Sponsor Program Kudos Please join in thanking Jim McNaughton and his wife Mary for their truly superb efforts with the AFCDJS Sponsorship Program. For the past six years they have been instrumental in growing the program to nearly double what it was when Jim took charge in 2012. Jim s knowledge of Traditional Jazz and his friendly personality served him well as sponsorship program coordinator. In March of this year, Jim stepped down from the AFCDJS Board of Directors as well as the Sponsor Program, but no doubt you will see Jim at monthly concerts, our annual Festival in November, and even at other festivals such as Pismo Beach, Fresno, and Chandler, AZ. When you do, give him a big shout-out for the super job he did for your Society. With Jim s departure, we are looking for someone to step up and pick up the baton. See page 4 for more details about sponsorships and our annual appeal. Published by America s Finest City Dixieland Jazz Society San Diego, CA www.sdjazzfest.org $8.00 Per Issue Spring (May) 2018 Vol. XXXVI No. 2 Fest #39 Presents Trad Jazz Showcase on Friday The 39th Annual San Diego Jazz Fest will include a brand-new feature a Trad Jazz Showcase on Friday. Seven outstanding Traditional Jazz bands will perform from 1:45 until 10:15pm in the Golden Ballroom. The bands including two groups which are new to the Festival are Black Swan Classic Jazz Band; High Sierra Jazz Band; Titanic Jazz Band; On The Levee Jazz Band (new); Yerba Buena Stompers; Chicago Cellar Boys (new); and the Original Cornell Syncopators. This mix of New Orleans, Chicago, San Francisco and vintage classic Jazz is sure to appeal to the many Traditional Jazz fans who attend the Festival year after year. Festival #39 will take place Wed.- continued on page 3 The AFCDJS Monthly Concert Series Lafayette Hotel *May 27 - Mad Hat Hucksters June /July - DARK (no concerts) *Aug. 12 - Jazz Jammers All concerts are from 1-4pm *Special Date Black Swan Classic Jazz Band will perform at Fest #39
SPRING (MAY) 2018 VOL. XXXVI - NO. 2 The is published quarterly for $20 per year ($25 foreign) by America s Finest City Dixieland Jazz Society. Address all correspondence to P.O. Box 880387, San Diego, CA 92168-0387. America s Finest City Dixieland Jazz Society is a Non-Profit 501 (c)3 organization. For information about the Society, call (619) 297-5277. Website: www.sdjazzfest.org 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 Bob Solsbak, Vice President Myrna Goodwin, Secretary Ed Adams, Paul Daspit, Morgan Day, Joe Jensen, Dan Kitchen, Ruthe Monteith, 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 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 $275.00 One Half page 150.00 One Third page 110.00 One Quarter page 85.00 One Eighth page 50.00 For a rate sheet, write AFCDJS, P.O. Box 880387, San Diego, CA 92168-0387 or call (619) 297-5277. 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.) TWILIGHT IN THE PARK Balboa Park, Speckles Organ Pavilion, 6:30-7:30pm Mad Hat Hucksters, Thursday, June 28 Jazz Jammers, Wednesday, Aug. 1 JAZZ JAMMERS Fuddruckers, Wednesdays, 6-8pm 5500 Grossmont Center Dr., La Mesa. (619) 561-8236 or jandacontreras@cox.net SAN DIEGO BANJO BAND VFW Hall #1512, 6873 Federal Blvd, Lemon Grove, Thursdays, 5:30-7:30pm UPTOWN RHYTHM MAKERS 2nd Thursday, Black Cat Bar, 4246 University Ave., San Diego, 7:30-9:30pm Check website for upcoming gigs. www.facebook.com/urmjazz SOUTH BAY S 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) 581-9293 THE SAINTS St. Paul s Villa Senior Facility, 2340 4th Ave., San Diego. Friday, 2:30-4pm, (619) 384-7574. HIGH SOCIETY JAZZ BAND Check the website schedule for upcoming gigs. More info Larry (858) 277-5294. www.highsocietyjazzband.com MAD HAT HUCKSTERS Check the website schedule. www.facebook.com/madhathucksters/ SUE PALMER Check the website schedule for upcoming gigs at www.suepalmer.com EUPHORIA BRASS BAND Check the website schedule at www.euphoriabrassband.com LAKESIDE JAZZ CLUB 1st Sundays (951-245-9504), Lake Elsinore Elks Club, 33700 Mission Trail, Wildomar, CA, 1:30-4:30pm (Featured band at 3pm) RAMONA SENIOR CENTER Fridays, George Newman s Dixieland, 11:30am-1pm. Musicians welcome, 434 Aqua Lane, Ramona, (619) 876-4300 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: www.katiecavera.net. ROYALE GARDEN DIXIE BAND Every Monday night except 5th Monday 7pm, El Patio Restaurant, 1750 W. La Palma Ave., Anaheim. More info (951) 898-2174 CROWN CITY DIXIELAND BAND Wednesdays from 6:30-9pm, Burger Continental Restaurant, Pasadena (626) 792-6634 BALDY MOUNTAIN SWING 1st and 3rd Thursdays, 8-10:30pm, at The Press, 129 Harvard Ave., Claremont Info: (909) 625-4808 SEAL BEACH, CA Tuesdays, 6-9pm, Leisure World Dixieland Workshop, 13550 Seal Beach Blvd., Club House 3, rm. 8, (562) 594-5722 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) 374-3174 SO CAL HOT JAZZ SOCIETY 1st Sunday. American Legion Post 335, Southgate. (323) 566-9128. 1pm Support live music in your city. Keep Jazz Alive! PAGE 2 SPRING (MAY) 2018
Festival... Continued from page 1 Sun., Nov. 21-25, 2018 at the Town & Country Resort, 500 Hotel Circle North on San Diego s Hotel Circle. Many other talented bands and individuals are in this year s lineup including Cornet Chop Suey; Stephanie Trick and Paolo Alderighi; Katie Cavera; Dave Bennett Quartet; Big Butter Jazz Band; Grand Dominion Jazz Band; Cash In Hand Band; Night Blooming Jazzmen; High Society Jazz Band; Carl Sonny Leyland; Mad Hat Hucksters; Dawn Lambeth Trio; Sue Palmer and her Motel Swing Orchestra and another new group Gino and the Lone Gunmen (Rockabilly music). Additional Festival events include the pre-festival Wednesday night dance; live music at the Town & Country Thanksgiving Buffet; special theme sets presented throughout the weekend by Festival bands; Pianorama; Saturday Swing Extravaganza with continuous dance music from 8:30pm until midnight; Sunday morning Hymn-a-Long and the Wrap-Up Jam Session. To sponsor a band, individual musician or performance venue, please check the advertisement on page five for information regarding sponsorship. You may also order badges and make room reservations at the Town & Country using the coupon in the ad. Please make plans now to join AFCDJS and an outstanding group of performers at the 39th Annual San Diego Jazz Fest! Monthly Jazz Concerts Sponsored by America s Finest City Dixieland Jazz Society May 27 Mad Hat Hucksters *Special Date June and July DARK (no concerts) Aug. 12 Jazz Jammers *Special Date 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 www.sdjazzfest.org for the latest information Festival Hotel is Under New Management The Town & Country Hotel is no longer part of the Destination Hotels collection (effective March 20, 2018). Much of the planned redevelopment of the property will still take place over the next few years, but will do so under new ownership. Going forward, Town & Country San Diego will be managed by an independent operator named TC California Hospitality LLC. It is anticipated that this change in ownership and operations management will be beneficial for the SDjazzfest. We look forward to working with them and providing an even better Festival experience. Things To Do Online: Purchase Fest Badges Make Hotel Reservations Sponsor a Band Join the Society Read the Jazz Rambler Make an Education Donation Enroll in Jazz Camp Get Volunteer Info The ever-popular High Sierra Jazz Band returns to the 2018 Jazz Festival SPRING (MAY) 2018 PAGE 3
Keeping the Music Alive That s our mission and yours, along with enjoying the wonderful music of the 20s, 30s, and 40s. Once again we ask for your financial support to help continue the work of the Society. As many of you know, your Society is very active. We send talented youngsters to youth jazz camp, host monthly jazz workshops and monthly concerts, conduct an excellent Adult Jazz Camp each January, as well as produce every November for the past 38 years one of the very best Traditional Jazz Festivals in the country. In addition, we publish this informative Jazz Rambler quarterly. Many of you year after year have been so generous supporting these activities Thank You very much! It is not an overstatement to say your Society would be a shadow of itself if not for your support. Very soon you will be receiving the 2018 Appeal letter. Your contribution will help promote our education and youth programs mentioned above, help sponsor a Festival band or musician, or you may choose to provide an unrestricted Society donation. Appeal contributions are deductible for tax purposes in accordance with IRS rules. Stock and other securities can also be donated. And just to mention, AFCDJS is Surveys Received Winner Announced AFCDJS would like to thank all of those attending the 2017 San Diego Jazz Fest who completed our survey questions on line. Your input is sincerely appreciated. Richard Rogers from Redlands, California, was selected at random from the surveys completed and will receive two allevents badges for the 2018 San Diego Jazz Fest. Thank you again to all who participated in the survey. ADCDJS Elects Board of Directors America s Finest City Dixieland Jazz Society elected its 2018 Board of Directors at its March meeting. Morgan Day will be joining the board for the first time. Returning members include Bill Adams, Paul Daspit, Dan Kitchen, Carey Thoza, Ruthe Monteith, Myrna Goodwin, Ed Adams, Bob Solsbak and Joe Jensen. Hal Smith will continue to serve as the Artistic Advisor. Crystal Solsbak and Gretchen Haugen will serve as Office Manager and Treasurer respectively. Any AFCDJS member interested in serving on the Board of Directors should contact us at jazzinfo@ sdjazz.org. now listed in the General Electric (GE) Foundation Matching Gifts Program and eligible to receive matching gifts. Contact us if your company has a matching gift program. It s not difficult to get listed. We sincerely hope you will consider making a contribution. Make your check payable to AFCDJS. Or if you prefer, you may respond online, www.sdjazzfest.org using a credit card and indicate the type of donation you would like to make. If you have any questions, please contact us at jazzinfo@sdjazzfest.org. You can also leave us a message at 619-297-5277 and someone will contact you. Update AFCDJS With New Emails Some of our members have updated or changed their email 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 email address within the past year, please, email the AFCDJS Office Manager, Crystal Solsbak, with the new e-mail address to crystal jazzsociety @gmail.com. 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. No AFCDJS Monthly Concerts at the Lafayette Hotel in June and July. August Concert will be the 12th - 2nd Sunday 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 www.sdjazzfest.org. PAGE 4 SPRING (MAY) 2018
SDjazzfest.org Support provided by City of San Diego INVITED BANDS & GUEST ARTISTS INCLUDE Katie Cavera Cash In Hand Jazz Jammers Stephanie Trick Paolo Alderighi Titanic Jazz Band Champagne Dixie Cornet Chop Suey Mad Hat Hucksters Dawn Lambeth Trio On The Levee Band Carl Sonny Leyland Chicago Cellar Boys Big Butter Jazz Band Euphoria Brass Band Sweethearts of Swing Dave Bennett Quartet High Sierra Jazz Band Yerba Buena Stompers High Society Jazz Band Uptown Rhythm Makers Night Blooming Jazzmen Gino & The Lone Gunman Grand Dominion Jazz Band Dick Williams Jazzsea Jams Original Cornell Syncopators Heliotrope Ragtime Orchestra Black Swan Classic Jazz Band Sue Palmer & Her Motel Swing Mission Bay HS Preservationists Saturday Night Swing Extravaganza BADGE REGISTRATION AFCDJS, P.O. BOX 880387, SAN DIEGO, CA 92168-0387 Or Purchase Online - www.sdjazzfest.org Email: jazzinfo@sdjazzfest.org Phone: 619-297-5277 5-Day Badges (WED SUN) @ $125 ea. Total $ 4-Day Badges (THURS SUN) @ $115 ea. Total $ 3-Day Badges (FRI SUN) @ $105 ea. Total $ Society Membership: Single $25 Couple $40 Amount of check or money order: TOTAL $ NAME ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP EMAIL: 2018 FESTIVAL SPONSORSHIPS Take an active role in supporting the festival! Consider sponsoring a Room, Band or Guest Artist. Example sponsorship plan: $300 for your favorite Band or Guest Artist includes: One All-Events Badge and Sponsor Ribbon Reserved Seating in all Venues Web & Program recognition One-Year AFCDJS Membership Complimentary parking Sponsor by Oct 21, 2018 to ensure Program listing Other Sponsorship Plans Available Email jazzinfo@sdjazzfest.org or call 619-297-5277 to arrange a sponsorship plan or obtain additional information. AFCDJS is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization SPRING (MAY) 2018 PAGE 5
The Small Band Music Archives what s that? PAGE 6 by Bob Solsbak Many of you may not be aware of a little-known service your Society provides. 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 other non-profit professional music groups. Where did this extensive library come from? How do I get my hands on some of these tunes? How much do they cost? Well, I m glad you asked! Set your clocks back 20 years to the spring of 1998. Charles B. Anderson, a lifelong musician and longtime collector of popular music, contacted AFCDJS about donating two of his massive fake books and assorted arrangements he d compiled over the years. We happily accepted, and under the guidance of fellow musician and Society mainstay Howie Wicked Fingers Nielson, the Small Band Music Archives were born. No short essay can do justice to Howie s work on this endeavor. His organization of the assorted files is a work of art. Filling two full-sized file cabinets, Howie organized every copy of arrangements by name, arranger, type, instrumentation, and source. He developed his own system for locating any file at any time. With the burgeoning internet and email revolution coming on, Howie educated himself on the electronic side of things and soon the best of 20th Century music was available through 21st Century technology. Howie continued collecting songs anywhere he could, and made these files available to his fellow musicians, and anyone interested in them. He even had a mission statement: To get as much as possible of this great old music out of dusty storage boxes in the closet and into the hands of musicians at any level, but especially young people, who can help to keep it alive for some while longer. In 2014 Howie retired from the Archives, but (thankfully!) passed Upcoming Monthly Concert Series Mad Hat Hucksters - May 27 The Mad Hat Hucksters was founded by swing dancer Morgan Day in 2015. Originally starting out as a jam band that played traditional jazz tunes of the 1920s, the band evolved to find its sound in the musical style of small combo jazz bands of the 1930s swing era. The band has performed at many local San Diego venues, including the Firehouse Swing Dance, Tio Leo s, the Hep Spot, and Henry s Pub, and were part of the lineup up at the SD Jazz Fest in 2016 and 2017. In November 2017, the Hucksters released its debut album Swing and Jazz Music For Dancing, which can be found on Bandcamp, itunes, Amazon, or Spotify. The line-up includes Morgan Day, leader/ washboard/drums/vocals; Lindy Edwards, tenor sax/vocals; SPRING (MAY) 2018 along all of the materials and very specific instructions on how to successfully continue this great service. The Archives, along with being a labor of love, are an amazing collection of some of the greatest songs of the 20th Century (and some even older!). The library is stored electronically, is ever growing, and tunes can be ordered individually (and sent over email) or in our very popular Top 1000 DVD, containing 1000+ of the most requested songs. Looking for a specific song? Starting a new band and need copies of arrangements? Let us know if we can help. Email us at archive@sdjazzfest.org for the complete index of songs as well as the Top 1000 index and a FAQ sheet. Requesting copies of arrangements can be done over email, via our website (www.sdjazzfest.org) or check us out on Facebook at www.facebook.com/smallband musicarchives. Suggested dona-tion per chart is $3.00 or $200.00 for the Top 1000 DVD, with over 1000 great songs (also now available via Dropbox for those that don t want to wait for the mail!). Every donation that comes in goes toward our extensive education program, which has paid for camps, classes, materials and instruments for many young recipients, and continued AFCDJS s goal to Keep the Music Alive. Nightshade Navarro, clarinet/soprano and alto sax; Anthony Marca, rhythm guitar; Michael Till, guitar; and Jeremy Eikam, bass.
Jazz Society Continues Education Emphasis AFCDJS Used Instrument Program AFCDJS extends a special thank you to the Edwin and Martha Wolf Trust for the donation of eight used instruments to be given to the Community Council for Music in the School. The instruments will be loaned to students in the San Diego School District who cannot obtain instruments. If others would like to make an instrument donation, email jazzinfo@sdjazzfest.org or leave a message at 619-297-5277. Education Outreach For more info about our youth program including Jazz Camp scholarships, contact Dan Kitchen at d.kitchen@cox.net or (619) 840-4713. Education Donors Mary Hargraves Dawn Lois Mulcahey Club Ted Deanna & Mary Solomonsen Ellen Raskin Donald Ward The Original Cornell Syncopators Return For the 39th Jazz Fest The Original Cornell Syncopators plays a variety of early Jazz styles, from the Original Dixieland Jazz Band to the Bennie Moten s Kansas City Orchestra. Coached by leader Colin Hancock, these college-age musicians are extremely knowledgeable about all the early forms of Hot Jazz. This is their second year at the San Diego Jazz Fest so don t miss their hot trad. Society Helps Mission Bay Preservationists Trip to NOLA SPRING (MAY) 2018 PAGE 7
Happy Campers Jazz Camp 2018 PAGE 8 SPRING (MAY) 2018
Sunday Concerts... SPRING (MAY) 2018 PAGE 9
AFCDJS PRESENTS FREE 2018 JAZZ WORKSHOPS (2nd Thurs. of month, 7-9 pm) 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) www.sdjazzfest.org The personnel of many local bands who 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) 992-3787 or email at goodwinhawkins @cox.net. 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 www.sdjazzfest.org and click Small Band Music at the bottom of the page or contact Bob Solsbak at archive@ sdjazzfest.org. PAGE 10 SPRING (MAY) 2018
SAN DIEGO ADULT TRADITIONAL JAZZ CAMP January 17-20, 2019 Camp facilities located at the Lafayette Hotel. Instructions include sectionals for front line & rhythm. Students play music together & with faculty members throughout the weekend. 2019 Camp Faculty Howard Miyata trombone Clint Baker trumpet John Royen ** piano Katie Cavera banjo/guitar Steve Apple drums Dan Levinson reeds Marty Eggers tuba/bass Tuition: $435 Enrollment is limited (**indicates the class is full) There is a $50 tuition discount for students staying at the Lafayette Hotel for at least 3 nights, (limit two discounts per room). For reservations, contact the hotel at 1-619-296-2101 or make e-mail requests to RESERVATIONS@LafayetteHotelSD.com 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 92168-0387. Please provide your hotel reservation number in the space provided below or in the comments section on-line. For further information, call 1-619-297-5277 or e-mail: jazzcamp@sdjazzfest.org NAME: STREET: CITY / STATE / ZIP: PHONE: INSTRUMENT: AMOUNT ENCLOSED: EMAIL: LAFAYETTE RESERVATION NUMBER:
Gomez... Continued from back page he got hold of a clarinet and made rapid progress on the instrument. Before the end of the Swing Era, Gomez had worked with Will Bradley, Sonny Dunham, Jan Savitt, Latin bandleader Xavier Cugat and the aforementioned Ben Pollack. Following a stint in the Armed Forces from 1943-45, Gomez worked on the West Coast, with guitarist Nappy Lamare, cornetist Pete Daily and on a European tour with the eccentric reedman Mezz Mezzrow. In 1953 he joined Muggsy Spanier s group for two whirlwind years which involved touring, many location jobs and recording sessions for the Weathers and Decca labels. These recordings illustrate Gomez musicality, even at Spanier s beloved breakneck tempos. Benny Goodman s influence on Gomez s style is also very apparent throughout both sessions. In December, 1954 Gomez played with the Spanier ensemble at Club Hangover in San Francisco, then stayed on in San Francisco to work with the band he is most often associated with Kid Ory s Creole Jazz Band. Gomez appeared with Ory on a KCBS broadcast from Club Hangover shortly after he joined the band (it can be heard at this link: http:// www.jazzhotbigstep.com/ 105801.html). Though Gomez had not yet learned all the Ory band routines and signals, he absorbed them quickly, and also familiarized himself with Ory s extreme use of dynamics. His well-developed ear and musical instincts ensured that he always played the right thing at the right time, including perfect harmony parts alongside trumpeter Alvin Alcorn. That was important since in the course PAGE 14 of a single performance, Ory might double the lead, play long lines that sometimes clashed with the melody and chords, blow several measures of staccato tailgate phrases, then growl into a mute rather than playing the traditional trombone counterpoint. But Ory s unpredictability never affected Gomez s playing. Instead, whether on the broadcasts, live performances or commercial recordings, he sounds like he is having the time of his life. Obviously, Kid Ory appreciated Gomez great musicianship and esprit-de-corps. On their recording of Bourbon Street Parade, when Ory shouts Take it, Chico! the pleasure in his voice is evident. Gomez played a number of engagements at Club Hangover with Ory, and also worked with him at the Beverly Cavern in Los Angeles and the Pioneer Village in Lafayette. He was with the band when they performed onscreen for The Benny Goodman Story and on Bobby Troup s TV show Stars of Jazz. In 1955 and 56 he appeared on two outstanding recording sessions with Ory for Good Time Jazz. In 1956, Gomez toured Europe with Ory. The band was recorded live in Paris at the Theater des Champes Elysees, and also performed for a French television show. Excerpts from that program may still be viewed on YouTube and DailyMotion. After leaving Ory, Gomez worked in Los Angeles with trumpeter Andy Blakeney, who had played with Kid Ory in the 40s. His group also included former Ory sidemen Ed Garland and Minor Hall. He played and recorded with the famous popeyed comedian Jerry Colonna (who also happened to be a fine Dixieland trombonist) and New Orleans trumpeter Wingy Manone. In 1959, SPRING (MAY) 2018 he led an excellent group called the Jazzbos on a recording session that resulted in the album Dixieland Mambo! In later years, Gomez freelanced in a variety of locations, including Arizona, Las Vegas and Southern California. He played with groups such as the Steamboat Strutters, Igor s Jazz Cowboys and his own Swinging Kings. Jazz pianist Bill Mitchell interviewed Phil Gomez for the Mississippi Rag, not long before Gomez passed away in 1992. Fortunately, Gomez s Good Time Jazz recordings with Ory are relatively easy to find online. Look for This Kid s The Greatest, The Legendary Kid and Kid Ory Favorites. The live recording from Paris is included in an eight CD set of Ory s music released by Mosaic and also on an anthology CD produced by the British Avid label. The sessions by Muggsy Spanier are available from Bill Bissonnette s Jazz Crusade. Dixieland Mambo and the recordings by Wingy Manone and Jerry Colonna have not been rereleased on CD, but the LPs occasionally show up on ebay and Amazon. Also, there are two broadcasts from Club Hangover featuring Gomez with Kid Ory at the Jazz Rhythm link mentioned above. Phil Gomez s facile, tasteful clarinet work is definitely worth the effort to search for these recordings! AFCDJS is a member of: International Association of Classic Jazz Festivals ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau
Welcome New and Renewal Members Jant. - Feb. - March 2018 Jack Ades Dick Alderson Cleve Baker John Barton John Basart Jay Berman John & Tracy Bodenmann Lee & Mary Ann Bowman Edward & Shirley Callan Vaughn E. Chilcote Brooks Coleman Bob Constantine Jane Crews Katheryn J Daugherty Duane Eberlein Roger & June Entringer Diane Erk Edward Fahey Jan Gilbert Fred Hershenson Chuck Hukari & Irena Nikolova Tom & Ursula Jennings Leonard & Kathleen Kellogg Larry Krymer Kathleen Larsen Ken Lemke & Diane McMahon Carolyn Onken Joseph S. Pribilo Ted & Mary Ellen Raskin Lois Remaly Doreen Runk Robin & Janine Ryder Rob Sawyer Robert Schaefer Carl & Katherine Shaffer Norm Shoemaker Clarence & Patt Sloan Larry & Patricia Smith George & Richelle Smith Robert & Hazel Smothers David & Jane Sturmer Carl Warren MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION/RENEWAL /SUBSCRIPTION FORM Please check the applicable boxes and mail to: AMERICA S FINEST CITY DIXIELAND JAZZ SOCIETY P.O. Box 880387 San Diego, CA 92168-0387 Phone: (619) 297-5277 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 EMAIL What Fest #38 Fans Had to Say Scheduling was fantastic Great musicians and diversity in music and style Really enjoyed the extravaganza I loved how personal the festival is. Wrap-up Jam Session!!! Sue Palmer, terrific group. The music, the guests-always happy and friendly Big Butter impromptu jam with friends Dancing all day and night to great music Stephanie Trick and Paolo Alderighi Seeing old friends Wonderful to attend the Myers Dance Classes and meet new friends Mission Bay HS Band was great Good music; good friends; good dance floor space Memphis Speed Kings electrifying! Dance Contest at the Swing Extravaganza The Jam sessions are a good outlet. Always enjoy Chloe performing. Overall organization with everything under one roof 5 people - 3 generations. We thought it was amazing. Comfortable seating Nice to have food available near the patio. New fresh musicians supporting younger bands will help keep the music. Delightfully fun, upbeat music Great dancing! The water was very helpful too Love the old bands - about the biggest variety of all jazz fests No 15 or 30 minute breaks, music always available The sound... it was great Like seeing people of all ages and abilities dancing. Like how every performance starts and finishes on time. SPRING (MAY) 2018 PAGE 15
AMERICA S FINEST CITY DIXIELAND JAZZ SOCIETY Post Office Box 880387 San Diego, California 92168-0387 NON PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 821 San Diego. CA Traditional Jazz: A Quick Look Phil Gomez Ace Dixieland and Swing Clarinetist (This is the fourth minibiography 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 Drummer/bandleader Ben Pollack did not frequently hand out compliments. However, when he autographed a photo to clarinetist Phil Gomez, he inscribed You and Goodman, kid. Maybe Goodman. Phil Chico Gomez played with some of the best Jazz and swing groups in the U.S. He always sounded inspired and appropriate for the bands styles. Born in Mazatlan, Mexico in 1919, Gomez s family moved to the United States when he was a toddler. Sometime during his formative years continued on page 14 PAGE 16 SPRING (MAY) 2018