40th Annual Festival — NewTalent and Old Favorites Too!

JAZZ RAMBLER

The AFCDJSMonthly Concert Series

Lafayette HotelFeb. 17 - Heliotrope Ragtime Orch.March 17 - High Society Jazz BandApril 14 - Champagne Dixie**Special Date

Winter (February) 2019

Holland-Coots Jazz Quintet makes its Festival Debut in 2019.

As another successful San DiegoJazz Fest goes into the books, AFCDJSis busy planning for a very specialevent — our 40th Annual Festival! Asalways, we will be at the Town &Country Hotel, 500 Hotel Circle Northin San Diego. Dates are Wednesday,Nov. 27 through Sunday, Dec. 1. Forthis occasion, we will be featuringsome brand-new talent, including thewildly popular Holland-Coots JazzQuintet. Co-led by pianist BrianHolland and prodigious drummerDanny Coots, the ensemble alsoincludes trumpeter Marc Caparone,reedman Evan Arntzen and bassistSteve Pikal. This group has beentearing it up at jazz and ragtimefestivals from coast to coast, so weare definitely looking forward to itsfirst appearance in San Diego. Anotherband making its debut at Festival #40is After Midnight, a swinging sextetf rom Denver whose energe t icinterpretations of swing standards aresure to fill the venues at the Town & continued on page 4

Paul DaspitBids Adieu

Published by America’s Finest City Dixieland Jazz Society • San Diego, CA • www.SDjazzfest.org

$8.00 Per Issue Vol. XXXVII No. 1

Country with listeners as well asdancers. Veteran New Orleans pianistJohn Royen will also be performing asa soloist and bandleader at theFestival for the very first time. John isa student of the great jazz pianist DonEwell and has played across the U.S.,Europe, and Asia, including a stintwith the Preservation Hall Jazz Band.In addition to his solo and band work,John is one of the longest-servinginstructors at the AFCDJS Adult JazzCamp.

In 2018, the Chicago Cellar Boyswere one of the most popular andtalked-about bands at the San DiegoJazz Fest. They will return in 2019,and so will some of our patrons’favor i te bands and mus ic iansincluding Grand Dominion Jazz Band,Yerba Buena Stompers, Dave BennettQuartet, Katie Cavera, Carl SonnyLeyland, Titanic Jazz Band, Sue Palmerand her Motel Swing Orchestra, NightBlooming Jazzmen, Gino and the Lone

Please join us in thanking PaulDaspit for his 17 years of service tothe AFCDJS Board of Directors andthe San Diego Jazz Fest. As a native ofNew Orleans, he has a passion for themusic, enjoys dancing at jazz concertsand plays jazz on his clarinet. Not longafter joining the society in 2002, Pauland his wife June volunteered to serveat our Thanksgiving Festival. In 2006,Paul was elected to the Board ofDirectors of the Society and by 2007he was spearheading the sponsorshipprogram which grew tremendouslyunder his guidance.

In 2011, with the death of AlanAdams, Paul was asked by the Boardto assume the position of ExecutiveDirector as well as Festival Director.The Society was fortunate becausePaul was about to retire from his workwith a telecommunications companyhere in San Diego and could focusextra time on the Society and Festival.Since then Paul has led the Societythrough 13 Fes t iva l s , u t i l i z ing

continued on page 3

WINTER (FEBRUARY) 2019

(To have events included in the JazzRambler or on the AFCDJS website,submit updates by the 28th of eachmonth to Myrna Goodwin atgoodwinhawkins@cox.net.)

JAZZ JAMMERSJAZZ JAMMERSJAZZ JAMMERSJAZZ JAMMERSJAZZ JAMMERSFuddruckers, Wednesdays, 6-8pm

5500 Grossmont Center Dr., La Mesa.(619) 561-8236 or dixieexpress3@cox.net

SAN DIEGO BANJO BANDSAN DIEGO BANJO BANDSAN DIEGO BANJO BANDSAN DIEGO BANJO BANDSAN DIEGO BANJO BANDVFW Hall #1512 , 6873 Federal Blvd,

Lemon Grove, Thursdays, 5:30-7:30pm

CHAMPAGNE DIXIECHAMPAGNE DIXIECHAMPAGNE DIXIECHAMPAGNE DIXIECHAMPAGNE DIXIEWelk Resorts, “Festival under the

Lights ,” 8830 Lawrence Welk Rd. ,Escondido, Tuesdays, month of Feb.,5:30-8:00pm. No Cover.Dance floor, Food & beverages available.

UPTOWN RHYTHM MAKERSUPTOWN RHYTHM MAKERSUPTOWN RHYTHM MAKERSUPTOWN RHYTHM MAKERSUPTOWN RHYTHM MAKERS1st Sunday, Panama 66, Balboa Park, SD5-7pm. Check website for upcoming gigs.www.facebook.com/URMjazz

REY V INOLE’S D IX IELANDREY V INOLE’S D IX IELANDREY V INOLE’S D IX IELANDREY V INOLE’S D IX IELANDREY V INOLE’S D IX IELANDWORKSHOPWORKSHOPWORKSHOPWORKSHOPWORKSHOP

Tuesdays, 7-9 pm, The Orchard, 4040Hancock, San Diego (858) 581-9293

THE SAINTSTHE SAINTSTHE SAINTSTHE SAINTSTHE SAINTSSt. Paul’s Villa Senior Facility,

2340 4th Ave., San Diego. Friday, 2:30-4pm, (619) 384-7574.

HIGH SOCIETY JAZZ BANDHIGH SOCIETY JAZZ BANDHIGH SOCIETY JAZZ BANDHIGH SOCIETY JAZZ BANDHIGH SOCIETY JAZZ BANDCheck the websi te schedule for

upcoming gigs. More info Larry (858)277-5294. www.highsocietyjazzband.com

MAD HAT HUCKSTERSMAD HAT HUCKSTERSMAD HAT HUCKSTERSMAD HAT HUCKSTERSMAD HAT HUCKSTERSCheck the website schedule.

www.facebook.com/madhathucksters/

SUE PALMERSUE PALMERSUE PALMERSUE PALMERSUE PALMERCheck the websi te schedule for

upcoming gigs at www.suepalmer.com

EUPHORIA BRASS BANDEUPHORIA BRASS BANDEUPHORIA BRASS BANDEUPHORIA BRASS BANDEUPHORIA BRASS BANDCheck the webs i t e schedu le a t

www.euphoriabrassband.com

LAKESIDE JAZZ CLUBLAKESIDE JAZZ CLUBLAKESIDE JAZZ CLUBLAKESIDE JAZZ CLUBLAKESIDE JAZZ CLUB1st Sundays (951-245-9504), Lake

Elsinore Elks Club, 33700 Mission Trail,Wildomar, CA, 1:30-4:30pm (Featuredband at 3pm)

The JAZZ RAMBLER is published quarterlyfor $20 per year ($25 foreign) by America’sFinest City Dixieland Jazz Society. Address allcorrespondence to P.O. Box 880387, SanDiego, CA 92168-0387.

America’s Finest City Dixieland Jazz Societyis a Non-Profit 501 (c)3 organization. For infor-mation about the Society, call (619) 297-5277.Website: www.SDjazzfest.org

Single copy price $8.00. Editorial contribu-tions welcome. Contents of Jazz Rambler arecopyrighted © (2018) by America’s Finest CityDixieland Jazz Society and may not be re-printed without permission. Jazz Publicationsand Jazz Club Newsletters may reprint articlesprovided the following credit is included: “Re-printed from the Jazz Rambler, San Diego,California.” The Jazz Rambler and Societyfunctions are funded in part by the City of SanDiego Commission for Arts and Culture.

BOARD OF DIRECTORSBill Adams, PresidentBob Solsbak, Vice PresidentMyrna Goodwin, SecretaryEd Adams, Paul, Daspit, Morgan Day,Joe Jensen, Ruthe Monteith

AFCDJS STAFFHal Smith, Artistic DirectorGretchen Haugen, TreasurerCrystal Solsbak, Office Manager

RAMBLER STAFFEditor: Jay F. LevineStaff Writers: Myrna Goodwin • Hal SmithStaff Photographers: Dave Long • AlexMatthews • Prismatic Sky

Jazz Alive — Here, There, Everywhere

Advertise in the RamblerAdvertising in the Jazz Rambler is one of

the best ways to reach a large exclusive audienceof Trad Jazz fans. With our circulation ofapproximately 2,000 and an estimated reader-ship of 3,500, you will be reaching thousandsof people who are interested in all aspects ofTraditional Jazz.

The Rambler is published quarterly. Dead-lines are the 5th of the month, prior to the dateof issue. Feb. 1, May 1, Aug. 1 and Nov. 1.

Advertising RatesFull page — $275.00

One Half page — 150.00One Third page — 110.00One Quarter page — 85.00One Eighth page — 50.00

For a rate sheet, write AFCDJS, P.O. Box880387, San Diego, CA 92168-0387 or call(619) 297-5277.

RAMONA SENIOR CENTERRAMONA SENIOR CENTERRAMONA SENIOR CENTERRAMONA SENIOR CENTERRAMONA SENIOR CENTERFr idays , George Newman’s

Dixieland, 11:30am-1pm. Musicianswelcome, 434 Aqua Lane, Ramona, (619)876-4300 X146

CJ SAMS and KATIE CAVERACJ SAMS and KATIE CAVERACJ SAMS and KATIE CAVERACJ SAMS and KATIE CAVERACJ SAMS and KATIE CAVERACurley’s Café, 1999 E. Willow (at

Cher ry ) , S igna l Hi l l , CA. Free . Wednesdays. Best to confirm dates andtimes. Free. Info: www.katiecavera.net.

ROYALE GARDEN DIXIE BANDROYALE GARDEN DIXIE BANDROYALE GARDEN DIXIE BANDROYALE GARDEN DIXIE BANDROYALE GARDEN DIXIE BANDEvery Monday night except 5th

Monday 7pm, El Patio Restaurant, 1750W. La Palma Ave., Anaheim. More info(951) 898-2174

CROWN CITY DIXIELAND BANDCROWN CITY DIXIELAND BANDCROWN CITY DIXIELAND BANDCROWN CITY DIXIELAND BANDCROWN CITY DIXIELAND BANDWednesdays from 6:30-9pm, Burger

Continental Restaurant, Pasadena (626)792-6634

BALDY MOUNTAIN SWINGBALDY MOUNTAIN SWINGBALDY MOUNTAIN SWINGBALDY MOUNTAIN SWINGBALDY MOUNTAIN SWING1st and 3rd Thursdays, 8-10:30pm, at

The Press, 129 Harvard Ave., ClaremontInfo: (909) 625-4808

SEAL BEACH, CASEAL BEACH, CASEAL BEACH, CASEAL BEACH, CASEAL BEACH, CATuesdays, 6-9pm, Leisure World

Dixieland Workshop, 13550 Seal BeachBlvd., Club House 3, rm. 8, (562) 594-5722

NEW ORLEANS JAZZ CLUBNEW ORLEANS JAZZ CLUBNEW ORLEANS JAZZ CLUBNEW ORLEANS JAZZ CLUBNEW ORLEANS JAZZ CLUBOF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIAOF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIAOF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIAOF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIAOF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

3rd Sunday, 1pm. WestminsterLanes , 6471 Wes tmins te r Ave . ,Westminster

S. BAY N. ORLEANS JAZZ CLUBS. BAY N. ORLEANS JAZZ CLUBS. BAY N. ORLEANS JAZZ CLUBS. BAY N. ORLEANS JAZZ CLUBS. BAY N. ORLEANS JAZZ CLUB2nd Sunday, 12:30-5pm, Knights of

Columbus Hall, 214 Avenue I, RedondoBeach. (310) 374-3174

SO CAL HOT JAZZ SOCIETYSO CAL HOT JAZZ SOCIETYSO CAL HOT JAZZ SOCIETYSO CAL HOT JAZZ SOCIETYSO CAL HOT JAZZ SOCIETY1st Sunday. American Legion Post

335, Southgate. (323) 566-9128. 1pm

PAGE 2 JAZZ RAMBLER

JAZZ RAMBLERWINTER (FEB.) 2019 VOL. XXXVII - NO. 1

The AFCDJS Board of Directors holdsits meetings on the second Tuesday ofthe month. For venue and time, contactus at jazzinfo@SDjazzfest.org.

Support live musicin your city.

Keep Jazz Alive!

WINTER (FEBRUARY) 2019JAZZ RAMBLER PAGE 3

Monthly Jazz ConcertsSponsored by America’s Finest City Dixieland Jazz Society

Feb. 17 — Heliotrope Ragtime OrchestraMarch 17 — High Society Jazz BandApril 14 — Champagne Dixie (Special Date)

Lafayette Hotel & SuitesMississippi Room • 2223 El Cajon Blvd. • San Diego

All Programs: 1-4pm • Admission-$20 • Members-$15 • Under 30 (with photo ID)-$8

PLEASE SUPPORT LIVE TRADITIONAL JAZZ!ATTEND OUR MONTHLY CONCERT/DANCES!Check www.sdjazzfest.org for the latest information

visionary leadership, clear organiza-tion skills, excellent communicationswith the Lafayette and Town &Country Hotels as well as the SanDiego Commission for Arts andCulture, and a comprehensive pointof view encompassing all the areas ofthe Society. The many facets of theJazz Society including monthlyconcerts, workshops, the adult jazzcamp, public relations, educationprograms, and of course the Festivalhave thrived under his leadership.

We sincerely appreciate all that hehas done. We hope he has moreopportunities to travel and spendmore time with his daughter Nicoleand her family in Austin. Please, wishhim well.

Adieu . . .continued from front page

As we look into the New Year witha consistent membership of 700 and asuccessful 2018 Festival just a fewweeks ago, there is much to be proudof. The success of this organizationcontinues to be its volunteers andsponsors while music lovers anddancers continue to support ourevents and keep us solvent.

Wi th the re t i rement o f ourdedicated and longstanding leader,Paul Daspit , the new ExecutiveDirector will be Bill Adams with HalSmith as our Artistic Director, BobSolsbak as the Director of Operationsand Ed Adams as our Director ofLogistics. The Festival SteeringCommittee of Bill Adams, Hal Smithand Ed Adams has not changed.

Programs such as Education, ledby Bob Solsbak, our Adult Jazz Camp,managed by Ed Adams, the monthlyjazz workshop with Jay Rice and ourmonthly jazz concerts at the LafayetteHotel continue to teach and inspire aswell as promote jazz in the community.

State of the Society 2019

It Takes A Village!Well, the 39th Annual SD Jazz Fest

was a rousing success, so now it’stime to start making plans for our big#40! How do we do it? Well, as theysay, “It takes a village.” Our FestivalDirector(s) and Board of Directorswork tirelessly all year to bring thiswonderful event to life, and couldn’tdo it without our wonderful patrons,volunteers, vendors and, of course…sponsors!

Sponsorship is critical to an eventthis size, and we are indebted to thewonderful folks that help us out yearafter year.

Our main goal to “keep the musicalive” was in full effect this year, withmore variety than ever. From the pianostylings of Stephanie & Paolo to thehot jazz of the Chicago Cellar Boys tothe Swing of Michael Gamble’sRhythm Serenaders, music lovers ofevery genre and dancers of every stylecame together for a great time. How dowe bring that magic to #40? To behonest, we wouldn’t be able to do itwithout your generous support. We’rehoping many of you will considerbecoming one of our sponsors as nowis a great time to get involved in thisever-changing, ever-growing, magicalevent. Your $300 donation comes withthe following benefits:• 5-Day All Events badge & Sponsorribbon(The difference of the badge andsponsorship is tax deductible!)• Inv i ta t ion to the Sponsors ’Reception• Reserved seating in all venues• Web and Program listing• One-year AFCDJS membership

If sponsorship isn’t your thing, butyou still want to help where you can,we’re a lways looking for goodvolunteers. Along with the army ittakes to run the Festival, we’re alwaysin need of help at our monthly concerts,workshops, advertising, etc.

A special thank you to all of ourpast sponsors and volunteers for allof the support and hard work over theyears. To get involved, or for moreinformation please don’t hesitate tocontact us at jazzinfo@SDJazzFest.orgor 619-297-5277. More informationabout all of the Society’s activitiescan be found at www.SDJazzFest.org.

Looking to the future, your Boardand Festival staff are constantlylooking for better pricing, foodoptions, parking accommodationsand hotel access. It goes withoutsaying that we couldn’t do it withoutyour help and are always looking forvolunteers and people looking tocontribute. As we head into our 40thyear promoting jazz, we look forwardto everyone’s continued input andsupport.

Bill AdamsPresident & Executive Director.

Education OutreachFor more info about

our youth programincluding Jazz Campscholarships, check theSociety website underEducation.

WINTER (FEBRUARY) 2019PAGE 4 JAZZ RAMBLER

Festival . . .Continued from front pageGunmen, Big Butter Jazz Band,Heliotrope Ragtime Orchestra, MadHat Hucksters and the High SocietyJazz Band. The Festival SteeringCommittee is in the process ofdiscussing additional groups to addto the lineup, so be sure to check ourwebsi te f requent ly for updates:www.dixielandjazzfestival.org/.

Meanwhile, please refer to theadver t i sement on page 5 forin format ion regard ing badgepurchases, sponsorship and hotelreservations. We hope you will makeplans right now to help AFCDJS andthe San Diego Jazz Fest celebrate 40years of present ing the best inTraditional Jazz, Swing, Ragtime,Boogie Woogie and Rockabilly music!

After Midnight Sextet makes its Festival Debut in 2019.

The Monthly Concerts have beenlocated in the Mississippi Room at theLafayette Hotel for many years, andthe Jazz Society has worked hard tokeep the location and costs fromchanging. With the hotel adapting tothe changing market we have had toupdate our contract with them. Whatthis means to us is that the Memberpricing for the Monthly Concerts willneed to be raised to $15 per personand the under 30 goes to $8 to coverour increased expenses. This changewill go into effect at the March concert.

The Board does not take this

increased amount lightly. We havereviewed several options with thehotel vs. moving to a new locationand have found that the currentlocation still offers the most cost-effective space for dance floor, foodand bar services, parking, and is afamiliar location to most of ourmembers.

We appreciate your continuedsupport to provide local music anddancing to our Society Members andfriends.

Bill AdamsPresident & Executive Director

Lafayette Mothly Concert Price Change

John Royen, New Orleans pianist

HELP WANTED!Your Society has an

immediate need for avolunteer to help withadvertising. Time required is2-5 hours per week. ContactMyrna Goodwin by phone at(619) 992-3787 or email atgoodwinhawkins @cox.net.

Get involved and see howyou can help keep your favoritemusic alive in San Diego. You'llbe happy you did!

WINTER (FEBRUARY) 2019JAZZ RAMBLER PAGE 5

WINTER (FEBRUARY) 2019PAGE 6 JAZZ RAMBLER

Heliotrope Ragtime - Feb. 17The Heliotrope Ragtime Orchestra

began as a “vintage dance” band 14years ago, p laying and s ingingragtime-era (1890-1920) tunes, with anemphasis on an authentic periodsound, for a public that loved theTurkey Trot and Grizzly Bear. Over theyears they have expanded their bookto include numbers from the 1920s aswell, adding composers like KingOliver, Louis Armstrong, and Jelly RollMorton to the earlier roster of ScottJoplin, James Scott, Joe Lamb, et al.But the music is still tailored fordancing and played from the oldorchestrations to deliver a time-travelexperience. You can even expect anoccasional waltz or tango.

Bob Pinsker (piano) and BruceVermazen (cornet) lead the group: KenLemke, corne t ; John Rals ton ,trombone; Fernando Herrera, flute andalto sax; Josh Mills, clarinet and altosax; Patrick McMahon, tenor sax; Danand Cheryl Swem, violins; JohnWinkelman, tuba ; and SuzanneTractenberg, drums.

Upcoming Monthly Concert Series

High Society Jazz Band - March 17The High Society Jazz Band puts a great twist on the lively sounds of

traditional jazz. They’re bound to please all audiences with a variety of stylesand arrangements — New Orleans and Chicago-style jazz and Dixieland, swing,big band, Latin and even oldies rock n’ roll. High Society has entertained around

Small BandMusic Archives

AFCDJS maintains an archive ofover 2,400 small band musicarrangements, which we makeavailable to school and youthbands, community, church, start-up, and non-profit music groups.

Ask about the Top Thousandmost-requested small band musicarrangements, on a DVD disc.

Go to www.sdjazzfest.org andclick “Small Band Music” at thebottom of the page or contact BobSolsbak at archive@ sdjazzfest.org.

San Diego and beyond for nearly 30years, performing concerts, at jazzfestivals, dances, night clubs and atprivate events. HSJB consists of LarryOkmin, clarinet and leader; RickEvans, trumpet; Bil ly Hawkins,trombone; Jay Berman, piano andvocals; Joe Meza, bass; and DonKuhli, drums.

continued on page 7

WINTER (FEBRUARY) 2019JAZZ RAMBLER PAGE 7

Concerts . . .Continued from page 6Champagne Dixie - April 14

For the past nine years ChampagneDixie has played at the Welk Resort inEscondido dur ing the i r weeklyFestival Under the Lights, and for thepast 3 years they have played at ourJazz Fest. Jay Rice,the band’s cornetplayer, regularly leads the AFCDJSmonthly workshop and at last year’sfestival he stepped in for Dick Williamsdoing a great job running our jamsessions. Along with Jay on cornetthere is Billy Hawkins, trombone; JimFiedler, clarinet; Ken Dillard, piano;Jim Goodwin, guitar/banjo; KennyPowell, drums, and Johnny G, bass.Don’t miss the April 14 concert at theMississippi Room to hear the soundsof Kid Ory, Jelly Roll Morton, BixBeiderbecke, Louis Armstrong andcountless others.

Attend the Free 2019Honor Concerts

America’s Finest City DixielandJazz Society is a major sponsor ofthese concerts. There is no charge tothe public, so we hope you will attend.Support music education in ourschools.• Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019 • 7pmHigh School Instrumental HonorConcer t , Jacobs Music Center ,Copley Symphony Hall, 7th & BStreetsHonor Orchestra, Honor Band• Saturday, March 16, 2019 • 7pmMiddle School Instrumental HonorConcert, Brown Chapel, Point LomaNazarene UniversityHonor Orchestra, Honor Band• Thursday, March 21, 2019 • 7pmDebut Instrumental Honor Concert,featuring Music Students Grades 4-6Brown Chapel, Point Loma NazareneUniversityHonor Orchestra, Honor Band

Help support these programs.

A big THANK YOU VERY MUCHgoes out to all of the 2018 San DiegoJazz Fest volunteers. Whether youworked 2 hours or 15 hours, we sincerelyappreciate your help! Many of youwere new this year or took on newtasks. We truly value your contributionto make our festival successful.

Check our webs i te a twww.SDjazzfest.org for additionalin format ion concern ing howVolunteers for the 2019 festival will beselected. New volunteers are welcometo apply, so talk to friends who may beinterested in helping us make the 40thFest one of the best ever.

Thanks to #39Fest Volunteers

2018 EducationDrawing Winners

America’s Finest City DixielandJazz Society extends a sincere “Thankyou” to all guests at the 2018 Fest whopurchased tickets for our EducationDrawing. Proceeds from the drawingwill help to fund our educationprograms throughout the year.

Cleve Hildebrad of Torrance, andClaude Stemp of Murrieta will eachreceive two 5-Day badges for the 2019San Diego Jazz Fest—or credit towardsponsorships. The Goodtime PlectrumBanjo from Deering Banjo was awardedto George Beach of Yuma, AZ. Allwinners will also receive a one-yearmembership to AFCDJS.

Things To Do Online:• Purchase Fest Badges• Make Hotel Reservations• Sponsor a Band• Join the Society• Read the Jazz Rambler• Make an Educ. Donation• Enroll in Jazz Camp• Get Volunteer Info

AFCDJS is a member of:• San Diego Regional

Chamber of Commerce~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• San Diego Convention& Visitors Bureau

Fest #40 Badges NowAvailable Online!

When you go to our website,you can use your credit card(Visa/MC/AMX) to purchaseFestival badges, become asponsor, join or renew yourmembership, contribute to theeducation fund or even enroll injazz camp. Check it out atwww.SDjazzfest.org.

WINTER (FEBRUARY) 2019PAGE 8 JAZZ RAMBLER

Education DonorsEducation DonorsEducation DonorsEducation DonorsEducation Donors

Dawn ClubDawn ClubDawn ClubDawn ClubDawn ClubMary HargravesMary HargravesMary HargravesMary HargravesMary Hargraves

Rodney OrthRodney OrthRodney OrthRodney OrthRodney OrthMike SwallMike SwallMike SwallMike SwallMike Swall

Donald Ward & Carol HoweDonald Ward & Carol HoweDonald Ward & Carol HoweDonald Ward & Carol HoweDonald Ward & Carol Howe

Storyville ClubStoryville ClubStoryville ClubStoryville ClubStoryville ClubBruce VermazenBruce VermazenBruce VermazenBruce VermazenBruce Vermazen

Jazz Society Continues EJazz Society Continues EJazz Society Continues EJazz Society Continues EJazz Society Continues Education Emphasisducation Emphasisducation Emphasisducation Emphasisducation EmphasisDave Bennett and PreservationistsMuse About Performing TogetherDave Bennett : “During our time at theSan Diego Jazz Fest, we had theMission Bay musicians sit in with uson three songs. They NAILED IT!!!Their enthusiasm and musicianshipwere off the charts. We all fed off eachother’s energy. It was the highlight ofthe Festival for my band and me. Iwould be honored to share the stagewith them anytime!”

The Preservationists also had agreat experience at the Festival andspecifically with Dave.

Taylor Kavieff- Clarinet/Flute:“My exper ience a t th i s year ’ sThanksgiving Jazz Fest was amazing!Per forming wi th my band andconnecting with other musicians wassuch a great opportunity to grow as amusician, myself. I also got theopportunity to perform with theincredible clarinetist, Dave Bennett,which really made this year’s Jazzfestinvaluable.”

Piatt Pund-violin/vocals: “SanDiego Jazz Fest has shaped me as amusician. Being immersed in theprofessional world and the presenceof legendary professionals makes yourise to the occasion as a performer.Moments like sitting in with The DaveBenne t t Quar te t and ge t t ing astanding ovation after a set are thingsthat I will cherish for the rest of mylife.”

Dave Bennett with the Mission Bay High School Preservationists

Madeline Lynch- Vocalist: “The2018 San Diego Jazz Festival was anincredible experience for me in regardsto watching incredible musiciansper form, en joy ing the overa l latmosphere of people of all agesenjoying the music, and performingfor an audience who has alwayssupported the music. I value thisFestival greatly because I have beenable to see some of my favorite localand traveling musicians live on stageand was able to incorporate their ideasthroughout soloing into my singingof melodies and scatting.”

Noah Kapchinske- guitar: “I had avery wonderful time participating inthe 2018 Thanksgiving Jazz Fest. Itwas impressive and inspiring to seesuch skilled performers, and I greatlyapprec ia te the oppor tun i ty toparticipate in this event.”

Paolo Roque- piano: “Being ableto play at this year’s ThanksgivingJazz Fest was an honor and really funat the same time. I especially enjoyedlistening to all the other bands anytime I could. It was also a great learning

experience for me to play with thePreservationists and listen to manyamazing musicians at the Festival aswell. I look forward to next year’s fest!”

Loic Delattre- sax: “I had a greattime playing at Jazz fest because ofthe great audiences who were there. Ialso really appreciated the work of thestaff to give everyone the bestexperience at the festival.”

Ethan McKinley- trombone: “TheThanksgiving Jazz Fest was anawesome experience as a lways.Listening to the people who play therehave inspired a few new ways toexpress myself through Jazz. Playingthere was also a great time since wecould play in front of experiencedears.”

Drew Tolley- “Drums: Playing atthe Thanksgiving Jazz Fest was areally exciting experience. I got towitness a lot of other great jazz actsperforming many different styles ofmusic. I also loved playing for a hostof people, and loved the fact that wewere some of the youngest performersthere.”

WINTER (FEBRUARY) 2019

2018 Festival Highlights — Great Jazz ...

JAZZ RAMBLER PAGE 9

WINTER (FEBRUARY) 2019PAGE 10 JAZZ RAMBLER

... Great Swing Bands and Dancers ...

... and, of course, the interesting people!!!

WINTER (FEBRUARY) 2019PAGE 12 JAZZ RAMBLER

AFCDJS-sponsored workshopsare held the second Thursday ofevery month (except December)from 7 to 9pm at the San DiegoMusicians Hall, 1717 MorenaBlvd., San Diego.* Special Date

Requirement:Desire to play Dixieland Jazz!

Furnished:Drums, piano and a core

group of instructors.~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

ALL AGES & TALENTLEVELS WELCOME!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~(619) 297-JASS (5277)(619) 297-JASS (5277)(619) 297-JASS (5277)(619) 297-JASS (5277)(619) 297-JASS (5277)www.SDjazzfest .orgwww.SDjazzfest .orgwww.SDjazzfest .orgwww.SDjazzfest .orgwww.SDjazzfest .org

The personnel of many localbands who have appeared atour Festivals have beenparticipants in the AFCDJS freeJazz Workshops.

AFCDJS PRESENTS FREE 2019

JAZZ WORKSHOPS(2nd Thurs. of month, 7-9 pm)Feb. 7* • March 14 • April 11May 9 • June 13 • July 11Aug. 8 • Sept. 12 • Oct. 10

Nov. 14 • Dec. (Dark)

2020 Adult TradJazz Camp

The 2019 San DiegoAdult Traditional JazzCamp at the LafayetteHotel was another bigsuccess. Start making yourplans to attend next year’scamp. More informationwill be available soon onour website and in theRambler.

Donate Used Instruments to CCMSAFCDJS and the Council for Music

in the Schools remind members thatthe donation of used instruments isnot limited to during the Festival.Anyone wanting to donate during theyear , i s we lcome to b r ing theinstrument(s) to any of our MonthlyConcerts. Keep the music alive. Passthe torch to the next generation. The Community Council for Musicin the Schools (CCMS), a non-profito rgan iza t ion , wi l l p lace theinstruments with music teachers inSan Diego Unified School District(including elementary, middle and highschools) for loan to students in schoolmusic classes, bands and orchestraswho cannot afford to buy or rent theirown instruments. All donations are

tax deductible.Dig into your closets, at t ics,

garages or under the bed, to find yourold musical instruments — clarinet,guitar, trumpet, sax, trombone, violin,flute (in high demand), cello, or evena drum kit — that may be just collectingdust awaiting its next musical maestro.CCMS will mail each contributor anofficial letter for tax purposes. If you do not have an instrument tocontribute but would like to help, adonation of any amount can helppurchase add i t iona l neededinstruments. (Currently, there is acritical need for violins and violas.) With school budgets as they are,your unused ins t ruments (o rcontribution) will allow deservingstudents to enroll in music classes.Who knows, your trumpet may go tothe next Louis Armstrong.

WINTER (FEBRUARY) 2019JAZZ RAMBLER PAGE 13

WINTER (FEBRUARY) 2019PAGE 14 JAZZ RAMBLER

envisioned Hambone Kelly’s as kindof a jazz commune, with the musiciansliving on the premises and sharing theincome. Some band members did moveinto Hambone’s and others took onextra chores (Watters acted as chef;Helm was in charge of the cocktailwaitresses’ assignments and Lammiscreened old movies before the musicstarted). However, Scobey, Rose andDart wanted to be salaried performersinstead of participating in the co-op.Despite this developing problem, theclub was successful at first. A live,Coast-to-Coast broadcast on RudiBlesh’s “This Is Jazz” radio programshows the Yerba Buena Jazz Band atits peak, with all cylinders firing andBill Dart driving the powerful engine.

At the end of 1947, the InternationalMusic ians’ Union threa tened arecording ban, effective early in 1948.Turk Murphy and Bob Scobey hastilyassembled recording groups, largelymade up of Yerba Buena sidemen. Dartplayed on Scobey’s first recordingsunder his own name, and was givenmore rhythmic freedom than he wasallowed in the Yerba Buena group. Forvarioius reasons, by the middle of1948 several key musicians had eitherleft or were in the process of leavingWatters’ band and Hambone Kelly’s.Bill Dart was the victim of some of thetension building within the band. Oneday he bought a cymbal that was largerthan the others he had been using forseveral years. He came to HamboneKelly’s in the afternoon and placedthe cymbal on a stand with his drumset. When he returned to play thatevening, someone had taken tin snipsto the brand-new cymbal and had cutit down to the size of the others. Onanother night, Dart mounted thebandstand to find all his cymbalsgone, his bass drum pedal removedand a plywood insert atop the snaredrum – with four woodblocks attached.That was the final indignity for him,and he departed shortly thereafter.

After leaving the Yerba Buenaband, Dart played numerous dates withBob Scobey’s brand-new “Alexan-der’s Jazz Band.” Recordings of the

Dart . . .Continued from back page

group on the Ragtime label show thatDart was very comfortable in loosersurroundings, incorporating elementsof New Orleans and Chicago style thatwere not evident on Watters’ records.However , in 1949 , Lu Wat te rsconvinced Dart (and pianist WallyRose) to return to Hambone Kelly’s.By then, the group was billed as “LuWatters’ Jazz Band.” With Scobeyleading his own group, the two-trumpet front line was a distantmemory. Turk Murphy was also abandleader, so various trombonistswere in and out of the Watters Bandduring this time. Dart’s playing alsochanged dramatically. On the band’srecordings for Down Home andMercury, as well as live recordingsand airshots from Hambone Kelly’s,Dart used choked cymbal almostexclusively.

Whether Watters requested this,or it was mutually agreed-upon, thedrumming was more limited than ever.Fortunately, Dart found a way to coaxa maximum of sound out of thedampened cymbals so tha t therepetition does not detract from theperformances. And when the workingband was reduced from seven piecesto six, then five, some restrictions werelifted on the drummer. On several liverecordings made by Bob Helm atHambone Kelly’s during 1950, Dartcan be heard playing press rolls, rimshots and even ride cymbal!

The Watters Band struggled withfalling attendance and worseningfinances until New Year’s Eve, 1950.Hambone Kelly’s closed its doors andWatters disbanded on Jan. 1, 1951.Fortunately for Bill Dart, he was ableto work with Scobey (alternating withFred Higuera and “Gramps” Edwards),with Dick Oxtot’s Polecats, JackSheedy’s Jazz Band and briefly withhis own group, which included ex-Yerba Buena clarinetist Ellis Horne. Inthe mid-’50s he played with theSuperior Stompers and Bob Mielke’sBearca t s . Commerc ia l and l iverecord ings f rom th i s per ioddemonstrate Dart’s versatility andcreativity in lighter, swinging rhythmsections. Trombonist/bandleader BobMielke recalled Dart’s playing in the1950s as sounding “like a man who

has been le t out of ja i l !” Dartcontinued to freelance throughout the1950s and ’60s and also continued todevelop a marvelous, individual style.A private recording of Dick Oxtot’sband at a 1966 concert, shows justhow much music Dart could bring outof a drum set when left to his owndevices. His New Orleans-style snaredrum, tom-tom and cymbal work isdynamic and forceful, but neverobtrusive. Those who criticize Dartfor re ly ing too heav i ly on thewoodblock would undergo an eye-and-ear-opening experience hearingthis same drummer relentlessly drivingthe Oxtot band.

Bill Dart retired from music,probably sometime in the late ’60s. Hedivorced his wife, moved to Portland,Oregon and shared a household withBob Scobey’s ex-wife Barbara .Though he did not attempt to becomepart of the Portland musical scene, hedid make a trip to Old Town Strutters’Hall to hear Don Kinch’s ConductorsRagtime Band in 1977. Dart and Kinchhad an enjoyable reunion, recallingKinch’s appearance with the WattersBand at Hambone Kelly’s in 1950. Fromthe late ’70s into the 1980s, Dart fadedfrom public view. He passed away inPortland on Oct. 13, 1988.

Nearly all the photos of Bill Dartbeh ind the d rums fea ture theexpression which caused so muchconsternation among fans. But it iscertain that he was giving all hisattention to the music, and how tomake it sound better – rather thantrying to think up facial expressionswhich might appeal to the audience.Dart’s records with Lu Watters arewonderful examples of how a superbdrummer can get the most sound outof just a few percussion instruments.The records by Alexander’s Jazz Bandand Jack Sheedy’s Jazz Band are worthsearching for, as they demonstratejust how well Dart played when he wasallowed free rein. Some recordingswith Mielke and Oxtot from the 1950s-60s are available to the public, throughDave Radlauer’s JAZZ RHYTHMwebsite. These live recordings allowthe listener to hear a great drummerwho has been misunderstood fordecades.

WINTER (FEBRUARY) 2019JAZZ RAMBLER PAGE 15

Oct. - Nov. - Dec. 2018

Sandy AdamsonSharon AlixLuis & Deborah AlvaKaren AndersonWilliam & Ruth AndersonAndre AshleyJoanne & Merrill BabeleSteven & Marcia BalchBarbara BennettJay BermanSeaton BlancoMichelle BoldenCarol BoyntonDiana BrownsonEdward & Shirley CallanPatricia CoeJane CrewsAlice Davis & Jack MinneyLou & Laura De LorcaJosephine DoughnerSusan EatonRonald & Maralee EllisonCharline Feeser

Welcome New and Renewal MembersBarbara FeldmanJim Fiedler & Ingrid de HaasCharles & Deborah FinleyGoran FreskeKaz & Yumi FukukuraMarlene GilesRobert GoldRobert & Barbara GreavesJimmy & Billie GreenHarold GroodyStuart Gross & Nikki SchweitzerLou Ann GurneyBarbara HallMary HargravesDonna Hensley & Joanne GrandeNaida HindertFred & Judy HoeptnerTom & Ursula JenningsDavid Johnson & Lauren HuntonDon JohnsonJoel N. JohnsonRobert Charles JohnsonKenneth & Sandra JohnsonJerry Jones & Kathy Weems

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION/RENEWAL /SUBSCRIPTION FORMPlease check the applicable boxes and mail to:

AMERICA’S FINEST CITY DIXIELAND JAZZ SOCIETYP.O. Box 880387 • San Diego, CA 92168-0387 • Phone: (619) 297-5277

NEW RENEWAL Enclosed is $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 ___________________________________________________________

Thomas & Kathleen KingSteve & Donna KreinickLarry KrymerGloria La RoccaKathleen LarsenEarl Lester & Patricia DeRizeJohn LuxenburgToni MartinMichael & Ivy MatthewsMartha McPhailFlorence McNabbIra & Karen MeislikMatt MetzJoan MitchellChris MooreNell MurrayGilbert NadeauLeon & Brenda OakleyChristine OhrmundRodney OrthKaren PalmerWarren & Carrie PhillipsJason PickerRobert & Lisa PinskerAdrienne PipesNorman & Maggie RichardsonKaren SauterJerry & Shelly SilberbergFrank & Jane SigonaClarence & Patt SloanLarry & Patricia SmithFrancesca SoncinAnjelica StevensDavid & Jane SturmerMary ThomMonte TurnerMark Van RoodeBruce VermazenRichard & Anita WangJeffery WhiteMichael WhiteheadMaureen WilsonCarl L. WrightDan Zimel & Lisa Franklin

WINTER (FEBRUARY) 2019PAGE 16 JAZZ RAMBLER

TTTTTraditional Jazz: A Quick Lraditional Jazz: A Quick Lraditional Jazz: A Quick Lraditional Jazz: A Quick Lraditional Jazz: A Quick Lookookookookook

Bill Dart – Misunderstood Trad Jazz Drummer

AMERICA’S FINEST CITYDIXIELAND JAZZ SOCIETYPost Office Box 880387San Diego, California 92168-0387

NON PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

P A I DP A I DP A I DP A I DP A I DPermit No. 821San Diego. CA

(This i s the seventh min i -biography in a continuation ofa series of biographies of greattraditional jazz musicians. Theseries started with the March/Apr i l 1991 i ssue and wasdeveloped by Rambler foundingpublisher and Board Member,the late Len Levine.)

By Hal SmithAFCDJS Artistic Advisor

When trumpeter/bandleader LuWatters was being interviewed in themid-1970s , he reca l led severa linstances when fans of his YerbaBuena Jazz Band commented on thedrummer’s lack of facial expressionwhile performing. “What a difference,”they would say, “if your drummerwould just smile.” Watters — whoonly cared about the band’s sound —shot back: “Well, it wouldn’t make asmuch difference as if he was a baddrummer!” The poker-faced drummerin question was Bill Dart, whoseunusual style was one of the mostdistinct sounds within the YerbaBuena Jazz Band.

William J. Dart was born in SanFrancisco on Oct. 2, 1915 and grew upin Oakland. He began drumming whenhe was eight and taught himself toplay by drumming along with records.Dart played in dance bands throughoutthe Bay Area during the 1930s andgradually became acquainted with themusicians who would form the YerbaBuena Jazz Band . He a t t endedsess ions wi th Lu Wat te rs , BobScobey, Turk Murphy and others at

Watters!) When Watters and his sidemenjoined the Armed Forces duringWWII, Bi l l Dart served in theMerchant Marine. He also playedoccasionally at the Dawn Club withthe Wartime version of the YerbaBuena band as well as engagementswith Dude Martin’s Western Swinggroup. After the war ended, Dart rejoinedthe Yerba Buena Jazz Band at theDawn Club. In addition to their regularperformances, the band recorded anumber of sides for Watters’ ownWest Coast label and broadcast livefrom the Dawn Club on KGO. Thepos twar record ing qua l i ty wasimproved, and Dart’s drumming isalways audible – and appropriate forthat particular musical setting. Healways managed to keep the brassyensemble moving forward –regardless of the tempo. And onuptempo stomps, such as the WestCoast records of “Copenhagen” and“That’s a Plenty,” it is obvious thatthe band was genuinely inspired byDart’s well-timed fills on the snaredrum, tom- tom and cymbals .Occas iona l ly he swi tched towashboard, playing a simple butpropulsive style.

When unpaid taxes caused theYerba Buena Jazz Band to leave theDawn Club in 1947, Dart accompaniedLu Watters , Bob Scobey, TurkMurphy, Bob Helm, Wally Rose,Harry Mordecai and Dick Lammiacross the Bay to El Cerrito and thenew home for the band — HamboneKel ly ’s . Or ig ina l ly , Wat te r s

continued on page 14

the Big Bear Tavern in Oakland andreplaced Gordon “Gramps” Edwardswhen the fledgling Yerba Buena bandopened at the Dawn Club in 1941.

Though Bill Dart was a creativeand inventive drummer, Wattersasked him to confine his playing withthe Yerba Buena band to thepercussive effects which were audibleon recordings from the 1920s. Thus,Dart concentrated on woodblocks,choked cymbal and Chinese tom-toms.His bass drum is also prominent onthe earliest records for Jazz Man andsurviving broadcasts from the DawnClub. That bothered some of theband’s financial backers to the pointwhere they insisted that Dart playwithout a bass drum on the secondYerba Buena recording session in1942. (The same financiers coercedWatters into replacing brass bassistDick Lammi with the more restrainedSquire Girsback. But it would be thelast time that any outside forcesd ic ta ted mus ica l po l icy to Lu