"BIG BAND NEWS": APRIL 2005
reported by Christopher Popa
ARTIE SHAW ESTATE SALE
In what has to be a fascinating, unparalleled chance for big band fans, historians, and treasure hunters, Artie Shaw's estate contents were
offered for sale April 1st through the 17th, by Treasures Estate Sales of Topanga, CA. With advance reservations, members of the public were allowed to walk through Shaw's former home in Newbury Park, CA and view and purchase his one-time possessions.
"Mr. Shaw was a very private individual and this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to look into the life and times of an American icon," Treasures Estate Sales reminded. "This estate is packed to the brim with intellectual interests and collections."
Items available included a clarinet, two alto saxophones, a grand piano, elegant and casual clothing, an expansive peronal library of books, fine artwork (works by Max Weber, George Grosz, and others), collections of knives, chess sets, fly-fishing equipment, African masks, furniture, cooking pans, dinnerware, clocks, canes, paperweights, and other knick-knacks.
"His house provides a retrospective of the ultimate eclectic spectrum of interests from art and music to knives and novels," it was stated.
As Treasures Estate Sales told me, "It's important for music lovers to know about this sale.
Even while the sale was still on, a number of items were re-sold on eBay, and others have been appearing there since.
"It is always a pleasure to present an estate sale with elegance and dignity, however what our clients do with the merchandise after
they pay for it is out of our control," Treasures Estate Sales noted afterwards.
JAZZ APPRECIATION MONTH
April was the 4th annual celebration of "Jazz Appreciation Month," sponsored by The Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History. Smithsonian publicity suggests, "As a musician, learn a new piece of jazz music. Admire the genius of Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington . . . or Ella Fitzgerald. Donate a performance to your local school. As a fan, attend a jazz concert with friends or family. Listen to your favorite jazz station. Watch a jazz video. Read a book about
a jazz legend . . . Together, let's get the world jamming to America's music." For more information, view the website smithsonianjazz.org.
THE NATIONAL RECORDING REGISTRY
50 more sound recordings were selected April 5th to be given
long-term preservation by The Library of Congress, so that they are available to future generations. The latest performances chosen include Ain't Misbehavin' by Fats Waller (1929), In the Mood by Glenn Miller (1939), Body and Soul by Coleman Hawkins (1939), and Manteca by Dizzy Gillespie (1947).
MILT HINTON
"Keeping Time: The Life, Music and Photographs of Milt Hinton" made its PBS-TV debut on April 12th. The one-hour documentary was first shown in May 2003 at the TriBeCa Film Festival in New York City.
Included are Hinton's own recollections of traveling with Cab Calloway's band in the segregated South. He worked with the band from 1936 to 1951.
Hinton also worked two months with Count Basie ('53), toured with Louis Armstrong and His All-Stars (Jul '53-Feb. '54, including a tour of Japan), and Benny Goodman's combo at Basin Street in New York City (Mar. '55).
Hinton passed away in 2000.
NECROLOGY
Salvador "Tutti" / "Toots" Camarata, arranger - trumpeter (Barnet '34-'35,
J. Dorsey '35-'41), 91, Apr. 13, 2005, "after a short illness"
Benny Bailey, trumpeter (Gillespie '47-'48, Hampton '48-'51), 79,
Apr. 14
Stan Levey, drummer (Kenton '52-'54, Goodman '61), 79, Apr. 19, 2005
Jimmy Woode, bassist (Ellington '55-'59), 76, Apr. 23, 2005
NEW IN-PRINT
Bialczak, Mark. "Orchestra does Basie proud; students earn ovations,"
Syracuse (NY) Post-Standard / syracuse.com, Apr. 13, 2005
Driggs, Frank and Chuck Haddix. Goin' to Kansas City: A History of
Kansas City Jazz (Oxford University Press) [ 320 pages ]
Gates, David Alan. "The Big Ban [ sic ]: Women in Music - Not Just for
the Boys!," Overture, Apr. 2005, pp.16-17
Karlovits, Bob. "Jazz orchestra [ Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks
Orchestra ] showcases best of post-big-band era," Pittsburgh
Tribune-Review / pittsburghlive.com, Apr. 16, 2005
Miranda, Maricella. "Singer [ Garry Stevens ] teaches all that jazz,"
Contra Costa Times / contracostatimes.com, Apr. 12, 2005
Skelly, Richard. "Music: The Swing of Things: Bucky Pizzarelli remains
active after 60-plus years," Asbury Park Press / app.com,
Apr. 15, 2005
Weidensee, Victor. "Big band [ Glenn Miller Orchestra ] plays big
sound," Rapid City [SD] Journal / rapidcityjournal.com, Apr. 27, 2005
NEW CD RELEASES
Ray Anthony, "The Anthony Choir/Anthony Concert," EMI UK
Louis Armstrong, "In Scandanavia, Vol.1," Storyville 101 8348
[ recorded in Copenhagen 1933, Denmark 1949, and Stockholm
1952 ]
Georgie Auld, "You Got Me Jumpin'," Sounds of Yesteryear 668
Count Basie, "The Complete Clef/Verve Count Basie Fifties Studio
Recordings, " Mosaic MD8-229 ( 8 CDs ) [ 146 tracks, incl. 7
previously-unreleased recordings and 3 alternates not in the vaults
at Universal Music; notes by Chris Albertson ]
Bunny Berigan, "That's a Plenty," Sounds of Yesteryear 664
Sonny Burke, "The Mambo Jambo Man," Jasmine 422 ( 2 CDs )
Billy Butterfield, "Take Me to the Land of Jazz," Delmark 243
Xavier Cugat, "Cugi's Cocktails," Verve LPR 2103481
Harry "Sweets" Edison, "Sweets," Verve LPR 3936
Duke Ellington, "Will Big Bands Ever Come Back?," Collectables 6733
--- "Concert in the Virgin Islands," Collectables 6734
--- "The Great Paris Concert," Collectables 7818
--- "The Treasury Shows [ 1945 ], Vol.11," Storyville D.E.T.S. 903 9011
( 2 CDs )
Flip Phillips, "Spanish Eyes," Choice 71013 [ 1975 ]
Dizzy Gillespie, "Sittin' In," Verve LPR 3937
--- "Portrait of Jenny," Breathless
--- "Dizzy Gillespie: Career 1952-1988," Shout! Factory (2 CDs)
[ incl. tracks from Guild, Victor, and Verve ]
Coleman Hawkins, "Soul," Fantasy [ 20-bit K2 remastered ]
Ted Heath, "Salute to Glenn Miller / Salutes the Duke," Vocalion 4290
Billie Holiday, "Billie Holiday: The Ultimate Collection," Hip-O Records
(2 CDs + DVD) [ incl. tracks from Brunswick, Commodore, OKeh,
Capitol, Decca, Aladdin, Clef, Verve and Columbia, as well as rare
items from TV ]
Lena Horne, "Seasons of a Life," Blue Note [ previously-unreleased
recordings from 1994-2000 sessions ]
Stan Kenton, "Sophisticated Approach/Romantic Approach," EMI UK
8738492
--- "Artistry in Paris," Jasmine 640 ( 2 CDs )
Gene Krupa, "Plays Gerry Mulligan Arrangements," Verve LPR 202202
Kay Kyser, "Pocketful of Dreams: The Best of Harry Babbitt with
Kay Kyser & His Orchestra," Collectables 7589
--- "Simple & Sweet: The Best of Ginny Simms with Kay Kyser &
His Orchestra," Collectables 7590
Guy Lombardo, "Driftin' & Dreaming / For Dancing Only," Vocalion
4295
Glenn Miller, "Jazz Moods: Hot," Bluebird 68400
Joe Newman Quintet, "At Count Basie's," Verve LPR 3938
Red Nichols, "That's a Bargain," Living Era 5564
Louis Prima and Keely Smith, "Live From Las Vegas," Capitol
Buddy Rich, "Blues Caravan," Verve LPR 394002
Pee Wee Russell and Coleman Hawkins, "Jazz Reunion," Candid
79020 [ 1961 ]
Charlie Shavers, "Horn O'Plenty," Lone Hill Jazz LHJ 10140;
"Complete Intimate Interpretations," Lone Hill Jazz LHJ 10159;
"Charlie Shavers & Ray Bryant Quartet: Complete Recordings Vol.1,"
Lone Hill Jazz LHJ 10182; "Charlie Shavers & Ray Bryant Quartet :
Complete Recordings Vol.2," Lone Hill azz LHJ 10183; "Charlie
Shavers & Ray Bryant Quartet: Complete Recordings Vol.3," Lone Hill
Jazz LHJ 10184
Artie Shaw, "Jazz Moods: Hot," Bluebird 68226
--- "Featuring His Inspired Clarinet," Vocalion CDVS 1943
--- "A Memorial Album: 1937-53," Sounds of Yesteryear 667
Frank Sinatra, "Live From Las Vegas," Capitol [ 1986 ]
Keely Smith, "Vegas '58 - Today: Recorded Live At Feinstein's At
the Regency [ New York ]," Concord
Jack Teagarden, "Swinging On the Teagarden Gate," Sounds of
Yesteryear 666
Rudy Vallee, "Vagabond Lover," Living Era 5562
Mary Lou Williams, "Mama Pinned a Rose On Me," Fantasy/OJC
Si Zentner, "A Thinking Man's Band/Waltz in Jazz Time," EMI UK
8738502
various artists, [2 CDs of Glenn Miller (incl. Carnegie Hall Concert
and soundtracks to "Sun Valley Serenade," "Orchestra Wives,"
and "The Glenn Miller Story") and 2 CDs of Benny Goodman ---
untitled at this writing], Avid (4 CDs)
NEW DVD RELEASES
Lena Horne, "An Evening with Lena Horne," Blue Note
--- "Lena Horne & Sarah Vaughan Sing the Hits," Passport Video
Louis Prima and Keely Smith, "That Old Magic," Passport Video
1599
Artie Shaw, "Best of the Big Bands: Artie Shaw & Friends," Passport
Video
Sarah Vaughan, "Sarah Vaughan & Other Jazz Divas," Passport
Video 1596 [ incl. Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Lena Horne ]
ITINERARIES - SELECT LIST
Count Basie Orchestra directed by Bill Hughes: Apr. 1-3, Florida
Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL; Apr. 5-6, Kravits Center, West
Palm Beach, FL; Apr. 7-8, Night Town, Cleveland, OH; Apr. 9,
University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA; Apr. 10, Edgewood Senior
High School, Ashtabula, OH; Apr. 11, Water St. Music Hall,
Rochester, NY; Apr. 12, Liverpool High School, Liverpool, NY; Apr.
14, Champlain Valley Union High School, Hinesburg, VT; Apr. 15,
Souhegan Hugh School, Amherst, NH; Apr. 16, Regent Theatre,
Arlington, MA; Apr. 17, Dukakis Performing Arts Center, Fitchburg,
MA; Apr. 28, Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, Troy, NY; Apr. 29,
Clemens Center, Elmira, NY; Apr. 30, Merrimack College, North
Andover, MA
Les Brown's Band of Renown directed by Les Brown, Jr.: Apr.
16-30, Branson, MO [ performances Wed. through Sun. ]
Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra directed by Bill Tole, Apr. 9, Pittsburgh,
PA; Apr. 14, Norway, MI; Apr. 16, San Francisco, CA
Tommy Dorsey Orchestra directed by Buddy Morrow: Apr. 7-10,
[ featuring Terry Myers and vocalist Rob Zapulla ] Taper Auditorium,
Benaroya Hall, Seattle, WA; Apr. 11-22, "Music of Your Life" cruise
aboard MS Lirica, embark and debark Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Apr. 24,
Newton County High School, Covington, GA; Apr. 25-May 4,
transatlantic cruise, Fort Lauderdale, FL to Lisbon
Larry Elgart: Apr. 4, Philharmonic Center for the Arts, Naples, FL
Woody Herman's Thundering Herd directed by Frank Tiberi:
Apr. 7, Sugar Mill Country Club, New Smyrna Beach, FL
Harry James Orchestra directed by Art Depew: Apr. 26, Chez
Josef, Agawam, MA
Dick Jurgens Orchestra directed by Don Ring: Apr. 30, Coronado
Center, Hot Springs, AR
Gene Krupa Orchestra directed by Michael Berkowitz: Apr. 16,
Lynchburg, VA [ with vocalist Lynn Roberts ]; Apr. 28, Amsterdam, NY
Glenn Miller Orchestra directed by Larry O'Brien: Apr. 1, Tornstrom
Auditorium, Brainerd, MN; Apr. 2, High School, Virginia, MN; Apr. 3,
High School, Rhinelander, WI; Apr. 4, High School, Merrill, WI; Apr. 5,
Middle School, Menomonee, WI; Apr. 8, High School, Martinsville, IN;
Apr. 9, Lincoln Christian College Chapel, Lincoln, IL; Apr. 10, Memorial
Auditorium, Burlington, IA; Apr. 11, Gary Dickinson Performing Arts
Center, Chillicothe, MO; Apr. 12, Memorial Middle School, Joplin, MO;
Apr. 14, Community Center, Bartlesville, OK; Apr. 15, Municipal
Building Auditorium, Pratt, KS; Apr. 16, Civic Center, Dodge City, KS;
Apr. 17, Oterior Jr. College, La Junta, CO; Apr. 18, High School,
Loveland, CO; Apr. 19, High School, Ogallala, NE; Apr. 21, The Tassel,
Holdrege, NE; Apr. 22, High School, Grand Island, NE; Apr. 23,
Agricultural Park, Columbus, NE; Apr. 24, Business, Arts & Recreation
Center. Windom, MN; Apr. 25, High School, Huron, SD; Apr. 26,
Rushmore Plaza Civic Center, Rapid City, SD; Apr. 28, Riggs High
School Theatre, Pierre, SD; Apr. 29, High School, Milbank, SD; Apr.
30, Middle School, Fergus Falls, MN
Artie Shaw Orchestra directed by Dick Johnson: Apr. 1, Performing
Arts Center, Paradise, CA; Apr. 3, Convention Center, Redding, CA;
Apr. 5, Senior Center, Fort Collins, CO; Apr. 6, Pikes Peak Center,
Colorado Springs, CO; Apr. 9, McMorran Place, Port Huron, MI; Apr.
10, Valentine Theatre, Toledo, OH; Apr. 11, Bear Creek Farms, Bryant,
IN; Apr. 12, Capitol Music Hall, Wheeling, WV; Apr. 13, Cultural Center,
Scranton, PA; Apr. 14, Smith Opera House, Geneva, NY
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autodidact Artie Shaw
as painted by Pacheco
( courtesy of Michael
Bezjian Photography )
Artie Shaw plays for World War II troops with his Navy band, as painted by Katrina Ton Evck
( courtesy of Michael Bezjian Photography )
A clarinet which belonged to Artie Shaw
( courtesy Michael Bezjian Photography )
