathan, Administrative Assistant (858) JAZZ RAMBLER WINTER (FEBRUARY) 2018 PAGE 13

14 Dink... Continued from back page band after a short time to settle in Los Angeles. At this time he began to explore a different kind of lifestyle living outside the law, as he described it many years later. He spent considerable time in Mexico and his activities involved flagrant violations of the Volstead Act, as well as the Mann Act! However, he continued to play music including a brief engagement with Jelly Roll Morton and a group of New Orleanians at the U.S. Grant Hotel in San Diego. He also taught himself to play clarinet. In May, 1922 Kid Ory called Dink to fill in for clarinetist Wade Whaley on a recording session in Santa Monica. The Seven Pods of Pepper with Ory, Johnson, cornetist Mutt Carey, pianist Fred Washington, bassist Ed Garland and drummer Ben Borders made the first commercial recording by an African-American Jazz band! The records were issued on both the SUNSHINE and NORDSKOG labels. Dink Johnson did a credible job of playing New Orleansstyle ensemble clarinet on all the sides, and the influence of Larry Shields is clearly audible. However, though the SUNSHINE/NORDSKOG records sold well locally, they did not reach the same large audience as recordings released the following year by King Oliver (including Dink s composition Krooked Blues one of the sides on the 1922 session). During the remainder of the 20s, through World War II, Dink s musical activities decreased, while he concentrated on the other sources of income. However, he did spend considerable time with Jelly Roll Morton, and incorporated many of his common-law brother-in-law s licks into his own piano playing. In March of 1946, Dink was operating a restaurant in Los Angeles near a minor league ballpark when Bill Russell tracked him down. A mutual friend had mentioned that Dink played excellent Morton-style piano, and Russell traveled to Los Angeles to record him. Dink requested to record PAGE 14 with guitar and bass, so Russell enlisted two of Kid Ory s stellar rhythm men Bud Scott and Ed Garland to make the records for the AMERICAN MUSIC label. The trio played Stomp De Lowdown, Grace and Beauty (with considerable melodic and thematic liberties taken) and Johnson s variations on Cannon Ball Rag titled Take Your Time. In addition to Johnson s piano work, these sides also demonstrated his casual attitude toward performing. He hummed along while playing piano and inserted vocal catch-phrases such as Please take yo time, friend o mine, take yo time and his signature Mis-ter Johnson s gonna sign off; I m sign-in off! The records sold well, and made a new generation of musicians and record collectors aware of this previously obscure talent. When Russell played one of the Dink Johnson recordings for Don Ewell, he remarked, Dink Johnson ought to be PRESIDENT! Russell returned to Los Angeles in October, 1947 to record Dink playing solo piano. He did play several solos, but also suggested a one-man-band record à la Sidney Bechet. Johnson dragged his ancient drum set out of the closet, opened up a new box of clarinet reeds and told Russell that his selection for the oneman-band side was Rag Bag Rag a 1913 Tin Pan Alley number composed by Harry J. Lincoln. Lincoln would probably not have recognized his own composition, based on Dink s recording of it. However, the reedy-sounding clarinet playing, New Orleans-style piano and archaic drumming (if not the humming) give the listener an idea of what hot music must have sounded like when Dink played with Jelly Roll Morton at the U.S. Grant Hotel! After the 1947 recording session, Dink made a few private recordings for recording engineer Cecil Charles Spiller, but reportedly spent most of his time drinking heavily in Santa Barbara. He surfaced again in the early 50s in Portland, Oregon as a chef. He worked at banjoist Monte Ballou s Diamond Horseshoe nightclub, where the Castle Jazz Band was the resident WINTER (FEBRUARY) 2018 ensemble. On a live broadcast from the Diamond Horseshoe, the announcer mentions a relative of Jelly Roll Morton in the kitchen! Dink Johnson s obituary, in the Dec. 1, 1954 Oregonian, quotes one of his brothers as saying that Dink suffered a beating, from which he never fully recovered. The circumstances of that beating, as well as much of his outlaw life, may remain a mystery. But thanks to William Russell, at least we can enjoy hearing one of the real pioneers of Jazz, playing three different instruments in a style rooted in the earliest days of the music. Thanks For Instruments AFCDJS and the Council for Music in the Schools would like to thank those who donated used musical instruments during the San Diego Jazz Festival to be loaned to students in the San Diego City music programs. More instruments were donated than in previous years. AFCDJS is a member of: International Association of Classic Jazz Festivals ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau JAZZ RAMBLER

15 Welcome New and Renewal Members Oct. - Nov. - Dec Nick & Judi Alesi Luis & Deborah Alva Karen Anderson Phoebe Anderson W.J. Anderson John Basart Barbara Bennett Michelle Bolden Carol Boynton Seaton & Marge Blanco Diana Brownson Irene Bryant Margie Carlson Jerry Carter & Harry Hodges Dennis Cassidy Richard & Anne Christen Pat Coe & Joan Ronda Mark Coholan Kent Curl Carol Kumlin Susan Eaton Ronald & Marilee Ellison Jim Fiedler & Ingrid Dehta Ken Fousel David & Sondra Gast Marlene Giles Paul Goldman Jimmy & Billie Green Veronica Haynes Richard & Jean Hennessy Jeannie Jackson Bob Johnson Joel N. Johnson David Johnson & Lauren Hunton Jerry Jones & Kathy Weems William Jones Betty Kellers Thomas & Kathleen King Julie Krummenacher Ralph Longway George Ludwig MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION/RENEWAL /SUBSCRIPTION FORM Please check the applicable boxes and mail to: AMERICA S FINEST CITY DIXIELAND JAZZ SOCIETY P.O. Box San Diego, CA Phone: (619) Enclosed is NEW RENEWAL $25.00 for a single membership (includes Jazz Rambler) $40.00 for a couple membership (includes Jazz Rambler) $20.00 for annual subscription / Jazz Rambler only $25.00 foreign SUPPORT THE EDUCATION FUND $1,000 Cotton Club $250 Storyville Club $100 Dawn Club Please contact me regarding volunteer work for the AFC Dixieland Jazz Society NAME MAILING ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP PHONE Marian Maguire Jeffrey Malmgreen Todd & Marizabel Martin Liz Matovinovic Florence McNabb Martha McPhail Matt Metz Debbie Meyer Joan Mitchell Kathleen Moore Jeanne Obenchain Chris Ohrmund Sue Palmer Jason Picker Ted & Mary Raskin Jerry Sarenana & Valerie Ryan Elliot Schubert Josef & Bonnie Sedivec Frank & Jane Sigona Jerry Silberberg Mark Simon Clancy & Patt Sloan George Smith Mark St Cyr Godfrey & Lolli Stevens Mary Thom Michael Thomason & Suzie Ditmars Walter & Mary Tom Paula Tonsky Mark Van Roode Barry & Julie Walson David Webb Michael Whitehead Warren Wildes Robert Wilson & Saandra Lambert Carl Wright David & Julie Wright Richard & Lucy Wood JAZZ RAMBLER WINTER (FEBRUARY) 2018 PAGE 15

16 AMERICA S FINEST CITY DIXIELAND JAZZ SOCIETY Post Office Box San Diego, California NON PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 821 San Diego. CA Traditional Jazz: A Quick Look Dink Johnson Mystery Man of New Orleans Jazz (This is the third mini-biography in a continuation of a series of biographies of great traditional jazz musicians. The series started with the March/April 1991 issue and was developed by Rambler founding publisher and Board Member, the late Len Levine.) By Hal Smith AFCDJS Artistic Advisor Dink Johnson participated in one of the most significant recordings in Jazz history, but lived a shadowy lifestyle that almost certainly would have resulted in total obscurity had PAGE 16 it not been for the efforts of a dedicated Jazz historian named William Russell. Oliver Johnson was born in Biloxi, WINTER (FEBRUARY) 2018 MS in One of his brothers was William Manuel Bill Johnson, the legendary bassist. One of his sisters was Anita, who became the commonlaw wife of Jelly Roll Morton. Dink learned to play piano and drums at an early age, and joined Brother Bill s Original Creole Band when that group left New Orleans for a vaudeville tour of the West Coast in The Creole Band played a mix of Ragtime, protojazz and novelty numbers and the great cornetist Freddie Keppard was one of the key band members. Their appearances were almost all successful, and they continued to tour into the late teens but Dink left the continued on page 14 JAZZ RAMBLER