[Dixielandjazz] Kid Howard biography project

JimDBB@aol.com JimDBB@aol.com
Tue, 26 Nov 2002 13:04:08 EST


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In a message dated 11/26/02 6:45:43 AM Central Standard Time, 
brian.harvey5@ntlworld.com writes:


> In connection with the Kid Howard book I am trying to locate the jazz writer
> Berta Wood who at one time reported the George Lewis band's appearances at
> Club Hangover. That band did of course feature Howard

   HI Brian:  We are in the middle of a real blast of snow here in the 
Chicago area.

   I told you in my correspondence with you that I caught the George Lewis 
band with Kid Howard in New Orleans in about 1950-51.  You mentioned the Club 
Hangover and I believe that I heard them there as well.  In 1952 I found 
myself in the Marine Corps with the Korean War going on.  After boot camp in 
San Diego I was sent to a Marine Corps Band on Treasure Island, A US Navy 
base off of San Francisco. I soon discovered the real treasure island at the 
Hangover club in Frisco.  I always wore my uniform as I was under age and no 
one questioned you if you had a uniform on.  Also it brought forth free 
drinks from kindly patriotic souls.  I couldn't afford the Hangover on my pay 
but I seldom had to actually buy a drink.

    Many a wonderful night there.  A parade of top bands came through the 
Hangover.  Wild Bill Davison, KId Ory, Louis Armstrong, Muggsy Spanier, 
George Lewis and others. The setup was perfect with a long curved bar and the 
bandstand up and behind the bar. And there was an extended table area away 
from the bar.  Sitting for long sets at the foot of these great bands with a 
nice drink at hand was life at its best for me.  Jim Robinson blasting his 
trombone  20 ft. away......

   An amusing recollection.  I was just out of high school a couple of years 
and pretty green as a jazz fan and musician.  I had started collecting 
records, still the beloved 78s then.  I had Muggsy Spaniers commodore 
recording of "Snag It" and I loved it with Pee Wee and all.  So, one night at 
the Hangover with Muggsy Spanier's band on deck I got up my nerve and 
approached Muggsy.  I asked him if he would play "Snag It."  Muggsy looked at 
me and said, "I'm sorry but we can't play it."  I was dumb founded and I 
said, "Well, I have your recording of it."  Muggsy replied that it had been 
recorded with a different band and he couldn't do it with his present band.  
In my naivete I couldn' t understand this and I continued to stammer along 
about having his recording of it and why couldn't he play it.  Muggsy finally 
got exasperated with his explanation not getting through to me and he walked 
away.

Great memories.

Jim Beebe


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<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><FONT  SIZE=2>In a message dated 11/26/02 6:45:43 AM Central Standard Time, brian.harvey5@ntlworld.com writes:<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">In connection with the Kid Howard book I am trying to locate the jazz writer<BR>
Berta Wood who at one time reported the George Lewis band's appearances at<BR>
Club Hangover. That band did of course feature Howard</BLOCKQUOTE><BR>
<BR>
&nbsp;&nbsp; HI Brian:&nbsp; We are in the middle of a real blast of snow here in the Chicago area.<BR>
<BR>
&nbsp;&nbsp; I told you in my correspondence with you that I caught the George Lewis band with Kid Howard in New Orleans in about 1950-51.&nbsp; You mentioned the Club Hangover and I believe that I heard them there as well.&nbsp; In 1952 I found myself in the Marine Corps with the Korean War going on.&nbsp; After boot camp in San Diego I was sent to a Marine Corps Band on Treasure Island, A US Navy base off of San Francisco. I soon discovered the real treasure island at the Hangover club in Frisco.&nbsp; I always wore my uniform as I was under age and no one questioned you if you had a uniform on.&nbsp; Also it brought forth free drinks from kindly patriotic souls.&nbsp; I couldn't afford the Hangover on my pay but I seldom had to actually buy a drink.<BR>
<BR>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Many a wonderful night there.&nbsp; A parade of top bands came through the Hangover.&nbsp; Wild Bill Davison, KId Ory, Louis Armstrong, Muggsy Spanier, George Lewis and others. The setup was perfect with a long curved bar and the bandstand up and behind the bar. And there was an extended table area away from the bar.&nbsp; Sitting for long sets at the foot of these great bands with a nice drink at hand was life at its best for me.&nbsp; Jim Robinson blasting his trombone&nbsp; 20 ft. away......<BR>
<BR>
&nbsp;&nbsp; An amusing recollection.&nbsp; I was just out of high school a couple of years and pretty green as a jazz fan and musician.&nbsp; I had started collecting records, still the beloved 78s then.&nbsp; I had Muggsy Spaniers commodore recording of "Snag It" and I loved it with Pee Wee and all.&nbsp; So, one night at the Hangover with Muggsy Spanier's band on deck I got up my nerve and approached Muggsy.&nbsp; I asked him if he would play "Snag It."&nbsp; Muggsy looked at me and said, "I'm sorry but we can't play it."&nbsp; I was dumb founded and I said, "Well, I have your recording of it."&nbsp; Muggsy replied that it had been recorded with a different band and he couldn't do it with his present band.&nbsp; In my naivete I couldn' t understand this and I continued to stammer along about having his recording of it and why couldn't he play it.&nbsp; Muggsy finally got exasperated with his explanation not getting through to me and he walked away.<BR>
<BR>
Great memories.<BR>
<BR>
Jim Beebe<BR>
<BR>
</FONT></HTML>
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