[Dixielandjazz] Glenn H. "Pappy" Koch

[Black Swan CJB]

I am very sorry to report that Glenn Koch -- "Pappy" to his friends -- 
passed away this morning at about 1:10am. Pappy was a good friend and
performed on drums and washboard with Black Swan between 1989 and 2000. I
will miss him. I've included a bit on Pappy's musical background here,
though I daresay that others could add quite a lot more, as much of his
musical career was spent in and around Chicago.

Glenn Houser Koch was born in Covina, California on October 25, 1913. He
played his first gig at age 16. Glenn switched from violin to drums while in
high school and continued his percussion studies at the University of
Southern California. He soon moved to Chicago and began a career in the
insurance business. After a 20-year hiatus from music, Glenn began
performing again in the late 1950s.  He subsequently traveled to Europe with
the Sons of Bix, on U.S.O. tours in the Pacific with Franz Jackson and to
Japan with Dr. Jon's Medicine Show and Jazz Band. Other "ports of call"
include stints with Lil Armstrong, Chuck Foster, Jimmy Featherstone, the
Chicago Footwarmers, the Salty Dogs, Stumptown Jazz, John Bennett's Swipesy
Cakewalk Ragtime Band and others.

One of Pappy's oft-used quotes was "...so many drummers...so little time..."
His own time was excellent, however, as attested to by the many dancers who
loved his simple, steady rhythms. Pappy always told me that he wished to be
remembered simply as "Glenn Koch - A Drummer". He deserved the title.

Kit Johnson