[Dixielandjazz] Rish Mathieson

[Don Ingle]

I was playing in Vegas when Bob Crosby brought one of his revival Bobcats
units in to play at one of the casino lounges. He had Rich on Baritone horn
in place of a trombone player.
About the same time, Red Nichols used Rich on a recording session with an
augmented Pennies band. Outstanding was the cut, "Eccentric," an augmented
chart originally by Rosie McHargue. The tutti breaks were marvelous.
In Chicago at the annual musical dealers convention when all the horn makers
displayed their lines, they would bring in name artists to give demo
concerts. Rich was one demonstrating every horn from alto (peck) horns to
tubas.
Severinsen demoed for Getzen, and Bobbie Lewis also demoed for someone I
cannot remember. I used to look forward  to this annual trade show. It meant
I was going to get a new trumpet from Getzen for having my mug in their PR
stuff....the only side benefit for working at Jazz Ltd.. one of the few
regular jazz gigs in a long running jazz venue.
Rich was certainly one hell of a player and a well-schooled player. He was
also possessed of an ego to match.
Don Ingle