[Dixielandjazz] Dillon Ober

[Don Ingle]

Wim Mossel's mention of Dillon Ober sparked a quick memory trip -- about one of the great drummers who disappeared into the movie studios in CA and was rearely known outside of that arena in the years of large studio orchestra staffs.
Dillon Ober was a very nice man, looking as I recall a lot like Robert Benchley. We used to go to visit at his place in the Valley not far from our home, as dad and he had become good friends in the 30's through their mutual friend Owm Downes, another of the unsung but superb drummers who had shared the stand with dad for much of the 1930's on the Ted Weems band. Dillon and Orm and dad often gathered to socialize when not working, and Dillon's home was often the site of poker parties, bar b q's and a pleasant place to visit.
I learned by listening to his desciptions of working with the great musical directors of Hollywood and how they underscored the films, a very technical and criticallly timed
process.
They would also tell war stories from the big band days and talk about the players they'd come up with in the business. So the mention of Dillon Ober on that Jack Pettis 1928 recording brought a quick flood of pleasant recollections about one of the giants (among many other drummers) but also one of the least known by the general public. If others have memories of Dillon Ober, Warren Vache, maybe) please add theirs to this quick post.   Dank U, Wim!
Don Ingle